HINDSIGHT IS 20/20
Leading up to March 2020, PLAN of PA had goals for 2020. Our new leadership (Betsy Stier in Trust Services and Christine Pontecorvo in Care Management) worked hard throughout 2019 to position PLAN of PA to achieve operational goals that would increase efficiencies to focus more fully on assisting those we support and their families. On the leadership side, we thanked long-time Board Members from the PLAN of PA and Foundation Boards and brought in new Board Members with enthusiasm and professional expertise. We also re-aligned the Care Management Advisory Committee to add breadth and depth to our team. In the Fall of 2019 we had celebrated our 30th Anniversary at the bowling event with 100 of our clients, families, team, and professional colleagues. We celebrated Thanksgiving together with our first PLANsgiving and were pleased to send holiday cards made by a person we support. All the while, we worked at achieving outcomes for the members of your family. We came into 2020 poised to meet our full potential
On the infamous day of Friday, March 13th, the reality of the pandemic began its horrific big reveal.
As a team, we sorted through our own shock and immediately focused on the people we support. We set up grocery deliveries and medication drop-offs. We increased our knowledge of precautions and educated those we serve. We eventually found PPE for our team and those we support. We sought and eventually located the technology needed to support people to stay at home. The effort of the team in this startling and scary time was sincere and consistent. Once the initial wave of support rolled out, we found immense challenges waiting for us. We needed more technology and different processes with 2/3rds of our team working from home. We also wrestled with when and how it would be safe to connect with those we support. We were short several team members for various reasons, which increased our sense of overwhelming. The shutdowns of doctors’ offices, financial institutions, social services agencies, and government entities caused a ripple of problems for us and those we support.
While it was challenging, there were silver linings. The challenge of working from both the home and office created a sense of urgency around technology advancements and process improvements. Without as much in-person contact, the gaps became more clear and we tightened them up. Through our membership with National PLAN Alliance, we connected with organizations with a similar mission to us across the country. National PLAN Alliance, NPA is comprised of around 30 organizations in every corner of the country. While some are bigger and others smaller, they all have a regional focus and a mission like PLAN of PA. Through NPA, we were able to align with other organizations like us. We shared ideas, relayed information, shared policies and challenges, and solutions. Our friends at True Link Financial also helped a good deal in facilitating IT-focused webinars and also sharing how they connect their own team members from all over the country.
As weeks turned into months our accomplishments laid right alongside additional challenges. It was a big relief to obtain the PPP loan to bolster our financial sustainability through this uncertain time. We participated in a campaign #GivingTuesdayNow to raise awareness about the important work our team members were doing every day. In an effort to stay more viable, we launched our new website while increasing our email blasts and social media presence. We ambitiously took on virtual events to meet our stakeholders and those we support. In September we held a virtual Town Hall for Families. November featured an online network focused Trivia Night for our business partners. And for the most important group, the individuals we support, we launched a monthly virtual Bingo series to make connecting with us online more fun. Additionally, we are launching an Art Therapy group which is provided virtually. More groups like this are slated for 2021. We believe this will help connect those we support positively to one another as well as to us!
As we move into the Winter and look towards 2021, there is much we don’t know. So we are relying on what we do know. We know that our mission is crucial to our community. Our Board is tremendously supportive. Our team is dedicated to finding a blend of virtual and in-person methods of support. In addition to social therapeutic and support groups for the individuals receiving services, we also plan to launch some groups for families. There was positive feedback from our families during the Town Hall for groups that are based on connection as well as mindful and gentle movements like stretching and yoga.
We are honored that you choose us to support your loved ones and family. We look forward to another Town Hall in Spring 2021, but please keep communication channels open through the members of our team. We do believe we are stronger together and if together means virtually connecting for now – we are ready and willing! May you all have a safe holiday season and embrace the challenges and joys of redlining your traditions and focusing on what matters the most!
-Christy Holland, Executive Director