JENNIFER ALLEN
Red Rock Behavioral Health Services
Red Rock Behavioral Health Services is one of three Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) in Oklahoma.
The CCBHC takes a collaborative approach to services coordinating the physical health, behavioral and social service needs of the individual. The approach to services focuses on improving quality of care and decreasing overall health care.
Chandler and Shawnee Red Rock sites form Red Rock’s East Region and act autonomously and corroboratively, along with other agencies, to meet Lincoln and Pottawatomie County mental health needs.
Last year, Red Rock Behavioral Health Services (RRBHS) adopted the motto, CARPE MUTATIO!, which is Latin for “Seize Change”, and it has been executed through dedicated employees and exceptional leadership. When Red Rock first became aware of the COVID-19 crisis in mid-March, Red Rock’s Chief Executive Officer, Verna Foust, and Red Rock’s Management Team, executed a rapid response.
Ms. Foust stated, “We implemented new policies related to the provision of services. Federal agencies issued new guidelines that relaxed HIPPA requirements and gave us new avenues to deliver services via telehealth and phone that we never had before. Our IT department went into action, ordering thousands of dollars of equipment and quickly got as many staff as possible working from home.”
Red Rock also developed procedures and protocols to protect clients and staff from COVID-19. Moving quickly, precautions were set in place, including screening staff, as well as consumers and community members walking in the door.
A plan of action implemented immediately to modify services delivery increased our awareness of the bravery and resilience in our community.
All of these adjustments made consumers’ access to care possible across the agency.
Red Rock BHS is fortunate to have an experienced Executive Team and a committed Board of Directors. Due to strong leadership and commitment by all staff, Red Rock BHS did not react, but consciously and efficiently responded to the threat of Covid-19. A balance of client and employee safety needs were crucial to ensure access to care.
While funding is an ongoing concern for Red Rock, and other mental health agencies, careful balancing and good stewardship modeled by the Executive Team and by employees following the direction of leadership, Red Rock continues to be able to provide services without disruption.
During this time, Red Rock consumers have exhibited flexibility and commitment to their own recovery that has resulted in improved outcomes for many. For some, this includes decreased depression and trauma symptoms, improvement in physical health and a decrease in substance use.
Staff members in the Chandler location were able to continue access to care through telehealth as a catalyst for improved outcomes for some consumers. Staff members stated, “Some are connecting better from the privacy of their own space,” and, “We seem to be more accessible to people,” and, “There’s an economic benefit for them. For instance, transportation barriers such as finding a ride, lack of gas money”.
While some have verbalized that they miss receiving services in person and are anxious for things to return to faceto-face services, they have expressed gratitude that they can continue their therapy appointments, attend med clinic, wellness services, and much needed case management services without disruption during a difficult time.
For some individuals, these positive outcomes with telehealth services have already increased Red Rock’s commitment to explore ongoing mobile/offsite services in the future.
We gratefully report that there have not been any staff hospitalized with Covid-19. In addition, Red Rock BHS has not had to furlough any staff members at any of our locations.
Red Rock has been able to allow some employees with high-risk health concerns to work from home, depending on their role. Other provisions for employees during this time include establishing an emergency paid time off policy for employees or family who become ill with COVID 19.
Providing the necessary Personal Protective Equipment for staff has reduced the risk of exposure
While Covid-19 continues to be very challenging, there have been positive outcomes born of necessity. Staff commitment, solidarity and teamwork is perhaps the highest it has ever been, resulting in an impressive resourcefulness and creativity, of which we are very proud.
As a supervisor, I have seen an increase in productivity, job satisfaction and increased dedication to Red Rock’s mission statement, “To positively change the lives of youth and adults by providing and coordinating their behavioral and physical health in an effort to strengthen families and support the community.”
Our CEO leads us in the commitment, stating, “We will continue to embrace change and improve every day as the landscape of behavioral health evolves and changes.”
CARPE MUTATIO!!
KASEY DERVIN AND JESSICA KENNEDY
Child Welfare Specialists in Lincoln County
We have both been working in Child Welfare for nearly six years. Like most of the rest of the world, neither of us has ever experienced a global pandemic before. Working in human services during this time is not without its challenges.
Although the world has essentially shut down, the need to assess the safety of children and provide services to the families of Lincoln County remains. And Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) is up to the challenge. Field specialist like us across the state are still serving their communities, working long hours to provide help and hope to the families who need us by going into homes, completing face-to-face interviews and transporting clients. We take very seriously our responsibility to ensure children in our community are safe. We are thankful to state leaders for also prioritizing our safety so we can continue to do our jobs in the safest manner possible. We have been provided personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow the recommendations set forth by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Lincoln County decreased the number of child welfare specialist out in the community to only four of us, while the rest of our team supports us from home documenting information in cases, assessing safety through video calls and keeping in communication with the field staff and guiding what we need to assess.
