Update on the New Oasis Center: While many staff are aware of our plans for the new Oasis Center this project has been stalled for the last few weeks. Here are the details- several weeks ago I was contacted by the State of Connecticut and asked if we would be interested in sub-letting a building that was soon to be vacated by the Department of Developmental Services. This building, located at 932 Bank Street, was used by DDS to run a day program very similar to our Social Rehabilitation program. Since this building would allow us to improve service delivery by providing great space I quickly indicated that we would certainly be willing to sublet that space. There was much work necessary to develop the sublease and get the necessary approvals. The process was going well but was stalled by the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management. Despite the fact that the sublease had been developed the State of Connecticut’s own lawyers, OPM decided it would not give the necessary final approval on the sub-lease! The process looked like it was hopelessly stalled and that we might lose the building. Enter Ms. Deborah Heinrich- Connecticut's recently appointed advocate for CT non-profits. (Ms. Heineich was appointed to a cabinet level position by Governor Malloy to assist non-profits http://www.ct.gov/malloy/cwp/view.asp?A=4010&Q=471320.) I called ms Heinrich and filled her in on the details of this project and the difficulties we were having with OPM. Once Ms. Heinrich understood the issues she immediately advocated on our behalf with OPM and it now appears that we will shortly have our lease and all the wonderful plans that have been made by Claudia and her staff can go forward. I am cautiously hopeful that we will be able to move the Social Rehab and Employment programs into their new space early in February. Keep your fingers crossed!
Management Team Additions: As our agency has grown it has been obvious that additional expertise in technology and finance were necessary to assure that we maintain our leadership positions statewide- I am pleased to report to you all that there are two new senior managers joining our team. Mr. Heath Bish joins our agency as Director of Technology and Information Systems. While the agency has been well served by Mike Reynolds for many years our use of technology has grown exponentially over the last several years and the need for leadership in our acquisition and use of technology has been clear. Heath will be with us full time beginning February 7th and will assume responsibility for and supervision of all aspects of our technology use.
Val Kent joined the agency in 2009 as a staff accountant. Her work has been exceptional and she has been promoted to Associate Fiscal Director to provide additional expertise in the myriad Department of Labor and other regulatory requirements that govern the operation of non-profits here in Connecticut. Val will focus her work on payroll and benefits and accounts payable. Please join me in welcoming Heath and congratulating Val!
Val Kent joined the agency in 2009 as a staff accountant. Her work has been exceptional and she has been promoted to Associate Fiscal Director to provide additional expertise in the myriad Department of Labor and other regulatory requirements that govern the operation of non-profits here in Connecticut. Val will focus her work on payroll and benefits and accounts payable. Please join me in welcoming Heath and congratulating Val!
New Funding : We continue to pursue additional funding streams to help us meet our mission to seve those with severe and persistent mental illness. We were recently notified that we have been awarded a competitive grant by Access to Recovery to provide additional employment services to our clients. This grant was written by Melissa Dunbar and Jessica DeFlumer-Trapp. Well done Melissa and Jessica!
Reconfiguration of State Street Office Space: As many of you know Emily Reynolds is on a 6 month family leave and during that leave, her office will be used by Marie Salvemini as an Intake Office. Tracey Hauser has moved to the Marie's office and Heath Bish is now in Tracey’s office.
35th Anniversary: This year marks the 35th anniversary of the founding of First Step/Sound Community Services. In honor of the agency, the clients and the staff, our Board of Directors is planning a series of activities to celebrate this milestone. The first of these activities will by a fund-raising lunch at the Dogwatch Cafe in Stonington. It will be followed by a client and staff art exhibit at the TseTse Gallery ( http://www.tsetsegallery.org/ )on State Street.
I will provide more information about 35th Anniversary activities once the schedule is finalized but I do hope you will join the Board of Directors in as many of these activities as possible. Two of our staff members, Sue Himes and Sue Smith, have volunteered to work with the Board of Directors on the 35th Anniversary activities. If anyone is interested in joining the committee planning the 35th Anniversary activities, please give me, Sue Himes or Sue Smith a call.
I will provide more information about 35th Anniversary activities once the schedule is finalized but I do hope you will join the Board of Directors in as many of these activities as possible. Two of our staff members, Sue Himes and Sue Smith, have volunteered to work with the Board of Directors on the 35th Anniversary activities. If anyone is interested in joining the committee planning the 35th Anniversary activities, please give me, Sue Himes or Sue Smith a call.
And finally a word about-
Snowmegeddon: This has clearly been the very worst winter I have experienced since joining First Step and we are only 1/3 of the way through the winter! It has always been my belief that since we serve the very neediest in our community, we should keep our agency open during periods of inclement weather whenever possible. And while at times we have delayed the opening of our agency, until this winter our agency we had NEVER failed to open due to weather. More than two feet of snow in many areas of the state simply made it impossible to open our day and outpatient programs. I do want to thank and acknowledge the commitment of all staff members who have made it in over the past few weeks to provide services to our clients even when the weather has been terrible. And of course a very special mention to our residential staff members who have operated their programs in spite of the weather. Thanks to all!
Be well!
