Amy K's COVID Corner: Episode #1

Greetings!

How are all of you? Anything new or different happen in the past couple weeks….seems like stuff is operating pretty normally. 

Wait actually, everything has been completely turned upside down and inside out (sounds like a Raffi song) in a totally unpredictable and unanswerable way. Which, as all of you know, isn’t necessarily the recipe for feeling secure. So, I’m hoping that each of you is accessing support both at home and at Seneca to be able to weather this in a way that allows you to be safe and healthy.

I wanted to reach out again to everyone at one time and in one place to first and foremost say, “thank you.”  Thank you for getting out of bed and eating breakfast and turning on your computers or phones to show up for your clients and families in ways that are creative and thoughtful during this completely scary and unsettling time.  I have now joined almost all of the team meetings and have been COMPLETELY blown away by people’s willingness to think outside of the box and stay positive about figuring out how to “do” the work in new and different ways. I know the ability to find motivation and drive is especially challenging right now so please, please continue to reach out for support and help as you navigate this new normal. 

While we are having all-staff next week, I also wanted to use this opportunity to give some quick agency -wide updates.  As I have been saying on repeat, things are changing by the minute so while this is valid information currently, it could look very different in a week.  The management team and I are striving to be as on top of and transparent as we can in delivering info to you as it comes down the pipe.

Bear with me as this is a bit long and wordy…

1. I know that COVID 19 and shelter in place is having an enormous impact on the economy.  What effect is this having on Seneca and my job security?

Right now we are in the process of figuring this all out.  Ken, Lori and the team of executive directors have been working tirelessly to advocate to counties that we be funded for our services during this time.  San Francisco and Alameda County are the only counties that we work with that have so far committed to covering our costs.  This is extremely relieving and a testament to the work that you all are doing.  This is also allowing us to not have to make any changes to our current staffing in San Francisco!  

For right now, we do not know what changes we will have to make agency-wide but are continuing to look at a myriad of ways of mitigating the impact as much as possible.  With that, we have frozen all external hiring and will be filling open positions with staff across the agency who’s jobs may be impacted or on hold. 

2. With everything being remote, what does that mean for my caseload and billing expectations?

We are still figuring this out with your help!  One of the reasons why your supervisors have been checking in twice daily is to help answer this question.  We do not have a guidebook for hows, whats and how much is needed in this new way of doing the work quite yet.  Additionally we know that this will look very different depending on the client/family as well as the duration that we are sheltered-in-place.  As we try to build this out, your supervisors will be working collaboratively with you to help determine whether your current workload is too much, too little or just right for this different way of working. This may look like taking on more cases or helping out in a different SF program.  It is this kind of flexibility and collaboration that will help us get through this together and come out stronger so thank you in advance for being nimble and pushing yourselves to adapt. 

…..I think that’s it for now. Please reach out with questions about any of this or anything else that is occupying your mind 😉.

As I said above, I am inspired by each of you everyday and am so grateful to be part of a team that shows up in the ways that each of you have been for the past two weeks. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

Amy

2020 Vision

I.  Complete updated Equity Survey with current staff

o   In 2016 the original CORE design team created and implemented an equity survey to all current staff to identified areas of growth.

o   That information informed the creation of the C.O.R.E design team to help to address the growth areas.

o   The current team will re-do the survey with current staff (knowing that there have been a changes in our teams)

o   The C.O.R.E team will present the finding, noting trends and patterns, to assess next steps for the program

II.  Public Relations (to increase understanding of what the group can do for individual staff)

o   Share the Who, What, Where of our group.

o   Sharing notes from CORE team meeting and agency DEI initiatives

o   Connect conversations from Team -> C.ORE.-> agency DEI then back to C.O.R.E -> individual teams

o   Share group email (sfcoreteam) and blog (sfcore.blogspot.com/)

§  Create understanding among staff that there is a team of people to help support with DEI issues coming up on the job

III.  All Staff

o   Increase awareness of cultural celebrations/month: history, events

o   Sharing of community resources and trainings that fulfill the cultural proficiency requirements

o   Community Process Group (CPG) 11am – noon following Program All Staff

     
     CPG is a facilitated discussion exploring the social and political climate, such as social injustices in the news and policies in government communities are affected by based on our own personal experiences.  You are encouraged to bring your own personal experiences into the room while also reflecting on how it impacts our direct care worth with youth and families.  In addition, the space is used for dialogues about historical social injustice and how this impacts the communities we serve in regard to intergenerational trauma. 

