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Dear Staff,
Happy Social Work Month! Every year in March, we celebrate the tremendous contributions made by nearly 700,000 social workers across the U.S., and in particular the social workers we are fortunate to work beside here at our own agency. One of the many things I’ve learned from social workers over the years is that social work is an ethos about care and concern for each member of the community. Social workers have brought that not just to Washingtonians, but to our agency.
At DACL we have 35 social workers operating in many different capacities—helping transition residents out of nursing homes and back into the community, investigating suspected abuse and fraud cases, connecting residents to home and community-based supports, monitoring programs and services, providing outreach and communications, and being a listening ear to anyone who needs it! Our talented social workers are on the frontlines and working behind the scenes, making sure that nobody gets left behind.
And while our social workers get to experience firsthand the joys and the challenges of taking care of others, let’s all take some time out to care for them. I encourage everyone at the agency to reach out to a social worker and send a note of appreciation, give encouraging words, or share a laugh over a virtual lunch.
To all of our social workers (and our staff who support social workers!!!), thanks for being a part of the DACL family. I look forward to celebrating you all month long!
Take Care,
Laura
Guest Column from Clinical Director Stowe!
Living into our legacy…
As March is upon us and I take a moment to reflect on Social Work and celebrate Social Work Month, I wanted to share a few thoughts with you on our profession. Social work, as a profession, has always been on the front lines, whether it was Jane Addams setting up and living in Hull House in the poor industrial west side of Chicago, Inabel Burns Lindsay, the first Dean of the Howard School of Social Work and the only female university academic dean in Washington DC at that time, or Lester Blackwell Granger who was the first African American to serve as the president of the National Conference of Social Work and spent his career advocating for civil rights.
We carry a proud legacy as social workers – a legacy that urges us to continue to advocate for the rights of all people to live safely, and with dignity. A legacy that urges us to continue to strive for excellence. A legacy that tells us that making the difference in the life of one individual, is as valuable as making a difference in our larger community. A legacy that imbues us with the courage of our ancestors and the hope of our children.
To be a social worker is to be part of a long and proud tradition. I am proud to be part of that group and I am proud to work with all of you, my fellow social workers. I thank you for all you have done, I thank you for showing up each day, and I thank you for staying in the struggle. Happy Social Work Month!
March is Social Work Month!
Happy Social Work Month! The theme for Social Work Month 2021 is Social Workers Are Essential.
Social workers are essential to community well-being, trained to help people address personal and systemic barriers to optimal living, and are here to affect positive change in individuals, families, groups, and entire communities.
During Social Work Month, take time to learn more about the many positive contributions of the social workers around you. Also, stay tuned for some amazing stories from our very own social workers throughout the month!
DACL Staff Highlight of the Month – Melanie Gilliam
When asked to reflect on something interesting I have done during this public health emergency, I struggled because I did not believe that I have done anything that would fall into this description. I initially replied with “all I’ve done was stay home, work, and take care of my family and clients.” But when I really thought about it, this IS interesting and certainly MEANINGFUL and WORTHWHILE!
I have been at home serving as a “first responder” to my family, friends, and, when necessary, members of the DC community. I have been a teacher, principal, hall monitor and cafeteria worker to my three younger children (ages 15, and twins, age 12). In addition, I have served as a motivator and counselor to my 18-year-old, college-student son, who was a graduate of the Class of 2020 and had to start his college life online from the basement of our home instead of from his college dorm room! Furthermore, I have continued to serve the precious residents of the District of Columbia.
During this pandemic, for some persons within my family, friend circle and community caseload, I became a “finder” of needed resources, a listening ear, a source of hope, strength and encouragement – all the while trying to gain these things for myself while dealing with personal losses and living in a world that has changed the course of all of our lives as we once knew them. As a social worker, characteristics of a caring heart, effective communication, organization, analytical skills, professionalism, good judgement, and resilience to stress kicked in over time!
I am proud to be a social worker, a person that is not only there in times of peace, but “a first responder” who steps in during emergencies and times of uncertainty to bring some semblance of calm.
 Image of Melanie Gilliam
Happy Women’s History Month
Happy Women’s History Month! Throughout the month of March, we will be highlighting the stories of senior women in the District who have made an impact.
To stay up to date with all of the stories that we’ll share, follow us on all social media channels:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DCAgingNews
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtuKf9sasflRh7pfXRrpW3w/videos
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dcagingnews/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DCAgingNews
March is National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month, and our nutritionist, Charanya Sundar, has a lot of content coming your way.
Join in on the fun. Visit daclvirtualevents.splashthat.com to learn more about upcoming events that’ll highlight health and wellness.
Thank You for Your Participation in the 2021 Cupid’s Kids Campaign!
