A Newsletter For NET Staff, Clients, and Friends A Newsletter For NET Staff, Clients, and Friends January 2012 A Network of Expertise: Behind the Scenes With the IT Department The Information Technology Department is a dedicated team of professionals who come into contact with almost every NET employee. While they do not deal directly with consumers, their efforts enable clinical and administrative tasks to be completed as efficiently as possible at each of NET’s sites. “As a group, we are responsible for everything that plugs in,” says Jake Margerum, Director of IT. The team consists of nine people, mostly based out of the Spring Garden location, and team members circulate throughout sites regularly to ensure that everyone sees them routinely. “The IT Department plays a large part in our daily activities,” says Meredith Moore, “but we don’t see their staff when they are working on weekends or at 3 a.m. fixing issues so that we can function day to day.” Margerum explains that those hours are vital ones: “Because NET has programs that run 24/7, maintenance is sometimes scheduled late at night or overnight, and our cell phones are on 99 percent of the time. Although we try to provide as much remote support as possible, we do travel to sites to resolve issues.” The IT Department maintains a Help Desk that allows employees to call or email with tech issues. “We are constantly monitoring the health and well-being of network resources to avoid problems,” says Margerum, who has been at NET for 14 years. “Unfortunately, people tend to think of us like the electric company. They call when the lights go out.” Recently, department members have been working on a large-scale project that will bring NET’s technological capabilities to a whole new level: February 1 is the “Go Live” date for several programs with new enterprise-wide applications from Credible Software. The electronic health software application from Credible will replace a mixture of Microsoft Office products and homegrown applications, offering a full clinical software package across the organization. The intention of these improvements is to heighten efficiency and quality of service at NET. “We can hardly contain our excitement,” said IT staff member Chris Haynes. “It is replacing a wide assortment of programs with a streamlined system.” 30-plus years: Terence McSherry, NET President and CEO 20 years: Catherine Birch, Housekeeper Margaret Parks, Housekeeper Annemarie Stinson, Accounts Receivable Manager 15 years: Tracey Boyd, Billing Clerk Patricia Malizia, Case Manager Carl Williams, Site Supervisor It’s the time of year for New Year’s resolutions, a time when we promise ourselves to give up a habit or take up a healthy activity. No matter what Top-10 list you consult, you’ll likely find “Quit Smoking,” “Get Fit,” and “Save Money” toward the top. If any of these resolutions are on your list, check out the following ways that NET can help you reach your goals. Quit Smoking Although they do not work directly with consumers, IT staff members feel a strong connection and sense of pride with the work NET is doing. As IT staff member Karl Gordon says, “The mission of NET has become more meaningful to me over my four years here. We provide a service in the background of very meaningful services, and I make a significant contribution to helping people overcome obstacles in their lives.” 10 years: Brenda Flock, In-House Counsel, Director of Risk Management Syreeta Jones, Case Manager Allan Lehrman, Therapist Thomas Murphy, Maintenance worker Toye Ross, Youth Worker Korinne Yannone, Adminstrative Coordinator 5 years: Joyce Bilski, Registered Nurse Thomas Brown, Licensed Practical Nurse Agnes Butler, Court Representative Kellyann Campbell, Care Manager Robert Catalano, Clinical Director Gerda Crowley, Registered Nurse Nicole Fenstermacher, Administrative Assistant Julie Jacobson, Therapist Jenelle Jones, Therapist Sean Kellam-Brown, Administrative Assistant Lisa Kinard, Peer Specialist Letitia Kouvatas, Program Director, Family-Focused William Pounds, Case Manager Sheila Sanders, Peer Specialist Supervisor Shonique Pedro, Clinical Team Leader Yolanda Taylor, HR Support Specialist Free & Clear’s Quit For Life® Program, a smoking cessation program offered in collaboration with the American Cancer Society, has helped more than 1 million smokers make a plan to quit smoking. Since last summer, NET has made the program available to employees who participate in our medical plan; we cover the full cost for those who enroll. Based on 25 years of research and experience, the program teaches people how to become experts in living without tobacco. The program utilizes “The 4 Essential Practices to Quit for Life”: 1. 2. 3. 