Well, this is my final blog post for our internship blogging. This has been a great way to reflect and critically engage in what I do for work each day. It has increased my awareness as to what a great program I work for and how many amazing things we do to help serve vulnerable people in Maricopa County. I have been thrilled to share all the various components of my work, which is clearly only enhances though an education about public programs and urban systems. I believe that local communities can come together to build healthy, lasting, sustainable environments for people to live lives that have a great quality of life.
As this semester winds to a close, I also greatly enjoyed following the work that many of you have also engaged in and I have learned a great deal from each of your own various journeys in the “real world.” I wish all of you have taken a moment to read my internship blog many happy semesters ahead or perhaps a happy graduation ahead. Either way, I would like to close out this semester with a quote that continues to be a message of hope for me and it is:
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead."
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Pitch 4 Kidz: Another Effort at Coolaboration
Another exciting collaboration that we are attempting to get off the ground this weekend is working with a non-profit organization called Pitch 4 Kidz. This is a new and unique organization that is a three day educational support program for children ages 6 - 12 years old who have been exposed to substance abuse in their families.
The states goals of Pitch 4 Kidz is as follows:
"PITCH 4 KIDZ strives to impart messages of strength and hope to families facing the disease of addiction. The program is designed to help children understand addiction and realize that their parent's addiction is not their fault. The program teaches that treatment and recovery are possible and that families can heal. The lessons and skills presented are geared toward building healthy resilience, healthy communication, and social competence. By fostering honest communication, shameful feelings are reduced and children are empowered."-Bobbe McGinley, Co-Founder, MA, MBA, CADAC, NCG-II, LISAC, Betty Ford-Children's Program Training Certificate. and Stacey Beck, Co-Founder, BS, Betty Ford-Children's Program Training Certificate.
This program is always held over the weekend, so this weekend we are starting a collaboration with this organization and several of our clients will be attending with their children. The idea is to provide children with the language to talk about areas that have been secretive in their homes. This organization receives significant support from the baseball community and we believe is an important element to treating a family that has been touched by addiction. The logistics of getting the families to the cite have been a little difficult, but we are now organized and ready to kick off the first of our weekends.
Additionally, we will be holding a BBQ at Legacy House this weekend (our house for pregnant women) to celebrate being open for one year! This is a huge success and we are thrilled that we accomplished something so wonderful. The walls of our office are covered with pictures of all the sober babies that have been born as a result of women living within a safe and supportive community.
The states goals of Pitch 4 Kidz is as follows:
"PITCH 4 KIDZ strives to impart messages of strength and hope to families facing the disease of addiction. The program is designed to help children understand addiction and realize that their parent's addiction is not their fault. The program teaches that treatment and recovery are possible and that families can heal. The lessons and skills presented are geared toward building healthy resilience, healthy communication, and social competence. By fostering honest communication, shameful feelings are reduced and children are empowered."-Bobbe McGinley, Co-Founder, MA, MBA, CADAC, NCG-II, LISAC, Betty Ford-Children's Program Training Certificate. and Stacey Beck, Co-Founder, BS, Betty Ford-Children's Program Training Certificate.
This program is always held over the weekend, so this weekend we are starting a collaboration with this organization and several of our clients will be attending with their children. The idea is to provide children with the language to talk about areas that have been secretive in their homes. This organization receives significant support from the baseball community and we believe is an important element to treating a family that has been touched by addiction. The logistics of getting the families to the cite have been a little difficult, but we are now organized and ready to kick off the first of our weekends.
Additionally, we will be holding a BBQ at Legacy House this weekend (our house for pregnant women) to celebrate being open for one year! This is a huge success and we are thrilled that we accomplished something so wonderful. The walls of our office are covered with pictures of all the sober babies that have been born as a result of women living within a safe and supportive community.
United Way Grants...
Today we organized a large presentation to United Way to write for a new grant that they are offering through vocational enhancement programs. We are already funded through the United Way program and have a longstanding relationship with them. Additionally, our staff also donated to United Way to support social service programs like us that help to make our local communities stronger. This has been an important presentation that has primarily been coordinated through Beverly Wohlert, our vocational counselor extraordinaire! I believe that what we have presented makes us a great candidate for their grant possibility.
Other tasks that have been on my plate this week has been going to several community meetings with our many collaborators, primarily with Magellan the RBHA for Maricopa County. We meet monthly for a SAPT meeting, which is a special federal funding category that focuses on substance abuse prevention. These are vital federal dollars that make treatment accessible for those clients who do not have AHCCCS or other insurance to get the help that they need. Some interesting topics that are in need of further exploration came up in our meeting. Next week will also be filled with more and more meetings, right in the midst of finals! It will be a tough push for the finish line, but I am so excited that it is almost here.
