July/August 2021
VOICES OF JOY
A newsletter for the employees of Canopy Children’s Solutions
LINK Provides Needed Resources and Education to Families in Mississippi Canopy Children’s Solutions (Canopy) relaunched LINK at the beginning of August. Canopy’s LINK provides families with resources, support, education and the training needed to reach their full potential and safely maintain their family in their home. “Canopy’s LINK has connections with community resources in Mississippi that assist families,” Yolanda Wooten, LINK Statewide Coordinator, explained. “Our teams will assist families with obtaining home essentials, food stability, affordable housing, employment, utility assistance, mental health services, applying for government assistances, job training, adult education, GED classes, substance abuse classes, healthy family interaction and community education.” LINK provides families and individuals assistance when they need it most. There are many reasons a family or individual would contact Canopy about LINK - if they’re in need of community resources, if there’s a family crisis, if the individual is finding it difficult to parent during the pandemic, or if there is increased stress in the home. The service is free to any family in need. A family can enroll in Canopy’s LINK by contacting a Care Coordinator’s at 800.388.6247 or visiting mycanopy.org/link.
“All of Canopy’s solutions can utilize LINK so we can work together to ensure our families are receiving the best services and resources available,” said Wooten. “Solutions can also utilize LINK when they need additional support for their families. If you are working with a Canopy family that would benefit from LINK, contact our Care Coordinators at 800.388.6247.” LINK’s network of Family Navigators and Family Advocates help identify potential stressors within a home and provide education classes to groups in their communities. Community education classes include: • Substance Abuse • Teen pregnancy prevention • Domestic violence • Child abuse and neglect • Warning signs of suicide/mental illness • Child development • Parenting in a pandemic • Formation and maintenance of two parent household LINK is offered statewide with teams in Jackson, Greenville, Olive Branch, Meridian, Tupelo, Hattiesburg, Starkville, McComb and Gulfport, Mississippi. LINK is funded by a grant through the Mississippi Department of Human Services.
Overcoming the Enemy of Hope
John D. Damon, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer
Fear is the enemy of hope. Author Max Lucado describes the paralyzing effect of fear this way:
1. We have a clear goal – to transform lives and see every
“[Fear] sucks the life out of the soul, curls us into an embryonic state, and drains us dry of contentment. We become abandoned barns, rickety and tilting from the winds, a place where humanity use to eat, thrive and find warmth. No longer. When fear shapes our lives, safety becomes our god. When safety becomes our god, we worship the risk-free life. Can the safety lover do anything great? Can the risk averse accomplish noble deeds? No. The fear-filled cannot love deeply. Love is risky. They cannot give power to the poor. Benevolence has no guarantee of return. The fear-filled cannot dream wildly. What if their dreams sputter and fall from the sky? The worship of safety emasculates greatness.”
2. We have a clear pathway – the Canopy Way a. We have been inoculating our brains for change –
Our call to be a great organization for the kids and families of this state requires us to push away from the safety of a risk-free life so that we can dream wildly and love deeply. In other words, being an agent of change and an ambassador of hope requires that we be enemies with fear. But let me clarify that there are three different kinds of fear and not all of them are our enemy.
1. Positive stress or anxiety that happens in our everyday
life and works with us to accomplish our goals. For example, you experience enough stress about not getting a ticket that you go the speed limit or have enough stress about not gaining weight that you exercise. This positive stress briefly increases our heart rate and drives us toward positive behavior.
child become a success story!
“what we do is going to change.”
b. We have rooted ourselves to stand strong in the winds change – “why we do what we do (Canopy’s Mission and Core Values), will not change.”
c. We have been practicing the “smart” and “healthy” behaviors that will assure we live up to our brand promise – “how we do what we do will determine our success.”
3. We are committed to hope-giving willpower for each oth-
er – through mission moments in the context of relationships that matter and differences we celebrate to make us stronger. This propels us forward toward our shared goals.
