VOICES OF JOY
March/April 2021
A newsletter for the employees of Canopy Children’s Solutions
Dr. Furlow Named Canopy's Director of Autism Solutions Christopher “Chris” Furlow, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA, has been named the Director of Autism Solutions. “We are proud to have such a talent as Chris on board as the Director of Autism Solutions,” Canopy’s CEO John D. Damon, Ph. D., said. "Not only does he have a genuine passion for his work, but he knows firsthand the importance of community, family, and hope when it comes to serving children on the autism spectrum.” Chris stated, “I’ve dedicated the last 13 years of my life to gain as much knowledge and experience from leading experts around the country, and I am so privileged to have the opportunity to bring those experiences to the children and families we serve at Canopy.” Prior to being named Director, Chris served as the Clinic Manager of the Early Intervention Autism Clinic. Chris is a native of Slidell, LA, but currently resides in Madison, MS. He and his wife, Lauren, have two children and enjoy spending time as a family exploring new milestones of young parenthood. During Autism Awareness Month this April, Chris had the opportunity
to speak on WLBT's Ask the Expert Facebook Live and answer questions pertaining to Autism Spectrum Disorder and working with children on the spectrum. Below are a few "soundbytes" from the segment. What age is autism typically diagnosed? Autism is typically diagnosed around the age of two, but can be as early as 18 months. If an older child receives a diagnosis, it is likely that autism was always present. The child might be having difficulties in school or relationships leading to the diagnosis. How important is early intervention? It is important to get the diagnosis and begin treatment early because you can begin teaching the language skills needed for school. With an older child there is a greater challenge to catch up with skills while working with a typcial school schedule. What are some of the misconceptions about children on the autism spectrum? One misconception would be that the child on the spectrum doesn't display or experience emotions. That is a myth, everyone experiences emotions. It is just to what extent they communicate it. Another
know myth is, just because you have autism spectrum disorder doesn't mean you are going to have an intellectual disability. What are some effective treatments for autism? Applied Behavior Analysis is considered the gold standard for autism treatment. There is extensive evidience supporting it with good clinical outcomes. What is the best way for a parent to support a child with autism? We practice what we call "time-in" at our clinic and we teach this to our parents. It is a structured approach to establish a solid relationship with the child. Parents need to carve out certain times of the day to interact with their child and let the child lead the interaction. Praise the child while labeling what they did well, "That is awesome, it is a great tower you made." A parent can also repeat what the child says. It let's the child know you are listening to what they say. When spending time with your child, talk to them a lot. To view the complete interview, visit the Canopy Facebook page.
THE Metric that Matters Across Canopy Children’s Solutions, we begin each meeting with a “Mission Moment” to keep us anchored in why we do what we do. In our monthly Core meetings, we follow our Mission Moments with Mission Metrics that point to evidence that we are delivering on our brand promise of Transforming Lives. What if there is perhaps one metric that may be the best predictor of all the others? The metric of HOPE! Our last newsletter extended the invitation to re-imagine hope by embracing the three components of hope: (1) A Compelling Goal, (2) Willpower, and (3) Waypower. It is important to note that hope is a science, not a wish. Like any good science, it can be measured in adults and children! The higher the hope score, the more likely people are to overcome life’s challenges. For example, higher hope scores are predictive of academic achievement from elementary school to grad school. Higher hope scores also result in better health outcomes. This has been demonstrated over and over in the literature – for cancer treatment, spinal cord injuries, diabetes, HIV/ AIDS, and rehabilitation with occupational and physical therapy. Hope has also proven to be a critical protective factor for our mental health. Not only is hope a protective factor for so many physical and mental health challenges, it has also critical in the workplace. For example, hopeful employees: • • • • • •
Set more goals Are better at critical thinking and problem solving Are more energetic in their pursuit of goals Have higher success in reaching their goals Report higher engagement, job satisfaction and commitment to the organization Are more helpful to their co-workers
John D. Damon, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer •
Experience lower levels of burnout and lower turnover
Why is this so important for Canopy? Hope is vital to each of us, our families, our co-workers and our communities for two critical reasons: 1. It is THE Metric that Matters across so many domains of our lives that predict how we and those we love will thrive. 2. It is THE Metric that Matters in creating a work culture that we love to come to and a culture that holds out hope and healing for every child and family that comes to us in desperate need of real hope. Remember, you cannot give what you have not received. This is why we are focused on hope. It is vital that every member of the Canopy family experience hope – for your sake, the sake of your family and for the sake of those we have been so privileged to serve during this often hopeless season. Thankfully, there is good news! Hope is a science, not a wish and that science can be taught, measured and leveraged to help you, your loved ones and those we serve thrive! As Canopy’s logo so beautifully represents, we believe in the hope of transformation. Many have lost so much over the past year. Now more than ever, it is critical to honor what has been lost through a relentless commitment to experience and extend hope. Canopy Children’s Solutions is here to come alongside the community in every way possible and equip others for their hope journey. When real hope is experienced, it is then postured to extend real, life-changing hope to others. I am honored to walk this journey with you and I am more hopeful than ever that the future of children in Mississippi is brighter and more hopeful because of you!
