June 2020 Connections

I struggle for the right words. I know that many of us are confused, angry and sad.

The murder of George Floyd has put a spotlight on what has been a problem in this country and locally for decades. As an employee of Evergreen, CAS and the Pride Center, you understand the pervasiveness of racial inequity in America and here in WNY. Over the last three years, Evergreen has taken steps in order to better understand racial inequity and how it impacts our employees and the patients we care for. As an organization we understand we must do more. We must have the difficult conversations and grow as a company. Ekua Mends-Aidoo, our equity and inclusion officer, executive team and I will lead this charge.

We are Evergreen. We will not put our heads in the sand. We are a family.

Members of our family are being attacked because of the color of their skin. We must come together to support our black and brown employees and patients. We must enact change and do the right thing.

If you are struggling and in immediate need of support, please reach out to Human Resources or our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). You can visit the EAP website for a description of services or to request an appointment at www.

EAP.cfsbny.org. Or, you can call them at 716-681-4300 (Erie County) or 800-8884162 (outside of Erie County). Ekua will also be emailing additional employee resources.

We stand in solidarity. - Ray

Left to Right: Evergreen and Community Access Services are providing drive-thru and walk-up Covid-19 testing in the parking lot behind the Bailey Avenue site. P

Perfect social distancing demonstrated by our staff!

Evergreen's drive-through testing site is open! Tests will be conducted outdoors, by appointment, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. “Right now, as we think about phasing back into ‘normal’ life, the need for testing and places to conduct testing has never been more important. This is what the community needs from us and it’s one of the ways that Evergreen can continue to help,” said Ray Ganoe, President & CEO of Evergreen Health. The cost of the test is covered by healthcare plans, including Medicaid and Medicaid Managed Care plans, with no out-of-pocket costs or co-pays. Tests will be conducted for individuals sixteen years and older and by appointment only. While prescriptions and doctors’ referrals are not required, patients will need proof of health insurance in order to schedule an appointment. Individuals interested in scheduling a test may call Evergreen at (716) 847-2441 and select option 7. Testing will be conducted outdoors through the use of a drive-through system, allowing staff to follow necessary safety protocols to keep screeners and those being tested safe throughout the process. Arrival by vehicle is strongly encouraged and some walk-up testing will also be accommodated. Participants will not need to leave their cars while being tested and tests will be completed over the course of a few minutes via a nasal swab, with test results received within 2-3 days. Masks are required.

“African-Americans on the East Side of the city of Buffalo are being

disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus. The only way we can curb the virus’ spread is by practicing social distancing guidelines and aggressive testing,” said Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes.

“Now, thanks to Evergreen Health and Community Access Services

and Millennium Collaborative Care, testing is available. Please stay continued on next page

healthy, stay safe and stay blessed. Get tested,” Rasheed N.C. Wyatt, Council Member for the University District agrees. “I am in full support of opening this COVID-19 testing site and making sure that the residents of the University District and the surrounding community get tested. Thank you, Evergreen.”

“We know that underserved populations, including

communities of color, have been especially impacted by this unprecedented crisis. Beyond just making tests available, it’s making tests accessible where we can truly make a difference,” said Ekua Mends-Aidoo, Equity & Inclusion Officer at Evergreen Health. “While we’ve been able to continue to provide critical services to our patients throughout this global pandemic, we’ll now be able to medically serve more than just the people who already know about Evergreen and CAS, and for a zip code and its urrounding community that need us the most.”

For the most updated information about the

Bailey Avenue testing site, services, locations, hours, procedures and Coronavirus, please visit Evergreen Health’s COVID-19 webpage.

Evergreen has been helping some of Western New York's most vulnerable people for decades.

But sometimes helpers need help, too. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a benefit for all Evergreen employees. EAP provides help in a variety of areas and all services are 100% confidential, free of charge and available to anyone in your household.

Solution-focused Counseling Services are available in person, over the phone or through video chat. Employees are eligible for up to 4 sessions per concern and if further assistance is required may receive referrals to other professional and community resources.

Future-focused individual Coaching Services around a specific area or skill you wish to develop are available in person, over the phone or through video chat.

Work-Life Services can help you with concerns in the following areas: nutrition, finances, mediation and conflict resolution, child care, elder care, legal concerns and tobacco cessation.

