Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a time to reflect on the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over despair. But most importantly, it’s a time for family, community, and reconnection.

Even though many of us are far from home, Diwali continues to be a cherished celebration. Diwali reminds us that even in the darkest times, light, hope, and togetherness will always prevail. We celebrate the joy, hope, and togetherness that this beautiful festival brings.

From everyone here at Circle of Care, we wish you a Happy Diwali! May this Festival of Lights bring joy, prosperity, and warmth into your homes and hearts.

Effective November 11, 2024 there will be several changes to the process for ordering supplies, including updated risk assessment, quantities, and timelines.

Please review these updates carefully.

As per Article 3.03 of the Collective Agreement, employees need to work a total of 1300 hours in the current calendar year (January 1 – Dcember 31, 2024) to qualify for or maintain full time status for 2024.

If you are interested in working more hours or expanding your availability, please contact your Service Coordinator.

Here are the steps to complete your VSS:

1. Apply: Go to your local police station (in person or online) and apply for the VSS.
   • For Toronto residents only: Our organization code is 202310TPSONDFEEA. Write this down as you will need it to complete your application with the Toronto Police Service if you live in Toronto.
2. Pay: You pay for the VSS upfront and send your receipt to klucki@circleofcare.com for reimbursement.
3. Receive Results: You will get your VSS results in about 10 business days. Please send the results to klucki@circleofcare.com within 30 days.
4. Reimbursement: After you send your results, HR will refund you within 30 days. The refund will show up in your next pay.

Is it a cold or the flu?

Sometimes it can be challenging to identify the causes of your symptoms, especially considering the presence of COVID-19 variants.

The most common flu symptoms include:

• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffed nose
• body aches or headaches
• chills
• fatigue.

Some people may also experience additional symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. It is also possible to be infected with the flu and experience only respiratory symptoms without running a fever.

Compared to a cold, where symptoms often come on gradually, flu symptoms will develop abruptly. Fever, headache, or chills are uncommon or rare when sick with a cold, but relatively common when you have the flu.

In any case, if you believe you are coming down with something you should stay home and take precautions to avoid spreading the virus to your family, friends, clients, and coworkers.

If you think you may have contracted COVID-19, you should also take a RAT test and isolate as much as possible.

Your Safety Matters – Know What to Do

We appreciate your dedication to your clients, but your own safety is equally important! If you ever feel unsafe on your way to or from work or while with a client, we encourage you to speak up.

Remember, it’s okay to:

• Report unsafe road conditions or areas with poor visibility.
• Share concerns with your manager if a client’s location feels unsafe.
• Take extra safety measures, like waiting for a safe time to cross the street or asking for transportation support when needed.

Your health and well-being are the top priority. We’re here to support you.

Have you had your mask fit tested and CPR training? Circle of Care requires all PSWs and Homemakers to be certified with valid and current CPR training and properly fitted for N95 masks.

Important reminders:

• Arrive 15 minutes before the CPR training or mask fit session begins.
• Try to book a date/time where you do not have client visits scheduled. If you need to make any scheduling arrangements after you have booked your session, speak to your Service Coordinator.
• Your schedule will be blocked as ‘unavailable’ for you to attend the session. You do not need to use your phone to sign into the training.
• You will be paid a total of 4 hours for the training (CPR) and 1 hour for mask fit. These hours will be added to your schedule and paid out 1-2 weeks after the session has been completed. They will appear on your paystub as ‘Miscellaneous’.
• Manage your bookings or cancellations through the online portal.
• You will receive a confirmation email/text notification when you book your session and a session reminder.

Book your CPR training and mask fit sessions through First Aid Care today!

You can also book by calling 905-272-9214

What is GreenShield EAP?

GreenShield EAP is a confidential service designed to support your overall well-being. It offers a safe space where you can comfortably discuss life challenges – such as work, family, or other areas of life – with someone outside your usual circle who can provide you with guidance and support. Whether you need a listening ear, advice, or guidance, the EAP is here to help.

The EAP provides access to:

• Counseling Services: Speak with a professional, whether individually or as a couple, without long wait times or complicated processes.
• Health & Life Support: Get help from experts on topics like work, health, nutrition, and financial or legal issues.

How can I access GreenShield EAP?