Champions of Excellence Wall unveiled at Canopy Center of Excellence A kaleideoscope of butterflies adorn the walls of Canopy Center of Excellence in Jackson to recognize transformational parnters who have provided support to Canopy. Each partner provided resources to help Canopy develop innovative solutions to lead to success for our children and families. The wall was officially unveiled in April during a two-day showing to provide an opportunity for partners to come view their butterfly.
CEO John Damon with Canopy Board Member Robert Leard 2
Canopy Community Hope Award Recipients Announced It all starts with hope. Hope is the belief that your future can be brighter and better than your past and that you actually have a role to play in making it better. Building communities of hope around our children and families allows them to begin healing, overcoming extraordinary challenges, and utilizing the tools to thrive. Through these communities of support, our children can become success stories. Quarterly, Canopy Children’s Solutions will recognize individuals and organizations in our community that play an active role in supporting our efforts in providing hope. Read below about our first recipients of the Community Hope Award: Kimberly McDowell, Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services (MDCPS)- "Kimberly is an advocate and a strong source of inspiration to Canopy Children’s Solutions families who have nowhere else to turn. She works with the in-CIRCLE team and family in setting goals and always offers a willing hand to assist in removing barriers that prevent successfuly achieving goals. Kimberly McDowell is a true source of hope for our families and community." - Kimberly B. Young, in-CIRCLE Supervisor Dr. Charles Stevenson, Principal - "We believe that Dr. Stevenson’s support was instrumental in helping these student succeed and we expect them to thrive in Rankin County School District." - Maureen Long, Principal, CARES School Jackson Stacy Jones, Parkwood Behavioral Health - "Stacy partners with Canopy MYPAC Solutions to help provide additional resources to the families he encounters. He has provided insight on where adjustments could be made to ensure that the best solutions are provided to the families. Stacy is often praised by the families. He has earned their trust by giving them a pathway of hope for success." - Maria Perry, MYPAC Program Specialist Roy Ann Bell, Emerson Family Center - "Roy Ann and the Emerson Family Center provide educational resources and promote family interaction. The center also promotes family interaction by providing an activity night each week. - Tim Weaver, Case Manager Reginald Singleton, MDCPS Washington County- "Reginald goes above and beyond in support of children and families. He inspires families to become better by displaying a caring spirit and providing the resources to begin the process of rebuilding." Derrick Causey, Case Manager & Lillian Appleton, Therapist Kids HUB Child Advocacy Center - "Kids Hub CAC refers children who have been a victim and/or witness to a traumatic event. Kids Hub instills hope in the victims or witnesses of these traumatic events through healing within our therapeutic solutions. They follow up with these clients through multi-disciplinary team meetings." - Connie Anderson, Therapist Pastor Kajsa Cole, Women of Fire of The Firehouse Church "Pastor Kajsa Cole and Women of Fire of The Firehouse Church were asked to help Dejia, a mom who had gone through a lot of personal trauma and who was working with our in-CIRCLE team. Pastor Cole and her church loved Dejia, built her up and helped provide a pathway to hope."- Nicole McCree, in-CIRCLE
Judge Trent Favre, Hancock County Youth Court - "Judge Favre has been vocal about his intention to continue fostering collaborative relationships in the community with service providers. He has been intentional with being proactive, rather than reactive, and with referring families to Canopy for services, as needed. As a result, more Hancock county families are receiving the help that they need and have a renewed sense of hope for a better and brighter future." - Monique Johnson, South District Manager & Christina Palazzo, Lead Therapist Charles Jackson, MDCPS Hinds County - "Charles and his team plays an important role to the families that we serve. He works countless hours to ensure the families have everything that they need to live in a healthy, cohesive environment. When asked about the familes we serve, Mr. Jackson said, 'If I don’t do anything else I am going to make sure the children and families have everything they need to be in a safe and healthy environment.' Mr. Jackson is always available to assist the in-CIRCLE team. He goes beyond the call of duty to ensure the families achieve their goals." - Tara Young, in-CIRCLE Heather Clarkson, MDCPS Tunica County - "Heather is a faithful and dedicated worker to her families as well as for Canopy. She is deserving to be recognized for her dedication and passion to serve her families and their children." - Lashundra Harris, inCIRCLE United Way of West Central Mississippi - "The United Way of West Central Mississippi has provided us and our community with many large supply donations of COVID supplies and food boxes. The United Way has continued to award the Warren County Children’s Shelter with funding and even has provided office space to support our therapist and the community. They are also planning an Annual Day of Hope to get community needs met." - Daniel Wilson, WCCS Program Director Lt. Kristen Johnson, Jackson County Sheriff Department "Kristen Johnson is one of Jackson County's strongest and diligent multi-disciplinary team (MDT) member. She is always willing to go an extra mile to help other MDT members understand how important collaboration of investigations are for the sake of the child victim. She exemplifies great passion in what she does, and is a great model to others with the same mission around child maltreatment." - Sabreniee Wright, Director, South Mississippi Child Advocacy Center
