Catch up on the recent live workshops and activities by viewing the recordings. These sessions support your wellness and your professional development and you are encouraged to watch at your convenience. 

Lunch & Learn - Recording

Lunch & Learns are professional development opportunities designed to support your cultural competency. You are encouraged to attend the sessions as a listening and learning opportunity to enhance your professional growth. The Lunch & Learn sessions are recorded to allow you to watch at any time convenient for you.

June Lunch & Learn Topic: LGBTQ+ History & Creating Affirming Environments

Recording Link

Access Passcode:
K%1#=YBJ

Wellness Workshops - Recordings

Our free, virtual wellness events and resources offer you an easy way to stay focused on your health and wellness. 

April 27, 2022

Hello Staff at Center For Family Services,

There is a lot to look forward to and much to celebrate at Center For Family Services.

This is a busy time of year for many of our programs, and I thank you for all you are doing to support our important work. I also encourage you to make time to care for your well-being as you care for others.

I encourage you to take time to make your wellness a priority. If you haven’t already done so, I invite you to attend one of our Wellness Committee’s fantastic events. These are free events and workshops to support your well-being, including Wellness Wednesday workshops focused on your health and wellness. You can also participate in chair yoga and meditation sessions held each week. You can view a complete list of monthly wellness offerings by visiting the Wellness Committee page of the Employee Portal. Keep a look out for next month’s activities, which will focus on Mental Health Awareness Month.

Another great way to support your overall wellness is to add physical activity into your daily routine. I encourage you to participate in this year’s 10,000 Step Challenge. This quarterly wellness challenge is an easy and fun way to increase your daily physical activity. Plus, as a participant you have many chances to win prizes, because this year’s challenge includes more prizes than ever before! The challenge begins Tuesday, May 3. You can register as part of a team or individually. Register today. Get out of your comfort zone, create new healthy habits, and have fun. Visit the 10,000 Step Challenge webpage on the Employee Portal to register today.

In addition to ongoing wellness activities, Center For Family Services continues to celebrate our inclusive work environments, ongoing training and professional development opportunities, and continued conversations about what it takes to achieve a just and equitable society. Let’s continue to stand together for change on both small and large scales. Improving our intercultural competence is an ongoing journey that we are proud to take with you. I am happy to share that our office and safe housing locations across Center For Family Services will soon receive signage with our "Everyone Belongs" messaging, which showcases our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.Thank you to everyone involved with this project.

I’d like to recognize everyone’s tremendous contributions over the past few months, and thank you for your dedication. You constantly raise the bar. I’m grateful to work alongside all of you. It is inspiring to be part of our collaborative team, working together to build on our shared success. Each department plays a role in the success of the people in our care and our workplace. 

I also want to recognize Administrative Professionals Day, which is celebrated today, April 27th. Thank you to our executive secretaries, administrative assistants, and all other admin staff. We appreciate your work in maintaining smooth operations. Thank you for all you do.

Another important message of thanks goes out to our youth worker and residential staff. Thank you for taking care of the children living in our homes. Thank you for being there 24/7 to provide outstanding care to children who need safety and stability. Your work is important, life-changing, and oftentimes, life-saving. Thank you for all you do all day, every day.

Keep up the great work and take good care.

Richard 

April 7, 2022

Our travel reimbursement rate increased to $0.58/mile, effective March 1, 2022.

To be reimbursed for the use of a personal vehicle while on Center For Family Services business, employees can submit the request on the approved Travel Mileage Report Form. Download this for via the Finance Forms page on the staff portal.

Finance Forms

The Travel Milage Report form should be filled out every calendar month. The form needs to be approved by the immediate program supervisor before it is submitted to the finance office for reimbursement. Travel milage reimbursement checks are processed once a month.

1) Travel reports are due on or before the 15th of each month. If the 15th falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the travel report is due on the Friday before the 15th.
2) Include full name on travel report form.
3) Include home/mailing address on the travel report form
4) Email travel report forms to the finance offide at: invoices@centerffs.org. Include your EZ Pass statement. If you do not have EZ pass, then mail your receipts along with your travel report form to the finance office at One Alpha Ave and include your full name on each receipt.

Dear Staff at Center For Family Services

The spring season is almost upon us. May this season be full of peace, happiness, and new beginnings for everyone.

I want to share with you that I recognize and acknowledge the challenges all of us continue to experience as a result of the many changes that occurred during the last two years. The latest change is the relaxed mask mandate across the state and nation. The ongoing need for us to adapt and adjust can take its toll. I acknowledge that we are all feeling the effects.