We want to give a BIG shout out to all of the staff members that helped make Valentine’s Day cards for over 6,000 District seniors. Thank you so much for joining us in spreading love this season.
“You might not even know that person, but you don’t know how that person might make you feel through the end of that day.”
– DC Senior Denise Smith on Call & Talk!
For the past five years, Ward 8 senior Denise Smith has struggled to find a new kidney, and the public health emergency didn’t make it any easier.
“I was on dialysis for five years, and I had some rough times while I was on it,” explained Ms. Smith.
But it wasn’t until she met Community Outreach Specialist, Alice Thompson that she was able to turn those rough times around. During the public health emergency, Alice has communicated frequently with Ms. Smith through DACL’s Call & Talk program.
“Times I might feel like I’m stressed out or something, I talk to Ms. Alice. I feel so much better. Communication is a beautiful thing.”
Thanks to Alice and the Call & Talk program, Ms. Smith looked forward to garnering hope during such an uncertain time. Today, not only has Ms. Smith been able to find a new friend, she’s also been fortunate enough to receive a new kidney.
“Ms. Alice, I appreciate her. I never even met her, but I feel like I know her. She’s just a lovely person,” said an optimistic Ms. Smith. “You might not even know that person, but you don’t know how that person might make you feel through the end of that day. You’d be surprised.”
Do you have a great Call & Talk story that you want to share? Email dacl.communications@dc.gov.
DACL Partners with the Humane Rescue Alliance to Launch Senior Pet Connect
Updates from Mayor Bowser
COVID-19 vaccine appointments will be available for eligible residents in priority zip codes on March 4. Additional appointments for all DC residents 65+, those with a qualifying medical condition (18+), and/or members of an eligible workforce group will open on Friday, March 5.
Moving forward, appointments will be released every Thursday at 9am to eligible resident who are 65 and older in priority zip codes. Visit vaccinate.dc.gov to sign up or call 855-363-0333.
For press briefings, workout tips, and digital resources daily, check out the following updates:
Link to Mayor Bowser's Weekly Press Conference + Channel 16 Programming
Link to FitDC Programs + Past Programs
Link to AroundTownDC.org
Updates from the Employee Engagement Committee
Stay tuned for upcoming holidays and staff contests throughout the month of March!
March 5th is Employee Appreciation Day
March 8th is Social Worker Appreciation Day
March 17th is our St. Patty's Day staff photo contest
Tech Tips of the Month
We’re back with WebEx tips! Here are some tips to get the best Webex meeting experience.
Switch to call in audio. If your internet audio and video experience or call me/call back does not work, you can keep collaborating. Call in using the dial-in numbers in your meeting invitation to join via your cell phone or landline.
Choose audio over video. When your connection quality is low, your collaboration experience gets worse. WebEx will suggest or automatically lower your resolution and may eventually turn off your video.
Reduce simultaneous streaming activities. Turn off VPN.
Close background applications. Even if you’re not using them, applications on your device are using precious resources.
HR Updates
Benefits
- Commuter (Parking and Transit) election changes can be made in PeopleSoft at any time
- Unused funds from 2020 FSA Plan year will automatically roll over to 2021
Wellness Trainings – Link: adobe.ly/2NTZ2bp
- March 2 – Kitchen Makeover
- March 3 – Keeping a Healthy Weight
- March 9 – Cooking Demo
- March 12 – Foods to Support a Healthy Immune System
- March 19 – Disrupting Negative Thoughts
- March 23 – Meditation
- March 25 – Cardio Fitness
- March 31 – A Success Strategy for Home Working
To view more wellness trainings visit: https://spark.adobe.com/page/v6LcpDWhcytLA/.
MID-YEAR OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD
A mini open enrollment period will be available to allow you to enroll in our available FSA plans outside of the typical enrollment period.
Start Date: June 14, 2021
End Date: June 28, 2021
Happy Birthday to all Staff Born in March!
Melanie Gilliam – March 1
Eniola Akinkuowo - March 3
Ekundayo Akinola - March 3
Ronald “RJ” Flowers – March 8
Stephanie Bryant - March 15
Christopher DeYoung – March 25
Ransom Washington – March 30
Contact Us
Adult Protective Services
(202) 541-3950
Information & Referral/Assistance
(202) 724-5626
Department of Aging and Community Living
(202) 724-5626
IT Team
202-727-0353
ITHelp.DACL@dc.gov
Suggestions?
Any ideas or suggestions for the next staff newsletter? Email dacl.communications@dc.gov.
- We believe in the power of good government to transform our lives at every age and ability.
- We believe every individual is needed to create strong communities that support, inspire, and love.
- We believe in the power of community to allow all of us at every age and ability to live boldly!
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