For billing and account purposes, please be sure to contact us as soon as you have a change in your accounting personnel for any of the programs at your agency that we serve. This includes your timesheet approvers, invoice approver, etc. Unfortunately, delays in communication can result in invoices being sent to the wrong person and potential fees for late payments. We understand that turnovers happens - and we can easily change your contacts whenever it is needed. Please send an email to our Accounting department or call 978-651-9660 x103 with updates or questions about our invoicing and billing process. Please share this information with all necessary parties.
All other personnel changes such as new or terminated program managers, supervisors, emergency/on-call contacts, etc. should still be communicated directly with your local Arbor branch. 

Thank you! 

It’s been more than a year since we introduced our new web-based timekeeping and invoicing system. We hope you’re all finding this improvement to be as much of a time-saver as we are, making the process of submitting, approving and researching time cards and invoices much faster than our old paper process. At this point it seems that all employees and customers have become familiar and well-trained in how the system works. Invoices are now delivered 24 hours after the completion of the payroll process, and all the approved timecards are attached. The vast majority of customers are using this process to enable prompt approval and payment of invoices. Unfortunately, however, there are some customers accounts that are routinely overdue even with this improvement.

Please note that as of March 1st Arbor will begin to apply late fees to customer accounts that are overdue. We’ve decided that rather than increase our billing rates to recover the payroll financing fees associated with overdue invoices, it’s more fair to charge the late fees (as spelled out in our agreements) only to those customers who are routinely overdue against our standard payment terms. As always, we welcome the opportunity to work with all of our customers to improve our systems and processes so that we can all be as efficient and timely as possible:  keeping costs low given the challenges of our industry. We continue to appreciate the opportunity to serve, and to provide value, to all our customers and look forward to expanding and improving our service for the benefit of your clients. Please reach out to Accounting with any questions. 

​So, how many of us have already slacked off on our resolutions? Or maybe you haven't thought about goals yet. No need to dwell or get down on yourself - it's still January!
​
There's plenty of time to make goals and accomplish whatever you want this year. Check out these quick tips to avoid  interceptions and create a good game plan. ​How will YOU go big in 2018?

We have AMAZING Associates who stepped up to the plate this past holiday season! As you may know, we held a company-wide contest and drawing in December and January for all Associates. Entries were earned based on reliability, timeliness, willingness to take last minute shifts, be flexible, and for each holiday shift worked. Out of nearly 1,050 entries, here are our lucky winners!:
Grand Prize:​ 43" Samsung TV
Winner - Brenda B. (Cranston) Pictured above with Arbor Associates President Steve Aldrich and Staffing Coordinator Andrea Blyther.
Runner Up Winners: $25 Amazon Gift Card

1. Kujuana B. (Cranston) 
2. Rose O. (Auburn ) 
3. Mackenson N. (Wellesley) 
4. Rosa S. (Western MA & CT) 
5. Amanda I. (Cranston) 

​Thank you to ALL of our Associate Holiday Heroes! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin - and keep reading these newsletters for more contests for Associates and Client Partners in 2018! 

​Follow these tips this winter to stay safe and warm while out on the road:

• Make sure someone knows when you leave, where you are going, and when you arrive safely.
• Write down key phone numbers in case you get stuck and your phone battery dies. You can borrow someone's phone, but they won't know your friend or loved one's phone number! 
• Keep your hands on the wheel while driving and keep the radio at a volume low enough to hear traffic, plows, and ambulances.
• Don't crowd the plows! You can see them, they can't always see you. Remember that the plow extends out wider than the truck's body and headlights, too.
• Turn your headlights on, even in daylight and don't use bright lights in fog! High beams create a glare on the road for you and it's blinding for opposing traffic.
• Finally, leave plenty of time to drive slowly and safely in bad weather. Take into account how much time it will take to clean ice and snow off the car, too

Do you have the holiday blues or don't know how to support loved ones who are having a hard time this season? It's true that many people struggle with grief during the holidays, especially in the face of expectations of joy and wonder.
Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant provide helpful tips and outline "4 mistakes we make when comforting friends who are struggling." Click to learn more.      

​Position: Staffing Coordinator for Arbor Associates
Location: Wellesley, MA
Profile: Arbor is currently seeking a candidate for a dynamic and engaging position that will effectively match customer requirements with employee interests, skills and schedule, maximizing customer/employee satisfaction. The right candidate will possess a proven customer service mentality, high level attention to detail and follow up, be organized, and have excellent time management skills. Must enjoy working in a fast-paced environment. We offer competitive compensation and benefits. Are you looking for a chance to make a difference in the lives of others? Come work for Arbor; the source for people who care! If interested, please contact Sean Kaup at recruiting@arborstaffing.com.
 
