2017 WORKFORCE RECOGNITION AWARDS
Northern Rivers Family of Services celebrates the accomplishments of our employees who are passionate and committed to improving the quality of life for the children, families and communities we serve. This year we will again recognize employees in six categories. The categories were inspired by our core principles (cultural competence, family and value driven, strength based, safety, and trauma informed).Please take the time to nominate someone you know who makes a difference!
We encourage you to nominate a coworker you feel exemplifies the qualities in any of the six categories below. Each award will have a minimum of 6 winners, at least one from each Client Services division (Residential, Foster Care, Education, Community Services, Behavioral Health) and at least one from Central Services (Information Technology, Finance, Human Resources, Quality Improvement, Support Services, Communications and Administration).
Individual nominees can be from ANY level or profession within the Northern Rivers family except members of the Executive Leadership Team. An appointed committee will meet to determine the award winners in each category. Award-winning recipients will be recognized at the upcoming fall 2017 Listening Tours.
The nominees for these awards will all be solutions focused, have a positive attitude, and be encouraging to others. Additional criteria for specific awards follows.
AWARD CATEGORIES
Cultural Competence Award
Inspired by Culture of Caring, Comithier Diversity Awards, Romano Child Care, and Standard of Excellence Awards
This employee demonstrates encouragement, creativity, transparency, and pride in all of his or her interactions with our children and families, customers, and colleagues. Known for a positive attitude and promotion of diversity and respect for all people, this person consistently adapts to meet the culturally unique needs of others.
Additional characteristics to consider:
– awareness of program focus
– recognizes and values differences
– takes time to learn about different cultures
– adaptive to meet the needs of the individual
Best Practices Award
Inspired by Finkelstein Excellence and Spirit of Northeast Awards
This employee demonstrates an eagerness to help colleagues as well as the children and families in need of our services, while always considering each person’s individual needs. This employee demonstrates a dedication to service and a fundamental understanding of trauma-informed care. He or she values and partners with the team in order to create an environment conducive to successful outcomes. His or her emphasis on engagement, as well as the eagerness with which the employee conducts work, is an inspiration to colleagues. This person strives for service excellence and supports the use of strategies and interventions that focus on achieving safety, managing emotions, and developing healthy relationships. This person encourages self-care and wellness, consistently working toward a positive and productive future for our clients while seeking best practices.
Additional characteristics to consider:
– supportive of clients, families, and coworkers
– program driven
– flexible
– creates solutions and builds systems, processes, and new practices
– suggests ideas and develops ways to apply these to new situations to solve problems
Safety Ambassador Award
This employee consistently promotes physical, social, emotional, and ethical safety during daily responsibilities and demonstrates a clear understanding of theirimportance. This person is considerate of others’ feelings and needs as well as his or her surroundings when making decisions, valuing justice over a sense of self. This employee treats colleagues, clients, and all individuals with the utmost respect and is a trusted ally to many.
Additional characteristics to consider:
– aware and supportive of physical safety
– treats people with dignity and respect
– promotes emotional and ethical safety
– does the right thing when no one is looking
– follows policies
– respects people’s different philosophies
Empowerment through Leadership Award
Inspired by Community Ambassador and Leadership Awards
This employee uses a strength-based approach to focus on opportunities, hope, and solutions, emphasizing skill-building, recognizing abilities, and maintaining a positive attitude in work with clients and colleagues. This employee demonstrates a “can-do” attitude, is an advocate for children and families, and encourages colleagues, children, and families to maintain a positive outlook.
Additional characteristics to consider:
– acts as role model and mentor
Career Achievement Award
Inspired by Career Achievement Award
This employee has dedicated his or her career to providing quality services to those in need, leading by example and mentoring others with similar vision and passion for their work. This employee consistently seeks educational opportunities to continuously improve the quality of services delivered.
This award is intended to recognize employees who have had more than 10 years of experience in their field.
Above and Beyond Award
Inspired by Hudson New Employee, Giuseppi Volunteer, and Rising Star Awards)
This employee consistently exerts extra effort toward the ultimate commitment of improving the quality of services provided. Guided by our core principles, this employee is often strives for exceptional outcomes, and inspires others with an energetic and positive attitude as well as a dedication to those we serve.
This award is intended to recognize newer staff with less than two years’ experience with the agency.
**Nominations must be received by Friday, September 8, 2017**
Please return the nomination form to:
Katy Hoffman, Chief Human Resources Officer
Northern Rivers Family of Services
60 Academy Road, Albany NY 12208
(Nomination form follows.)
2017 WORKFORCE RECOGNITION AWARDS
NOMINATION FORM
Your Position
Your Division/Department
Nominee’s Name
Nominee’s Position
Nominee’s Division/Department
Award Category
How does this nominee demonstrate the attributes of this award category? Give specific examples as the selection committee is relying on your words to “see” your nominee’s contributions.
**Nominations must be received by Friday, Sept. 8, 2017**
Please return the nomination form to:
Katy Hoffman, Chief Human Resources Officer