TRANSFORMATION TIMES A quarterly newsletter for Vinfen Employees Volume 22: Spring 2024
In this issue: New Building Inclusive and Diverse Teams Course for Managers, P1 Introducing Vinfen Computer Training, UKG Certification Notifications, P2 Internship Program, P3 Highlight: Workers’ Compensation and Safety at Work, P4 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, P5 Wellness, P6
College Recruiting Efforts, P7 Annual Vinfen Film Festival, P8
New Building Inclusive and Diverse Teams Course for Managers
By Jennifer Ingle, CBHC Senior Training Specialist
As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, we are pleased to announce the upcoming launch of the New Building Inclusive and Diverse Teams Course for Managers. The Training Center, in collaboration with the DE&I Council and Human Resources, has created a new managers course to help managers build skills and increase understanding around key topics related to managing diverse teams. This course will launch in April and topics will include: Defining key terms related to diversity, equity and inclusion Discussions about how diversity contributes to innovation, creativity, and problem-solving within teams Exploring characteristics of effective diverse teams Discussion and practice of skills around how managers can create open and inclusive communication on their teams
We are excited to offer this training to our managers, and look forward to seeing you in April! Stay tuned for more details about this training course, including dates, times, and registration information. We are confident that this initiative will not only enhance your leadership skills but also contribute to building a more diverse and inclusive organization.
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Introducing Vinfen Computer Training
By Joseph Treff, Senior Training Associate
As Vinfen relies increasingly on digital systems to complete many of the tasks we do every day, we understand that basic computer literacy skills are needed as a first step to success. To that end, the Training Department has created an assessment for new hires to determine what prerequisite skills are needed, and relevant short courses.
These courses are developed as e- learning, with practice throughout, so that new employees can take them immediately after NEO during their first week with Vinfen.
Thank you for supporting new employees to complete assigned courses. We hope that this initiative will decrease reliance on managers for fundamentals and help employees feel more comfortable and confident in their everyday computer use.
UKG – Certification Notifications By Chhavi Kumar, Assistant Director HRIS and Data Admin
Last year, the HR Operations team set up UKG to send auto notification emails reminders for upcoming license or documentation expirations. We are happy to report this feature has been working and has been well received. If you receive a notification email, please take necessary steps to renew your license or indicated document to ensure they are renewed before they expire. You do not have to reply to anyone to inform that you have taken action for renewal. Vinfen does regularly occurring internal checks, and your HR team will reach out to you in case any document is past the due date or was not able to be confirmed.
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Internship Program Resources to Managers
The Vinfen Internships program provides an excellent opportunity for students to gain exposure to the wide range of services and support offered by our organization. The program also offers mentorship from experienced and accomplished supervisors. Moreover, the program is beneficial to Vinfen staff members who are pursuing certifications, clinical licensures, or higher degrees, as it helps them fulfill graduation requirements and prepares them for career advancement opportunities within Vinfen.
At Vinfen, we are committed to fostering growth and development and welcome both internal and external interns. To ensure a smooth and practical internship experience for everyone involved, it is crucial that managers and supervisors follow established procedures and complete all required paperwork diligently.
As managers, it is essential to explore these resources and familiarize yourselves with where the forms and documentation live on SharePoint. By doing so, you can streamline the internship process, provide effective supervision, and contribute to the overall success of our internship program. We encourage you to visit the Internship Program Page in SharePoint today and take advantage of these valuable resources. Thank you for your dedication to supporting our interns and fostering a culture of learning and growth at Vinfen.
HR Admin > Internship Program > Resources for Managers
Questions, please email Rebecca Negreli at negrelir@vinfen.org
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Highlight: Workers’ Compensation and Safety at Work By Amanda Montague, Director of Benefits Workers’ compensation is an important benefit that helps you if you get injured at work, but of course it’s better to avoid an injury in the first place. Obviously no one wants to be injured, but what you may not be aware of is that workers’ comp claims can also affect Vinfen’s bottom line, which affects how much Vinfen is able to put towards things like our retirement plan contributions and employee raises. As a non-profit, we invest the funds we have left over at the end of our fiscal year back into our workforce, and workers’ comp claims can have a significant impact on how much we have to work with.