If you are experiencing a non-emergency concern, call our general 24/7 Crisis Counseling Hotline at 716-681-4300 anytime to receive assistance from a Master’s level counselor. For emergencies, dial 911 directly.

For more information about any of these programs and services, contact EAP at 716-681-4300 or visit them online at eap.cfsbny.org.

Evergreen's first ever virtual orientation for new employees!

Employees who are enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLFP) may be eligible for temporary suspension of loan payments through the CARES Act. Click on the piggy bank for more information.

My loans are in forbearance, temporarily suspending my monthly payments. How long will the forbearance last? The administrative forbearance will last until September 30, 2020.

Will suspended payments count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)? If you have a Direct Loan, were on a qualifying repayment plan prior to the suspension and work full-time for a qualifying employer during the suspension, then you will receive credit toward PSLF for the period of suspension as though you made ontime monthly payments.

What will happen to my regular auto-debit payments if I do nothing? Auto-debit payments are suspended during the administrative forbearance. Any auto-debit payments processed between March 13, 2020 and September 30, 2020 can be refunded to you. Contact your loan servicer to request that your payment be refunded.

If you want to continue making payments contact your loan servicer to opt out of the administrative forbearance, and your auto-debit payments will resume. You also have the option to remain in the administrative forbearance and make manual (i.e., not auto-debit) payments during the administrative forbearance period. Visit your loan servicer’s website to make a payment, or contact your loan servicer for more information.

If I made a payment after the president signed the CARES Act on March 27, 2020, can I receive a refund? Yes; any payment you made during the administrative forbearance period (March 13, 2020 through September 30, 2020) can be refunded. Contact your loan servicer to request a refund.

If I’m trying to rehabilitate my defaulted student loan, will my suspended payments count toward my rehabilitation? Yes. If you’re already in a rehabilitation agreement, all of your suspended payments will count.

If you enter a new rehabilitation agreement between March 13, 2020 and September 30, 2020, suspended payments that would have been made from the beginning of your agreement until September 30, 2020 will count. For example, if you enter a new rehabilitation agreement on May 5, 2020, and your payment due date is May 15, suspended payments will count toward your successful rehabilitation for May, June, July, August and September. You will not get credit for suspended payments for March and April, the months before you entered your new rehabilitation agreement.

How will I know when I will have to start making payments again? The forbearance is currently set to expire on September 30, 2020. Your servicer will contact you, no later than in August, to remind you that you will need to start making payments again. Make sure your contact information is up to date in your loan account profile.

What if I want to continue making a partial payment while my loan is in forbearance? As long as you are in forbearance, you will not be penalized for making a payment that is less than your usual monthly payment.

Meanwhile, you still have the option to make a payment on your loan to make progress toward reducing your balance. Contact your loan servicer or visit your servicer’s website.

Left to Right: Mayor Brown and Evergreen President and CEO Ray Ganoe on their way to the Covid-19 testing area. Ray shows off a gift bag from the city, featurin

ng face masks for our patients. Ekua rocks the mask!

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown held a press conference at Community Access Services' Bailey Avenue location.

The purpose was to announce a financial grant for the CAS food pantry, which serves families and individuals in Buffalo's 14215 zip code. The pantry has quickly become an important resource for residents of the neighborhood. The mayor also dropped off bright blue gift bags featuring face masks for our patients. After the press conference, he visited our new Covid-19 drive-through testing site behind the building and met with staff and patients there. Thank you Mayor Brown - we and our patients are grateful for your continued support!

Mark your calendar! The submission

If you were unable to view Ray’s Town Hall presentation or

deadline for the July 2020 issue of Connections is Friday, June 19.

if you have additional questions, you can submit them via

Be sure to get your content in before

email at COVID19questions@evergreenhs.org. A video of

the deadline to guarantee placement.

the presentation has been posted to the ADP portal.

Kids, pets, recipes, your new home office, we want to share them all! Send

In addition to Ray’s daily email messages, you can find up to date information about how Evergreen is dealing with the situation by logging in to the ADP portal or checking the agency website.

to EvergreenConnections via Outlook.

