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December Message from Benjamin Altose, Acting Director of Operations, Payment Operations (104P)
Team,
What a year this has been! As 2022 comes to a close, I look back with gratitude for the resilience and commitment you all have shown this year and look forward with excitement for all that 2023 will bring. Together, we have weathered the ups and downs
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of the year, and I am confident that with this team, we will not only achieve, but exceed expectations for the year ahead.
As we transition into the holiday season, wrapping up our work duties and then our presents, I hope you take a step away from work to enjoy quality time with family and loved ones. As for me, I’m hoping Santa will bring me a repeat gift from 2016 with another Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Championship and Lake Erie Monsters AHL Calder Cup Championship!
If you’re looking for an opportunity to give back during the holidays, I’d like to provide one last reminder about the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). With hundreds of vetted charities to choose from, it’s so easy to find a cause that is meaningful to you. As I mentioned last month, I chose to donate to the Cleveland Animal Protective League, an organization whose work makes a positive impact in my local community. Additional information can be found further along in this newsletter and at the CFC Donor Pledging System (opm.gov).
Thank you again for everything you do to serve our nation’s Veterans and their families. I wish you all a peaceful, joyous, and safe holiday season!
Best Regards,
Ben
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Please ensure your email signature block is updated with the correct information following our shift to VHA Office of Finance, Payment Operations (104P), Operations Directorate. Below is an example signature block for 104P Ops personnel!
Line 1: Name
Line 2: Position
Line 3: Department (optional), Payment Operations (104P), Operations Directorate
Line 4: VHA Office of Finance
Line 5: Office Phone / E-Mail
Frosty the Snowman
Management Analyst
Internal Controls and Appeals, Payment Operations (104P), Operations Directorate
VHA Office of Finance
555-555-5555 / frosty.snowman@va.gov
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 The CFC needs YOU! We have made the CFC one of the largest and most successful workplace giving campaigns in the world.
Here's how it works!
First, choose your cause. Whether you care about finding cures for diseases, supporting military families, or promoting equality for all, the CFC has vetted charities for any cause you want to support. You can even give to multiple charities with one pledge.
Second, make your pledge. The most popular giving option, the online pledge portal, allows you to easily renew your pledge each year and offers the full range of pledge options: Payroll deduction (the most popular!), Credit/debit card, E-check/bank transfer, Volunteer hours. You can make your pledge here: CFC Donor Pledging System (opm.gov)
Lastly, remember that our donations will change the world, making it a better place for all of us. Thank you for your generosity!
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Brighten up 104P Operations with some Holiday Cheer!
Help make your colleagues' days merry and bright by sharing your festive holiday decorations with us!
We'll throw in a little healthy competition just to make things interesting. Winners will be announced in the January newsletter and will receive bragging rights.
How to Participate
There will be two categories: Exterior Decorations (house, yard, lights, wreaths, etc.) and Interior Decorations (fireplace, home office, tree, etc.)
Submit one photo per category for either or both categories to Emma.Podkul@va.gov by December 20, 2022.
How to Vote
All staff will receive an email with a link that will allow you to view each of the submissions and to vote on your favorite from each category! Submissions will be anonymous until the winners are revealed in January.
We're looking forward to seeing your submissions! Good luck and Happy Holidays!
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This month’s HRO Theme is Clear Communications. We have all seen the effect that seemingly minor miscommunications can have. It's been demonstrated that communication breakdowns are a leading cause of error. In our work in Payment Operations, we know that errors due to miscommunication can inadvertently lead to a great deal of frustration and hardship for the Veterans we serve. This month's theme reinforces the need for us to minimize miscommunications by practicing good listening skills, using standard work, processes and language and employing Closed Loop Communications. Clear communications remove confusion and uncertainty, which support the quality and accuracy that we strive for each day at the VHA.
To learn more about December's Theme of the Month, please explore the resources below. The Clear Communications overview video will be the last one in the HRO Principles and Values video series!
Links
HRO Theme of the Month
Clear Communications overview video
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Captured on 11/3/22
Captured on 12/1/22
These two graphs above, captured about a month apart, each show the number of notifications going to the clinical team for review over the past 30 days from the date pulled. They depict the workload for Payment Authority 1703.
Captured on 11/3/22
Captured on 12/1/22
These two graphs above, captured about a month apart, each show the clinical workload at Payment Authorities 1725 and 1728 over the past 30 days from the date pulled.
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Congratulations and thank you to all these staff celebrating milestones. We are lucky to have you!
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 The Clinicians put together a moving e-card addressed to all of their Veteran colleagues who served our nation in the military.
Follow this link (from Send Wishes Online) to view the card!
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Honoring Veterans at the SW Veterans Home in Butte
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For Veterans Day last month, the Helena Payment Center banded together to write thank you cards and create goodie bags for 55 Veterans! Tanya Hartman delivered them to the SW Veterans Home in Butte, MT. While she was there, Tanya had the privilege of watching the honor guard and learning the meaning behind each fold of the flag.
A huge thank you to Dawn Lebahn and Carol Marsh for organizing this effort, and to everyone at the Helena Payment Center for putting together such a moving tribute to Veterans in their local community.
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Professional Development Course Opportunities for December
The VHA Office of Finance Professional and Organizational Development (POD) team is excited to offer training opportunities and programs designed to meet employees' needs for personal and professional development.
Courses in December include Servant Leadership, Productive Work Habits, Fixed vs. Growth Mindset, and many others!
Check it out here!
Payment Operations Training Schedule
For the Payment Operations training schedule, please be sure to reference our training calendar: Trainer Calendar - Calendar (sharepoint.com). For training requests, please email VHA104PInternalICSupervisors@va.gov
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Did you enjoy reading this newsletter? Did your work on your high school newspaper? Then get INVOLVED! There is opportunity to support the monthly drafting process for the 104P Newsletter to ensure that the information is relevant and interesting to all staff. We'd love to get your input, so if you're interested, please reach out to Emma.Podkul@va.gov. |
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