Announcements
Additional Information About COVID-19 Incentive & Retention Bonus
Message from Mark Wasiewicz, Human Resources Director Hi Everyone, As a follow up to Thomas Whitney's February 16th email please review the information below. This email contains additional IMPORTANT information about the COVID vaccination incentive program and the initial staff retention bonus. If you have any questions please let me know. COVID-19 VACCINATION INCENTIVE How do I qualify for the COVID-19 vaccination incentive? You will need to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Fully vaccinated means you have received the single dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, or two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines. If I have not received the COVID-19 vaccination in the past can I do so now and receive the COVID-19 incentive? Yes. You may receive your vaccination at a local pharmacy, community outreach program or other entity offering the COVID-19 vaccination. You have until May 31st, 2022, in order to get FULLY vaccinated to qualify for the $250 incentive. Submit your proof of COVID-19 vaccination no later than 3:00 PM June 16, 2022. Will I automatically receive the COVID vaccination incentive? No. You are required to submit proof of vaccination to the human resources department. How should I submit my proof of vaccination?
When will my COVID-19 vaccination incentive be paid to me?
What if I submit my proof of COVID-19 vaccination after Monday's 3:00 PM deadline?
RETENTION BONUS Do I need to take any action in order to receive the retention bonus?
What will be the amount of my retention bonus?
Have a great day! ![]() -Mark 716-366-7792 x212 wasiewiczm@stel.org |
Retention & COVID 19 Vaccination Bonuses
Message from Thomas Whitney, Executive Director Hello Everyone, I hope you are all doing well. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Administration, and myself, I want to thank all of you for the commitment, resiliency and dedication you have exhibited over the last two years during this global pandemic. You are to be commended for your perseverance in providing for some of the most vulnerable, our consumers, while navigating through the unknown. I am proud to be your co worker. As some of you may be aware, the NYS Office of Mental Health has included Recruitment and Retention Funds in our Fiscal year '22 budget. They are being paid to Stel through our Medicaid Reimbursable Services Funding. We will finally have received enough to give a bonus to our staff as a thank you for your hard work. In the payroll of February 24th, all full time staff will receive a bonus of $250. In addition, all full time staff who have been fully vaccinated, will receive another $250 bonus, for a total of $500. Fully vaccinated means that you have received the single dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, or two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines. If you have not been vaccinated or haven't been fully vaccinated, you will have until May 31st, 2022, in order to get vaccinated and qualify for the $250 bonus. Please provide the vaccination information to the accounting department if you get it subsequent to the bonus distribution date. The Office of Mental Health is urging people to get vaccinated and is following the CDC guidance. I am not a proponent of forcing people to be vaccinated, but if you have been vaccinated, or are thinking about getting vaccinated, you will receive the extra $250 bonus. Part time staff are included as well. All staff who worked 832 or more hours between January 1st, 2021 and Jan.31st, 2022 will receive the $250 bonus. For staff who didn't work a minimum of 832 hours, they will receive $.30 per hour up to 831 hours. They will also be entitled to the full vaccination bonus. Furthermore, I will be announcing good news about agency wide raises in the next couple weeks. Once again, this is a thank you for all of your hard work and continued efforts. Best wishes, Tom -- Thomas Whitney Executive Director |
Required Training: New York DMV Approved Defensive Driving Course
At home and the workplace everyone realizes that driving is an important responsibility. Most agree unsafe driving can have serious consequences. Each year STEL employees log hundreds of hours and thousands of miles on the road; transporting our consumers to various destinations in our communities. It is our responsibility to ensure that our consumers arrive safely to each and every destination. Therefore, we will once again offer the New York DMV Approved Defensive Driving Course, This year the coarse will offered class online. Manager will coordinate with staff members to complete this 5 1/2 hour training course. The training should be completed by March 31,2022. Please review all instructions about the training. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Mark Wasiewicz at 366-7792 x 212. STEP 1 - INSTRUCTIONS TO OBTAIN REDEMPTION CODE
STEP 2 - STUDENT REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRAINING
|
Vaccination Event Held at 715 Central Ave. Dunkirk
On Friday, February 19th representatives from the Office of Mental Health and Buffalo Psychiatric Center provided 20 COVID-19 vaccinations to consumers and staff. Additional vaccination opportunities are forthcoming. Please pay attention of upcoming communications about vaccination events in your communities. * Pictured left is Jennifer Nagel, Quality Assurance Director receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. |
Open Enrollment Annoucement 2020/2021
Attention full time and other eligible Health Insurance participants: Hello, It's that time of year, yes open enrollment! Again, STEL continues to fight rising health costs and continue to provide high quality health coverage for you and your families. We are also attempting to minimize out of pocket costs to employees. This year we have made several changes to our plan to help us achieve these goals. Please see this page for additional information about plan changes, and open enrollment meetings. Any questions, please contact Mark Wasiewicz at wasiewiczm@stel.org or 716-366-7792 x212. |
STEL house changes address, life for Dunkirk family
View this wonderful article in the Dunkirk Observer about STEL's new housing development program in Dunkirk, NY. Another example of STEL helping to make a difference in people's lives. |
JCC's Career Advantage Program Fall 2019
JCC is conducting information sessions for JCC's Career Advantage Program. This program is designed for working individuals who are attempting to balance family, work, while seeking a degree. Financial aid is available for this program. Additional information is available on the attached file below. |
PUBLIC SERVICE STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS - PSLF
DO YOU HAVE STUDENT LOANS? YOU MAY QUALIFY .... The U.S. Department of Education PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Student Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. Your employment at STEL may qualify. Please see this link for additional information. |
STEL Rallies in Buffalo to Support Mental Health Housing Programs
Please see this February 24th Dunkirk Observer article about STEL supporting increased mental health housing funding. Great job Gowanda people! |
New EAP Service Information
Please see the new EAP service information sheets about EAP TotalCare, EAP Wellness, and EAP Online Training Services. |