Birthdays Liz Miller........................................................ June 1 Kristy Mangel.............................................. June 2 Alyssa Sherman......................................... June 4 Sashira Quintana...................................... June 5 Yahya Adam................................................ June 5 Kimberly Smith.......................................... June 5 Tara Monaco................................................ June 6 Dennis Kraft................................................. June 7 Shontae Scott............................................... June 10 Stephanie Simmons................................. June 12 Margaret Barnett...................................... June 14 Abbie Burd................................................... June 15 Alan Jacyszyn............................................. June 16 Jason Perez................................................... June 16 Katherine Marrero................................... June 16 Kimberly Martin........................................ June 17 Brianna Cabrera........................................ June 19 Ashley Kuss.................................................. June 19 Dawn Ganoe................................................. June 20 Sandra Aviles.............................................. June 20 Shateer Douglas......................................... June 20 Brett Lawton................................................. June 22 Sharon Yager............................................... June 23 Emily Oaks.................................................... June 24 Alice Larregui............................................. June 25 Eliud Kosgei.................................................. June 25 Jacob Marsh................................................. June 26 Kyle Berberich............................................ June 26 Quinn Lee...................................................... June 29 Megan Bhatti................................................ June 29

Anniversaries Annual Trainings Roll Out

Elizabeth Woleen........................................1 Year Kimberly Smith............................................1 Year

The first round of annual trainings are available on Evergreen University and take about two hours to complete. Be sure to give yourself enough time to complete the required trainings by July 31. If you have any questions please contact Jocelyn Leising.

Christian Rossman.....................................1 Year

New Harm Reduction and Overdose Crisis Training

Matthew Edson.............................................2 Years

This training will aid in our understanding of what the overdose crisis is by contextualizing it through historical and expected trends, as well as its contributing factors. In addition, we will discuss how Harm Reduction is a response to the overdose crisis and the innovative interventions recommended to combat the crisis. The training will take place on June 9, 2020 from 11 a.m. 12 noon via WebEx. Contact Seanna Pratt to register or Jocelyn Leising with any questions.

Lean In Resource Group Lean In is a group for employees who identify as female to talk about their professional experiences and to empower one another. This is an educational group for sharing ideas, experiences and a place to set professional goals. The group meets on the third Thursday of every month from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. via WebEx. Contact Jocelyn Leising for more information.

Khrissmyra Vargas....................................1 Year Alicia Williams.............................................2 Years Marcia Derby.................................................2 Years Alan Jacyszyn...............................................2 Years Kaily Golba.....................................................2 Years Michele Messina..........................................2 Years Nicholas Maggi.............................................2 Years Jonathan Puma.............................................2 Years Christina Monroy........................................3 Years Michael Canty...............................................3 Years Erika Szymanski.........................................3 Years Jamie Major....................................................4 Years Jessie Dorman...............................................4 Years Robert Smith..................................................4 Years Luann Bogdan...............................................4 Years Kaitlyn Gately................................................4 Years Carolee Corbitt.............................................5 Years Jacob Perrello...............................................5 Years Liza Pereira....................................................5 Years Julie Mayer.....................................................5 Years Kristen Bechdel............................................6 Years Elise Robinson..............................................6 Years Susan Buck.....................................................6 Years Kathryn Diebold..........................................9 Years Ray Ganoe.......................................................14 Years Elisa Luciano.................................................20 Years

As we implement our Phased Campus Return to Work plan we

as the safety of those returning. As the weeks pass and we enter

remain committed to our three priorities: keep our employees

each phase, we will continue to monitor how things are going and,

safe, keep our patients healthy and keep our business open. In

if necessary, make adjustments.

accordance with state and local guidelines, the Executive Team

and COVID-19 Response Team have developed "Return to Work"

screening when they report to work, before heading to their

guidelines and expectations to make sure we’re all doing our part

workstation. Elmwood, Commons and Watkins employees

as we navigate these challenging times. Once you return onsite,

must report to 206 South Elmwood Avenue for check-in before

you’ll notice various changes to our physical workspaces, as well

work. Bailey and Mathews employees will receive screenings at

as new protocols to adhere to. We understand these changes

your location. Employees working on-site must adhere to safety

may be difficult and we are here to support you. Our goal is to

guidelines and protocols at all times. Employees working on-

collaboratively ensure you feel safe and secure so together we can

site will receive one cloth mask and are required to wear it at all

navigate the complexities of our “new normal.”