Position: Direct Care Worker II (Direct Hire)
Location: Watertown, MA
Profile: Arbor is partnering with a company in the Watertown MA area to seek out qualified candidates for a full time Direct Support Professional II. This person will responsible for monitoring direct care tailored to the students individual performance levels and needs of students in a manner which respects the rights to privacy and dignity.
Develops performance measures and informs students of the criteria for success and valuates student performance, keeps records, and reports progress in learning.
Assists in creating a positive learning and home-like living environment that is safe, secure and clean.
Establishes and adapts the environment that is conductive to learning. Adapts lessons for individuals with diverse needs and various backgrounds Establishes and maintains structure, rules and procedures and standards of behavior.
The Ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or two (2) years’ experience with in the field.  If interested, please contact Sean Kaup at recruiting@arborstaffing.com.

​MA Law Update Alert
On Aug 1, 2017 Governor Baker signed an Act further regulating employer contributions to the Commonwealth’s health care program, MassHealth. The Act, which will go into effect January 1, 2018, will temporarily increase the existing Employer Medical Assistant Contribution (EMAC) and impose new penalty fees on employers with employees covered under MassHealth. The Act will potentially have an impact on Arbor Associates, Inc. and our client billing rates in Massachusetts. Two significant components of the law include:

• An increase to the required Employer Medical Assistance Contribution (EMAC) to an annual maximum of $77 per employee from $51 per employee. Employers with an average of six or more employees per quarter are required to make EMAC contributions.
• Implementing an employer penalty assessment up to $750 (5% of annual wages) for each non-disabled employee who receives health coverage through MassHealth or opts out of employer coverage and receives subsidized coverage through the Marketplace (Massachusetts Health Connector.)

We’ll continue to provide updates on the impact of this new Act as cost impacts to Arbor, and our clients, are better understood. More information is available here: https://www.mass.gov/news/updates-in-employer-health-care-contributions-and-experience-rate-schedule-adjustments-for
 
Youth Protection Act (Rhode Island)
On October 5, 2017, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo signed legislation (S.B. 1025) requiring persons who provide volunteer services with youth serving agencies to get a national criminal records check if the volunteer service involves supervisory or disciplinary power over a child or where the services involve routine contact with a child without the presence of other employees or volunteers. The act is effective immediately. (Courtesy ThinkHR)

Gratitude Challenge
November is a month that is celebrated for giving thanks and reflecting on all that we are grateful for as we quickly find ourselves in the throes of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. It is important to be thankful during this time, however more importantly we should practice gratitude daily.  Sometimes, the simplest and most effortless habit for living a happier life is to take one or a few minutes every day to focus on what you are grateful for in your life.

Do you know what gratitude really does, though?
It squashes your negative mindset. It challenges your thoughts. It changes your behavior. It allows for more positive to be attracted to you.
 
Keeping a log of all the things you are grateful for slowly conditions your mind to believe (and rightfully so) that you actually have a LOT to be grateful for. It takes all of those negative thoughts like “I don’t have enough _____ (you fill in the blank: time, money, friends, talent, fun) and turns them into positives.
Suddenly you find yourself constantly thinking about the things that are going well in your life. Even if they are super-tiny ones like a warm steamy shower, that hot cup of coffee that smells and tastes so good in the morning, a great new book, a hug.
Now, that gratitude could just be a small sentence. But it can have a big impact on someone’s day, week or even life sometimes.  We all have reasons to be grateful, some days, weeks and months it is harder than others to truly feel positive and grateful.

What are YOU grateful for? This month, we challenge you to start a life style of expressing gratitude. Write down 3 things that you are thankful for every day or evening. Tell the people in your life that you appreciate them.  Show yourself some love. Enjoy that hot cup of coffee. 
 
Knowing how this could change your entire perspective on life, we really hope you’ll give it a try. If you accept-let us know!!! Post what you are grateful for on our hub here and/or Facebook page and let’s spread the positivity!

We are grateful for all of you and wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday season.   

Arbor Associates Supports “Small Business Saturday” on 11/25/17 & “#GivingTuesday” on 11/28/17! 
 
You know about Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but have you heard of Small Business Saturday (#shopsmall) and Giving Tuesday (officially known as #GivingTuesday)? These two movements have gained much popularity in the last few years as a way to allow consumers a way to engage in philanthropy, community service, and support one’s local community in the midst of shopping for gifts. We encourage you to learn more and participate locally!
 
Need a unique gift for that hard-to-buy for friend or just something basic for yourself? You can avoid the big box stores and support your local economy at the same time by shopping at your local, independently-owned shops on Small Business Saturday, November 24th. Learn more or find participating retailers in your area here.
 
#GivingTuesday began in 2011 at the famed 92nd Street Y in NYC and was created by the Belfer Center for Innovation & Social impact as a way to focus on community service and charitable giving during the holiday season. Any official 501(c)3 organization in the U.S. can participate and create a #GivingTuesday campaign. Are you part of a #GivingTuesday campaign? Let us know! Click here to learn more about #GivingTuesday on November 28th.