While the COVID-19 pandemic has presented many unique challenges, it has also been a catalyst for creative solutions to help support those who need it most. This week we would like to highlight the work of Benchmarks’ Partnering for Excellence (PFE) partner, Easter Seals UCP. Easter Seals UCP is working in partnership with PFE in Pitt and Craven county DSSes and Trillium, the area’s LME/MCO. Easter Seals UCP has taken on the challenge to help their clients and staff navigate the pandemic, holiday season, and virtual leaning, all while supporting a trauma-informed community.
The Easter Seals UCP offices in Greenville, NC recognize the need to provide additional support to families as we approach the holiday season. Many families are experiencing “pandemic fatigue” as they become exhausted from the disruption of daily life, including job loss. “We have parents who have lost their jobs. Serving families, especially right now, requires staff to listen to and meet individuals where they are” says Easter Seals’ lead child placement clinician, Amanda Leggett. Easter Seals UCP has been working to partner with local churches and a large grocery store chain to provide holiday meals to qualifying families. Another challenge for both staff and families has been balancing the demands of virtual education. “Virtual education poses difficulties for many working families, including increased childcare costs and children’s specialized education needs not being met through distance learning platforms” reports Ms. Leggett. “We are working to identify barriers and creative solutions to problems many of us have never faced.”
We commend Easter Seals UCP for prioritizing their staff as well as their clients during these challenging circumstances. Most of their staff have transitioned to telehealth and are working from home but there are still many staff members who must remain in the field to provide daily care for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and mental health challenges. Staff members are given personal protective equipment as well as added flexibility so they can balance serving their community, navigating distance education, and prioritizing personal well-being. Easter Seals’ UCP CEO continues to meet with staff every Sunday evening to discuss encouragements for the week ahead while also remaining honest and transparent about present obstacles.
Easter Seals UCP continues their mission of being trauma-informed and working towards the best outcomes for their families. All staff within the agency continue to receive on-going education in trauma-informed, evidence-based models such as TF-CBT, MATCH, Child Parent Partners, and more. Easter Seals UCP also provides psychoeducation on trauma to families, local school systems, various LME/MCOs, and other community partners. Benchmark’s Partnering for Excellence project is proud to partner with the Easter Seals team and appreciate their commitment to serving our community!
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