Vol. 2, No. 3, January 28, 2004
The executive director news is published specifically for the employees of the Somerset Home. This issue and past issues of this newsletter are available on our website at http://www.somersethome.org/main/pages/employee_newsletter.htm.
Did you ever have a problem figuring out exactly how many vacation days were available to you? Wouldn't it be great if this information regularly updated on your pay stub? This is one of the many projects we are taking on as part of the automation of many of our administrative records.
We have just posted the Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care forms on our web site with the code number already typed in so no matter where you are if you need to submit a claim you can download the form, print it, fill it out and fax it in!
As you all know we currently are paid every two weeks. Starting March 1, 2004 we will be moving to a new payroll period which will be twice each month. What this means is that we will be going from 26 to 24 pay periods each year.
If you have automatic payments that come out of your bank account please take a moment to call and make whatever changes need to be made. Also, remember that payroll will also be 100% direct deposit by March 1, 2004. I apologize for any disruption this may cause in your monthly budget planning.
While Barbara Kreutzer is out of the office on leave we have hired Gary Kreutzer to help out with administrative activities related to insurance, contracts and payroll. Gary can be reached four days each week (Tuesday-Friday) in the business office at 908-526-6605 and you can email him at gkreutzer@somersethome.org.
We are currently preparing for our annual financial audit. Since this includes a great deal of file reorganizing and boxing up of materials we are taking this opportunity to reorganize all of our administrative filing systems. We will continue to automate and reorganize insurance, contract, personnel, payroll and financial records during the next few months.
As you all know for the past eight years we have held the Bid for Better Futures Special Event. This event was a great deal of fun for all but also a great deal of work for the staff. After much deliberation we have decided not to hold the event this year and throw all of our energies into the Run for Runaways which is scheduled for November 6, 2004. The committee is scheduling its first meeting this month and if you are interested in helping out please contact Anne Bradley Sosis. Click on the logo or go to the web site at http://www.runforrunaways.com for more information.
Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children belongs to several state and national organizations. Click on the logos below to find out more about these organizations.
The GSC conducts training, hosts roundtables for agency staff to discuss issues of common concern, and advocates for runaway and homeless youth in Trenton, N.J. and Washington, D.C. To find out more about the GSC click on the logo or visit the GSC web site at http://www.gardenstatecoalition.org.
The National Network for Youth is dedicated to ensuring that young people can be safe and lead healthy and productive lives. In doing so, young people are championed, especially those who because of life circumstance, disadvantage, past abuse or community prejudice have less opportunity to become contributing members of their communities. The National Network website is http://www.nn4youth.org.
The New Jersey Association of Children's Residential Facilities is a membership organization which represents agencies serving "at risk" abused, neglected or otherwise vulnerable children living in group homes, residential treatment centers, shelters or specialized foster care settings. NJACRF provides advocacy on behalf of its members and the children they serve to the state legislature, the Department of Human Services and the Division of Youth and Family Services. This advocacy includes issues of rate setting, licensing regulations and development of appropriate, quality services for the children and youth of New Jersey who are unable to live at home and require out-of-home settings. The NJACRF website is http://www.njacrf.org.
The Council on Accreditation for Children and Family Services promotes best-practice standards; champions quality services for children, youth and families; and advocates for the value of accreditation. The COA website is http://www.coanet.org.
Once again I know that these past two weeks have been tough due to staff shortages and I thank all of you who have helped out covering extra shifts. And as always, thank you for your continued hard work on behalf of our youth.
Sincerely,
