Community Options exists to help people live individually and be active in their community. December 2018 Volume 5 Issue 12 The Magic of Christmas! INSIDE THIS ISSUE Taken in part from MYNATIVITY.COM/BLOG How to Keep the Magic of Christmas Alive as Adults Christmas is a magical time of year. We bring out our best for Christmas. We decorate more than any other holiday. There s the beautiful Christmas tree with ornaments that have been collected over the years. Stockings with names hanging on the mantel. Christmas lights that flicker a rainbow of color, Christmas wreaths, mistletoe, and candles. And then there s the smells of Christmas. Pinetree, cinnamon and cloves, hot apple cider, hot chocolate and smores, gingerbread cookies, mint candy canes, orange chocolate, pumpkin or apple pie, a crackling fire in the fireplace, the list goes on! Magic of Christmas......2 Shining Stars..........3-5 Ask HR..6 Pay Com is coming......7 Success /Milestone/DD Cert...8 Verizon Discounts.....9 Fargo Week of Cheer..10 Grand Forks Week of Cheer..11 Bismarck Week of Cheer. 12 OFFICES CLOSED DEC. 24th -25th and Jan. 1 HAPPY NEW YEAR! And don t forget Santa Claus and the stories around old Saint Nick. To most children Santa is a pretty special and magical character. Kids will put out cookies and milk, hoping to see him eat them. Of course, they always fall asleep before Santa comes, never quite catching the jolly bearded man in red. And the next morning, they rush down to the Christmas tree to see what Santa brought, wondering did Santa bring me what I asked for?
Of course, as adults, we may no longer believe in Santa, but we can still believe in the magic of Christmas. The magic and spirit of Christmas we felt as a child lives within us still today, as adults. And it is born from thoughtfulness, from giving and receiving love, from creating and sharing special moments together with family and loved ones. It comes from being grateful for what we have, from sharing and giving to others. The magic of Christmas comes from having an appreciation for magical moments with family, and from taking the time to create those moments. Once realized, we can try to recreate the Spirit of Christmas at other times throughout the year. It doesn t require anything more than sharing our time and love with others, being thoughtful, and creating magical moments together with family and friends. Life is busy, but if we take the time to celebrate life, to enjoy time together, to laugh, to cry, to make each other feel special and loved, we won t miss out on the most beautiful part of life each other. I want to take this opportunity to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and I pray that each of you will be richly blessed throughout 2019! Bryan
SHINING STARS Sarah Conrad Case Specialist-Williston Sarah assisted a JOBS customer who was new to the Watford City area and fell on hard times due to a bad relationship. The customer was a single mother of a toddler and expecting her second child within a few months. Sarah began working with the customer on job searching, but quickly realized that other barriers had to be addressed first. Sarah first assisted the customer with securing childcare in Watford City which was not easy to find. Sarah then addressed another concern form the customer that was causing her stress and anxiety. The customer shared with Sarah that she did not have anyone to watch her toddler while she was in the hospital delivering her baby. Sarah worked continuously with the customer to ensure that she had a safe option for her child. Sarah used avenues that involved building relationships with outside agencies. Sarah provided transportation to and from Williston for all necessary needs to remove the barrier. In the end, Sarah assisted the customer with having reliable care while the customer gave birth to her second child. Sarah did not give up on the customer and is now assisting her again after her exemption period for the JOBS program. Sarah goes above and beyond to make all customers on her caseload feel welcome and supported. Sarah takes concerns from customers seriously and works side by side with them to ensure the concern is addressed. Even though Sarah is in Williston where she is a one man office, she is a role model to the Region 2 staff as well as having built great working relationships with others from around the state.
SHINING STARS Danielle Halvorson Support Specialist Minot Danielle went above and beyond in order to keep the Minot team successful and to ensure continued care for their clients. Throughout the last year, the Minot team has been short-staffed several times. There were several months the team went without a Case Specialist and without an Employment Specialist. During this time, the team was also supervised by a new Director with limited knowledge. Danielle was the rock that made sure everything got done and that all the clients received quality support. Danielle essentially worked every position since she has been here to cover for those missing pieces. Not only does Danielle do everything that is asked of her, but she often goes above for our clients. She has advocated for a large amount of supportive services to help her clients get closer to self-sufficiency. She has helped several young parents get their G.E.D. She recently assisted a client in getting her realtor license. Danielle has also been making periodic trips to Williston to help clients in Region 1. Finally, The WPR in region 2 has increased over 30% since Danielle became employed. Danielle is a prime example of a model employee. She shows up everyday with a great attitude and a passion to help people. She completes all of her work on time and is a joy to be around. Her co-workers and her supervisors appreciate her work ethic and her humbleness. She doesn t need it or expect it, but she deserves recognition!