4. Quit at your own pace. Conquer your urges to smoke. Use medications so they really work. Don’t just quit; become a non-smoker. (continued on page 2) Get Fit That’s Commitment! Congratulations to these NET employees who marked significant employment milestones as 2011 drew to a close: To Your Health! In the past year, Adam Zion has taken more than 2.8 million steps. He’s not a postal worker or a waiter; Zion works at NET in IT Support. He’s chalked up all those steps since he attached a SmartMeter to his shoe and started walking. He’s one of more than 100 NET employees who have signed up for Destination: You since it was launched one year ago. “I use it every day,” said Zion, who is based at the Frankford Avenue Counseling Center. “I take a walk at lunch; I walk to Bridge Street or to the new Second Street site. You can integrate walking into your day as part of what you already do without taking extra time out for exercise.” Zion was delighted to add up his miles: “I’ve (continued on page 2) Save Money College Savings: If college is in your family’s future, you can start saving for it now with a minimum payroll deduction of $25 per paycheck. NET has partnered with John Hancock to offer Freedom 529, a tax-deferred vehicle designed specifically to save for higher education. John Hancock professionals manage each account; you can choose to invest in any of 22 investment options, each consisting of a variety of mutual funds. The account holder can be the beneficiary or can designate another beneficiary. Money from a 529 plan can be used for tuition, fees, books, supplies and equipment required for study at any accredited college, university or vocational school in the United States and (continued on page 2) NorthEast Treatment Centers • 215.451.7000 • www.net-centers.org A Newsletter For NET Staff, Clients, and Friends Employee News To Your Health! Quit Smoking (continued from page 1) Save Money (continued from page 1) To establish and accomplish your goals, you will be matched with a highly trained Quit Coach, a former smoker who will provide personal one-on-one coaching support by phone. The treatment staff speaks English and Spanish; translation services are available for other languages. You will also have access to Web Coach, a private online community where you can complete activities, watch videos, track your progress, and talk to others in the program. A free eightweek supply of nicotine replacement products (patches or gum), if appropriate, will be mailed directly to your home. at some foreign universities. Enrollment is open year-round. To register, or for more information, call 1.866.QUIT.4.LIFE (1.866.784.8454) or sign up online at www. quitnow.net. Quit for Life is totally confidential; NET does not have access to the names of the participants enrolled in the program. The money can also be used for room and board as long as the fund beneficiary is at least a half-time student. In the future, unused amounts can be transferred to other members of the current beneficiary’s family. For more information about the program or to enroll, contact Meredith Moore, NET’s HR Team Leader, at 215.451.7118 or mmoore@net-centers.org. Financial Fitness Take the first step toward financial heath and attend a free, hour-long Living Well Financially Fit Seminar Get Fit (continued from page 1) always walked a good deal, but I never knew how far until I got the SmartMeter. It’s pretty cool to know that I’ve walked 2.8 million steps, or about 1,400 miles.” (2,000 steps equal about 1 mile.) Judy Durnall, Data Coordinator at Kirkwood Detoxification Center, is not far behind. She’s been involved in the program since the start as a “champion,” one of a dozen NET employees who tested out the device, and she’s close to the 2 million-step mark herself. She’s enjoyed the program and is proud that she won an individual challenge earlier in the year. The SmartMeter can be worn on practically any shoe. It is not a GPS; it is a sophisticated pedometer than records every step you take – not your location. When you come into the office, your data is wirelessly uploaded to your personal home page. The Destination: You servers are secure, and your information is not released to anyone, including NET. Tuesday, Jan. 24, 10 a.m. Delaware - Kirkwood Detoxification Center In the Detox Dining Area Thursday, Jan. 26, 10 a.m. Philadelphia – Spring Garden Street In the Patricia Henry Training Room NET has partnered with Secure Employee Planning, LLC to offer an Employee Financially Fit Program. Participants who enroll will have one-on-one meetings with a financial planner to set long-term financial goals and to formulate financial strategies. Services include asset allocation, cash flow management, investments, insurance, college planning, and retirement and estate planning. Enrollment is open throughout the year. For