Safety in the workplace is everyone’s responsibility. Here are a few tips for keeping yourself and others safe in the workplace: Make sure lighting is adequate – if a lightbulb is out, replace it right away Wear stable shoes – avoid flip-flops or other shoes that can easily slide off your feet Hold handrails when going up and down stairs, and keep an eye on your feet as you go If you need to lift a heavy object or help to transfer a person served, use supports such as a Hoyer lift or get assistance from a co-worker Watch out for loose boards, area rugs, or other tripping hazards. Reach out to the Facilities department at facilities@vinfen.org if repairs are needed Watch for ice in parking lots or on steps or walkways in these first days of spring when it can still get below freezing at night If you are injured at work, don’t worry – accidents happen! Here is what should happen next so that we can best support you while you recover:
Let your supervisor know right away that you have been injured, and make sure you tell them exactly what happened that caused the injury. Your supervisor will call a claim in to Travelers, our workers’ comp insurance company, right away. As long as you provide them with documentation, Travelers will cover your medical expenses for the injury and provide you with replacement income if you need to miss time from work to recover. If your injury requires medical attention or may prevent you from working, please see a medical provider promptly. Injuries can worsen without medical treatment and benefits can be complicated if you haven’t seen a medical provider. Stay in touch with Travelers – it is important that you take their calls and make sure you are providing them with any info they request. Not doing so may lead to your workers’ compensation claim being denied, so this is crucial. If you have any questions about a workers’ comp injury/claim, you can always email workerscomp@vinfen.org or call Adam Rock, Vinfen’s Workers’ Compensation Manager, at 617-981- 9173.
Together we can work to keep each other as safe as possible, and you can rest assured that if you are injured in the workplace, there are resources to help!
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion By Anny Domercant, Director of Culture & Engagement Black History Month
As we say goodbye to the winter months and welcome in the spring, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the Black History and Women’s History Month Programs that our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council hosted throughout the months of February and March. This year, for Black History Month, we focused our attention on the theme of African Americans and the Arts, recognizing the pivotal role that these elements play in shaping narratives, fostering understanding, and promoting inclusivity. Black arts are a celebration of creativity, resilience, and identity, spanning visual arts, literature, music, dance and beyond.
The DE&I Council hosted two Black History Month Programs. These programs were intended to acknowledge the contributions of Black artists, writers, musicians, and creators. We not only celebrated diversity, but also strengthened voices that have historically been marginalized.
Each Program brought together staff from across the organization and was an opportunity for staff to recognize and celebrate the diversity of Black people, as it reflects the experiences and stories of the Black community. Staff walked away being reminded that although we set aside the month of February as Black History Month, Black History is in fact American History.
Women’s History Month Throughout the month of March, the DE&I Council recognized and celebrated Women’s History Month. This month was an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements, contributions, challenges and triumphs of women throughout history. We believe in the power of diversity, equity and inclusion and Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the diversity of women and their impact on society. We hosted two virtual Women’s History Month Panel discussions with this year’s theme being “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion”. Our panels featured some of our esteemed women leaders at Vinfen from various departments and levels who shared their stories, experiences, and triumphs. Each of the panelists brought a unique perspective that truly inspired the program participants. These discussions covered topics ranging from career ladder and opportunities at Vinfen, work life balance, challenges of being a woman, to women’s empowerment and leadership. They provided valuable insights and practical advice to women in the workplace and beyond.
We concluded the program with a powerful PowerPoint presentation highlighting some of our women trailblazers in history such as Michelle Obama, Hilary Clinton, Kamala Harris, Governor Maura Healey, Nancy Pelosi, our 6 women supreme court justices and many more. This presentation was a testament the diversity that exist among women greatly contributes to the strength and resilience of our collective identity. It is through events like these that we strengthen our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, making our workplace a more supportive and inclusive community for everyone.
Questions? Contact Anny Domercant, Dir. of Culture and Engagement at domercanta@vinfen.org
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Wellness
By Anny Domercant, Director of Culture & Engagement
Over the past few months, our Wellness Committee has been hard at work hosting a series of insightful and engaging wellness webinars, aimed at promoting and supporting the well-being of our staff. Vinfen believes that employee wellness is an essential part of our culture.
