February 2008

Surviving in a Down Economy
A slowdown in the economy affects us all and there are a lot of things in this regard that we have no control over. Clients may choose not to go out as often as they did in the past or they may choose to hire the inexperienced teenager down the street to take care of children. However, on the bright side, it could be that stay at home moms will need to go back to work either part time or full time.

How Can A Friend of the Family Help Me?
What we have to offer is jobs. A Friend of the Family understands that every caregiver needs money to survive, and that every job you accept through our agency will pay you that money. Sometimes the job may seem too far away, or not be exactly what you want, but the more jobs you work for us, the more jobs we will offer you!

What you can do to help yourself
Some job is better than no job.  When you go on a job, you have an opportunity to make money.  Maybe it’s not exactly what you want, but it still earns you money.   Working these jobs is an investment in you future- if the client likes you, they will ask for you again.  Maybe the next job will be for a longer time or maybe for more days at a time.

Make yourself a necessity not a luxury. What does this family need that you are willing to provide? What is one thing you can offer to the family that no one else can? What are your unique talents and gifts? What are you willing to do that they need and will appreciate that put you at the top of their list? Make yourself indispensible.  Go a step beyond what they ask you to do.

Consider negotiating. Consider, just consider, negotiating your fee with the family.  If the family feels that even though they love you, they can’t continue to afford your rate, a slightly lower rate shows good will on your part. Some clients will take you up on this. Others will continue to pay you as usual.  The time to offer a deal is at the end of your shift when you are being paid.  Just say, “I enjoyed working with you today and if you request me again, I would be happy to come back for x instead of y next time."  No matter how much money people have, everybody likes a deal. Even Oprah goes for the free Clinique Bonus!

What Else Does A Friend of the Family Offer You?
Caregiver Incentive Program.  We are going to pay YOU to find us new clients!  For the next 6 months, starting February 14, 2008, we will pay you $75 for every new Standard Member you bring in as a Friend of the Family client. In addition, for the next 6 months we will also pay you $125 for every new Premier Member you bring in.  A Long-term Member or a Consistent Member is now called a Premier Member. The new member must register, pay, and tell us YOUR name as the one who referred them to be counted as valid for your bonus. Make a good impression on everyone you talk to, and talk up the agency so the client will want to sign up right away.

Earn quality points through doing a great job.  We now have a client survey on our web site. For every positive evaluation you receive you earn 1 quality point. If you receive 5 quality points per month from 5 different clients, you receive a quality bonus of $50.  All evaluations must be from clients you have provided care for within the last 30 days of the evaluation. For example, you may receive one quality point for a positive evaluation from a client you worked for today, Feb. 6 by March 6.  All evaluations for quality points must be in writing.  If we do not receive the on line survey, a client may email their evaluation to us.  Positive phone evaluations will be asked to send a written positive evaluation. It is your responsibility to see that we receive your positive evaluation in writing. We will notify you when you have earned enough points to receive a bonus.

Let's all work together to make positive changes during these difficult times.  You are the heart of our business. We value you and the job you do caring for families.  If you have suggestions to share with your fellow co-caregivers, please email us so we can let them know.

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