Our work in the community, traveling to each home where we have a vulnerable child in an ongoing case, allow us to continue supporting the families in Lincoln County while also making it possible for the majority of our specialist to shelter in place and work from home. Mobilizing a workforce this large for telework is no easy feat and this has been an adjustment for our team and the families we serve. However, our agency’s teamwork has prevailed and our community has been supportive.
Though social workers are often portrayed as the “bad guy”, our community has been supportive of our work and the services we provide to the families who need us. COVID-19 or not, OKDHS will continue to be here to serve our community and work to ensure the families here have the tools and resources they need to be successful and to keep their children safe.
Jessica Kennedy, left, and Kasey Dervin
CAROLINE McCALIP
Chandler High School
Hello my name is Caroline McCalip and I am 16 years old.
I’m on the Chandler High School cheer squad and I am a sophomore. My life during this pandemic has been abnormal but I have found lots of ways to keep a positive attitude and stay happy.
At first, it was super fun to have an extra long spring break, but then things got more serious. It got more real as time went on and when I realized I couldn’t finish out my sophomore year at school.
My normal routine would consist of seeing my friends at cheer practice every morning and seeing my teachers and classmates throughout the day.
I never knew that I was taking all of that for granted everyday. Now, surprisingly, I miss school and all the things I did everyday. Not getting to do this was hard at first until I developed a new routine that I got used to.
I woke up earlier every morning and planted a garden at my grandparent’s farm which has been a relaxing place for me. I am lucky to live in a small town during this time. I also missed going to church on Sundays but living in the time of technology has many perks.
I have been able to watch Life.Church online still and have Zoom calls with all of my friends. I’ve spent more time with my family doing things like watching Tiger King, going for family walks and cooking.
I have also been able to spend a lot more time with my brother, Jared, who is a senior this year. Things are starting to get more normal but this is a time I will always remember.
I know that when I’m older I will look back at this time and this will be a major moment in history that I have lived through. It is a scary time but it will also go back to an even better life than normal.
That is a day I cannot wait for.
ROBYN MILLER
Meeker
There are two camps when it comes to self-quarantine. There are those that throw caution to the wind and try to keep life as normal as possible, and then there are those that sleep for 16 hours a day and eat all of their meals and multiple snacks on the couch while watching Netflix. I’ve gained ten pounds this past month, so that should give you a good idea of what camp I’m in.
I’ll be the first to admit that when the coronavirus hit Oklahoma, I was scared. I’ve learned this past month and-a-half that when I’m scared, I gravitate toward the frozen “deer in the headlights” mode of living.
I was probably the first person in my town to start wearing a mask to Anthony’s Foods and Dollar General. My husband would spray his shoes with Lysol and strip down in the garage, immediately casting his duds into the washing machine on hot. A doctor friend recommended that I wear swimming goggles to the store. If this gets worse, you may as well start calliing me Michael Phelps.
Two weeks after Spring Break, homeschooling hit everyone like a 40-ton Mack truck. There was much crying, screaming, and gnashing of teeth… And that was just from the parents and teachers. I’ve always appreciated our teachers, but COVID-19 homeschooling has driven that appreciation to a whole new level. When we can, let’s have weekly parades for our beloved teachers and install a free margarita machine in every teacher’s lounge. They’ve earned it. I have never looked forward to school being over more than I have in the year of our Lord, 2020 AD.
In the beginning of self-quarantine, my parents and I went to great lengths to distance ourselves. Unfortunately, my son has no concept of social distancing and will immediately stand one foot away from you and breathe his chicken nugget lunch in your face. The first time we saw my parents in mid-April, my mom and my son compromised and stood back-to-back in place of a hug. It was one of the most depressing things we experienced in lock down. The next week we saw them, we had enough, and hugs were freely given. Give me hugs or give me death.
The best thing about quarantine was that time slowed down to a crawl just like my 1980’s childhood. I finally had time to cook actual recipes for several days in a row. Home improvement projects were completed in record time, and my kids concocted sleepovers with each other in their rooms instead of fighting each other. My relationship with my teenage daughter improved drastically because she needed someone to talk to, and her friends weren’t able to see her in person. My son spent a lot more time outdoors fishing with his dad. I almost threw the Internet modem in the trash to get the full 1980’s nostalgic effect, but I was afraid of a nasty family mutiny.
So, all in all, the self-quarantine wasn’t a total waste. I hope our community can continue some new habits and traditions our families have formed in a time of crisis, when all we had was each other. Let’s just not bring back the big 1980s hair and leg warmers.