     CORE team will follow up post-CPG to identify strategies than can be implemented within the agency to regularly assess the impacts of social/political issues among staff, plan interventions for clients, and process our individual emotional responses.

FAQ

What does CORE stand for?

Cultivating Organizational Responsiveness and Equity

What is CORE?

CORE is a group of San Francisco Connections staff of all levels who meet monthly to discuss issues pertaining to racial equity and develop action strategies for our program within the larger Seneca agency. Our mission centers around creating and equitable and inclusive workplace culture and environment. Site Team Meetings are held every second and fourth Thursday from 10:00 to 12:00pm at 45 Farallones, San Francisco.

What is the Mission of CORE?

The C.O.R.E. team is a body of Seneca employees with representation across management and direct care staff workers within San Francisco Connections that continuously assess organizational health on an individual and program level.

Why does San Francisco have a CORE team?

What types of things does the CORE team work on?

• Developing and implementing racial equity staff development training (implicit bias, etc.)
• Developing and implementing policy and practices for addressing microaggressions within our workplace
• Coordinate facilitation and generate subject matter for Community Process Group
  

How do I bring something to the CORE team to consider for action?

How can I join the CORE team?

How to Get Involved

1. Connect with a representative
• Get informed about what CORE is working on
• Learn what CORE members do
• Find out how to join
2. Join the CORE team **
• Stay tuned for open membership periods
• Talk to a representative to see if there's an opening
3. Bring an issue to a representative or fill out our outreach form
• We're always open to taking on new DEI concerns
• We can help take action when microaggressions are identified
4. Participate in Community Process Group
• You can suggest a topic for discussion OR
• You can facilitate a group yourself!

** What makes someone a good fit? We are looking for folks who are meeting their basic job expectations (if you have questions about what that means please check in with your supervisor), are enthusiastic about being part of a group that is committed to the Seneca values and the direction that SF Connections is taking as a leader in the agency. New members are asked to make at least a one year commitment. 

So, if all of that sounds groovy and you think “I’m interested in being a part of this team.” Then the question is how does that happen?

Step 1: Take some time to think about what it would look like to add this to your already busy life (seriously, this is a big commitment). If after that, you feel confident about wanting to join the team move to Step 2.

Step 2: Talk with your supervisor about your interest in this project. She/he may have additional questions for you about the two days of thinking that you have done.

Step 3: Think about the following questions in preparation for your first meeting with the team:

• What interests you about being a part of this team? 
• How would you persuade your peers to embrace the changes developed by the team?
• What part(s) of the change initiative stands out to you and why?
• What do you see as the change process that Connections need in order to enact the Change Initiative?

CORE: A Historical Perspective

The SF Connections CORE Team was created as part of the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (NCWWI) Workforce Excellence Project. In 2014, SF Connections joined the SF Human Services Agency in a implementing the project which was designed to inform ongoing efforts to improve climate and culture in our agency. A baseline survey was administered in 2014 to then-staff members at SF Connections.  The results of that survey, the Comprehensive Organizational Health Assessment (COHA), helped identify and target key organizational climate and culture, as well as organizational functioning areas. Using the information from the survey, SF Connections developed a strategic plan, called the Organizational Intervention, to implement three change initiatives. The change initiatives informed by the COHA survey centered on the following three main areas:

• Building and Retaining staff diversity 
• Inclusive workplace practices, policies, culture and environment 
• Culturally accountable and culturally responsive practices and policies 

The CORE Team was then created to address the workforce strengths and barriers to implementation, and finally to implement SF Connections' Change Initiative. The team acts as the driver and primary decision maker for determining and implementing the actions steps of the project through a process of engagement in continuous assessment. The team is always eliciting feedback and ideas as part of our process and incorporates this into the on-going implementation efforts. The team is made up of folks representing a range of programs and includes a mix of management and staff.

The official NCWWI project ran for a period of three years, after which a follow up COHA survey was administered to SF Connections staff. The CORE team decided to continue our work on the organizational health of SFC beyond the end of the project and we are still working to address our original as well as newly-identified change initiatives today.

What is the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (NCWWI)?