times unless they are alone in their work station. Employees

are reminded to wash their hands regularly and practice social

Here’s what you can expect from us to keep our workplace

Every employee working on-site will receive a wellness

safe and our employees healthy:

distancing, especially when in elevators, in kitchen areas or other

v a Wellness Table, where all employees, patients and visitors

shared spaces. Facilities is deep cleaning all work stations for

will receive a daily temperature screening

those who will be on-site. Facilities will clean down work stations

v

more frequent cleaning and sanitizing

on a daily basis that are being used on a daily basis. Employees

v

access to hand sanitizer throughout the workplace

will be responsible for keeping their workstations tidy and

v

access to our employee assistance program (EAP)

spot cleaning items such as their desk, phone, keyboard, etc.

v

a phased approach to bringing our staff back onsite

throughout the day as needed. Instructions for how to properly

v

ongoing monitoring of “Return to Work” plan

clean your workstation and electronics will be provided upon your

v staggered and/or customized work shifts to help promote

social distancing in office areas v more frequent communications about our organization, new

return to work. Cleaning supplies will be kept with your admin or supervisor for your use. We’ll see creative scheduling, with some employees returning on-site on certain days and from home on

protocols, your health and safety, and measures we are taking

other days to help promote social distancing in office areas.

to support you and our community

As an essential business, we maintained and balanced

v new limits on the number of people allowed to gather in

our business operations with a healthy and safe on-site work

conference rooms, communal spaces, and elevators at one

environment, enabling our patients to access the services they so

time

critically need. Working together, we will make sure that our efforts

v

safety signage in all areas.

to return additional employees to campus are equally balanced,

The Phased Campus Return to Work Plan has been created

safe and successful. I look forward to welcoming you back over

very thoughtfully, taking into consideration patient needs as well

the weeks and months to come. - Ray Ganoe

Amanda Beals

Lauren Jamieso

Amanda LaFleur

LeAnna Shanks

Anthony Roth

Maria Cruz

Ginger Smith

Melissa Murray

Joseph Sessa

Mustafa Abucar

Kayleen Coleman

Rob Cunningham

Kizzy Tell

Roy Golia

Kristy Mangel

Stefanie Warnick

Kyle Berberich

Veronica Velazqu

Recognizing Excellent Work at Evergreen from

on

r

m

k

1.

uez

2. Follow the prompt to record the Code Blue or Mr. Webber and say the exact location and building of the incident.

m April 20 - May 19

Dial extension 2222.

3. Hang up your phone. This will prompt your message to be broadcast to all Evergreen locations.

4. The Code Blue team and Security will respond to the incident.

You'll have 30 seconds to record your message. If you're not done in 30 seconds, you'll be cut off and your message will be automatically broadcast. It's imperative that you say the location and building in your message: “Code Blue in the men’s lobby bathroom in the Elmwood building” or “Could Mr. Webber please come to the Mathews building counselor room?.” The Code Blue/ Mr. Webber Softkey has been removed from all phones.

Publisher/Layout John Carocci

Copy Editor Melissa Meyer

Contributors Jocelyn Leising Shakiya Bell Melissa Delgado

Connections is the monthly newsletter for employees and Board members of Evergreen Health and its affilliates, the Pride Center of Western New York and Community Access Services. Please send us your story ideas, photos, feedback or just a friendly hello at Evergreen Connections via Outlook.

The June and July issues of Connections are usually packed with images of the traditional rainbow flag. With this year's Pride events modified due to the pandemic and the continued racism targeting Black people and transgender Black community members, we decided to utilize the new Progress Pride Flag and learn how it came to be.

Non-binary designer Daniel Quasar created the new flag to show the need for progress amongst HIV-positive,

transgender and Queer People of Color (QPOC) communities. "I felt there needed to be more thought put into the design and emphasis of the flag to give it more meaning," said Quasar. "The six-stripe LGBT flag should be separated from the newer stripes because of their difference in meaning, as well as to shift focus and emphasis to what is important in our current community climate.�

Quasar explains that the stripes representing transgender and marginalized communities were shifted to the side

of the flag and placed in an arrow shape to show not only forward movement but that progress still needs to be made. In the new Progress Pride Flag red represents life; orange, healing; yellow, sunlight; green, nature; blue, peace and harmony; purple, spirit; light blue, light pink and white, transgender individuals; black and brown, marginalized QPOC communities; and black, those living with HIV, those no longer living and those surrounded by stigma.

Look for the new Progress Pride Flag flying proudly around Buffalo and Western New York!

Evergreen was well represented at the Black Lives Matter rally and march.

Rocking the new Evergreen Security polos!