It is easy to find examples in history where we have fallen short of celebrating diversity, embracing equity, and modeling inclusion. The past year has magnified the hate for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and most recent for Asian Americans. It is bit overwhelming for me as I write this blog for the Voices of Joy. The acceptance that diversity requires is for every individual to approach new interactions with an open mind and gentle heart. It requires us all to take a hard look inside and learn how to unlearn things that could be preventing us from seeing through the lenses of others. The Diversity, Equity and, Inclusion (DEI) Council has been working diligently by encouraging conversations designed to embrace employee’s differences and build trust through a safe psychological space. It is a critical part of our mission that Canopy remains inclusive, both in person or online. We will continue to offer learning and development opportunities focused on biases, aggressions, and other matters that are categorized as DEI for all employees. DEI development will continue to be a part of our supervisory and leadership track. Leadership development is not a one and done for compliance purposes, but it is a continuous endeavor. Our goal is to develop communities of practice, conversations
Taheti Watson, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer and actionable behaviors that are not only expected, but modeled throughout Canopy. Although I am leading Canopy's DEI strategic efforts, we are all accountable for driving the organization’s mission and values, from the Senior Team to Canopy’s Board members. DEI must be embedded in everything we do, including services provided to our children and families. It is our commitment to be as transparent as possible about the metrics and disparities within our organization. During last year’s All Staff Annual Retreat, we asked for your input on adding inclusive language to our core values. We are excited to celebrate our values in the near future! Further, I hope you have taken the time to review John and Representative Abe Hudson's video discussion and read the amazing stories some of our employees submitted. We are stronger together.
Are you CREATIVE? Do you have a KNACK of naming things? Do you want to win 100 BOOST POINTS? The CustomerGuage Engagement team is offering 100
BOOST POINTS to the Canopy employee that can create a NEW, EXCITING BRANDED NAME for CustomerGauge. WHAT IS CUSTOMERGAUGE?
It is an engagement and
satisfaction survey our families can complete after receiving care in our solutions. They provide value feedback Canopy then uses to improve care to our families.
HOW TO ENTER A NAME? Submit your entries to kayla.erickson@mycanopy.org. You can enter as many names as you would like. The engagement team will vote on the entries at their next meeting. Please submit all names by MAY
15.
Canopy LPCs Provide insight on Self-Care, Advocacy and Inclusion American Counseling Assocation (ACA) designates April of each year as Counseling Awareness Month. This year’s theme—The Future is… Self-Care, Advocacy and Inclusion Some of Canopy's licensed professional counselors provided insight on the topics of self-care, advocacy and inclusion.
done on high school students who exercised before school at 80% 90% of their max heart rate by running 1 mile showed a 17% improvement in reading and Shea Hutchins, comprehension! This Chief Solutions Officer is compared to a 10% increase among those who did not exercise before school. In addition When you hear the word exercise, does to improved reading and comprehenit make you jump for joy? Probably not. sion, the students who exercised before Most people think of exercise as a chore, school also reported feeling more awake if they think of it at all! Although exerthroughout the day and less cranky. cise may seem tedious, informing you When exercising, if you exceed a heart about some of the benefits may just get rate of about 70% of your max heart you moving. I’m sure you’ve heard about rate for at least 40 minutes, your brain the ways it can improve the cardiovascuproduces a protein called brain-derived lar system, and contribute to a healthy neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is heart while also being great for weight referred to as “miracle-grow” for your loss, so I will not elaborate on those. I am brain! It is made when brain cells are going to share other benefits that may active and the best way to increase BDNF not be as common. levels is through exercise. BDNF protects Almost everyone knows exercise can your brain cells from stress and eromake you leaner and make the heart sion (which happens with age). It also stronger, but did you know it can also produces more capillaries in the brain make you smarter? That’s right! A study
Get Moving
which carry more oxygen and reduces inflammation to brain cells. It is also worth mentioning that exercise causes your body to produce more neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. These help regulate stress, anxiety and depression. This is what people feel when they refer to the “runners high”. Further, exercise protects against aging. Starting around age 40, we lose about 5% of our overall brain volume per decade! If your brain isn’t actively growing, then it is dying. Exercise is one of the few ways to counter the process of aging, because it slows down the natural decline. When you exercise it increases blood volume, regulates the fuel your body uses, and encourages brain neuron activity. Basically, exercising on a regular basis sparks connectivity and growth among your brain cells. With all this great information about the benefits of exercise, I want to challenge you to get up and get moving! All you have to do is start!