In short, the enemy of hope (fear) will have no stronghold here at Canopy! Max Lucado’s quote at the top of this article contrasts the paralyzing effect in our lives and the lives of our children that is grounded in fear vs the courageous, forward-leaning life grounded in love. Our mission and our values compel us to act courageously for one another and those we have the privilege to serve. As we press forward in a context of all sorts of toxic stress, remember, we have the antidote of hope. “May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” - Nelson Mandela
2. Tolerable stress occurs in us when we have been terrified
about something. When the frightening event passes, if we are surrounded by supportive family, friends, and/or co-workers, the brain and body bounce back pretty quickly.
3. Toxic stress, however, is different and is what most of our children and many of us experience. When children (or adults) experience a stressful event that is not brief, but prolonged or occurs frequently, the impact on the brain and body is different. For example, prolonged exposure to physical, sexual or emotional abuse, bullying, community violence, chronic neglect, or loneliness will disrupt the brain development of a child, impact organ systems and place them on a trajectory for stress-related disease and various forms of cognitive impairment.
What does this teach us about our work with kids and how we can come alongside each other to keep our Canopy family safe and thriving? On the one hand, it teaches us that when fear is healthy, it reminds us of our limits and drives us to take constructive action. On the other hand, we learn that it is imperative that we must instill hope in the experience of toxic stress. In other words, hope that upholds (1) clear goal setting, (2) critical thinking to find pathways to the goal, and (3) supportive relationships who provide willpower in your life is the antidote for our brains and bodies who have experienced toxic stress. Certainly, the last 18-months have a historically unique time of stress. However, even in these moments of toxic stress, we 2 have great hope! How?
Help Kids Win! Canopy launched a multi-media campaign to encourage our communities to help kids win. The campaign includes commercials run in Jackson, Hattiesburg and on the Gulf Coast, a social media campaign and a resource website. The website encourages visitors to support Canopy’s many solutions, become engaged in our mission or explore resources available. Visit mycanopy.org/helpkidswin. Scan with your smartphone's camera to watch the Canopy Help Kids Win commercial.
COVID-19: Know the Facts Kim Jordan, RN, Canopy's CARES Center Director of Nursing, provides valuable information concerning the COVID-19 virus and vaccine.
COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 that can trigger what doctors call a respiratory tract infection. It can affect your upper respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, and throat) or lower respiratory tract (windpipe and lungs). It spreads the same way other coronaviruses do, mainly through person-to-person contact. How long after onset of symptoms are you infectious for COVID-19? Data indicates that persons with mild to moderate COVID-19 remain infectious no longer than 10 days after symptom onset.
How can you obtain a COVID-19 vaccine? Vaccinations are available at no cost from MSDH sites around the state and from local pharmacies and healthcare providers.
THE COVID-19 DELTA VARIANT • The Delta variant causes more infections and spreads faster than other variants of the virus that causes COVID-19. It may cause more than 2X as many infections.
• COVID-19 vaccines help prevent severe illness,
hospitalizations, and death from the Delta variant.
• Fully vaccinated people with the Delta variant infections
can spread the virus to others. However, vaccinated people appear to be infected for a shorter period of time.
How long does the coronavirus survive on surfaces? Coronavirus on surfaces and objects naturally die in hours to days. Warmer temperature and UV light will reduce the time the virus survives.
• Although vaccines are highly effective, they are not perfect
How does Coronavirus spread? The Coronavirus typically spreads from person to person through aerosols when they talk and breathe.
• Low vaccination rates in communities are driving the
What can you do to protect yourself and others from COVID-19? Wear a face mask, maintain at least a 6-foot distance, avoid large gatherings, socialize outdoors, get vaccinated, and wash your hands frequently.
• 98% of COVID-cases in Mississippi are not vaccinated or
Can the COVID-19 vaccine affect future pregnancy? There is no evidence that any of the COVID-19 vaccines affect future fertility.
• 87% of COVID-19 deaths are of those that are not
and there will be breakthrough infections. While the risk of breakthrough infections is low, there will be thousands of fully vaccinated who become infected. current surge in cases associated with the Delta variant.
As of August 18, 2021 partially vaccinated.
• 89% of people hospitalized in Mississippi are not vaccinated or partially vaccinated. vaccinated or partially vaccinated.
