It is great to be back at Family & Children’s Center after just over a year away! After serving in a variety of roles over 18 years with the agency, I stepped away to try something new at the end of 2017. A dear friend told me that we learn things by trying new things, and ultimately, I learned that I belong at FCC. I am grateful for the variety of opportunities that I have had to learn and grow here over the years, and I am happy to be back on this journey with all of you!
While my previous roles occasionally connected me with Minnesota programs and staff, my past responsibilities were primarily in Wisconsin, with my most recent past role being Director of Wisconsin Programs. Having returned to FCC in February as the Director of Minnesota Programs, my focus has been on learning everything there is to know about Minnesota programs and the communities we serve. I have been meeting with referral sources and community leaders with the goal of making sure they know about FCC and what we do as well as exploring collaborative opportunities. No matter how long FCC has been present in the community, people still need reminders that we are here. Staff within our referral source organizations change, and sometimes they just get busy and forget that we are a resource. That is why marketing never ends and connection with the community will be an ongoing goal for me.
In addition to meeting with community stakeholders, I have been working with programs and the Development department to update marketing materials. Materials that can easily be shared via email or printed in-house have provided more flexibility, reduced printing costs, and will allow us to make changes whenever needed. Next steps will include making sure that our website contains information consistent with our marketing materials.
Another focus area for me has been re-initiating the discussion around finding a new location for Hiawatha Hall, FCC’s Intensive Residential Treatment Services (IRTS) facility for adults with serious mental illness and substance use disorders. Discussions originally began approximately six years ago and came to a halt approximately three years ago when we could not find land appropriate for relocation. Hiawatha Hall has been a consistently financially sustainable program for FCC. You might be wondering, if the model works, why would we change anything about it? For one, the services of Hiawatha Hall are in high demand, and a new facility would allow us to serve more individuals in need. Also, the counties that we serve have been asking for a facility that is all on one level, that would allow us to serve clients with mobility challenges, as well as allow us to increase the number of beds available. We are in the early stages of re-initiating this discussion, but I look forward to seeing how this opportunity unfolds.
FCC’s continuum of services is clearly needed in the communities it serves in Minnesota. Our ongoing challenge is how to continually adjust to the changes that inevitably occur, such as fluctuating referral patterns or changes in how services are reimbursed. As a result, I am challenging our teams to think about how we can structure our programs and services in ways that allow for greater flexibility and adaptability to those external forces. Solutions are not always easy and quick to find, but I believe that this adaptability will be key to our continued success. If you have ideas about this, please send them my way!