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SUPERHEROES
Social service organizations react with lightning speed to the COVID crisis to support clients in immediate need
By Cathy Chestnut
COVID-19 was a jarring awakening, but just as each of us learned to navigate the new reality, so have Collier County nonprofits. Local social service agencies tackled some of the deepest, most urgent pandemic-fueled issues. They made sweeping changes to provide critical services, finding that some adaptations will remain staples of their operations. “Everyone got forced to be in this world we’re living in,” says David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health CEO Scott Burgess. “With all of us, we’re building the boat as we row.”
Food insecurity skyrockets with pandemic-related job and income loss.
A Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida drive-through food distribution site
Essential Relief
The Salvation Army of Collier County immediately streamlined its online application process for gift cards for food and essential supplies, and for rent and utilities assistance. The 24/7 system allows applicants to upload hardship documents without missing work or standing in long lines, and for requests to be quickly vetted for a fast turn-around. It’s a process the Salvation Army and United Way of Collier and the Keys will continue to use as they partner to distribute the county’s CARES-funded Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program.
The Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida faced a 40 percent increase in food need amid school closings, job and income losses, and disruptions in food-supply channels. From March to late June, it distributed almost 11 million pounds of food through 150 Southwest Florida partner agencies. The food bank launched drive-through distribution sites and ramped up its volunteer force to staff them. Harry’s Helpings shelf-stable food kits providing 15 well-rounded meals—originally designed to be distributed through public schools—were instead distributed at the drive-throughs. The food bank staggered volunteer shifts and bought an additional warehouse conveyor belt to expedite sorting. Focus on Mental Health
Virtually overnight, the David Lawrence Center, Collier County’s only comprehensive mental health center, went from having two telepsychologists to 100. “It was a really amazing response in challenging circumstances,” says Burgess.
The David Lawrence Center provided a full continuum of services virtually for families and individuals of all ages, including doctor consultations and case management. New clients can now apply online and be evaluated for services, a process that required an in-person office visit in the past.
Some services simply couldn’t move online, such as inpatient admissions, residential recovery, the pharmacy, and in-home client visits.
The biggest challenge was ironing out solutions for those who don’t own devices or have internet access. Computer-access areas were established on the David Lawrence campus where clients could link up with their doctors and counselors. “We’re trying everything we can to mitigate issues and support people the way they need to be supported,” he says. “I think everybody is adjusting pretty well to the new normal, our clients and our staff.” Overall, he says, the tele-solution, whether through a monitor or on the telephone, has been highly effective for 75 percent of clients. The other 25 percent “have more significant challenges and difficulty.”
Depression, anxiety, and substance abuse were exacerbated by the pandemic—and are expected to rise—due to fear, uncertainty, and
financial duress. PTSD and burnout in health-care workers increased, while 60 percent of mothers caring for children reported elevated stress, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
David Lawrence is “definitely providing many more services than the year before going into COVID,” Burgess notes. By late June, it was providing 17,000 more services than 2019 and had admitted 1,300 new clients from March to June. Inpatient treatment soared, maxing out capacity. Many had already been dealing with moderately treated or untreated mental health and substance addiction issues that were compounded by isolation and stress, he says.
Online intake and tele-counseling will remain a mainstay for clients who prefer it. Burgess learned how to continue public education and outreach. He’s hosted virtual presentations for community groups ranging from 10 to 100.
David Lawrence also launched a multi-pronged marketing campaign to spread the news about the expanded online services—and remind residents they don’t have to struggle alone.