If I already had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine? Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19. It is possible to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 again and studies have shown that vaccination provides a strong boost in protecting people who have recovered from COVID-19.
Canopy COVID-19 Protocol Canopy Children's Solutions is following Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. Fully Vaccinated Employees –Do not need to quarantine if exposed to a positive case. Non-Vaccinated Employees – Will need to quarantine if they are exposed to a positive COVID-19 case. Employees will need to contact HR if they are exposed to a positive case or if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Employees should limit face-to-face meetings due to the increase of COVID cases. Use MS Teams or Zoom for group meetings where practical. As of August 12, 2021
Protect Against COVID-19. Safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are available for free for everyone living in the United States. Get Vaccinated: cdc.gov/coronavirus/vaccines
Amplifying the Voice of our Children and Families CustomerGauge provides a tool for our children to be heard
Kayla Erickson, Director of Quality and Evaluation
From the voice of our families, captured through CustomerGauge “Ms. Crowley and Ms. Jefferson have been great! They are always available to talk when I need them and that is important to us.” – MYPAC, Gulfport “Mr. Steve has been great with my son and for that I’m grateful.” – Canopy Behavioral Health Clinic Hattiesburg
The Quality and Evaluation Team and Canopy Engagement Team has spent the first half of 2021 experimenting with ways to enhance our youth/family experience process through CustomerGauge. We have been concentrating on increasing engagement, which we measure by our response rate (surveys completed vs surveys sent.) Engagement in this process ties directly to our core value - “The voice of our children and families always comes first.” We must provide opportunities for those we serve to share their voice while encouraging families to take advantage of those opportunities. Feedback is vital to measure how we’re doing at providing care and how we can improve our quality of care. We have seen some improvements in our family engagement, particularly early in the year. While we are celebrating this success, we still want to continue to encourage all of our families to share their voice through the CustomerGauge surveys.
“Mrs. Kiara and Mrs. Hart are great.” – Canopy Behavioral Health Clinic Jackson “Our therapist is excellent with communication, understanding, attention to details and our needs as well as assisting and getting her point across in a caring manner.” – Canopy Behavioral Health Clinic Gulfport Here are some of the ways we’re working to increase engagement: • Ensuring our surveys are brief and consolidated • Assuring the ability to gauge the experience across all solutions • Decreasing the frequency of survey administration to be less-burdensome on families • Continuing to drive awareness of CustomerGauge • Planning trainings to educate staff about CustomerGauge and the importance of encouraging families to share feedback • Developing materials to distribute to families to educate them about CustomerGauge • Enhancing reporting to drill down where responses are low for focused intervention • Bringing all solutions onto the platform By allowing families voices to be heard and identifying needed improvements, we will give our very best.
Canopy Community Hope Award Recipients Sarah Howe, Organizational Development and Training Manager
Spotlight Courses
We are spotlighting Relias courses each month via “Announcements” on your Dashboard. August’s spotlight courses are focused on trauma, and September’s courses will be about suicide prevention. We will be choosing 2 employees who have taken any of the spotlight courses each month to receive Boost points!
Continuing Education
Did you know that we have many courses approved for CE credit in Relias? If you are a social worker, LPC, or DMH certified professional, you have lots of choices! If you need help finding those courses or downloading your certificates, reach out to ODT.
New Trauma Curriculum
We are developing a new trauma training curriculum and are looking for a broad group of employees to test the training and provide feedback. Are you interested in getting involved with trauma training? Let me know at sarah.howe@mycanopy.org.
Hope is the belief Quarterly recipients of the that your future can be better than your past and you play a role in making it so. Hope refers to our ability to develop pathways (waypower) or mental strategies are due that will help us Contact your district manager to nominate achieve our goals a community partner who provides hope! and apply our agency (willpower) to these pathways. For many children and their families to move past their traumas and find hope, they will need individuals to help them set attainable goals and see their potential.
OCT. 5!