TRAINING TALKS
Sarah Howe, Organizational Development and Training Manager
Welcome Nakisha Henderson to ODT!
Nakisha recently joined our team as the Instructional Design Coordinator. She is no stranger to most of you as she has been with Canopy in the Gulfport office since 2010 in a variety of roles, including MYPAC Therapist, in-CIRCLE Supervisor, and Site Manager. Training has always been a passion of hers, and she’s developed and provided training for years both internally with our employees and in the greater community. In her new role, Nakisha will be providing training, developing online courses, and continuing to embody Canopy’s mission and values. We are thrilled to have her on our team!
Hope Navigator Training Shea Hutchins offered two Hope Navigator Trainings to Canopy employees, but if you missed the training, it has been assigned as a course via Relias to anyone who didn’t attend. The course is called “Hope Rising: The Importance of Creating and Sustaining Hope”. Hope Navigator Training Hope Rising: The Importance of Creating and Sustaining Hope • Due by May 7 via Relias • Required for all staff Clinical Focus • April 29, 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. • Open to all, required for district managers, clinical supervisors, therapists, case managers, wrap facilitators, & peer support Leadership Focus • Details coming soon
Vigilant Heath Lunch and Learn Series Mark your calendars for the Vigilant Health (Diabetes Care Group) lunch and learn sessions that will be held each month. These sessions are open to anyone interested. You do not have to have diatese to learn more about these important topics. Registration is not required. A Zoom invitation will come prior to each session. • Wednesday, April 28 - Exercise is Medicine • Wednesday, May 26 - Heart Health
• Wednesday, June 30 - Summer Safety-: The Importance of Skin Health and Proper Hydration • Wednesday, July 28 -Eating Out: How to make Smart Choices when Dining Out • Wednesday, August 25 -Wellness Checkups: Why should you Know your Numbers? • Wednesday, September 29- Cancer Prevention • Wednesday, October 27 -Mental Health • Wednesday, November 17 - Maintaining Healthy Habits through the Holidays
Dooley Recognized for Giving a Voice to the Victim Daniel Dooley, Canopy South Mississippi Children Advocacy Center Lead Forensic Interviewer, was awarded the Community Service Award during the 2021 Crime Victims' Rights Week Candelight Ceremony for Harrison County, Hancock County and Stone County hosted by the district attorneys office. Daniel is pictured here with District Attorney Crosby Parker. "I can tell you that what he has the child say is the difference maker. Daniel always says 'I am not advocating one way or another, I am just a conduit to let this child say what happened," said District Attorney Crosby. "It is an amazing gift he has. It is something we are blessed as a DA office to rely on. Because sometimes the only evidence we have is this interview. They will try to pick it apart every time, but he does such an amazing, wonderful job, that it is truly the child's word and voice." Congratulations Daniel!
Center of Excellence Team Provides Community Support The Canopy Early Intervention Autism Clinc and Canopy Behavioral Health Clinic Jackson donated multiple cases of water to the Mississippi Food Network to help families in need within the city of Jackson.
Girl Scouts Learn Self-Care Techniques Cheryl Fisher, Canopy MYPAC Supervisor educated local Girl Scout troops about anxiety, stress and relaxation techniques. She provided treats that included chocolates, stress balls, play dough, pens, pencils, pinwheels and bubbles. She hosted four separate sessions for about 60 scouts. She taught them deep breathing and muscle relaxation techniques.
Relationships Matter Nicole McRee's team in Meridian surprised her one afternoon. They noticed Nicole needed a little sunshine in her life and planned a suprise party to show their appreciation for Nicole. She was indeed truly surprised. "Nicole is truly an amazing supervisor and is always there for her staff when they need her," said April Swancey, in-CIRCLE Case Manager.
