Section Two Our Company Employment “At Will” All employment at Keystone is “at will,” meaning it can be terminated with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, at the option of either Keystone or yourself. Any oral statements, promises or assurances to the contrary are not binding by Keystone and should not be relied upon by employees or job applicants. Statements in the employment application, this handbook, training manuals, or other company documents do not constitute or imply an employment contract; therefore, also should not be relied upon by employees or job applicants.
Purpose of this manual This personnel manual replaces all personnel manuals that previously had been provided. It has been prepared to inform you about Keystone’s history, philosophy, expectations, benefits and employment practices. It is our intent that this manual will provide you with the necessary information and understanding regarding your job responsibilities, your benefits and Keystone’s employment practices. As with all of our employees, you are an important member of the Keystone Family. Your success is our success. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions. We believe you will enjoy your work and your fellow employees here. We are confident that you will find Keystone to be a good place to work. Keystone’s policies, benefits and rules are subject to change. We will do our best to keep you informed of these changes through electronic communication, employee newsletters, memos, and the employee memo board.
What Keystone Expects from You We welcome you to the Keystone Family and look forward to you being a positive, motivated, contributing member. As an employee of Keystone, you are expected to: Believe that learning is a lifelong process. Understand that staff, also grow through their interaction with the people they serve. See yourself as a mentor, instructor, assistant or supporter rather than a caretaker or baby sitter. 1
See people who have a developmental disability as people first. Recognize the dignity of each individual and foster decision making and dignity of risk. Acknowledge, listen and respond to individuals. Provide constant, consistent and appropriate attention to the individuals we serve and support. Empower each person we serve and support. Recognize each person’s individuality. Be respectful, tolerant, and accepting of all people. Understand the basic characteristics of developmental disabilities. Put those we serve and support first and foremost. Treat those we serve and support with dignity and respect. Understand what your job requires. Perform assigned tasks to the very best of your ability and in an efficient manner. Be punctual. Demonstrate a considerate, friendly and constructive attitude toward fellow employees Work in an atmosphere that promotes teamwork. Follow all Keystone’s policies and procedures. Understand, accept, and promote our mission, vision and goals. Cooperate with your supervisor and other members of management. Ask questions when unsure. Voice your opinion and contribute your suggestions to improve quality of programming. Discuss concerns or problems with your immediate supervisor. Be aware of issues surrounding safety and health and work toward maintaining an environment that promotes both.
What You Can Expect From Keystone Keystone’s established employee relations’ policy is to: Dedicate ourselves to providing quality services for persons with developmental disabilities. Develop competent people who understand and meet our objectives, and who accept with open minds ideas, suggestions and constructive criticisms from fellow employees. Provide an environment that is attractive, comfortable, orderly and safe. Keep all employees informed of Keystone’s overall aims and objectives. Respect individual rights, and treat all employees with courtesy and consideration. Assure employees an opportunity to discuss any problem with the management of Keystone.
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Make prompt and fair adjustment of any complaints that may arise in the everyday conduct of our business, to the extent that is practicable. Promote employees on the basis of their ability, competency, and merit. Give consideration to current employees first when filling job vacancies. Review wage, employee benefits and working conditions on a regular basis with the objective of providing maximum benefits in these areas, consistent with sound business practices. Provide paid vacations, holidays and personal days to all eligible employees. Provide eligible employees with medical, retirement and other benefits.
History (revised 3/2016) It is Keystone’s mission to provide the individuals served and supported diverse opportunities to lead fulfilling lives. Since its inception in 1983, Keystone has developed a myriad of programs in order to fulfill our mission. In the early 1980’s, New Jersey officials asked Keystone City Residence located in Scranton, Pennsylvania to provide services in New Jersey. This request resulted in the founding and opening of Keystone Community Residence in 1983. Today, both New Jersey and Pennsylvania programs are separate agencies serving individuals with developmental disabilities in their respective states. However, both agencies share a rich history of integrating persons with developmental disabilities into community settings. In 1983, Keystone opened its community residence, Keystone Community Residence, in what was formally the Grant School within the South Plainfield School District. Keystone Community Residence was comprised of five individual homes; which included the Grant, Union, Edison, Middlesex, and Somerset Apartments. In 1989, our first group home opened in the Middlesex Borough. This program enabled six individuals residing at Keystone Community Residence to move into a single family home several miles away from South Plainfield. In order to meet the needs of the individuals we serve and support, our second group home opened in the Borough of Dunellen during July of 1992. As part of the North Princeton initiative, Keystone opened its third home in December of 1997 in Piscataway Township. Our Balmoral Group Home, located in Matawan, was opened in 1987 by another provider. This home became part of the Keystone Family in July of 2002 at the request of the Division of Developmental Disabilities. In addition to our group home programs, since 1991 Keystone has operated a Supportive Living Program at Gramercy Gardens in the Middlesex Borough. This program adds to the continuum of services Keystone provides persons with developmental disabilities. Currently, our Supportive Living Program offers independent community living with support to six individuals.
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Keystone responded to the statewide shortage of day programming by opening our own day program in 1991 located at 154 Front Street in South Plainfield. Currently 28 individuals are supported in our day program and plans have been established to expand this program in the near future. In January 2013, Keystone’s proposal to move all residential programming at Keystone Community Residence into smaller living arrangements was approved by the New Jersey Department of Human Services. Since that time Keystone, has opened a supervised apartment program in Somerville, known as Catalano Apartments, as well as seven additional group homes in North Plainfield, Edison, South Plainfield, Woodbridge, and Piscataway. Two additional homes are currently in the process of being renovated and a third home is being sought to complete our current project to move all residential programming at 154 Front Street to smaller community living arrangements. All residential programs are licensed by the Division of Developmental Disabilities, New Jersey Department of Human Services.
Mission Statement Our mission is to provide people with developmental disabilities diverse opportunities to lead fulfilling lives.
Vision Statement We intend to be the leader in the provision of quality services for people with developmental disabilities.
Value Statements We value and hold dear the following attitudes, beliefs and commitments: We value the growth, health, safety and happiness of the people we serve and support. We value our core attitudes of affection, caring and service. We maintain an atmosphere of mutual respect and support. We value a positive attitude and a sense of humor, enjoying our work while taking it seriously. We promote a sense of excellence in our work. We take pride in our efforts and responsibility for our outcomes. We value unity and teamwork. We are committed to developing and maintaining a highly trained and skilled staff. We value communication that is active, consistent and accurate throughout our agency. We continuously evaluate and improve the services we provide in response to the individual’s needs and preferences. 4
We value diversity among the people we serve, support and employ We value our responsibility and commitment to the people we serve and support.
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