The Waiver Department wishes all staff members

a joyous Thanksgiving holiday. 

 

We are grateful for your contribution to the lives of our clients.

 

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."  Marcel Proust

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." - Thornton Wilder

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."  John F. Kennedy

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." Albert Schweitzer

"The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated."  WIlliam James

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."
  Oprah Winfrey

"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has."  Epictetus

Reminder--Overlapping Time

Just a reminder to make sure that if you work with a client who has multiple Waiver workers working with him or her, that the hours you claim on your time sheet do not overlap with the other workers' hours.  Some clients have up to 5 or 6 workers per week and it is all too easy for hours to overlap when dates and times on the time sheets are not entered correctly.

We cannot pay two employees for working with the same client at the same time, so unfortunately all conflicting time sheets have to be held without pay until we can resolve the overlapping hours.  When one or more time sheets are late that contain overlapping hours, the problem is much harder to solve.  We then have to contend with collecting pay back from employees or delaying pay until all employees can be reached and all time sheets corrected.  In short, it is a mess.  

Help us avoid this mess and potential delay of your pay by always making sure your hours or days do not overlap with another employee's time sheet.  We appreciate all you do to help us keep paperwork problems to a minimum.  

Reminder--Keep Contact Info Current

.

Just a friendly reminder that as Direct Care Providers to Waiver clients it is imperative that we be able to reach you at all times.  Please make sure that any time your phone number, email address, or mailing address changes that you provide us with the updated information.  Several times a month we attempt to reach employees by phone only to find their numbers disconnected.  We always need a current phone number for you--no exceptions. 

 

Imagine discovering an error on your paycheck and dialing our number only to find it disconnected.  The concern and frustration you might encounter when you can't reach us is the same that we encounter when we need to reach you regarding changes in your client's plan of care, medication, illness, or your work schedule.  Help us keep the lines of communication open in both directions by making sure we always have the most current contact information for you.

 

Thanks in advance for your assistance.  Good communication is huge part of solving problems quickly. 

Smoked Turkeys By Darrell

Darrell is once again smoking turkeys for Thanksgiving and currently taking orders.  This year's turkeys will be hickory smoked with a variety of citrus fruit and injected with Darrell's special marinade.  Turkeys will range from 12 - 15 lbs. and cost $30 each.  All orders are due to Darrell no later than Friday, Nov. 16th.  Turkeys will be available for pick-up on the 20th and 21st by 3 p.m.  Heating instructions will be provided.

Contact Darrell with your orders as soon as possible. 

Waiver Feedback Needed

We are considering holding a Fall Fest event on December 1st.  This would be an annual event for all Waiver staff, clients, and their families.  We are considering holding this event at Maumelle Park.  Your ideas, suggestions, and feedback on this event are welcome.  Please email your comments to Angela at agattin@civitanservices.com.

 

We are also considering holding an annual Christmas party on December 14th or 15th.  This event would include staff only.  We would consider locations in Little Rock or Hot Springs.  We welcome your suggestions regarding location or activities for this event as well.  Email Angela with your ideas.

 

Be advised that if you are scheduled to work with your client on Dec. 14th or 15th we would try to find a replacement for you.

 

Thanks for helping us plan these upcoming holiday events.

Pay Day Over The Holiday Break

The annual dilemna over how to handle the pay day that occurs during the Christmas week break (when the Center is closed) has been solved.  All Waiver employees will need to take note of the following changes and budget accordingly.

Pay days in December will be:

December 14th
December 21st

Notice these pay days are only one week apart.  Providing all regular deadlines are met and paperwork is correct, you will receive two week's pay on December 14th and one week's pay on December 21st.  The December 21st pay day will be the last pay day of the year so it will be especially important that all paperwork is correct and on time to avoid any pay being held for corrections. 

Pay days in January will be:

January 11th
January 25th

Notice that this means there will be three weeks between the December 21st pay day and the January 11th pay day.  You will need to plan ahead for this.  Providing all deadlines are met and paperwork is correct, you will receive three week's pay on January 11th and then return to the normal two week's pay on January 25th.

The Waiver box for paperwork near the front door to the Center will still be emptied on our normal schedule (10 a.m. every Monday) to keep the box from getting full over the break. Group Home paperwork will still be due to Elaine by 9 a.m. on Monday and will be collected promptly over the break.  This means all paperwork during the break needs to be on time in order to be eligible for the January 11th pay day.  Please don't risk going a month without pay! 

During the break it will still be acceptable to fax or email your paperwork as you normally do but do not drop off paperwork at the Civitan Shoppe in Bryant during the break--it will not be collected.

 

We will post several reminders about this between now and the holiday break but it is never too early to plan ahead.  Thanks in advance for your diligence as we head into the hectic holidays and for everything you do to keep Waiver working smoothly all year long!

Reminder--First Aid Kits

If you have ever turned in a mileage reimbursement form for a Waiver shift, you have surely noticed the small box in the top right hand corner of the form asking if you carry a First Aid kit with you.  An overwhelmingly large number of Waiver employees turn in their forms with this box unmarked. 

It looks like this: 

 

 

Do you have a First Aid Kit with you?

____ Yes _____ No

Please remember to check the appropriate answer regarding a First Aid kit in your vehicle.  If you do not have a First Aid kit in your vehicle, please contact Steve in Human Resources to get one as soon as possible.  You should always have a First Aid kit with you when working with Waiver clients.  If you always carry one, please remember to check this box on your mileage forms.  Every line and every question on every form is subject to audit, including this one.

 

We appreciate your assistance in helping us comply with the many, many rules and regulations in Waiver.  Compliance is a team effort!

 

 

Way To Go Losers!

The Biggest Losers are:

 

First Place  Darrell--31 lbs. lost

 

Second Place  Theresa H.--24 lbs. lost

 

Congratulations to you both!

 

 

 

Don't Forget To Vote

Election Day is Tuesday, November 6th.  Don't forget to vote! 

Changes in leadership affect changes in Medicaid funding and regulations.  Be a part of securing continued services and funding for our clients and families.  Early voting is already open in most local precincts; you don't have to wait until Election Day to cast your ballot!

 

If you didn't register to vote--get registered today.  It is free and easy!  Your voice matters.

Daylight Saving Time Ends

 

Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 4th. 

 

Remember to set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed Saturday night.

 

This is also a good time to check your home smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, especially if you care for clients in your home.

 

If you care for clients who live alone, please also remind your clients

or assist them with checking their detectors.