Virginia Disability Determination Services

My name is Olivia Ashby and I have worked with/ for DDS since 2003. As more employees migrate back to office work and less telework hours, the hybrid work environment still exists and is still welcomed. With teleworking, you will either appreciate it or just adapt to it. With inoffice working, the same options apply. Regardless of the feeling about the two, a sense of community is needed on both sides. Now of course, no work environment is perfect, but may be perfect for individuals depending on the choice that is most liked. In a real society, we all will not be best friends or forever coworkers but we can co-work and co-exist in a less stressed and more comfortable work dynamic. Here are just a few ideas that may help in developing a sense of community or improve it!

 CHECK IN ON OTHERS – try checking in on someone that you do not normally include in your everyday conversations

 OFFER ENCOURAGING WORDS THROUGHOUT THE WORK DAY OR WEEK

– it’s easy to complain or exchange negative thoughts, but encouraging thoughts will draw up positive thinking, which can lead to positive results

 SHARE FUNNY “OUTSIDE-OF-WORK” STORIES – this will allow relatability or just good entertainment. Laughter promotes the release of good endorphins and stimulates smiles

 PARTICIPATE IN GROUP EVENTS/ PROJECTS – now this would be a big one. Most employees become introverted due to work issues or situations that arise and can tend to become “stuck in our ways.” But the best way to help in keeping the feeling that was felt before any issues and to get to know someone other than yourself, is to participate in one or more activities. Even just showing up can make a positive impact on someone as well yourself.

Olivia Ashby Case Control Tech DDS – Norfolk S92

Responding to an emergency is an opportunity to help our neighbors, our communities, and people visiting our beautiful Commonwealth. State employees may qualify for lending assistance during catastrophes by joining the Adjunct Emergency Workforce (AEW). By signing up for the AEW, eligible state employees may be temporarily reassigned from their regular job duties to close critical staffing gaps during a declared disaster.

Most recently, the AEW was activated in 2021 to augment emergency staffing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sharon Dalton, an employee from the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, held a temporary virtual position as a Situation Unit Leader and was able to assist with vaccination efforts in Northern Virginia from the comfort of her home in Central Virginia. During her two-week deployment, Sharon tracked documents for completion and compliance and said participating “could not have been possible without being in a hybrid environment and working virtually.”

As the program moves forward, more virtual options have been integrated into the program to make it more convenient for employees to engage and participate in the AEW. All training opportunities are virtual and have both self-paced and instructor-led courses. This gives employees the opportunity to learn more about disaster response and emergency sheltering in a flexible way that fits their schedule.

This past August, members of the AEW participated in a virtual rostering exercise (VAREX) to test the state’s sheltering capabilities. The AEW was an integral part in the success of VAREX. Without the revamped AEW program, DSS would not have been able to roster 3 shelter sites and provide a safe space for more than 1500 people. The AEW allows us to be more confident for the emergencies we may face.

If you’re interested in joining the AEW online, you can sign up online using this link: https:// tinyurl.com/JoinTheAEW

Rebecca Arrington

Virginia

Dept. of Emergency Management

Moira Qualls

Virginia Department of Social Services