Other tasks that have been on my plate this week has been going to several community meetings with our many collaborators, primarily with Magellan the RBHA for Maricopa County. We meet monthly for a SAPT meeting, which is a special federal funding category that focuses on substance abuse prevention. These are vital federal dollars that make treatment accessible for those clients who do not have AHCCCS or other insurance to get the help that they need. Some interesting topics that are in need of further exploration came up in our meeting. Next week will also be filled with more and more meetings, right in the midst of finals! It will be a tough push for the finish line, but I am so excited that it is almost here.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Graduation Prep
It’s hard to believe that graduation is only two weeks away! While I am thrilled, I feel that the time is racing closer and I need the clock to slow down to accomplish all that I need to for finals. As more and more tasks get crossed off of my list, I have started to believe that I actually might make it! I believe that I have grown exponentially this semester and I am excited to continue my education, but there is no doubt that this is a significant milestone along the way. With so much going on this semester, I have had limited time for fun. I have focused on school and keeping physically active with a very limited social life.
So, this week I was excited to have a little bit of fun with two of my girls that are also graduating from COPP this semester. ASU held a graduation cap competition for various categories of “decorations” if you will. We chose to create a group cap message using the Latin saying from Julius Caesar, “Veni, vidi, vici.” (I came, I saw, I conquered). Which is of course what we have done! Anyway, Tuesday night was a night of bedazzling fun and ASU crafting in preparation for the big grad day! Check out the pics below.
So, this week I was excited to have a little bit of fun with two of my girls that are also graduating from COPP this semester. ASU held a graduation cap competition for various categories of “decorations” if you will. We chose to create a group cap message using the Latin saying from Julius Caesar, “Veni, vidi, vici.” (I came, I saw, I conquered). Which is of course what we have done! Anyway, Tuesday night was a night of bedazzling fun and ASU crafting in preparation for the big grad day! Check out the pics below.
Redirection and Positive Reinforcement
This week has been incredibly busy despite the changes in my workload. In large part this has been due to the training of new staff, my role as director being more visible and available, and current fundraising and grant demands. In essence, the work with my role really never ends. This role sort of serves to deescalate potential crises that come up within our work. Even while engaging in all these activities, I have still met individually with a few of my personal clients that have been struggling with the adjustments and transitions including group and counselor changes.
Some of the bigger tasks have included writing my first audit response, which my CEO was pleased with and has been sent into Magellan (the RBHA) for review. Hopefully the steps we have taken for correction will suffice. Additionally, there has been a need for the redirection of several staff members with high absenteeism and some ethical violations. This is the part of my job that I enjoy the least. It is not easy to be a leader and provide redirection. Our agency has historically been small and has relished a family atmosphere, so it is even more challenging to implement these formalized strategies because it has not been the norm for the organizational culture of NCADD. However, these formal corrective action procedures are necessary as our agency continues to grow. Nonetheless, it is uncomfortable to redirect and some employees within the organization that have needed redirection resist it.
But, I must say that since these few redirections have happened, those that have been redirected have responded and have adjusted their behavior. I believe that it is important for people to know exactly where they stand in terms of how their behavior is being viewed and it also a teaching opportunity for improvement. On the other hand, it is also vital to acknowledge employees through positive reinforcement. I have been able to do that with several employees this week and their response was wonderful to watch.
Some of the bigger tasks have included writing my first audit response, which my CEO was pleased with and has been sent into Magellan (the RBHA) for review. Hopefully the steps we have taken for correction will suffice. Additionally, there has been a need for the redirection of several staff members with high absenteeism and some ethical violations. This is the part of my job that I enjoy the least. It is not easy to be a leader and provide redirection. Our agency has historically been small and has relished a family atmosphere, so it is even more challenging to implement these formalized strategies because it has not been the norm for the organizational culture of NCADD. However, these formal corrective action procedures are necessary as our agency continues to grow. Nonetheless, it is uncomfortable to redirect and some employees within the organization that have needed redirection resist it.
But, I must say that since these few redirections have happened, those that have been redirected have responded and have adjusted their behavior. I believe that it is important for people to know exactly where they stand in terms of how their behavior is being viewed and it also a teaching opportunity for improvement. On the other hand, it is also vital to acknowledge employees through positive reinforcement. I have been able to do that with several employees this week and their response was wonderful to watch.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Post Grad Plans...Travel
Inevitably the question for an upcoming graduate is typically, “What are you going to do now that you have graduated?” The cliché response would of course be, “I am going to Disneyland!” Well, this graduate is not going to Disneyland, but a summer of travel and rejuvenation is ahead for me. I am definitely a girl who loves a big, urban city; hence, the UMS degree as one of my majors. Thus, I am looking forward to a week long grad trip to NYC at the end of May. I have a bit of a gypsy in me, so anytime I can get out and experience other places I am very happy. It is also time for another celebration because my cousin will be getting married in Brooklyn, which I am thrilled about. It should be a lovely trip and the City is always amazing right before the humidity of summer sets in.
