Tackling Adversity Through Teamwork

This is a busy time of year at LifePath. It’s always busy, in one way or another. And depending upon their role, different team members have different cycles to their work. But this is a different kind of busy for a few reasons. 

 

For the last few months, and for a few more, we are working on a number of different administrative initiatives over and above our regular work. I don’t think you readers are that excited to hear the specific details of all these behind the scenes activities. And, I know that the LifePath team, me included, isn’t always excited about doing them. But these tasks are actually a really great time to reflect on our work and I wanted to share some of these reflections with you.

I see the LifePath team shining everyday, but these audits add sparkle to the shine.

My two most recent articles shared the various challenges we and other community resources are facing. My intent for this one was to provide updates, but updates are scant. As I write this, it is unclear when we’ll see a federal budget or what, exactly, it will look like. Usually, enough of us around the proverbial crystal ball can pretty reliably predict things, but many things are broken right now, including our ability to accurately assess what the federal government is doing. At the same time, the state continues to experience financial constraints, and has been carefully managing enrollment into the programs it funds.

 

We are in no way unique in these challenges. Wonderful organizations across our community are in the same boat, and in the same rough waters, yet still succeeding in helping people in all the ways we can. In the midst of adversity, we maintain a hopeful spirit and positive energy as we continue exploring ways to support each other and all of you. One of the most rewarding aspects of our work is working alongside these partners to break down barriers and to serve those in need. 

 

Challenges still exist. Updates, when available, are important. And, it is just as important to share our accomplishments with you, which is what I’m doing today.

 

Back to that busyness I mentioned earlier. We are currently in a period of significant program audits. The vast majority of our work is defined, funded, supported, and overseen by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through various contracts. As part of those contracts, the Commonwealth has a designation process that assures we’re performing to the expectations of our contract and serving our consumers in a way that is respectful, appropriate, choice-based, and efficient. Four areas of our work are reviewed as part of this process:  Information and Referral, Supportive Housing, Protective Services, and Home Care Referral and Intake.

 

This is an arduous process, and most of us would really rather be spending our time and energy working with and for those we serve. However, there is real value in this evaluation process. I am proud to share that our teams are doing very well at meeting expectations across all of the reviewed services. More importantly, as some audits now occur every six months, we are continuously improving. To me, that is more important than a static score because it shows the dedication of our teams to continually do better. We have also been involved in other audits outside of these four, and those, too, have gone very well. Our Money Management team, which we have entirely turned over, excelled at theirs. Our Adult Family Care team is currently being audited and also doing an exceptional job.

 

The auditors have provided suggestions for improvements, which is a necessary part of any rigorous review process. They provide a reality check, keep us accountable, provide oft-needed validation, and provide opportunity; opportunity to think about things differently, opportunity to explore and make new connections, opportunity to grow, nurture, and to lean on relationships.

 

I see the LifePath team shining everyday, but these audits add sparkle to the shine. The way folks all across the agency are coming together is inspirational. The ideas brought forward are impressive. The teamwork is obvious and admirable. When I see our Home Care nurses going out of their way to assist in other programs, or our administrative staff supporting multiple departments, or case managers stepping out of their usual work to share their knowledge at an outreach event, or leadership and others taking shifts in our Community Engagement Center, it is obvious that a cultural change is underway. We are working together and working through all the adversity coming our way.

 

Human services tend to draw people who are compassionate, empathetic, and caring. And when times are difficult and divisive, and our work is threatened or devalued, it can be hard for folks like us to navigate and manage. Things can be taken personally that aren’t meant to be and it can be a struggle to focus on what we CAN do instead of what we can’t do.

 

Yet, as we look at the number of people we serve and how that number is steadily climbing, we are so grateful that we can continue doing all the great work that we do. The audits and reviews we’re working through are both helpful and validating and provide a wonderful opportunity for us to reflect on all of the great work we’re doing everyday, along with the improvements we’ve made as an agency. 

As we remind ourselves of all that we’ve accomplished, we are embarking on another internal project. We have begun work on our annual report, which will be especially important this year as we share data and stories to recap over 50 years of supporting our community. It will not only provide a look back, but will also allow us to think about where we’re going, and we are excited to share it with you in the coming months. It will be yet another reminder of our collective work and highlight the importance of what we do, and how special our team and community are.