Inside the Circle – May 5, 2026

When It Feels Easier to Shut Down: How to Stay Open in Conflict

Friday, May 8

10:00 – 11:00 am

Online

If you are unable to work due to an illness or injury for 4 or more consecutive days, you must submit a medical note.

The medical note must confirm that:

• You are under the care of a healthcare provider
• You are unable to work
• The date you are expected to return to work

You can submit a medical note by email to HRDept@circleofcare.com or by fax to 416-635-1692. 

As a reminder, if you are calling in sick, for any amount of time, you must report your absence by calling the main phone line at 416-635-2860 and speaking to someone directly.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the HR team.

Don Valley Parkway (DVP) Maintenance Work

• When: May 8-11, 2026
• Details: The DVP will be fully closed from Highway 401 to the Jarvis St ramp on Gardiner from Friday May 8 (11pm) to Monday, May 1 (5am).

Sporting Life 10K Marathon

• When: May 10, 2026
• Details: Closures/affected roads will be along Yonge St.

FIFA World Cup

• When: June 12-July 2, 2026
• Details: The Fifa World Cup will take place in Toronto for these dates, around the BMO fields at Exhibition Place, Lakeshore, Gardiner, and the Downtown Core. Expect spillover congestion and traffic into King and Queen St., as well as the Downtown West area.

World Cup Fan Festival (Downtown Viewing Zone)

• When: June 11-July 19, 2026
• Details: Expect local road closures, crowds, and busy TTC subways, streetcars, and buses in the Downtown Core.. Downtown Core. Cars may not be allowed in certain zones, so plan alternative routes in case.

If you need to contact someone, visit the Contact page on the PSW Portal. It includes the most up-to-date contact information for payroll, HR, and CSSs. It also lets you know who to reach out to for supplies-related issues and other supports.

Use the button below.

Our Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) would like to remind you about the vaccines you are required to have in a client-facing role at Circle of Care. This is an important part of our Occupational Health & Safety Program.

To keep yourself and our clients safe, you must have received vaccines to protect against the following vaccine-preventable diseases:

• Mumps
• Tetanus
• Diphtheria
• Measles (Rubeola)
• German Measles (Rubella)
• Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B
• Chicken Pox

In addition to these vaccines, you are also required to complete Tuberculosis (TB) skin testing. 

We collect this information from you in two ways:

1. Through our Medical Assessment Packages during the onboarding process.
2. Through an annual policy attestation, where you let us know that you are up to date with these required vaccinations every year after.

If you are unsure of your vaccination status for the above listed diseases, please speak to your family doctor about your status.

If you do not follow this policy, or if you provide false information, you may face progressive discipline.

Thank you for following our policy and helping keep everyone safe.

This is a friendly reminder to please think carefully before you do any task for a client.

Look at the client’s condition, the task, and the place. Ask yourself:

• Is this safe?
• Do I have the right tools, support, or equipment?

If you are not sure, stop and ask for help. For example, you may need help with bathing, walking, or transfers with a client. Please contact your CSS for guidance.

Your safety and your client’s safety are always the most important.

We have also shared some helpful resources about task safety and safe client handling below.

To support your safety and meet requirements, Circle of Care provides free CPR training and free N95 Mask Fit testing through our vendor.

Your CPR certificate is valid for 3 years, and your Mask Fit must be renewed every 2 years.

How to Register

Text to Register for CPR/Mask Fit

Text 647-496-5189 with:

• Full name

• Email

• Training location

• Preferred time

or Call 905-272-9214

or Register online using the button below.

Registration closes 7 business days before the session.

Important Reminders

• Arrive 15 minutes early.

• After booking, tell your Service Coordinator if you need schedule changes.

• Choose a time when you do not have client visits.

• Your schedule will be blocked as Unavailable for the training.

• You will be paid after completion:
  • CPR: 3 hours
  • Mask Fit: 1 hour

• Payment appears on your paystub as “Miscellaneous.”

Taking care of other people is important, but taking care of yourself is also important.

You can get free and private support. The Health Care Worker Assist Program is made for healthcare and community care workers like you.

What help is available?

• Talk to a trained professional for support
• Learn ways to manage stress and feel better
• Get help finding other support if needed

How to get support:

Call: 1-877-767-9642
Email: CentralizedReferral@ontarioshores.ca

You can also sign up up using the button below.

It can be hard to see the signs of anxiety and depression, or know how to talk about them.

This webinar will help you understand mental health for yourself and others. It will show you how to start kind and caring talks when someone needs help.

You will hear real stories from people about their mental health. You will also learn easy ways to take care of yourself and get help when you need it.

Register using the button below.

Silence to Support: Navigating Depression and Anxiety with Compassion

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

3:30 – 4:30 pm

Online

We are pleased to welcome the following PSWs to Circle of Care:

Each week, we’re proud to recognize the PSWs who are celebrating their work anniversaries. Every anniversary—no matter the number of years—represents the dedication, compassion, and commitment you bring to supporting our clients and community. Thank you for the important role you play at Circle of Care. This week’s list includes PSWs celebrating work anniversaries between May 3 – 9.

Congratulations to the following PSWs on their years of service with Circle of Care:

May 5

• 28 Years: Salvador Lansangan

May 6

• 17 Years: Larysa Ilyina

May 7

• 14 Years: Romela Cortez, Ma Theresa Fernandez, Isabel Kiambi

May 8

• 1 Year: Mujidat Adeyinka, Elina Beiles, Debra Clarke , Marina Gudi, Annjanette Le, Nelly Reyes Rincon, Erwin Sediono, Helen Umunna, Evelyn Viduya, Gail Welsh
• 3 Years: Jocelyn De Los Santos-Braga, Samiha Mohamed, Mina Naidas

May 9

• 2 Years: Prisquita Omalay-Imalingat
• 4 Years: Julia Montieth
• 10 Years (Milestone Anniversary!): Gulchira Dzhumamuradova, Mae Paz Manano, Jennifer Padua, Shiosta Satur, Susan Zheng

Individuals celebrating milestone anniversaries (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 years) will receive a one-time cash award to their pay cheque at the end of the quarter. Payment amount will depend on service length.

High Five for PSW Antonette Sto. Domingo

High Five for PSW Noemi Pascua

High Five for PSW Richelda Orpiada

High Five for PSW Christine Kiplagat

High Fives for PSW Charmaine Herrera

“I am very pleased with Charmaine.” – Client

“Charmaine’s performance is exceptional and I’m overall very satisfied with Charmaine’s services!” – Client

Has someone gone above and beyond at work? Give them a High Five!

The High Five program lets you publicly recognize staff members for their outstanding work. High Fives will be posted in your weekly Inside the Circle newsletter.

To give a high five, just click on the button below or use the link in the rotating banner on the Portal home page.

Please note: We do not accept anonymous submissions for this program. High Fives must be submitted by an individual person, whether they are a staff member or member of the community.

Have a question? Submit your questions or feedback anonymously below!

Please note that it may take us longer to provide some answers. If your question hasn’t been answered yet, we will get back to you as soon as we can.