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Edison Financials delayed

In case you haven't heard, the switch to Edison Financials package has been put off until October 1.

When there's more information available, we'll let you know.

Past post on Edison Financial is found here.

Resource Parent Honored Nationally For Work With Medically Fragile Children

I wanted to share with you the following link of a video clip presented to the Jefferson Awards committee on Karen Broughton, one of our Resource parents in the SW Region who has cared for Medically Fragile children for over 22 years.  Ms. Broaden not only won the local award, she won nationally.  She was commended in our Nation's Capital.  Please see the link and the Jackson Sun article below!!!  We in the SW Region are so proud!!!

Trista Davis

Shouts and Tears of Joy Mark Mid-Cumberland's COA Exit

 Mid Cumberland probably had the most comprehensive review to date. All four of their reviewers were actual practitioners of our work and had been for many, many years. The reviewers were effusive in their praise while encouraging us all to continue to reach even higher. There is no question the MC will have a terrific outcome from this review. Just to summarize a few of the highlights of the exit . . .

1. The adoption process from start to finish was lauded with high praise. One reviewer even called it "perfect" which we know we never all, but it was nice to hear anyway.

2. They LOVED Interdependent Living (one reviewer even plans to steal the name.)

3. They were extremely impressed with our well being units and with the number and availability of attorney's that we have.

4. They were extremely impressed with the work that our resource parents do with birth parents.

5. JJ case management, human resources, client's rights, community partners were are awarded high praise.

6. Most of all, I loved the way they characterized the MC staff and leadership . . . High energy, full of pride in their work, dedicated to best practice. professional, no pretense . . .

I could go on and on, but I will end with my sincerest congratulations to our wonderful MC staff!!! You guys are amazing!

Viola P. Miller

Status Report: Hamilton County and Special Educational Services

During the 2008-2009 school-year, 211 students with or suspected of having educational disabilities were served by DCS Education and the Hamilton County School System. Of those served, 170 of the students were from the Hamilton County Region and the other 41 were placed here from other counties. Of course, this count does not take into consideration those children under the age of three that are served by Tennessee Early Intervention.

As of today, June 11, 2009, there are 111 students in state custody with educational disabilities: 85 from Hamilton Co and 24 placed here from other counties. (5 Bradley Co; 4 Marion Co; 2 each from Coffee, McMinn, Franklin, and Warren Co; 1 each from Blount, Campbell, Knox, Lawrence, Polk, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi; and 1 student from Michigan here on ICPC.

We education specialist also serve 41 Hamilton Region students with educational disabilities in other regions of the state and I am assisted by the Education Specialist from the region in which the children are placed. 

As a team, we are backed up by our Education Consultant 2s (supervisors) and our illustrious leader, DCS Director of Education Mary Meador, and last but not least our ever-willing-to-help Administrative Secretary, Shirley Verble.

Lois Rhea

Paper Reduction Update

Recently we had a terrific state CQI meeting to review your suggestions for paper reduction. Representatives attended by polycom from Southwest, Northwest, Upper Cumberland and Smoky Mountain. They presented suggestions for combining a number of forms to simplify the paper process. They also had suggestions about shortening several forms to make the work more efficient and reduce redundancy.  Shelby had some great ideas about background checks forms. Most of the recommendations appear to be doable. We do need to vet some of them further with others from the field to make certain that we are not triggering some unintended consequence, but we’re making progress. Thanks to all who have thoughtfully addressed the issue of paper reduction. This is one that should never fall off our radar screen so keep the suggestions coming. We’re making progress and that’s a very good thing.

Viola P. Miller

Administrative Leave with Pay Time Reporting Codes in Edison

With more and more DCS employees entering their own time into Edison, we need to assure that you are using the correct Time Reporting Code (TRC) on your time sheet for APPROVED Administrative Leave with Pay.  Here are a few helpful hints:

Administrative Leave with Pay -  TRC is “ADM” – this code is only to be used if you are on APPROVED Administrative Leave with Pay per the Tennessee Department of Human Resources Attendance and Leave Policy and  DCS Administrative Leave Policy 4.26.  In order to be on APPROVED Administrative Leave with Pay, you must be issued a letter signed by both the Commissioner of the Department of Human Resources Commissioner (Deborah E. Story) and the DCS Commissioner (Viola P. Miller).

There are other forms of Administrative Leave with Pay, so please be sure you are using the correct TRC code:

ADMDR (Administrative Leave approved for Disaster Relief)
ADMEL (Administrative Election Leave – for voting when necessary)
ADMIV (Administrative State Exam/Interview Leave)
ADMIW (Administrative Leave for inclement weather)

If you are attending the EAP counseling sessions allowed under DOHR Attendance and Leave Policy “employees are to be excused to receive counseling through the EAP program for UP TO six (6) free sessions per episode /problem (with supervisory approval).  Employees should be considered “on duty” during the time counseling sessions occur and this time coded as working time on the employee’s attendance and leave record”.  Please count that as regular hours worked – no leave taken. 