My next trip is a combined business and pleasure trip. I have a conference to attend in San Diego for three days. It is the premiere conference concerning women with struggles with addiction. I am traveling with a dear friend and colleague from the office and so we decided to extend and make it a trip to remember! We are both bringing our significant others and we are renting a lovely beach home in beautiful La Jolla for a week. I have never stayed in La Jolla, so I am looking forward to staying in a new locale. I have stayed in the heart of San Diego about a thousand times, but this will be new. It’s been awhile since I have had some good California beach time and I for sure need it. Indeed, I have always had a dream to learn how to surf, so I will definitely be taking that opportunity when I travel in July.
I find it difficult to be still and inactive, so I also plan to take piano lessons this summer before it’s back to the grind in the Fall. I hope all of you have a wonderful summer that will bring you amazing memories following a grueling year of growth!
Grant Writing
This week has also been busy with meetings and information gathering to write for a $400K grant through SAMSHA. This grant is designed to serve women being released from the Department of Corrections and seeks to reduce recidivism after release from prison. NCADD has recently developed a collaboration with adult probation and we have been effectively serving this population and have been returning positive outcomes. Not one of out clients that have been released have returned to prison since the development of the relationship one year ago. While this is still a new process, these early outcomes indicate that this collaborative approach is making a difference in the lives of the women that we are serving.
We have a saying in our business: “The work we do with our clients is a gift, it’s the documentation that we get paid for.” This basically means that as helpers we love to do work directly with our clients, but we definitely have to work at getting paperwork done. Thus, grant writing is a painful exercise for our organization. Considering that we are a relatively small non-profit, our ability to staff a full time grant writer is not in the budget. Thus, we are left to accomplish this task with minimal guidance. I have spent the week in several meetings and trainings on the particulars of this grant. Due to the nature of the funding, we have hired a writer for a portion of the grant, which has been helpful because she keeps us focused and on a timeline. We will have to keep our fingers crossed and see what happens. If we get funded, we ought to be able to help a whole lot of women!
We have a saying in our business: “The work we do with our clients is a gift, it’s the documentation that we get paid for.” This basically means that as helpers we love to do work directly with our clients, but we definitely have to work at getting paperwork done. Thus, grant writing is a painful exercise for our organization. Considering that we are a relatively small non-profit, our ability to staff a full time grant writer is not in the budget. Thus, we are left to accomplish this task with minimal guidance. I have spent the week in several meetings and trainings on the particulars of this grant. Due to the nature of the funding, we have hired a writer for a portion of the grant, which has been helpful because she keeps us focused and on a timeline. We will have to keep our fingers crossed and see what happens. If we get funded, we ought to be able to help a whole lot of women!
Transitions
Well, training is complete and the gals are hard at work orienting to their new positions. I have to say that it has been quite the challenge to juggle all the changes. As we students are fast approaching finals and graduation, adding in the complexity of my work has made me quite a busy girl. One of the ways that I have tried to make training a better experience is by creating a “scavenger hunt” of training and cross training opportunities, especially so the new hires could feel a sense of autonomy in the process. They are both thrilled to be working with us and have expressed their excitement to be a part of the team.
As for me, it has been a little bit sad to let go of part of my job and pay it forward to the new gals. I am very attached to the human service work that I do, which is direct service with clients. The clients that I work with were also struggling with the change and are having a tough time with the adjustment. I have reminded them that they can come and see me any time that they have a need and that I will be sitting in on groups and co-facilitating, which seems to have put their minds at ease. I know that this is a good change because it will allow me to be more effective at supervision, which is also vital to our organization. I have found that staff is coming to me more now that I am more available and they truly do have vital questions that need answers and support. This is still an essential way to serve our vulnerable population. Next week will be the first week that I will not have a group, but I will still be seeing three clients individually and I do also facilitate an adolescent group on Thursday evenings, so they will also keep my skills sharp.
As for me, it has been a little bit sad to let go of part of my job and pay it forward to the new gals. I am very attached to the human service work that I do, which is direct service with clients. The clients that I work with were also struggling with the change and are having a tough time with the adjustment. I have reminded them that they can come and see me any time that they have a need and that I will be sitting in on groups and co-facilitating, which seems to have put their minds at ease. I know that this is a good change because it will allow me to be more effective at supervision, which is also vital to our organization. I have found that staff is coming to me more now that I am more available and they truly do have vital questions that need answers and support. This is still an essential way to serve our vulnerable population. Next week will be the first week that I will not have a group, but I will still be seeing three clients individually and I do also facilitate an adolescent group on Thursday evenings, so they will also keep my skills sharp.
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