We are currently piloting this program for our PSWs from September to December. During the pilot period, registration will be on a first come-first serve basis, capped at 50 employees. If there is enough interest, we hope to expand the program beyond the 50 employee cap.

This service is not anonymous, but it is completely confidential. Using this service will not be held against you and your personal information will always be private. Circle of Care will not know which services you use or what you talk about.

We’re excited to offer a relaxing massage sessions with three registered massage therapists on Tuesday, December 3, from 12:00pm to 3:00pm in Boardroom A.

Each session is 15 minutes, and spaces are limited, so please only register if you’re sure you’ll be able to come into the office for your massage. We want to make sure everyone who signs up gets the chance to enjoy this!

You are invited to join us for an hour-long session from Your Health Space (YHS) on the topic of Empathic Strain on November 6th 2024 from 12 to 1 pm.

Empathy is a must-have quality for health care workers, but it can be difficult to sustain. This webinar provides an overview of how empathic strain manifests in the caring professions and practical steps that can be taken to keep this occupational stressor at bay.

Zoom Meeting Details

• Meeting URL: https://cmhaontario.zoom.us/j/86066622411?pwd=Dj9FkJrK3Ta1AshD063m6XwxLaEl9y.1&from=addon
• Meeting ID: 860 6662 2411
• Passcode: 687859

Please join us for an informative presentation from RBC Wealth Management & Global Asset Management. This hour-long session will provide a brief update on current market conditions and discuss tax planning strategies you can incorporate into your financial plan.

Guest Speakers: 

• George Tsvetanov, CFP, RBC Financial Planner
• Michael Yhip, Vice President, Portfolio Manager & Wealth Advisor
• Ariel Figdor, CPA, CA, CPA (CA) – Blumenfeld Woznica & Co CPAs

You must Register to join! Session is hosted on Webex and you can join from your browser.

• November 13th, 2024 – 12-1 PM EST: https://services.rbc.com/EventRegistration/?event=16013
• December 11th, 2024 – 12-1 PM EST: https://services.rbc.com/EventRegistration/?event=16092

“Covering” is a way of describing how a person might downplay their identity to fit into the mainstream.

You can learn more about this topic in the next course in our DEI series, offered by our Learning & Development team.

Please note that all staff must complete this mandatory course by Friday November 1, 2024. You are automatically enrolled in Dayforce and you will be paid for 20 minutes after completing the training.

Stay safe at work!

If you did not complete the STF Prevention eLearning module in 2023 – or you just need to refresh your memory – it’s not too late to self-enroll through Dayforce.

Log into your Dayforce account, select the ‘Learning’ tab and then choose the STF Prevention module from the ‘Courses Catalogue’ at the top.

Experience the Human Library, an innovative event that allows you to borrow people instead of books!

This online event creates a safe space for participant ‘readers’ to challenge stereotypes and prejudices through dialogue with human ‘books’. Human ‘books’ openly share their cultural backgrounds, lifestyles, and life experiences to prompt an enriching and respectful conversation with readers.

When participating as a reader, you’ll be automatically assigned to meet 2-3 ‘human ‘books’ in groups of 6-10 people.

Upcoming sessions

• Tuesday November 26 @ 9:00 AM
• Tuesday December 3 @ 9:00 AM

Keep in mind that is an interactive experience, so make sure you are available to participate for the entire duration of the session.

To register, follow the link below and click the orange ‘select a date’ in the top right corner.

A High Five for Leonora Durango

Thank you for accepting a last minute client on Sunday evening Leonora!
You are a dependable team player who has demonstrated reliability and commitment to shared goals to serve our clients.

Leeanna Small

A High Five for Maria Valle Perez

Received the following note from a caregiver:

I am writing to express my gratitude for the exceptional support Maria Valle Perez has provided in helping me find effective behavioural strategies for better communication with my elderly mother.

Maria’s professionalism and deep understanding of my mother’s physical challenges, as well as her emotional needs, have made a significant difference in our lives. The strategies Maria shared have not only improved our interactions but have also helped my mother to navigate her vision, hearing, and mobility losses with greater confidence.

I am especially appreciative of the high level of psychological support Maria offered throughout this process. Her compassionate approach has helped my mother feel understood and valued, making it easier for her to cope with her circumstances.

I want to thank Maria again for her dedication and support. We are incredibly grateful for everything she has done for us.

Regards,
Daughter of current client

Lisa Rae

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.