I ask you to continue to make time for yourself each day. Find ways to make your wellness a priority. Center For Family Services offers you free activities and workshops to support your wellness. Make the time to try some of these activities. Find what works best for you and incorporate it as part of your daily wellness routine.

Regardless of what is to come, I know we will continue to show up for one another and our communities, we will continue to improve the lives of those we touch, and we will continue to grow.

This spring I encourage all of you to find new ways to make your voice heard within Center For Family Services. Your voice matters when it comes to how we can better serve our staff and those in our care. Your unique perspectives and experiences bring value.

One way you can have your voice heard and share your ideas is through participation on one of our agency’s committees. Center For Family Services has a number of hard working committees, including the Intercultural Competency, Wellness, Zero Suicide, and Quality Improvement committees, that are dedicated to making change within our agency. Engage with fellow staff by joining a committee. Involvement on a committee is a great way to connect with new and familiar colleagues, get out of your comfort zone, educate yourself, and influence Center For Family Services’ future.

I also encourage you to push yourself to listen to new perspectives and ideas and try new things. When you really listen to varied voices and opinions, you can become more creative, diligent, and strategic. This becomes a form of professional development.  Center For Family Services offers ongoing Lunch & Learns events as a way to celebrate the diversity of our staff. The Lunch & Learn events provide an opportunity for you to listen to perspectives from various staff on our team. These great events help us to educate each other as we pursue justice, equity, and inclusion. Research has shown that diversity builds stronger, more innovative teams and on a personal level, it causes us to change our behavior and makes us more aware of the world around us.

I encourage you to visit our staff portal on a regular basis to stay up to date with the our free wellness events, committee workshops, Lunch & Learn events and staff appreciation and recognition events. You are encouraged to attend these events.

Finally, I'd like to recognize Social Work Month and express my gratitude for our Social Workers who never stop advocating for our families. Your tireless work to provide hope and healing is valued and appreciated. 

Thank you to our entire Center For Family Services Team. Each of you can be proud of the way you continue to show kindness and compassion as we work together to best meet the needs of those in our care.

Thank you for all you do.

Take good care,

Richard Stagliano

• $75 cash incentive for COVID-19 vaccine
• $50 cash incentive for COVID-19 booster

Send proof of your COVID vaccine or COVID booster to Get.Vaccinated@centerffs.org with Your Name and COVID Vaccine or Booster in the email subject line. You will receive your cash incentive payment via payroll.

At Center For Family Services our staff are our greatest resource.

The Expert Angle is a collection of blog entries – written by you, our expert staff - with relevant information on various topics related to mental health, wellness, resources, and more . It’s a platform to help staff, community members, and other social service professionals to learn and grow. 

All staff are encouraged to check out the blog series and share articles with friends and family.

Read The Expert Angle

Thank you to all of you who have contributed to the blog series.

Have something to share? As an expert in your field, the Expert Angle offers an outlet for you to share your professional knowledge with the community, other nonprofit professionals, and staff. Contact PR to share your ideas for our next blog article. Your article contribution will make important information available to fellow staff and community members.

The New Hire Experience is an onboarding training experience like never before at Center For Family Services.

All staff and supervisors hired since January 2020 should plan to complete all assigned New Hire Experience training components. See below for directions and next steps for staff hired since January 2020 and info for staff to be hired in 2022.

The New Hire Experience brings a blended model of online, on paper, and interactive learning through Relias.  The training is learner-driven and supervisor-supported and provides new staff with important information, resources, and guidance. Tenured staff members are also able to access and review any courses within the New Hire Experience to brush up on changes, build skills, or learn new ideas.

All supervisors are asked to log into Relias today to check your “users” to make your staff are listed correctly. If you need to request changes, email the Relias Help Desk.

If you need a refresher on what to expect from the New Hire Experience, visit Relias to view the Supervisor Resources and a recorded Information Session. 

For assistance with your Relias account, including password reset, account activation, user or demographic changes, please email the Relias Help Desk.

For Staff Hired Since January 2020

All staff and supervisors hired since January 1, 2020 should plan to complete all assigned New Hire Experience training components based on the timeline listed below.

Pilot participants who completed all courses do not need to repeat the New Hire Experience.

Pilot supervisors or staff who started but did not complete all courses, are required to log in to Relias to complete all assigned training components.

New Hire Experience Timeline:

• Assigned - Dec 6, 2021
• Day 1 - due Dec 31, 2021
• Learning Series 1 - Due Jan 14, 2022
• Learning Series 2 - Due Feb 25, 2022
• Live-Virtual Interactive Series - Due April 1, 2022

For New Hires in 2022

All new hires that start on or after January 3, 2022 will have standard timelines corresponding to their hire date.  Please review the Supervisor Resources for more information on the Training Plans and timelines. 

