It's that time again — time to complete the annual performance evaluation and expectations.

When is the Performance Period?
The performance period begins Sept. 1 of each year and ends on Aug. 31 the following year. Completed performance evaluation and expectations forms for this performance cycle are due by Nov. 30, 2021.

• This evaluation will cover Sept. 1, 2020, to Aug. 31, 2021.
• The expectations will cover Sept. 1, 2021, to Aug. 31, 2022.

What Form Do I Use?
Use the DCYF Performance Evaluation and Expectations form to document all evaluations. Please do not use previous versions of the form. Download the new version from the DCYF intranet Forms Repository or the HR Tools for Supervisors Page.

The revised DCYF Employee Performance Evaluation Guide, formerly known as the DCYF Performance Management and Evaluation Guide, is a resource for supervisors and employees to assist in completing the employee performance evaluations and expectations. The guide provides instructions for completing each section of the DCYF Performance Evaluation and Expectations form 03-485, including concepts, suggestions, and ideas that can be beneficial when applied to the evaluation process.

You can find the Performance Evaluation and Expectations form, guide, performance management resources, other HR-related forms, and information on the HR Tools for Supervisors page.

Who Needs to Have an Annual Performance Review?
Employees who have permanent status in their positions need to have an annual performance review. Employees do not need an evaluation on the annual cycle if they are in one of the following statuses: probationary, trial service, in-training, WMS review, non-permanent, or on-call. However, please ensure evaluations are completed for these status employees prior to the completion of their review periods.

Need Help?
For questions, please contact your assigned HR representative or dcyf.hr@dcyf.wa.gov.

All DCYF employees are required to complete the Employee Annual Review Checklist by Friday, Oct. 29, 2021. The annual review checklist will be assigned to all DCYF employees, in the Washington State Learning Center, on Sept. 1, 2021. The 2021 review must be completed via the Washington State Learning Center in an online module that captures employee-provided responses. This provides precisely eight weeks to complete the review and attestations. Employees who join DCYF on or after Sept. 1, 2021, are not required to take this review as all applicable information is captured in their new hire paperwork and orientation.

We want to ensure that staff know the steps to access the Washington State Learning Center and what to do if they experience any launch issues. Please be sure to use Chrome as your web browser when launching the Washington State Learning Center, which is on the DCYF intranet under the Personnel tab, HR Training and Development page. To access the Employee Annual Review Checklist module, log into the Washington State Learning Center, locate the Self icon, expand the menu, click on Dashboards, and select My Experience Hub.

For questions related to the Washington State Learning Center, please contact DCYF Learning Center. 

Here's a shout-out to the DCYF Supervisors – this one's for you!

Our work is hard, tireless, and traumatic, and we hold the despair for not only the children and families we serve but often our employees as well. All this compounded with our hurts, sorrows, and traumas.

It's often a thankless job, but we see you, and we hear you.

This week's Compassionate Professional Resource features a 30-minute podcast for Trauma-Informed Resilience-Oriented Supervision. Resilience is not defined in our work as the ability to "get over it" and "move on." These are not Trauma-Informed mindsets. Relational Resiliency is the practice of being in a community with one another and engaging in collective healing. Once we collectively heal, we can hope for a collective future rooted in love, compassion, and healing. 

Trauma-Informed Resilience-Oriented Supervision is a 30-minute podcast meant for supervisors. Find out how supervisors can maximize performance and their workforce culture by embracing healing, resilience, and engagement. Don't miss this special podcast if you are eager to enhance trauma-informed, resilient-oriented supervision throughout your organization.

For additional information about DCYF's Peer Support program, please visit the Peer Support page. To request a referral, please email dcyf.peersupport@dcyf.wa.gov. For questions or comments about Compassionate Professional Resources, please contact jennifer.nguyen-so@dcyf.wa.gov.

The Region 4 King-East Office recently held their first staff summer celebration at a local park. Staff at the King East Office have a group of dedicated employees who call themselves “Sanity Seekers.” This group plans events to keep the office staff connected and working as a team.

Colleagues from all programs in the King-East Office, were able to bring their children and families to meet one another and spend quality time together. There was food, games, and many laughs. King-East Office staff voted for 17 different fun awards including:

• Most Likely to Leave the Car on Empty
• The Early Bird
• Wildest Caseload

Region 4 Area Administrator Theresa Burton shared, “With the last year and a half keeping us apart and at times, isolated, it was a true pleasure to get together with fellow DCYF employees and have a joyful afternoon!”

Rima Armstrong, Public Benefits Specialist 3 with the Child Care Subsidies Program in Federal Way, wanted to share her appreciation for the Self-Employment Team: Supervisor Alma Rojas, Lead Worker Marta Marquis, Brittany Boswell, Cindi Dixon, Bethany Lynch, Tina Miller, and Cynthia Perez.

There have been a lot of changes in the program to navigate through especially during the busy season. “This group of amazing women handle a large workload but push through with the determination and resilience.” Rima continues, “DCYF is so blessed to have such a motivated and hard-working team who are dedicated to supporting the children and families our agency serves.”

Do you miss reading kudos and extraordinary contributor submissions about your coworkers? We do too! Let the Office of Communications know who you want to recognize and what they did in a few sentences. To share a note of appreciation for a coworker, send an email to dcyf.commsupport@dcyf.wa.gov.