Highlights from this week
- Action Required – Complete Your Vulnerable Sector Screen (VSS)
- Spotlight on Winter Safety – Walk with Confidence
- Book your Mask Fit and CPR sessions
- Healthy Eating is Self Care!
- Health Coaching
- Take a Break with a Rejuvenating Massage
- E-learning: Prevent Slips, Trips, and Falls
- New Staff
- High Fives
- Ask Us Anything
Action Required: Complete Your Vulnerable Sector Screen (VSS)
All Personal Support Workers and Homemakers must complete a Vulnerable Sector Screen (VSS).
This is a new requirement on top of the basic background check you did when you began working for Circle of Care.
There are two options to complete your VSS:
Complete your VSS at Circle of Care Offices
To simplify this process, we are hosting some drop-in sessions at our head office. If you complete your VSS application at one of these sessions, Circle of Care will pay up front, so you won’t need to pay out of pocket and wait to be reimbursed.
Drop-in VSS days:
- November 28, Meeting Room C, 9:00am – 4:00pm
- December 3, Meeting Room C, 9:00am – 4:00pm
- December 5, Meeting Room C, 9:00am – 4:00pm
You must bring:
- Your SIN card (or number)
AND - TWO (2) additional pieces of government-issued ID – examples: Passport, driver’s licence, citizen card, photo card.
Complete your VSS on your own
If you choose to complete the VSS on your own, you will pay up front. Then, Circle of Care will reimburse you for the application fee within 30 days.
- 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.
- Pay: You pay for the VSS upfront and send your receipt to klucki@circleofcare.com for reimbursement.
- Receive Results: You will get your VSS results in about 10 business days. Please send the results to klucki@circleofcare.com within 30 days.
- Reimbursement: After you send your results, HR will refund you within 30 days. The refund will show up in your next pay.
Health and Safety
Spotlight on Winter Safety: Walk with Confidence
Icy and snowy surfaces increase our risk of slips and falls. Stay safe this winter by investing in sturdy footwear and taking your time when walking outdoors.
Choosing Footwear
Proper footwear can help you keep your footing, as well as keeping your feet warm and dry:
- Soles – Rubber soles with thicker treads are best for avoiding slips on ice, while leather soles and high heels should be avoided.
- Fit – Boots should fit well and have enough room for thick socks. They should also be tall enough to protect your ankles.
- Insulation – Choose a lining that will keep your feet warm and dry.
- Ice cleats – Lightweight, slip-on ice cleats can be used to enhance traction in the snow.
Walking on Ice
When walking in winter, it is important to assume all surfaces are icy and to approach them with caution. Even if you don’t see ice, a thin layer of moisture can freeze on a cold surface, a dangerous effect known as “black ice.”
A good phrase to remember is to “walk like a penguin.”
- Keep your hands and arms free to help with balance
- Place your feet at an angle pointing outward
- Bend your knees and tilt forward slightly when walking to keep a lower center of gravity
- Take short shuffle-like steps and walk at a slower pace, so that you can react quickly to changes in traction
- Focus on walking and do not multi-task (e.g. using a mobile device, reading, etc.)
Book your Mask Fit and CPR Sessions
Scarborough Location Update
New location: The Legion, 1566 Kingston Road, Scarborough, M1N 1R9
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
Wellness at Work
Healthy Eating is Self-Care!
Nourishing your body is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to practice self-care.
Taking the time to eat well can improve your mood, give you more energy, and enhance your sense of well-being. When you feel your best, you’re able to show up for yourself and others.
Need some healthy meal inspiration? Check out these great resources!
Health Coaching
Did you know…?
GreenShield+ EAP in addition to counselling, offers support on nutrition, exercise, and general wellness. Whether you’re setting health goals or need tips for daily well-being, this service is here to support you.
Reach out to Kai at Ksvirida@circleofcare.com to sign up and start your wellness journey. We only need your first and last name to register you. You do not need to specify which services you are interested in.
Take a Break with a Rejuvenating Massage
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!
Register here: wellbloc.ca/circleofcare
Learning in Action
E-Learning: Prevent Slips, Trips, and Falls
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.
Community Corner
Welcome New Staff!
Circle of Care welcomes our newest PSWs and Homemakers!
- Genalyn Otaza
- Rosalinda Suganob
- Tatiana Karzinshchikova
- Bimita Karki
- Esther Osaigbovo
- Sabina Esi Dadzie
- Rita Lamichhane
- Marina Impelido
- Avat Almasi
- Oluchukwu Aloweke
- Danawit Beyene
- Sivatharshini Sivanathan
High Five!
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.
Ask Us Anything
How do I register for massage therapy?
Thanks for your question – we realized we forgot to include the registration link! It’s been added to the newsletter now. If you’d like to register for a massage on December 3, visit https://wellbloc.ca/circleofcare. Massages are 15 minutes long and are available at the head office from 12:00-3:00pm.
I need to change my mailing address in my file, who should I contact?
If you need to change your mailing address, you can submit an Update Address Form on Dayforce.
You will need to log into Dayforce first. Then, you can find the form by navigating to the Profile section, clicking on Forms, and then scrolling down to the Personal section.
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.