Monthly Archives: December 2014
your voice counts – Rosemary Koncurat
Rosemary said, “Having worked for the company for a few years, working in the office was a real eye-opener with regards to how the coordinators roster the services, and the mega-amount of phone calls they have to take, the relationships they have to have with carers, clients and brokers.”
She was surprised to watch the flurry of activity and commented, “To see what the girls have to go through when someone cancels a shift suddenly and the stress and pressure that this causes them.”
It is good to get another perspective on what happens in the office when a Care Professional cancels with short notice -Rosemary said she was unaware of the “begging [staff] have to do to get someone to fill a service!” and said, that “working out in the field we never would consider the high responsibility that goes on in the office.”
The take-away from Rosemary’s in-office experience is that often JBC Care Professionals are not aware of what is involved in the day-to-day running of appointments.
After her time in the Alexandria office Rosemary felt that all workers for the company should come in and see what the coordinators have to do, so they know what chaos ‘handing back’ shifts and cancelling suddenly causes.
Hopefully we will see all of our valued Care Professionals more often in the office – not only to learn what we need – but also to hear feedback about how we can better support you in the field.
Donation Day
The office staff has upped the ante! It’s simple: we wear mufti and toss a gold coin into the jar. For every $100 raised, Phillip matches it and the money is donated to a good cause. To date, JBC has donated to Motor Neurone, Cystic Fibrosis and our next one is Cerebral Palsy.
Friendship Walk
The Friendship Circle brings a refreshing approach to assisting children with special needs and their families. In 2014, this event was held on the 7th of September and we were there to join in the fun.
The Friendship Circle brings a refreshing approach to assisting children with special needs and their families. Their creative activities are designed to foster a relationship between children with special needs and teenage members of our community, “buddies”, by drawing on the love, boundless energy and dynamism of our teenaged population.
Just Better Care is a corporate sponsor of this event and Fiona Moody, my lovely wife Cindy and I were lucky enough to attend on the day. It was hectic and exciting but such an awe-inspiring experience. We spent a frantic four hours helping out with things like registration and handing out t-shirts and I had fun playing lollypop man
If you would like to learn more or perhaps become a volunteer, click here for more information.
http://www.sydneyfc.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/2345659/jewish/VOLUNTEERS.htm
(logo link to webpage – http://www.sydneyfc.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/1206789/jewish/FRIENDSHIP-WALK-2014.htm)
Ensure your availability is current
Can all Care Professionals in the field please make sure your availability is regularly updated. If you have indicated that you are available, clients can and will be added to your roster without consultation by a coordinator. So, it is your responsibility to check your roster daily for new services. Please be mindful that ‘hand backs’ on the day are not acceptable and there may be repercussions. Also, if you have any medical appointments please let us know ASAP.
CDC – Consumer-Directed Care
These programs give participants and their representatives more choice and control over the delivery of services. Previously, in traditional programs, control was is in the hands of professionals. Clients with JBC are able to choose which services they receive, who will deliver these services and where they will be delivered. This may include a range of needs like domestic assistance, personal care, social support, transport, shopping, respite, meal preparation, specialised management, community access programs, holidays, allied health professionals and physiotherapy. Clients may even be able to manage an individual budget for services. So next time you are supporting a client in their home, please be mindful of the fact that it is about what they would like you to do for them, not necessarily what you have been rostered to do. This is about client choice. If you are with a client and feel they require a review of their program, don’t hesitate to contact your service coordinator.
JBC’s 2014 Christmas Cruise
There was a fabulous turnout this year – a testament to the dedicated office team who put this event together so everyone could enjoy our ‘Someone Famous’ theme while cruising around beautiful Sydney Harbour.
Thanks also to the 28 Care Professionals who were joined by six office staff on board this year’s Fun Boat that departed from Darling Harbour with a cast of colourful and glamourous characters on board for the evening.
True to our ‘Someone Famous’ theme, people dressed up in amazing costumes. On board we hosted: Cruella De Ville, Cleopatra, Madonna, Amy Winehouse, Ned Kelly, Marylin Monroe and many more – even Santa made an appearance!
The Best Fancy Dress costume award went to Gary Bradbury’s Ned Kelly (see pics) (intranet url: https://intranet.justbettercare.com.au/GraphicApp/view_items.cfm?MenuID=5094&CategoryID=1)
During the formal part of the evening, certificates were presented to Care Professionals who showed outstanding work practices based on our company values: Professional, Communication, Respect, Team, Empower and Learning.
Everybody loved the fantastic location and we were treated to an amazing fireworks spectacle at Darling Harbour that topped off a perfect evening.
A HUGE thank you again for the awesome effort with costumes and to staff for organising JBC Fun Boat – see you again next year.