LeadingAge New York Adviser Adviser LeadingAge NewYork Spring 2019 final | Page 17

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Refugee Recruitment Program: Mike Helbringer, Bristol Home, Buffalo. Bristol Home has been working with
the International Institute and WNY Works Staffing Placement, refugee resettlement organizations, to
identify a new source of employees. Mr. Helbringer reported that he has found that the refugees have a
strong work ethic, are appreciative of being given the opportunity of employment and produce incredible
work in terms of quality and consistency.
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Leadership Academy: Robert Bourg, Sr., St. Ann’s Community, Rochester. The Leadership Academy
program was initiated as a way for St. Ann’s to identify and prepare high-performing, high-potential
employees for future success. The curriculum has three concentrations: the senior care
industry, St. Ann’s Community and leadership development. There have been 103 program
graduates, 22 of whom have received a promotion/taken on higher level responsibilities
at St. Ann’s Community, and the overall retention rate of fellows is over 80 percent.
Staff Development and Cross-Training Program: Jennifer Ackroyd and Laurelle
Cassone, Peconic Landing, Greenport. Recognizing that employees wish to grow
within the company, Peconic Landing provides opportunities for team members to
learn and prepare themselves for the next step in their careers. Tactics include:
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Biweekly leadership meetings: The leadership team meets for an hour to participate in
different trainings, teambuilding activities and coaching sessions.
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Middle manager training: In 2015, more than 20 team members were promoted internally into
supervisory positions. To train these team members in their new roles, Peconic Landing hosts
monthly education sessions on topics such as interviewing techniques, hiring strategies, time
management and stress management, among others.
Cross-training: Through a formalized cross-training program, team members are trained to work in more than
one department. Over 75 team members have participated.
Leadership Academy: Inspired by the IGNITE Leadership Academy, Peconic Landing developed their
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own Leadership Academy for frontline team members in 2019.
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Four Pillars of a Strategic Plan: Shelly Amato, The Wesley Community, Saratoga Springs. Ms. Amato
finished out the panel discussion by discussing The Wesley Community’s new initiative to focus
on staff retention and culture. The community developed a strategic plan and expanded their
senior leadership team to include a chief strategy officer and a director of employee
engagement, dedicated to the strategic plan and their employee experience. They
developed core values by involving each team member and department and
created Core Values Champions in each department. The community has also
developed an employee satisfaction survey and redesigned their orientation program.
Ami Schnauber, vice president of advocacy and public policy for LeadingAge New York,
wrapped up the day by reviewing the #WIN4Seniors workforce initiative the association is
undertaking, which includes demographic data and trends, addressing regulatory and legislative
barriers, education and best practices and State investments in workforce. Ms. Schnauber shared data
highlighting the urgency of being innovative in addressing workforce challenges.
Attendees left the pre-con feeling that they had learned some valuable ideas to try in their own organizations.
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