Hello BIS Team,
Happy Fri~yay! It’s been a while- (did ya miss it??), so we’ve got some catching up to do! April is Autism Acceptance Month! Working here we all know how important and impactful it can be to support and work with some of these amazing individuals! Autism Acceptance Month, previously named Autism Awareness Month, in April aims to celebrate and promote acceptance for the condition that occurs in one in every 36 children as of 2020 in the United States (stat provided by CDC.com). Autism, a complex developmental condition affecting the patient’s ability to interact, communicate, and progress, has not one but many subtypes.
Every April, the Autism Society works to build an inclusive community where autistic individuals are embraced and supported to achieve the highest quality of life possible. The Autism Society was founded in 1965 by Bernard Rimland and remains one of the few grassroots organizations in the autistic community. Driven by the fact that autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the world, the Autism Society hosted one of its first nationwide efforts of an awareness campaign called National Autistic Children’s Week in 1972, which subsequently evolved into the Autism Awareness Month earmarked in April. In 2021, Autism Awareness Month was renamed Autism Acceptance Month to foster acceptance and ignite change.
Resources:
Autism Spotlight: What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), hereafter referred to as Autism (which includes Asperger’s Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified [PDD-NOS]), is a complex, lifelong developmental condition that typically appears during early childhood and can impact a person’s social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation. The Autism experience is different for everyone. It is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is often referred to as a “spectrum condition” that affects people differently and to varying degrees. While there is currently no known single cause of Autism, early diagnosis helps a person receive resources that can support the choices and opportunities needed to live fully.
- When family members or support providers become concerned that a child is not following a typical developmental course, they turn to experts, including psychologists, educators and medical professionals, for a diagnosis.
- At first glance, some people with Autism may appear to have an intellectual disability, sensory processing issues, or problems with hearing or vision, and the diagnosis of Autism may become more challenging.
- These conditions can co-occur with Autism and it can be confusing to families when they receive multiple diagnoses. However, it is important to identify Autism, as an accurate and early Autism diagnosis can provide the basis for appropriate educational and home-based support. There are many differences between a medical diagnosis and an educational determination, or school evaluation, of a disability.
· Knowledge is Empowerment: Everyone deserves to live fully. At the core of the Autism Society’s work is our goal to influence meaningful change in support of the Autism community. Find the support you need, when you need it by accessing our resources–>https://autismsociety.org/resources-by-topic/
CORE Performer for February 2024 (yep, we’re still catchin’ up):
Billy Metorff is a DSP at who works at the Fenton ISL since January. In his short time here at BIS and has shown an exemplary performance of our core values! His supervisors had these amazing things to say about his performance:
Billy Metroff has hit the ground running as a new staff in the ISL Department. His patience and kindness shows in everything that he does and is a useful took when dealing with challenging situations which he see a lot of! The Fenton ISL will be forever changed because of his dedication to the clients and always striving to do a good job.
Congrats Billy! We’re so excited and happy to have you on the BIS Team. You exemplify our core values of Compassion, Honesty, Commitment, and High Standards! You’ll be receiving a $50.00 gift card and a spin on the prize wheel at the BIS office! Look out for a separate email from me on how to claim your prize.
BIS Bucks Spotlight: BIS Bucks is back in business baby! Go ahead and recognize those great people you work with!
- Easier calculation of total bucks when cashing out
- Adding job titles to track data on the utilization of recognition
- To get to the BIS Bucks system: click on the “BIS Bucks Staff Recognition Tab” on the BIS website under the “Employee Dashboard” tab.
Attendance Spotlight: March 2024
We had some stellar attendance for last month! I’m happy to announce that our Perfect Attendance Winner for the month of March 2024 is Yanid Castellon! Yanid is a RBT who works in the Natural Home field. She’s been with BIS since May 2023 and we are so lucky to have her! Thanks so much for your great attendance last month! In order to show our appreciation you will be a receiving a $50.00 gift card. Also, you are eligible to spin the prize wheel up at the BIS office! Look out for a separate email from me on how to claim your prize. Congratulations Yanid!
Policy Spotlight:
303 Sick Days
Effective Date: 1/1/2024
Revision Date: 1/1/2024
After 90 days of hire, all full time staff will begin accruing sick days. Time accrued can be used as soon as it is earned. If sick leave used exceeds sick leave available, vacation time will be utilized for the absences(s). Any special circumstance that results in a negative leave balance of 10 or move hours MUST have the prior approval of the Executive Director.
Accrued sick leave may be used to care for an employee’s family member (parent/step parent, spouse/significant other (defined as a person of significant importance to the employee on a daily basis as the employee’s family member of choice), or child/step-child) or for any family member who permanently resides in the employee’s home. BIS recognizes that there may be occasions when an employee wishes to discuss utilizing sick leave for individuals who are not specifically covered under this policy. These special circumstances should be discussed with, and receive approval by, the Executive Director.
When an employee is ill, they are encouraged to use sick days to recover and as a way to prevent the passage of germs. As a general guideline, employees are requested to be free from a fever for twenty-four (24) hours without fever reducing medication before returning to work.
Employees will notify their immediate supervisor before or at the beginning of the work day when illness prevents attendance at work.
If an illness exceeds three (3) days in length consecutively (and is not pre-approved as FMLA), or a distinct pattern of illness is evidenced by time off requests, the employee will be required to submit a statement from their Health Care Practitioner (HCP) stating that they have been under the HCP’s care for the duration and that they are released to return to duty. BIS may request and obtain verification of the circumstances surrounding any sick leave at any time.
Employees will accrue sick leave at the following rates.
- After 90 days accrual will be .08 per paycheck (8 hours total will be accrued between 3 and 6 months employment)
- After 1 year of employment 1.23.
Maximum accrual allowed is 2 weeks. Any time in excess of the carry over amount will be considered forfeited.
Accrued but unused sick leave will not be paid out to an employee who separates from the BIS, nor will it be re-instated should a former employee return to employment with the BIS.
Any used sick time during a final 14 days of employment will be recouped on employees final paycheck.