Quarterly, Canopy Children’s Solutions (Canopy) recognizes individuals in our community that provide pathways to hope to Mississippi children and families. Our most recent Canopy Community Hope Award recipients includes: • Kasy Ates, Sally Kate Winters Family Services • Kay Daneault, Mental Health Association of South Mississippi • Shukudala Clark Champion, 3 Circles Children’s Psychiatric Unit • Venessa Mitchell, Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services, Washington County • Amber Myers, Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services, Lamar County • Judge Marcie Southerland, Warren County Youth Court • Stephanie Newsome, Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services, Desoto County • Rhonda Turner, Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services, Alcorn County With the help of each of these individuals, Mississippi children and families’ lives are transformed.
Canopy employees Nakisha Henderson, Brooke Holloway and Jimmy Heath attended Managing Aggressive Behavior (MAB) Trainers training in Oklahoma.
Our next Community Hope Award nominations are due on October 5, 2021. Contact your district manager if you want to nominate a community partner that has helped provide a pathway to hope to our children and families.
Welcome to the Table where everyone's voice is heard.
Taheti Watson, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
"True belonging requires us to believe in and belong to ourselves so fully that we can find sacredness both in being a part of something and in standing alone when necessary…But true belonging is not something we negotiate or accomplish with others; it's a daily practice that demands integrity and authenticity. It's a personal commitment that we carry in our hearts." — Brene' Brown, Braving the Wilderness, 2015 As the events of 2020 unfolded, many organizations were blindsided by the need to prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Canopy Children's Solutions (Canopy) has been working on DEI efforts through our engagement activities. For over 10 years, we have conducted CEO roundtables, town hall discussions and employee engagement surveys which have provided avenues for employees to express their concerns. We can't create a fully inclusive workplace without fostering authenticity and creating a sense of well-being. That is why your voice matters. In September, you will receive an email from a Great Place to Work™ asking for participation in Canopy's annual employee engagement survey. In 2020, we scored 76% out of 100% prompting us to be recognized as a Great Place to Work. While we are excited about the designation, we still have important work to complete. We would like to hear your voice when you complete the survey. September is designated as National Hispanic Heritage Month honoring Hispanic Americans' culture, heritage, and contributions. In conjunction with Hispanic Heritage month, we invite all employees to share stories about their culture. By sharing stories of our heritage, others begin understanding and
accepting how different cultures weave a fabric of inclusion. Stories preserve culture and pass history from one generation to another. In essence, stories keep cultures alive. Upcoming in late August, you will be asked to share your story. You can submit your story in three ways: • By completing a form that will be included in the invitation. • Schedule a meeting with one of the DEI council members* who will listen to and record your story. • Record your story using your phone, send it to a DEI council member. Please share a picture with your story. Each week throughout September, we will showcase an employee's story celebrating their heritage. Diversity does not exist without inclusion. Inclusion will continue to be a vital part of our mission and core values because, at Canopy, relationships matter and our difference make us stronger. *DEI council members include Camille Agu, Eddie Delgado, Jody Herring, Lee Johnson, Heidi Noel, Candy Rafel, Taheti Watson and Yolanda Wooten.
CANOPY CHILDREN’S SOLUTIONS SPECIALTY CAR TAGS Show your support for Canopy Children’s Solutions by pre-ordering a Canopy car tag! FOR CANOPY EMPLOYEES ONLY:
You will be contacted when tags are available for pick up at your county tax collector’s office. When 300 tags are pre-ordered, tags will be manufactured.
Canopy will pay $15 for one vehicle’s tag owned by a Canopy employee. The Canopy employee is responsible for the remaining $18 to pre-order the tag. Only available for the first 300 tags pre-ordered. Currently, 119 tags are pre-ordered. Employees must preorder tag through payroll deduction and by completing application. Additional tags can be purchased through payroll deduction for $33. Contact Kea Hart, kea.hart@ mycanopy.org for a copy of the application.
Scan with smartphone's camera to watch an employees "why" for ordering the tag
What does the new value “Relationships matter and our differences make us stronger” mean to you?