information, go to www.SEPlanning.net. If you are interested in signing up for Destination: You or getting more information about the program, contact contact Meredith Moore, HR Team Leader, at 215.451.7118 or mmoore@net-centers.org. Express Scripts’ Home Delivery Program If you have not yet signed up for the Express Scripts Home Delivery Program, go to http://starthomedelivery.com/ for a direct link to enrollment. With this prescription drug program, you can receive up to two fills of a clinically appropriate maintenance medication at your participating retail pharmacy, which gives you ample time to become stable on the medication. After that, your prescriptions will be filled through the Express Scripts Pharmacy. The cost-savings program allows you to order up to a 90-day supply, which will be shipped to your home. If you choose not to participate in Home Delivery, you’ll be responsible for paying the full retail cost of your medication. Don’t be hit with unexpected retail charges. The registration process is quick and easy. A Well-Earned Retirement Judith Bright, Nurse Manager of NET Steps, retired in November after eight years of working in the Medication Assisted Recovery Program. A member of the original team, she helped develop the nurses’ station from scratch in 2003. She also made a significant impact on how the program evolved by organizing, planning and assisting Director John T. Carroll in developing NET Steps into a viable, spiritually based opiate treatment center of excellence. Carroll explained that as a qualified RN, Counselor and Supervisor, Bright contributed on both a professional and a personal level. “Judi was always able to put things into a spiritual perspective, which is truly unique and extraordinarily helpful. Her firm commitment, like sleeping over at the program during snow emergencies so patients would not be forced to miss their medication, is one true demonstration of her dedication,” Carroll said. A professional in the nursing and counseling fields since 1964, Bright began working with drug and alcohol rehabilitation more than 40 years ago. “Over the years I saw a lot of change in the way we deal with patients and consumers,” she says. One momentous accomplishment NET Steps marked during Bright’s tenure was securing a grant to go to prisons, where guard-assisted nurses began administering medication to the incarcerated. Although Bright admittedly “tiptoed out the door,” trying to avoid any fanfare or recognition of her retirement, friends Sucheta Vyas and Annette Carroll managed to commemorate the day with a card, a cake and a parting gift. “I didn’t want anything fancy or to upset the peace with patients,” she says, “but of course I had already told the individuals I was counseling, and that was most important.” Judith’s husband, Henry (Butch), retired in June after many years as a Senior Operations Support Analyst at SunGuard in Systems Technology at Temple University. The two plan to travel, visiting friends in Jamaica, Africa and California. Despite these exciting plans, Bright says she misses “the people, the staff and the patient interaction. The job could be challenging, but I had such strong professional relationships and friendships, many lasting over 40 years.” Her colleagues and (From left) Terence McSherry, patients will surely miss her, too. President and CEO and Judith Bright. Connecting Youth to the Community Adam Serlin, Program Manager of In-Home Detention, and Dawn Roberts, a Youth Worker in the program, were honored with Performance Improvement Awards at NET’s December Board Meeting. The award recognized their contribution and commitment to the Soup Kitchen initiative, a project in which youth in NET’s In-Home Detention Program collect donations and then prepare and distribute meals each Saturday morning to the homeless who gather near 18th and Vine Streets. Besides benefitting the homeless, the initiative gives the youth a chance to cultivate a sense of connection to the community and to develop their own compassion and self-esteem. Regan Kelly, Division Director, Children, Youth and Family Services, presented the two awards. She praised Serlin as a great asset to the organization. “Adam has shown inspiring creativity. He is one of the many managers who started as a line worker and has demonstrated tremendous skills and initiative since joining NET.” “Dawn took it to the next level and really went above and beyond by connecting with St. Joseph’s University, who had adopted this project,” Kelly said. St. Joe’s will be collecting donations for the initiative at their games, and some university athletes will interact with the youth. Youth in NET’s In-Home Detention Program participate in the Soup Kitchen initiative. NorthEast Treatment Centers • 215.451.7000 • www.net-centers.org