If you encounter problems with knowing the appropriate TRC code to enter into your time sheet (when you are entering your own time), please contact your local timekeeper. It is much less complicated to determine what should be entered BEFORE the time sheet is approved than it is after it has run.

Read by the poet to his fellow graduates at Woodland Hills

The Road To Graduation
    By: Trendell B.

It all started in kindergarten, those were the first days
You learn letters and numbers and then go to the first grade
Addition and subtraction, was something bigger to do
And all of the fourth graders were bigger than you
The second grade was fun, a class full of creatures
I remember everything, but forgot the name of my teacher
In the third grade you multiply, in the fourth you divide
But both of those grades prepares you for Jr. High
The fifth grade is where you grow and develop a swag
I need the shoes and the clothes so I can go to school and brag
The sixth grade is harder, decimals and fractions 
Bu once you learn how to do it, you mind takes action
The seventh and eight is when you really grow
You do some things you shouldn’t do
And know some things you shouldn’t know
So whether you were popular or if you were not so cool
The only thing that matters is, that you made it through high school
The freshman year we were all ready
Classes, test, semesters, and credits
Some dropped out, but we stayed in
And made it through the sophomore year of grade ten
Juniors are young adults who learn what they are taught
Probably cheated on a couple test but never got caught  
Now you’re a senior and instead of being on the corner
You made the right choice and got your diploma

So to all of you I say, congratulation
Because you are here today, at your graduation! 

                                June 2009 Graduation Exercises

Edison Financials rolling out July 1 at DCS

 

The beginning of the fiscal year means that DCS will begin handling its financial transactions in a new way. The Edison financials package is going live July 1. Sure, any new computer system will have its hiccups and its adjustment period, but Edison marks a profound and vastly more modern improvement over the antiquated systems that Tennessee has long used. This is change that is long overdue, and we're determined to make it work for all us.

 I'm a DCS employee. What does this shift to Edison Financials mean for me?

First, we're not talking about the Human Resources component of Edison, the part that handles your payroll, your time and your 401K. At DCS, Edison financials will handle foster-parent board payments and payments to vendors, for example. Private providers will rely on it to process their invoices, submit requests for proposals and to receive payment for services. It will be the backbone of how DCS pays its bills, and how it issues its bills -- how it does business, in other words -- so it primarily affect DCS fiscal units. It will also handle mileage and travel expenses.

 Did you say mileage?

Yes.

Right now, we use TRIPS, and we're in the process of closing out that system at the end of the current fiscal year. Come July 1, those of you who file for mileage and travel expenses will use the new Edison financial package. We're still fine-tuning the instructions, but if you want an overview of how it will work, here's the self-study link at the Edison site.

 

I'm a DCS provider. What do I need to know?

We want this to be as transparent as possible. You just need to know that we are in the midst of a big transition. You can help out most effectively by handling your invoices and contract issues as timely as possible. For many of you, though, we hope that this will won't be a big change. Some of our documentation and forms will have a different look, and some cases, additional information you're not used to seeing will be provided. Check the contact list below if you have further questions.

 

What happens next?

 Over the next few days, you'll be hearing from us with up-to-the-minute updates and instructions as the countdown continues. Remember, you can always check the links yourself.

 

Help! Who will answer my questions?

The fiscal unit managers in each region are the first place to turn. Here's who they are:

Northeast

        Hobert McCreary         423-979-5238

East, Smoky

            Steve Bass                         865-425-4457

Knox

            Martin Krall                     865-594-7091 #141

Southeast, Hamilton

          Ray Taranto                      423-493-5939

Upper Cumberland

            Sheryl Figg                      931-646-3151

Mid Cumberland

                   David Krebs          615-360-4398

Davidson                   

John Payne                            615-532-4032

South Central

Dean Harvill       931-490-6440

Northwest, Shelby

    Melanie Johnson        731-364-3733

Southwest  

          Yvonne Hayden        731-426-0764

But what if I have questions for the Fiscal Division in Central Office?

Call Joe Holzmer at 615-741-7263 or Cynthia Setters at 615-253-5978.

Or Kathy Jones in our contracts office, 741-0581

Thanks,

Joe Holzer and Cynthia Setters.

'Friends of Mountain View' Golf Tournament Nets $3,600

The sixth annual Mountain View Youth Development Center Golf Tournament was held on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at Dandridge Golf and Country Club in Dandridge.  The tournament is the primary fundraiser for the “Friends of Mountain View”, our Volunteer Services Community Involvement Council (CIC).  All proceeds from the tournament are governed by elected board members and are used to supplement numerous volunteer-based services and activities for the students at Mountain View. 

This year’s tournament raised $3,600, bringing the six year total to over $14,900.  Area businesses and organizations were again extremely generous.  This coupled with a lot of hard work made this year’s tournament another success for the “Friends of Mountain View”.       

A huge thanks to Volunteer Services Supervisor Roxanne Bowen, Volunteer Coordinator David Bugg, Case Manager 3 Don Burnette and many others for their help with this year’s tournament. 

