March 2019 Staff Awards & Positive Community Feedback

Torch Awards

The Winners for this month’s Torch Awards are: Kia Armstrong, Alex Carlotta, Shelby Diener, Cindy Jamison, Shelly Sannes and Tiffany Schmidt. They will have their photo taken and receive a gift card! Congratulations to all!

Kia Armstrong: Kia overheard us talking about the Grinch no longer being available at the library for Dr. Seuss Week. We wanted the Cat in the Hat to visit our Home Activity Sheet Challenge. Kia recommended a parent at the center that was willing to volunteer as the Grinch. Kia brought her to the center and the kids loved it. Kia is not responsible for our center at all but went out of her way to help us.  We really appreciate it, Kia!

Alex Carlotta: I want to nominate Alex for her hard work at keeping the Data Entry room running so smooth while Elinor is out. She has done all of her duties and more! Reports, files, attendance, etc. always with a smile and a very positive attitude! Thank you, Alex!

Shelby Diener: She is so busy, going to college and work!  Not only does she work here, but she has another job as well!  Shelby is an amazing co-worker and our kids love her more than they love me!  She should win this award and she deserves it! I could go on and on, but you and I know how much she does for this company!

Kacie Schunk and Cindy Jamison: They both consistently go over and above in their jobs to make each day a special day of learning for our children. I am always impressed with their hard work, positive outlook, and genuine care they provide the children each day. They are always willing to do what is needed and more and I can’t say enough good things about these ladies.

Shelly Sannes: Shelly is always quick to help out when needed. She keeps our classroom and lunchroom clean. She is always cleaning and keeping our classroom germs free and our children healthy.

Tiffany Schmidt: Tiffany is so helpful and will always lend a hand in the Head Start classroom when a sub is needed.

Chelsea Kaylor: Chelsea is always so positive and creative. She does a great job working with young children and giving them the personal care they need. She is a new teacher with a new assistant teacher and they have done an excellent job together. Together her team does a great job!

Above & Beyond Awards

Megan Martin: Megan was nominated for Above and Beyond for the compassionate care provided to a family that came to CFI in crisis, without an appointment. Megan went above and beyond to complete the intake process with the family and served as a liaison between the referral entity and the needed service department at CFI. Great job making sure a family in need received immediate crisis support and was connected to services.

Linda Hickman: Linda was nominated for Above and Beyond after supportively stepping up to take care of a facility issue at the Mt. Orab office.

Susan Shafer: Susanwas nominated for Above and Beyond after stepping in on 3 separate occasions to fill in for after hour staffing needs.

Amie Wheeler: Amie was nominated for Above and Beyond for skillfully managing the classroom while her coworker was away for military service. Amy also goes above & beyond in looking for new ways to implement trauma informed practices in the classroom. Thank you Amie for being such a great support to the program & helping make the day treatment program grow.

Hats Off

Pam Weist was nominated for helping coordinate a move of computer equipment with a smile and positive attitude that the work could be done.  She went extra steps to make sure everything was satisfactory, in working order, & comfortable.  Pam is a huge asset to the IT Department and much thanks to you Pam for all your help.

Erin Prindiville was nominated for taking the lead in the JC Sex Offender Program & has spent countless hours training, planning, and implementing this group. She has worked hard to assure the program get certified through DYS & her dedication to this program has been truly appreciated!

Positive Community Feedback

Andrea Hennel-Hall MA, Psychology Assistant:  When sharing about the excellent service that Andrea provides, a teacher in Batavia School District stated, "I don't know what we would do without her!”

On a recent satisfaction survey regarding the services provided by Eric Carpenter and Sharon Boh, the following was shared:

• “You both do a fantastic job with our families. I appreciate your willingness and ability to be flexible and adapt to the changes made by our agency."
• “Sharon and Eric are great! I’ve always received positive feedback from the families they work with!"
• “Both of you are amazing and do great work."
• “Eric and Sharon do an excellent job. I am glad they are a part of our team.”
• "I would put a '10' if it were a choice! Thank you both so much! Goes above and beyond expectations! You both give way more time, energy and professionalism that I've encountered in my work/professional experience. You both should be commended for your work ethic and dedication to our families. Thank you both so much!”

Wasserman Day Treatment Program

• “Working in the mental health field, we can all attest to how hard the work we do can be!  The Wasserman Team works daily with the clients in their program, and just like many of our other programs, the recognition for their efforts is not often voiced by the persons they serve.  That makes moments like the one below so very exciting as we can celebrate the success for the client below but also for the treatment team.”
• A Wasserman client stated, "I feel like you guys at Wasserman have helped me very well. I am thankful, so very thankful, for everyone at Wasserman! I actually enjoy life, and want to have fun!"

Susan Graham, Shelly Baxter, Susan Shafer and Bethany Craig

Congratulations on a job very well done!  These staff provided the Signs of Suicide Prevention Program (SOS) to the Georgetown School district and received excellent feedback from the school.  The SOS program provides mental health prevention, education and assessment related to depression and suicide. Through the use of an educational video and discussion guide, students are taught that depression is a treatable illness and suicide is a preventable tragedy. Students are given specific action steps and are encouraged to engage in a discussion with their parents as well as utilize a peer-to-peer help-seeking model when risk is present.   This program has also been implemented in Mariemont, West Clermont Middle School and Ripley High School this school year.  

Following the SOS program at Georgetown, a Social Worker at the school shared:

• “The school board was extremely impressed with the implementation of the program and the way that we were able to help students in need get connected to community services. I think we certainly gained their support to work with more grades in the future! We could never have done this without your guidance and the help of Child Focus, so thank you again for everything that you did for us!"