Spring Fever Celebration
Child Abuse Prevention Month Activities
Canopy Center of Excellence team held a Spring Fest week to celebrate the return of warm weather and beautiful days.
In observation of Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month, Canopy South Mississippi Child Advocacy Center presented pinwheels to members of the community to bring awareness to this important issue. During the month, the also recognized imporant members of their community with appreciation baskets. The media even took interest in the month as WXXV interviewed the team, as well as wore blue in observance of the month.
Employees pre-order through payroll deduction. Additional tags can be purchased through payroll deduction for $33 each.
JUNE
MAY
05/01 - Heidi Noel 05/02 - Haylie Hammett 05/03 - Jasmine Ford 05/04 - Alyson Woodruff 05/05 - Jalen Ingram 05/06 - Caroline Hewes 05/07 - Brandi Beyer 05/07 - Mollie Montgomery 05/08 - Kym Williams 05/10 - Shea Hutchins 05/11 - Tannual King
05/11 - Daniel Van Court 05/13 - Cassidy Redding 05/14 - Lisa Carson 05/16 - LaVeda Hawkins 05/17 - Connie Anderson 05/17 - Angela Chambers 05/17 - Marcus Ginn 05/17 - Frances McCullough 05/18 - Jeffery Turner 05/20 - Albert McCune 05/21 - Faith Moore 05/22 - Candy Rafal
MAY
Congratulations to the Canopy team members on their years of service.
05/22 - Bernita Simmons 05/23 - Jody Herring 05/23 - Brandy Overstreet 05/24 - Darious Lang 05/25 - Rachel King 05/26 - Francis Akponwei 05/26 - Chiquita Scott 05/26 - Carolyn Tureaud 05/28 - Christi Hardy 05/29 - Bria Gates 05/30 - Brenna Morris 05/31 - Shannon Prince
Patricia Harden - 15 Uurissa Crowley - 11 Taheti Watson - 10 AnSonya Piernas-Mack - 9 Jimmy Creekmore - 8 Tarkesha Bullock - 7 Vicki Husband - 6 Arthur McLaughlin - 6 Rosezena Adams - 5 Billy Barnes - 5 Chasity Davis - 5 Patricia Smith - 5 Magan Williams - 5 Craft Miles - 4 Haylee Morgan - 4 Breanna Newborne - 4 Satyn Adams - 3 Bria Gates - 3 Jay Jay Jackson - 3 Christopher Moore - 3 Ashton Ates - 2 Linda Jones - 2
06/01 - Ashley Robinson 06/01 - Mary Rushing 06/04 - Sylvia Hembree 06/04 - Jodie Wright 06/05 - Bridgette Edwards 06/05 - Terry Hight 06/05 - Manerva Smith 06/06 - Clare Sisk 06/08 - Tieshia Bell 06/08 - Jennifer Holmes 06/09 - Kimberly Johnson 06/10 - Bernice Murphy 06/10 - Phyllis Perteet-Owens 06/13 - Bertina Rice 06/14 - Odessa Thomas 06/17 - Ayannia Giles 06/17 - Dykesha Ivory 06/19 - Percy Brown IV
Jeffery Turner - 2 Madalene Barksdale-Mayfield - 1 Tiffany Benton - 1 Genevieva Bradford-Freeman - 1 Michelle Dallas - 1 Le'Alice Kern - 1
JUNE
Tonja Smith - 24 Albert McCune - 18 Maureen Long - 13 Carolyn Tureaud - 12 Robin Davis - 11 Nakisha Henderson - 11 Amanda Kirk - 11 Nicole McCree - 10 Anitra Bullock - 9 Kanasha Reese - 8 Lori Wartes - 7 Carolyn Dixson - 6 Jennifer Holmes - 6 Louis McGowan - 6 Michelle Brockington - 5
06/22 - Sharita Kincaid 06/22 - Steve Midgette 06/23 - Dustin Adams 06/23 - Amanda Jones 06/23 - Kim Jordan 06/25 - Theron Jenkins 06/26 - Toylasa Ross 06/29 - Tracey Webb
Elliott Brown - 5 Brandy Overstreet - 5 Kimberly Brockington - 4 Kate Christman - 4 Mahogany Hibbler - 4 Kim Jordan - 4 Shav McGrath-McIntosh - 3 Heidi Noel - 3 Johnathan Powell - 3 Tammye Reese - 3 Ken Bankhead - 2 Aimee Garrott - 2 Kim McElroy - 2 Faith Moore - 2 Kendra Hall - 1