Just a quick note to let you know that we have decided to change the name of the ASK THE CEO column to ASK US.

Your great questions come from all corners of our organization and often take a team approach to answering them. I have an amazing leadership team around me and often tap into them and their teams for their particular expertise. Keep those questions coming!

~ Michelle

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ASK US:
You Asked. We Answer.

Two new questions were submitted on the GOOD WORKS portal:

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QUESTION #1:

Why has therapy with day students gone down to every other week? Group therapy has also gone down to once every two weeks, if that.

The majority of our day students come from unpredictable (sometimes unsafe) homes and are exposed to possible trauma or neglect every night/weekend. In my opinion, our day students need therapy at least weekly.

Residential kids receive individual and group therapy on a weekly basis, even though we know they are safe and taken care of all hours of the day.

I understand that the day school therapists have a big caseloads, so maybe we can address adding another therapist or dispersing some children to other therapists? I just feel individual and group therapy should be required weekly for all children at CHS.

ANSWER #1:

Thanks for the thoughtful question. You are right on target in reaching for as much support and help for the families we serve.

In talking with the team, there are a few variables at play. The real issue is compression of needs and time, that is the needs to address education needs and therapy needs in the few hours available in the school day. We do have limited hours of availability when compressing therapy into the school day hours for group therapy, individual and family therapy.

I suggest there may be an opportunity to take this discussion to a team meeting between the teachers and school therapists to determine if there is any alternative scheduling of special programming at the school and opting out for therapy time. Together, perhaps the team might identify additional hours of availability for therapy sessions.

If out of that discussion there is identification of specific needs, let’s get together and discuss.

–Michelle Lavallee, CEO

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QUESTION #2:

Following up with a question asked last week: How are full-time residential staff able to take time off when there is hardly any relief staff available? There are many e-mails daily with open shifts needing to be filled along with many open team's having one or more open positions to fill. How are we supposed to take time off when shifts stay open due to little to no relief staff on the schedule?

ANSWER #2:

I appreciate the question, yes we do value work life balance for team members and want to do our best to help you find time-away opportunities.

In discussion with residential leaders, I understand that planning ahead is the best option to ensure PTO availability. On the residential units, due to small staff numbers, only two full time staff can be scheduled out for a shift.

The priority is to ensure we meet safe staffing ratios and have staff on the unit with experience in managing a serious issue or emergency.

Due to this, it’s important to let your supervisor know about time off needed as soon as possible. Should more than two full time staff be scheduled off, staff do have the option to trade hours with another full-time staff between sides of the week, pending remaining scheduled staff have required experience.

Please discuss last minute needs or urgent issues with your immediate supervisor and colleagues to identify trade options and solutions. Typically, the leaders can accommodate PTO needs.

Your role is important to the organization and children. This is why planning ahead with your supervisor is the best way to ensure you can get time away and the responsibilities of your position can be fulfilled.

–Michelle Lavallee, CEO

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Question #3:

Is CHS going to offer COVID-19 booster immunizations this fall?

Answer #3:

CHS will not be providing COVID-19 vaccine immunizations. CHS is not an approved provider of booster immunizations, nor have we received any supplies to offer immunization clinics.

We strongly encourage all staff to see their primary provider for appropriate booster information/immunization, or their local pharmacy store.

COVID-19 Guidelines

As a reminder, CHS follows the current CDC guidelines, below. 

• What to Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19 | CDC
• Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19 | CDC

COVID-19 home tests are available from the Nursing Department. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out.

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