“I think mission grounds us a lot,” Ross said. “The check for us is we ask: Is this what we should be doing?”

INTERNAL ASSESSMENT

St. Joe’s Human Resources Director Katie Kirkpatrick launched an internal assessment, working with State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Executive Deputy Commissioner Kathleen Caggiano-Siino, whom Kirkpatrick credits with much insight.

“We wanted to redefine our work as a profession of choice,” Kirkpatrick said.

An evaluation process last March earned a 64-percent overall response from employees, engendering 23 steps toward improved work conditions, seven of which have been fully implemented.

The internal adjustment regenerated work goals based on employees’ ideals.

It is also a model of sustainability.

People don’t necessarily always work “up” a corporate ladder, Ross said; bigger isn’t always better.

“There are ways to stay in a position and be constantly challenged.”

Support for all 137 employees is delivered now in new programs that encourage wellness, connect work and education goals and adapt work schedules around family time.

The company even created a computer purchase plan, so every employee can afford to buy a home computer.

“We have encouraged a development plan for each employee, working with a life coach,” Ross said.

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