The purpose of NCWWI is to increase child welfare practice effectiveness through diverse partnerships that focus on workforce systems development, organizational interventions, and change leadership, using data-driven capacity building, education, and professional development. NCWWI’s workforce development activities promote:

• Learning: Fostering continuous learning that is interactive, reflective and relevant
• Leading: Cultivating diverse leadership at multiple levels within child welfare systems
• Changing: Supporting change through workforce development and organizational capacity building

NCWWI Vision

Innovative organizational leadership, high performing staff, and diverse partners prepared and committed to pursue excellence and sustainable systems change in service of optimal outcomes for children, youth and families.

CORE Team Principles and Values

The CORE Team manifests a set of values about worker empowerment and organizational culture. Values then translate into specific principles guiding the functioning and structure of CORE Team. The Organizational Intervention is guided by the following principles:

• Create organizational change through solution-focused discussions and subsequent actions using a team approach for the benefit of the entire agency. 
• Inspire a learning organization committed to improved practices and functioning. 
• Use inquiry-based communication to encourage open participation and communication by the team. 
• Empower staff from all site levels to improve their site for the benefit of all individual site members. 
• Use strengths-focused interventions. 
• Embody a culturally-responsive approach. 
• Connect the change initiative to the agency’s mission, values, and practice model. 
• Share tasks and activities among the CORE Team membership to achieve Organizational Intervention goals. 
• Use comprehensive, incremental and strategic implementations for long-term sustainability. 
• Employ strategic approaches based upon careful assessment of the current situation. 

The CORE Team embodies a commitment to set high standards, see the big picture; understand the change initiative, and the implementation impact on the day-to-day work of child welfare staff.

Meet the Members

Name	Title	Program
Amy Kirsztajn	Director	SF Connections
Brittany Nielsen	Mobile Counselor	MRT/ISS
Cara Prehn	Therapy Supervisor	Clinical Services
Ezekiel Bronstein	Therapist	DBT
Kelsey Scott	Program Assistant / HIS	Admin
Krista Hutchens	Linkage Clinician	Probation
Kijafa Idalliah	Community Innovation Manager	Connections
Leah Hopson	Case Manager	TAY Wraparound
Madeline Baker	Care Coordinator	Wraparound
Moriah Wolfe	Program Assistant	SF All-In
Sara Ryugo	Support Counselor	Wraparound
Veronica Mayes	Lead HIS	QA

Community Process Group

The Connections Community Process Group (CPG) is a process space for staff to come together around challenging issues and discuss how these issues impact us both personally and in our work with youth, families, and communities. CPGs are held on the 3rd Thursday of every month as the second half of the All Staff-All Staff meeting (from 11:00AM-12:00PM). Any member of the SF Connections community can choose to facilitate a CPG or can suggest a topic for an upcoming CPG.

The CPG format arose from a tragic event that occurred in the summer of 2014. That summer, a community member who worked in The Village (known to Connections staff as "the Vis Valley office") was murdered. The process group was held in response in order to create a space for staff to discuss feelings and reactions, how to process the murder with youth and families, and how to gauge safety within the communities they were serving as providers.

A former AIIM Higher team member, Veronica Libre, is credited with building on that initial meeting and creating a monthly format for similar conversations to take place. As Veronica tells it, "I walked out of the process group feeling inspired... [I] felt it was much needed to speak about what goes on in our neighborhoods. Given that this group was not followed [up on] for some time, I felt that [it] was important to begin the process group again... and have it ongoing to build community awareness."

Beginning in April 2015, Veronica initiated the monthly CPG meeting at Connections. The mission of the project was to give staff a place to come together and focus on community-related issues from the local to the global. Over the course of its existence, CPG topics have included gentrification, gang culture, the school-to-prison pipeline, privilege, racial profiling, identity and belonging, labeling, family, grief and loss, election reactions, gun violence, and police misconduct.

Again from Veronica, "As providers we sometimes take a vantage point of reading and watching the news about these issues, while some of our clients feel the effects of the issues in their daily lives. The purpose of this process group is to bridge this gap and provide a space to talk about the impacts of our work in relation to these issues, and even how these issues impact our lives directly, in an open, safe, and respectful environment."

If you would like to suggest a topic for a future group or volunteer to facilitate one, please email the CORE team at SFcoreteam@senecacenter.org.