Monthly Departmental News!
January Ambassador Reports
Request For Proposal Team:
The team is updating the look and content for the RFP responses for AWP. Bios are being created with photos and more info than they had in the past. We are also looking to update other aspects of our response format so that we can keep up and be competative.
We are working on an RFP for EAP services for Mesa Public Schools and possibly going to start on one for the Wellness portion of the services for UT Austin.
Shelby has been working on finalizing the Youth Advocacy marketing materials and working on a digital version of the AWP service proposal using a new design and layout. Last week, Sam and Shelby completed the submission of a Letter of Intent to the William T. Grant Foundation to request funding for a 3-year evaluation of the PAL program. This evaluation would analyze the PAL program in-depth and also include a study of the long-term effects of PAL in the program’s alumni between the ages of 18-25. Also, Shelby has been working on applying for a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Youth Advocacy programs.
Reported by: Shelby Singleton, Creative Specialist
Business Services:
Big changes for the Business Services Team!
Scott Terres has been assigned as the Director of AWP Business Services and will provide management and oversight for BD, Network Management, AWP Trainers and Claims. Rick will be 100% BD, Ann is 50% BD, 50% AM, Ken is 50% BD, 50% AM and Barbara is 50% BD and 50% AM. More rigid communication processes have been established and we will all be working with MIS to help institute electronic services designed to automate additional tasks, freeing up additional direct contact/training opportunities.
Reported by Scott Terres, Director of AWP Business Services
Coordinated Training Services
Happy New Year! CTS is busy partying like it’s 1999 (or 2004 in the Midwest). New Year’s Resolutions: Scott and I are going to get skinny and fabulous, observe some trainings, schedule some trainings, and dig into some PAL® program evaluation awesomeness. Speaking of PAL®, our very own Tara Beets and Turnip Fries Cowan is now applying her superhero powers to all things PAL®, as the new PAL® Manager/Specialist. She is still doing conference work for the time being, because she is just THAT good. We have also been working with the RFP A-Team, and have just submitted a Letter of Intent to the William T. Grant Foundation to try and get our curriculum revision and program evaluation updated. Thanks A-Team, haaaaay! CTS is going to rock your face off in 2012, y’all.
Reported by: Samantha Thompson, CTS Director
Network Management:
Network Management continues to work on the inventory project to ensure affiliate folders are accounted for and all contracts are complete and scanned to the server. Recruiting field affiliate partners in the Austin area remains a priority for Network Management. Two new Field Affiliate Partners were brought into the network in the last month, one in Georgetown and one in Round Rock. Cole Noble and I also brought in a new In-House Affiliate this month, Juaniki Stewart. Juaniki will be working at the Timberline office. In other network news, the number of affiliates on temporary status due to expired credentials reached an all time low this past December, due to targeted efforts to obtain current credentials from out of date counselors. This is important as it means there are more options available for I&R to choose from when referring a client to a counselor.
Reported by Valerie Turullols, Director of Network Management
Case Management:
As of Jan 3, Cole has ____________________ (inherited, earned, acquired, been bequeathed) SEVERAL additional responsibilities as Director of AWP Clinical Services. So Niki and Ron are trying to stay on top of the Case Management Dept. workload, and keep our customers served. Needless to say, 2012 has started out with a bang!
The structural and personnel changes have also necessitated that Case Mgt. log-in as back up to the Call Center. That’s been a reminder about the WIDE variety of our clients’ needs when initially accessing our services!! It’s also a reminder that we (all) do consequential, life changing work that helps to relieve human suffering.
To augment the department’s “toolkit”, Niki will be completing a qualification course to do Critical Incident Stress Debriefings (CISD) next week. That will give AWP more flexibility in responding to traumas in workplaces in/around Austin. Doing CISD’s with staff members is a significant cost savings over paying field Affiliates for that service. And given Niki’s talented professionalism, this new skill will only amplify her value to AWP and our customers!!
Going forward, Case Managers will continue to work as part of our Client Services Team, and adapt as necessary to changing demands. Things are busy on the second floor at Timberline!
Reported by Ron Meade, Clinical Case Manager
Administration:
The Admin Team at Southpark continues to grow. We have a new member to our group Arianne Sadat-Sharifi. She is the new Training Scheduler for Business Development and Account Management. Arianne is a cool mover and shaker and is working well with all the staff. Welcome Arianne - we are delighted that you are a part of our team.
The rest of our team continues to work hard. Our RFP Team - in 5 short months - won an RFP for Collin County College in December! What an amazing feat for such a new team. Laura, Capri and Shelby RULE!
And of course how would the company run without Maira at the helm of the ship, making sure every day that we communicate well with external and internal customers. Thank you Maria for your stability and your caring with regards to customers. We couldn't do it without you.
Reported by Maggie Cowan, Office Manager Princess
Accounting:
Accounting, as usual, is hard at work. The holidays are over and we are back to tackling all of the financial details. Our auditor is in for the month of January going over the books. Brenda is finishing up gathering information for the CYD desk review. YEA!!! We got out the W2s so quickly and working on getting the 1099s out. Doug, in MIS, listened to our complaints and came through with “new”/used CPUs for Brenda and Sharon. Thanks Doug! We are also continuing to work out issues with the requisitions. Thank you for your input and thank you Sasan for listening and coming up with solutions to our problems too.
Reported by Sharon Gunter, Accounts Payable Specialist
MIS:
As promised last month, MIS has installed a new computer backup system that works silently in the background to protect all of your vital documents. Also, our new spam blocker has greatly reduced the number of unwanted emails while simultaneously speeding up email delivery!
Current MIS Projects include anti-virus updates and address book improvements. MIS is also actively working with AWP to promote account retention through the use of automated monitoring and reporting of account activity.
Reported by Sasan Sadat-Sharifi, MIS Director
Human Resources:
HR is busy as a bee right now! She and her interview team just hired Rebecca Thompson as the new Intake and Referral Specialist. Rebecca is currently in school at UT to obtain her graduate degree in Social Work, and she just recently got back from teaching English in Korea. We are very excited for her to come on board.
In addition to this, HR will be hiring an Accounts Receivable Specialist, and HIV Trainer, and a Contract Manager in the upcoming weeks. Please send referrals!
The HR team is also hard at work getting ready for the annual insurance renewal coming up in March. Along with our new Health Benefits Broker, Frost Insurance, we are working together to make this a smooth transition.
Reported by Bre Stogner, HR Generalist
Quality Management:
QM is coordinating the preparation for the Board Meeting scheduled for January 19th. The reports are collected, printed and ready for presentation.
QM is actively researching for possible fundraising sources; at the coming board meeting we’ll be asking the board to approve reserving the AFL-CIO parking lot for two events; South by South West in March and the UT Home Ball Games starting in September.
Other ideas are being considered in support of the YA team.
QM team assignment change update; Scott will be the QM for the YA team, the South Park staffs and Ken in Arizona. Maria will continue QM for TL Staffs and OKC office.
QM continues to work with Accounting & MIS to improve the Requisition Database and processes.
Reported by Maria Bosco, Quality Manager |