Center For Family Services is a top workplace in our region. You can help expand our team with new, talented staff members. 

You can benefit from cash bonuses to support recruitment, hiring, and retention. Our new Referral and Retention Bonus Incentives are effective from July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Take advantage of the referral bonus incentive and help us grow our outstanding team of employees.

Staff Referral Bonus - a bonus opportunity for current staff

As a current staff member, you can be our best resource for recruitment. To honor and appreciate your support in recruitment, you will receive a $300 cash incentive referral bonus if you refer a qualified candidate who is hired and remains employed for 120 days or more. To refer a potential employee, download the Staff Referral Form and return it along with a copy of the prospective candidate's resume to the HR department. The form must be received prior to the candidate starting.

 Staff Referral Form

Sign On Bonus - a bonus opportunity for new hires

Center For Family Services is also offering hiring sign-on bonuses to applicants who are hired and maintain employment. 
 

1.  Full Time Staff - Employees hired starting July 1, 2021 are eligible for a $500 sign-on, non-committal, onboarding bonus.  Bonuses are paid at $250.00 upon hire and $250.00 at the successful completion of the 120-day orientation period.  Human Resources will submit authorization to pay.

2.  Sign-On Bonus - Licensed - Licensed staff are eligible for a $1500.00 one-time retention incentive.  This is a 12-month commitment incentive and requires agreement of such during on-boarding.  If the staff leaves before the conclusion of the 12-month agreement, the incentive will be reimbursed.  Human Resources will secure agreement.

3.  Sign-On Bonus - Clinical - Clinical staff are eligible for a $3000.00 one-time retention incentive. This is a 12-month commitment incentive and requires agreement of such during on-boarding.  If the staff leaves before the conclusion of the 12-month agreement, the incentive will be reimbursed.  Human Resources will secure agreement.

Part-Time (Fee For Service not included)

1.  Sign-On Bonus - P/T Employees hired starting July 1, 2021 are eligible for a $250 sign on, non-committal, onboarding bonus.  Bonuses are paid at $125.00 upon hire and $125.00 at the successful completion of the 120-day orientation period.  Human Resources will submit authorization to pay.

2.  P/T Sign-On Bonus - Licensed - Licensed staff are eligible for a $750.00 one-time retention incentive.  This is a 12-month commitment incentive and requires agreement of such during on-boarding.  If the staff leaves before the conclusion of the 12-month agreement, the incentive will be reimbursed.  Human Resources will secure agreement.

3.  P/T Sign-On Bonus - Clinical - Clinical staff are eligible for a $1500.00 one-time retention incentive. This is a 12-month commitment incentive and requires agreement of such during on-boarding.  If the staff leaves before the conclusion of the 12-month agreement, the incentive will be reimbursed.  Human Resources will secure agreement. 

Center For Family Services is excited to announce that we’ve been recognized as a Top Workplace for the 12th year in a row! Thank for your role as part of our hard working team. It is your work that makes this special recognition possible. We’re grateful to have such passionate staff that are committed to helping families and individuals across New Jersey reach their full potential. Each and every one of you brings something unique to Center For Family Services that strengthens our team.

Center For Family Services - Staff Portal
The redesigned staff portal can help you find the info you need faster. Quick links to all the content within the staff section of the website are just a click away on the staff portal, including everything from the personnel policies and procedures handbook, to announcements, staff highlights, guidelines for daily operations, important committee resources, professional development training opportunities, and more. 

Coming soon - a change to unique user name & password 
In the coming weeks, access to the staff section of the website will change to a unique user name and login and password (more info to follow). Once the change takes effect, you will no longer be able to access the staff section of the website with the user name: staff and the password: centerffs.org. More info coming soon.

ComPscyh is our new Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider. 

For more information on the Employee Assistance Program and the services available for you please click the link below. 

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Center For Family Services’ Resiliency Care Team is made up of volunteer staff who are members of the Traumatic Loss Coalition’s Lead Trauma Response Team and/or NJ’s Disaster Response Crisis Counselors. The team has been trained in the best practices to support individuals and communities in the wake of a traumatic event or disaster. The function of the team is to provide comprehensive multi-component interventions following a critical incident within Center For Family Services as well as the community, agencies, or businesses. Types of incidents could include death of staff or clients, violence, or natural disasters. The team is guided under the direction of Center For Family Services’ Associate Vice President of Trauma and Violence Prevention.

The primary goal of the team is to act as a support system to Center For Family Services’ Programs as well as the community in the aftermath of a traumatic event. The interventions and services include: