Due to the holidays coming up in just over a week, the deadline for payroll entry has been adjusted. The following changes have been made for the week of December 18-22:

• Thursday, December 21 @ 11am: Time entries due in Avanti
• Thursday, December 21 @ 2pm: Time entry approval by Supervisors due
• Any entries after 2pm must be submitted via paper timesheet

If you are planning on taking time off over the holidays, please input your time into Avanti before you leave.

The statutory holidays for the end of the year are:

• Monday, December 25, 2023
• Tuesday, December 26, 2023
• Monday, January 1, 2024

Due to the majority of our statutory holidays falling on a Monday, the agency is offering team members an optional day off. Team members have a choice of taking Dec. 22 OR Dec. 29 off depending on their department needs. When entering this in Avanti, choose Code 202 - Optional Day in the drop-down list and enter the number of hours you normally work.

The rumours are true - Kinship Providers have their own Eligibility Spectrum (ES) codes!

The ES code must be manually updated at each stage of service.

New Provider? No problem! The code will default to 8.2.A Initial Screening and Assessment.

Going out to complete a Comprehensive? Change the ES code to 8.2.C Comprehensive Assessment of Kinship Service.

Placing the child in an approved home? Change the ES code to 8.2.E Approved Kinship Service Home – Ongoing Support.

Additional questions? Please contact CQI at ext. 3800. 

Last Friday, we wrapped up the last day of the United Way Campaign. After two weeks of payroll deductions and one week of the online silent auction, we are feeling so grateful to work in an agency that is filled with such generosity. 

The United Way Campaign Committee is excited to announce that over $11,000 will go to United Way Niagara!

We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported this campaign through payroll deduction, item donations, and prize bids. By supporting United Way, you are supporting the Family Counselling Centre and the communities that they serve. Thank you for making a difference. 

We would like to remind everyone to pay for their item through the website (www.facsniagara.on.ca/auction) with credit card, or through e-transfer by sending the payment to payments@facsniagara.on.ca. If you choose to e-transfer, please put in the notes that the payment is for United Way. 

You can come pick up your prizes from the Communications department in the St. Catharines office (second floor by Finance, look for the big blue wall). If you work in Niagara Falls or Welland, we can send you your prize through interoffice mail. 

Thank you again, everyone! What do you think, same time next year? ;)

The Holiday Toy Shop is officially open at the St. Catharines office! We have received some amazing donations from community partners over the past couple of weeks, and their generosity will go a long way in making the holiday season magical for the families, children, and youth we serve.

The Toy Shop is open Monday to Friday from 10:30am - 2:30pm and will remain open until Friday, December 22.

Please ensure that you fill out the attached form for each family you are shopping for. You will be permitted to select one big gift, and two stocking stuffers per child/youth.

Our Home for the Holidays dinner is taking place next week on Thursday, December 21!

This is a really special time of year where we can all come together, enjoy a warm meal, and truly get to see the impact of our work. These events also give us the opportunity to provide our youth in care with the holiday magic that everyone deserves this time of year. Thanks to all who RSVP for the event. We look forward to seeing you all there!