Email migration

Previously, I posted that we'd be migrating our email to another service this weekend. WE WILL MAKE THE MOVE NEXT WEEKEND - NOVEMBER 4TH.

The new service will hosted by Google and will provide much better spam filtering, faster webmail and way more features.

For those of you who read your email using Outlook, Outlook Express or Thunderbird - check your email before you leave on Friday and leave this program open when you leave. We will need to change some settings on your computer after the migration. Ryan Dawson and I will help you with this.

For those of you who use webmail - your address book and any messages left on the server will be lost. I'd encourage you to export your address book (Don't worry about Dawn Farm addresses, they'll automatically be put in your address book.) and print important messages.

If you have questions or need help, please contact me or Ryan Dawson.

Quote of the month

From Slaying the Dragon:

So what does this history tell us about how to conduct one's life in this most unusual of professions? I think the lessons from those who have gone before us are very simple ones. Respect the struggles of those who have delivered the field into your hands. Respect yourself and your limits. Respect the addicts and family members who seek your help. Respect (with hopeful but healthy skepticism) the emerging addiction science. And respect the power of forces you cannot fully understand to be present in the treatment process. Above all, recognize that what addiction professionals have done for more than a century and a half is to create a setting and an opening in which the addicted can transform their identity and redefine every relationship in their lives, including their relationship with alcohol and other drugs. What we are professionally responsible for is creating a milieu of opportunity, choice and hope. What happens with that opportunity is up to the addict and his or her god. We can own neither the addiction nor the recovery, only the clarity of the presented choice, the best clinical technology we can muster, and our faith in the potential for human rebirth.

Email Migration

I am planning on migrating our email to another service on October 27th. The new service will provide much better spam filtering, faster webmail and way more features.

For those of you who read your email using Outlook, Outlook Express or Thunderbird - check your email before you leave on Friday and leave this program open when you leave. We will need to change some settings on your computer after the migration. Ryan Dawson and I will help you with this.

For those of you who use webmail - your address book and any messages left on the server will be lost. I'd encourage you to export your address book (Don't worry about Dawn Farm addresses, they'll automatically be put in your address book.) and print important messages.

If you have questions or need help, please contact me or Ryan Dawson.

GOODBYES...LET'S PARTY

Sad but true, Donna Johnson and Ryan Besaw are leaving Dawn Farm. Come and share in the memories, laughs, and goodbyes with lots of food. Please feel free to bring a dessert if you would like. The Going Away Party for both will be held at the Barn on Stoney Creek at 12:00 on Thursday, October 26, 2006. Donations for gifts are welcomed and please R.S.V.P. to Cassie or Alisa by Tuesday, October 24.

Job Posting

As you know, Ryan Besaw will be leaving the Farm at the end of the month. We are planning on making some changes to the job description and the new title will be Project Manager. Here is a summary of the major responsibilities:

• Plans and implements health and safety policies and procedures in compliance with governmental, licensing and accreditation rules and regulations.
  
• Plans and implements programs to provide required trainings for staff and clients.
• Oversees maintenance of agency Incident Reports and Critical Incident investigations/reporting.
• Prepares reports for Quality Assurance on health and safety policies.
• Leads the investigation of accidents and injuries.
• Compiles and submits incident reports involving health and safety matters.
• Oversees CARF policy and licensing compliance, other requirements as needed. Conducts annual CARF audits, contract audits and reports on QA compliance and record maintenance.
• Coordinates volunteer services with the support of other administrative staff.

Anyone interested in the position should contact Jim Balmer.

announcement...

Hello everyone...After 7 great years with Dawn Farm I'm ready to see what else the world has to offer and so I'm sad to say that I'll be leaving at the end of this month. I'm happy to have worked with so many wonderful people and be a part of an organization that helps so many... I've made a lot of lasting friendships here and thanks to all of you (especially Charles) for putting up with my antics. I will truly miss you all and The Farm...

Ryan Besaw

New Huron Street Field Placement Student

We are happy to announce that Cameron Etter, Detox Counselor, has a field placement this year at Huron Street House. Cameron ia a M.S.W. student at Eastern Michigan University and brings a wealth of compassion and knowledge to the residential setting. Welcome Cameron!

Baby Boy Edison Arrives

Bailey Hannigan Edison arrived on September 25, 2006 @4:42p.m. Bailey wore 7lbs. 14 oz. He is the son of Mike and Robin Edison. Congratulations!

Employee of the Month

Ryan Dawson is the employee of the month for October, 2006. Ryan is a Detox Counselor and is also Dawn Farm's "computer guy." His compassion, positive attitude, and willingness in helping all of those around him make him a great team member. Ryan also exercises great patience while trouble shooting the computers at each facility. We appreciate all of his hard work and efforts. Thank you Ryan!