Our 4th Annual NFI North Santa Shuffle 5K Event to support the children at Bridge Crossing was a huge success!
We want to thank everyone who came and supported our event. It was a wonderful day had by all!
Hello Everyone and Happy New Year!
Like many others, I like to take the time to reflect back on the year just completed and what I have learned about myself. This past year I chose the word "More" to be my focus word for the year 2024. My intention was to do more of what I love. I spent more time with friends and family, intentionally planning events. I also read more books (33 in all), and took more trips to the ocean, and rented a beach house for the first time. I also strived to learn more and enhance my communication and leadership skills. In this upcoming year, I am choosing the word "Unknown". I want to be open to trying new things that may be a little uncomfortable for me. I want to step out of my routine and expand myself as a professional and as a person.
I am hoping that you will also choose "one word" or a goal for this upcoming year. If you do, I would love to know what that is. So let me know at jillallen@nafi.com what your one word or goal is for 2025 (yes, I really want to hear from you). Let's build a community where everyone strives to be a better version of themselves and together, we create a Place to Belong.
All the best, Jill COO, NFI North
HR NEWS AND UPDATES
Tax Season
It is tax season and your W-2 is now available in UKG You can access this information by going to your UKG account Look for the section titled: U.S. Wage and Tax Statements.
Happy New Year from your HR Team-Terri, Maria, Julie, and Sandi!
We want to welcome out newest employees in 2025!
Mohan Sitaula
Suson Maharjan
Tshering Sherpa
Peter Donison
Katrina LeTourneau
Ramesh Gurung
Jane Foytack
Hadiya Bomani
Deb Bernacchia
3 Year Employee
Christopher Beland
Kristin Demers
Jenny Pickering
Becky Vater
5 Year Employee
Jennifer Maynard
Rebecca Underhill
10 Year Employee
Elbert Murphy
Thes Thurber
Polly Jo Woodard
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING
THE 4TH ANNUAL SANTA SHUFFLE
The Santa Shuffle was a fun and successful Event!
This year, we saw more than 200 individuals register and take part in the Santa Shuffle, whether in the kids' fun run, the virtual 5K, or the traditional 5K event.
We had visits from Santa, Mrs. Claus, Olaf, Elsa, A Gingerbread Man, a Snowman, and many of Santa’s Elves.
Thank you to all of our volunteers, this event wouldn’t have possible without you. Your dedicated to this event is what made it so successful.
New Hampshire News
Early Childhood Wraparound Program
Early Childhood Wraparound Program Director, Melissa Davis, recently attended the NH Behavioral Health Summit.
Jillian Fitzwater
Jillian started with NFI North Newport in June 2024 after moving from Pennsylvania Even before the Newport location officially opened, she jumped in and helped with gardening and yard work, using her degree in Forestry Therapy to make sure the grounds looked great before the participants arrived
Since then, Jillian has become a key leader at both of our Newport locations
Early Childhood Wraparound Program Director, Melissa Davis, was joined by Laurie Foster, Director of Children's Services at NAMI NH and Dennis Calcutt, Director of Connected Families NH at the NH Behavioral Health Summit The presentation highlighted the creation of the NH Children's Behavioral Health System of Care and the purposes of the Care Management Entities (NFI North and Connected Families NH) within the system The presentation also focused on Early Childhood Wraparound and FAST Forward, the programs using the NH Wraparound Model; as well as touching on the Transitional Enhanced Care Coordination program that also utilizes the core components of wraparound. The session was interactive and allowed community partners opportunities to speak about their own experiences with wraparound.
At our table, you will see that Melissa was generously provided bags from the “Giving Purpose” foundation This organization was established by the mother of an incredible young woman who worked with us in the System of Care and sadly passed away by suicide To honor her daughter's memory and passion, her mother frequently donates to early childhood initiatives The bags donated by "Giving Purpose" contained socks, toiletries, and clothing items, which we distributed to those in need
She supports our participants with case management needs as soon as they arrive.
She has a fantastic relationship with both the participants and staff. The participants look forward to seeing her and enjoy spending time with her. Her groups are always fully attended because the participants find her fun and enjoy what they learn from her
Jillian is incredibly organized, keeping track of reports, paperwork, and appointments Every program needs someone like Jillian!
Maine News
A Staff Spotlight
Alyssa Morin
We are delighted to introduce Alyssa Morin as the new Program Director at Oliver Place. Alyssa brings with her an extensive and diverse background in the field of mental health, having worked in a variety of settings across both the public and nonprofit sectors. Her experience spans a wide range of roles, all of which have contributed to her deep understanding of the unique challenges individuals face and the critical support needed to address them. We are incredibly excited about what Alyssa will bring to her new role, and we look forward to the positive influence she will have on both the staff and individuals served at Oliver Place. Her expertise, dedication, and passion for this field of work make her the perfect fit for this role, and we are confident that her leadership will continue to enhance the important work we do at NFI North. Welcome aboard, Alyssa!
Professional Development
All four Maine school program personnel will be receiving a threepart training on Trauma-Responsive Classrooms as part of their professional development days in January, March and May. Heather Batchelor, EdD, an Associate Professor of Education at Thomas College in Maine, specializes in secondary education, classroom management, trauma-responsive and social emotional practices, and restorative justice in classrooms. Her presentations will include Shifting to a Trauma-Responsive Lens, The Regulated Classroom Space, and Curricular Approaches to Support Regulation. Clinicians from each of the school programs have also been invited to attend this great opportunity.
Clinical Connections
Empowering Lives, Inspiring Hope
January is Mental Wellness Awareness Month. This is the time to recognize the importance of attending to our mental health, especially seeing the vast prevalence of mental health issues and disorders that exist in our world. Remember, mental health is just as important as physical health. There are plenty of ways to celebrate Mental Wellness Month in January Don’t let these ideas limit you. Use your talents and strengths, along with your friends, family, and coworkers, to make a difference
Medical Team
National Blood Donor Month:
Every two seconds in the United States, someone needs blood. Blood transfusions are used to help patients under all kinds of circumstances, including surgeries, cancer treatments, anemia, and childbirth The American Red Cross provides about 40% of the nation’s blood and blood components. Your time saves lives.
Mental Wellness Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. For more than 20 years, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has recognized Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) every May to increase awareness about the vital role mental health plays in our overall health and well-being and provide resources and information to support individuals and communities who may need mental health support.
A blood donation takes about an hour from start to finish but the actual donation itself only takes between 8 to 10 minutes. This short commitment can save as many as three people with each blood and platelet donation The Red Cross is currently experiencing the worst blood shortage in over a decade As a result, some hospitals have had to defer patients from major surgery, including organ transplants. Check eligibility requirements for donation here.