SHINING STARS Sabina Abaza Employment Specialist-Fargo Sabina volunteered to assist with our pilot program with Prairie St. Johns. Since Sabina took over as the Employment Specialist, we have seen a 300% increase in customers. She has developed a great working relationship with the team over at Prairie St. John s and has been invited to come speak at many different CEU events Prairie St. Johns puts on. Her knowledge and expertise involving citizenship has proven invaluable to the customers that we serve. With Sabina s assistance, one customer who had lost all her documentation was able to get her green card which allowed her to start working at Sanford and Fargo Public Schools. Another customer is currently working on saving up $500 to request a new naturalization certificate. Sabina has since facilitated a meeting with an Immigration Specialist at Lutheran Social Services to assist him with not only the paperwork but the $500 fee. Sabina is dedicated to the mission of Community Options and the customers we serve. Sabina is a role model for not only her team in her region, but also the teams in the other regions. Sabina comes to work every day ready to work hard to ensure that the customer s needs are met. She has received numerous handmade cards from customers expressing their gratitude for all the assistance and support she provides them. She continues to maintain and develop good working relationships with all our community partners. It is truly my belief that Sabina is not only an asset to Community Options, but also the customers and the community partners we serve. I am truly proud that she is a part of our Team.
JUST ASK HR December 2018 Question #1 When can I expect my W-2 statement to be given to me? Answer W-2 s are given out before the end of January of each year. There are 2 ways that W-2 s are distributed to each employee. You will be mailed your W-2 to the address we have on file and also the W-2 will appear on your ADP paystub account at some time in January. Check your ADP website account periodically. Federal law states that W-2 s must be mailed out before January 31, 2019. Yearly wages are calculated based on any income actually received or checks printed through the end of December. The January 10, 2019 paycheck are on next year s W-2. Question #2 Is there anything that I should be doing every year that I must turn in or inform my supervisor about? Answer There are many things, that if they are changed at any time during the year, that should be reported to HR as soon as possible. Examples of these changes are address, phone number, proof of insurance information, emergency contact information, direct deposit account number, name changes, beneficiary information, training certificates from other agencies, nursing certification, changes in your educational degree status, changes in your driving license status, any convictions of any crimes, DUI s, and any other like situations. For address changes, there are two ways to find out what you currently have on file. First, you can call HR to find out what address is on file for you currently. Second, you can check on your ADP paystub, and your address on file will be listed. If you see the wrong address on the ADP paystub info, you need to change it immediately or your W-2 will also be sent to the wrong address when mailed by the end of January. Question #3 Am I supposed to turn in my car insurance information every year? Answer Each individual s car insurance effective date can be different. Whenever you renew your car insurance (usually every 6 months) you should turn in a copy of your new proof of insurance card to your supervisor. If you have a question you would like to ask HR submit it to BradW@coresinc.org.
PAYCOM IS COMING! It s almost GO time! Community Options will be transitioning to PAYCOM for scheduling, timesheet and pay needs making it more convenient for all employees. Right from your phone! Paycom offers many services including managing time off requests, PLT accrual, Human resource forms and much more. Times are set up for December 17 th and 18 th in all local offices to conduct training on the Employee Self Service portion of PAYCOM. Please contact your Supervisor or the Director in your region for additional information.
Employee Verizon Discounts Don t forget about your cellular savings! All employees receive a 22% discount off of their data plan excluding unlimited plans. They also receive a 10% discount at the store off of select cases, screen protectors and car chargers and a 25% discount off of those accessories if they are purchased through their online account or at the bill payment kiosk in a store.
Success Stories My success was taking time for myself and obtaining my GED as well as my C NA license. I went to Burdick JobCorp and stayed focused and positive. By getting my high school diploma (GED) it has opened up opportunities not just for me but for my family as well. I m now being a good example for my children. Community Options helped me by giving me resources as well as financially. Because I received TANIF I was able to afford to go to school for the most part. Kelsi R. Phelps DD Certifications Trisha Olheiser- DSP, Dickinson MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES Stacey M., DSP, Bismarck 10 years Trenton B., DSP, Bismarck 5 years Cindy C., Marketing, Bismarck 3 years
Week of Cheer 2018 -Fargo December 17 th -21st Monday 12/17: Cookie decorating (Staff and Customers) *11:30-12:30 pm Wednesday 12/19: Homemade hot chocolate, Ugly Sweater Day. (Staff and Customers) *8:30-10:30 am Friday 12/21: Staff Secret Santa Exchange/Christmas Meal Potluck 12:00 pm *Sign up sheet will be posted *All week staff will have a chance to win CO swag.
GRAND FORKS WEEK OF CHEER 2018! ~December 17 th - December 21 st~ Monday~ Make a Mug Monday (all day- everyone) Tuesday~ Hot Cocoa and Cookies (all day- everyone) Wednesday~ Christmas Lunch Spread (11a 1230p- everyone) *sign-up sheet by the copier Friday~ Cookie Exchange & Ugly Sweater Day!! (all day- staff only) *sign-up sheet by the copier Secret Santa~ Dec. 3 rd -21 st (see flyer) Food Shelf Drive~ Dec. 3 rd -21 st (see flyer)
2018 Bismarck Week of Cheer December 17-21 Monday 12/17: Dessert Day (customers and staff) All Day Event: Stop by Shelburne II to enjoy a sweet treat and a warm drink to kick off the week of cheer! Wednesday 12/19: Secret Santa Reveal/Ugly Sweater Day (staff only) All Day Event (Ugly Sweater Day). Stop by to have your picture taken to be entered to win the UGLIEST sweater prize. Secret Santa Reveal- 11am Shelburne II Friday 12/21: Potluck (staff only) Sign up sheet will be posted Shelburne II 11am-1pm During the entire week there will be tree decorating for all Customer s to participate in at Shelburne II.