This year (in collaboration with Blue Cross and Your Wellness Scout), the Wellness Committee has hosted the following webinars to date: January: Manage Your Stress For Optimal Living February: Mindful Meal Planning March: Do it Yourself Fitness and Sleep April: Communication Variables (Teamwork and Re-Connecting)
The purpose of these wellness webinars has been multifaceted. Firstly, we always aim to prioritize wellness as being a significant part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Secondly, we’ve explored various facets of physical health from nutrition and exercise to sleep. Our expert speakers have shared valuable insights and practical tips to help us lead healthier lifestyles.
In our fast-paced world, it is so easy to get caught up in the demands of our jobs and overlook our well-being. Through these sessions, we have provided staff with the tools they need to de- stress and provide tips on how to make healthier lifestyle choices and manage their well-being proactively. In the spring, the Wellness Committee will host a Save for the Future Challenge that will take place from April 24h through May 21st. The goal of this Challenge is to encourage participants to take small, simple steps to improve their financial fitness, no matter the age or income bracket. Employees will be challenged to answer 16 questions over the 27 days to earn points. Stay tuned for more information!
Registration for the Challenge: April 10- April 23, 2024 Challenge begins: April 24, 2024 Challenge ends: May 21, 2024
As we reflect on the first few months of 2024, we commend each of you for your participation and commitment to prioritizing your well-being. Let’s continue to incorporate wellness in all that we do. Whether it’s implementing small lifestyle changes, seeking support when needed or taking a moment to pause and breathe, let’s remember that health and happiness are paramount.
Questions, please email wellness@vinfen.org
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College Recruiting Efforts By Zachary Burl, Recruiter
In an effort to keep up with college recruitment, Vinfen's Recruitment Team has been participating in numerous Career Fairs. Each of these fairs is hosted by their respective school and provides employers with an opportunity to chat with current students. This allows us to share information on current employment opportunities and internships here at Vinfen. The Recruitment Team sends multiple representatives to each event who bring a number of helpful informational pamphlets, flyers, and tons of Vinfen swag! Below is a list of all of our scheduled events, both past and present. Tufts 2/9/2024 Merrimack College 2/15/2024
UMass Boston 2/15/2024 & 3/6/2024 Northeastern University 2/20/2024 SNHU 2/21/2024 Roxbury Community College 2/29/2024 Salem State University 2/29/2024 Northern Essex Community College 3/4/2024 Suffolk University 3/5/2024 Central CT State Univ. (CCSU) 3/6/2024
Merrimack College 3/13/2024 Simmons College 3/20/2024 UMASS Dartmouth 3/20/2024 UMASS Lowell 3/21/2024 Boston College 3/22/2024
Springfield College 3/24/2024 Rivier University 3/26/2024 Boston University 3/27/2024 Framingham State University 3/27/2024 UConn Storrs CT 4/2/2024 Middlesex Community College 4/3/2024
We also wanted to highlight the Co-op Program in tandem with College Recruiting, as they go hand in hand We work exclusively with Northeastern and offer their students a 6-month Co-op with our ACCS Residential Programs and our DS Day Programs. The cycles for students run from January 1st to June 30th , then July 1st to December 31st . Currently, we have 7 Residential Counselor, 1 Safe Haven Residential Counselor, 1 Day Program Activities Assistant, and 2 Job Coach roles available for Northeastern students to apply for.
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Annual Vinfen Film Festival Saturday’s 17th Annual Vinfen Film Festival at GBH Studios in Boston was an extraordinary event that brought the greater Vinfen community together. Hundreds of attendees joined us for a day packed with films that make a difference, with each panel discussion that followed offering thought-provoking dialogue to raise awareness and fight against the discrimination and stigma so often faced by people with disabilities. The success of the Film Festival could not have been possible without our Film Festival Honorary Committee, generous sponsors, filmmakers and subjects of the film, panelists, moderators, Vinfen and GBH staff, partners, and all our guests. We sincerely thank you all for participating in and supporting this special, annual event. Here are some amazing photos from the day! We look forward to seeing you at next year’s Film Festival!
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