Steve Collier

On a roll in Davidson

Our very first urban region has had a very successful COA peer review!!!  Congratulations to Carla and all her team.

The reviewers were very impressed with the staff, private providers, community partners and everyone they had an opportunity to meet.  They loved it that our staff consistently referred to "my kids"  when talking about their work.

They were very complimentary of the teaming and partnerships that Davidson has developed both within and outside the the agency.

Our Davidson region general counsel was singled out as outstanding!!

Davidson worked incredible hard and received tremendous assistance from several of their sister regions and from Central Office staff.  We are all in this together and it takes all of us to demonstrate both the process and quality of our work with families and children.  Sincerest thanks to all of those who pitched in and worked so very hard.

Join me in congratulating Davidson.  We are all proud of you!!!

Viola P. Miller

A Mighty Nice Note About a Hardworking FSW

I have been so repeatedly impressed with the performance of Family Services Worker Shaska McBride in the Davidson County DCS office that just had to write and tell you about her. She has so often gone above and beyond in the performance of her duties as the caseworker of one of the boys on her caseload that is placed in our residential program.

Aside from the fact that she is always professional, courteous, and has a positive attitude, she has gone out of her way to let this young man know that she is working for him and looking out for his best interests.

One recent example is that when this young man's mother decided to surrender her rights just days before the youth's birthday, Shaska and her team members made use of a planned trip to a meeting near here to show up and have a surprise birthday party for him. This meant the world to this child who at that time felt like no one in the world cared about him.

 She has worked diligently to find permanency for him, and while always maintaining healthy personal and professional boundaries she has managed to keep in contact with him to help him to keep his spirits up and be motivated to make good choices. I honestly don't know if this child would be doing as well as he is if it hadn't been for the dedication and commitment of this FSW and her team.

As a mental health professional who has worked with this population for nearly 20 years in Kentucky and Tennessee, I would have to say she is the best with whom I have thus far had the privilege of working.

Rosemary Sarver, LPC/MHSP
Clinical Manager, Deer Valley RTC

Big Success with Aggression Replacement Training

Henderson House Group Home is proud to announce that one its residents, Justin, was the first person in the state of Tennessee to be recognized for displaying all 15 character traits as part of the Evidenced Based Aggression Replacement Training Program.

Like some of our other residents, Justin was initially skeptical of the A.R.T program, but he eventually became one of the best participants.  He displayed an early understanding of all of the character traits, and he was always willing to assist staff and students become more familiar with the traits.  He volunteered to co-facilitate on many occasions, and he was always forthcoming with positive feedback during group discussions regarding A.R.T. and related character traits. 

Justin is at the end of his program at Henderson House, but the lessons he has learned from the ART program and the staff here at Henderson House will follow him for years to come!

Here's some video about ART:

Flu Virus update

APRIL 28, 2009 -- While no cases of this novel flu virus have yet been diagnosed in Tennessee, the Department of Health is working closely with federal, state and local governments to prepare to respond to the outbreak. In fact, the state of Tennessee prepares continually and has a thorough plan in place to respond to potential public health threats. The Tennessee Department of Health has nationally known medical experts who are trained to implement any state-level effort necessary to ensure health and well-being of Tennesseans.

The Department of Health has increased its level of activity, which you may hear referred to as conducting surveillance, to determine if any individuals in Tennessee have this strain of the influenza virus.  The department is also collaborating with U.S. Health and Human Services to ensure that Tennessee has adequate medical supplies and necessary medications on hand, should they be needed.

This situation is naturally a source of concern, but should not be cause for alarm. As public health officials utilize the comprehensive planning and training that’s been done to prepare for public health threats of this nature, there are steps you can take now to protect your health and prevent the spread of both seasonal flu and this novel flu virus:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
•  Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Department of Health are excellent sources of facts that are updated frequently. 

Department of Health Web site:  http://health.state.tn.us/swineflu.htm
CDC Web site:  http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/. 
Note that the Frequently Asked Questions page on the CDC Web site includes detailed information on the symptoms, spread and treatment of this flu virus: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm

You may also call your primary care provider or county health department if you have further questions. As new information becomes available, these resources will be updated and we will also keep you informed if there is new information we can share.

TFACTS News! is online (!)

TFACTS News! via kwout

For those of you who want to keep up with what's happening with the development of the  Tennessee Family and Child Tracking System, there's new blog afloat on the Internet: TFACTS News!

Quitting Seminars Begin In May

Good morning,

 

As mentioned in the last Tobacco Use Surcharge update, a series of tobacco quit seminars will be held across the state beginning in May.  In fact, these sessions begin next week and will run throughout the month of May and into June.

 

In order to make employees aware of these seminars, we're sending along the attached flier with seminar dates for the next three weeks.  Please distribute and share this with your employees accordingly.

 

Dates and locations for the remainder of May and June will be sent to members via mail at their home address.  We will be sure to also pass this information on to you when it becomes available.

 

Should additional dates be added, we'll also communicate those to you.

 

As always, please contact us with any questions you may have at benefits.administration@tn.gov.