SMCAC MDT Commitment Event
Magan Williams – Tupelo - At Canopy, we are more than just a group of individuals. We are a family. Exploring our differences allows communication to erupt, and then relationships begin to flourish. Through this connection, we are able to break down barriers, build interpersonal and community relationships, and develop each person’s strengths in order to help them thrive. Lisa Zimmerman – Gulfport – Canopy’s new core value encompasses that our relationships with one another matter, although we come from many different walks of life we can come together for a common goal. This definitely reflects of what we do as an organization, by servicing people from all backgrounds. Although we may have different perspectives, it allows us to come together as one. Each of us brings something unique to the table allowing for more innovativion to better serve families and each other. Shannon Prince – Hattiesburg - The “Relationships matter” core value has always been my favorite. By adding “our differences make us stronger” it is even more powerful. We have to value differences if we want to have meaningful relationships. It applies to the work we do a great deal. By taking the opportunity to get to know and learn from the different people we are in contact with, we can better serve our children and families. Tarkesha Bullock – Jackson - When I think about the new core value, I think about all our different backgrounds, culturally or educationally. I feel that our different backgrounds make our organization stronger. Because each team member can bring something unique to discussions, we can brainstorm different, creating ideas for helping our children and the families reach their full potential.
Tips from Vigilant Health
Physical activity plays a major role in one’s physical and mental well-being. The average person should try to get in some type of exercise most days of the week. It's never too late to start and you can move at your own pace. In addition to weight loss/control, there are countless benefits of exercise. Heart Disease: Exercise helps to reduce your risk of heart disease by strengthening your heart and improving circulation. Diabetes: Exercise helps the body lower blood sugar levels and helps insulin work better. Smoking Cessation: Exercise can help reduce your cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier to quit smoking. Mood/Mental Health During exercise, your body releases chemicals that can improve mood and aid in relaxation. Sleep: Exercise helps you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Upcoming FREE Vigilant Health Training: • 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 If you would like a free health screening, contact 800.639.2621.
Canopy South Mississippi Child Advocacy Center's (SMCAC) Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) recently committed to protect children from maltreatment. Each handprint represents a commitment to keep a child safe.
SEPTEMBER
09/01 - Tarkesha Bullock 09/01 - Angel Shelton-Willis 09/01 - Inez Stapleton 09/02 - Arletta Butler 09/02 - Jeremiah Hill 09/03 - Daveda Freeman 09/03 - Ruby Todd 09/06 - Danielle Lowther 09/07 - Veronica Ducksworth 09/07 - Samantha Harris 09/07 - April Johnson 09/07 - April Swancey 09/07 - Monica Thomas-Hurst 09/08 - Brady Davis 09/08 - Ashley Kinnard
09/26 - Kasondra Cooper 09/26 - Raven Logan 09/28 - Mary Derby 09/28 - Dominic Freeman 09/28 - Catherine Moore 09/28 - Arthur Ring 09/28 - Haley Toups 09/08 - Charles Lacy 09/30 - Joanna Chandler 09/08 - Sheila Milton 09/30 - Renita McMath 09/08 - Yolanda Smith-Callahan 09/30 - Kantra Reid 09/09 - Jasmine Hardy 10/01 - Alecia Moran 09/10 - DaMoise Brown 10/01 - Jeanette Wilson 09/13 - Billy Barnes 10/02 - LaShonda Barnett 09/15 - Robin Davis 10/02 - Reneshia Blakney 09/15 - Cheryl Fisher 10/04 - Christiana Jefferson 09/16 - Michelle Dallas 10/05 - Tina Cross-O'Bannon 09/19 - Conashya Young 10/05 - Leslie Holmes 09/19 - Tara Young 10/05 - Erica Jenkins 09/21 - LaShonna Fletcher 10/08 - Titus Braboy 09/24 - Jimmy Heath 10/08 - Robyn Brewer 09/24 - Tammy Miller 10/08 - Lawanica Thomas 09/24 - Shavvone Williams 09/25 - Vicki Revell-Smith
SEPTEMBER
Congratulations to the Canopy team members on their years of service.
Cindy Gibson - 30 Carla Jones - 26 Pamela Jones - 24 Suzanne Reeves - 13 Phyllis Perteet-Owens - 10 Teresa Ledger - 10 Jeanette Wilson - 9 Scottie Landown - 9 Kym Williams - 8 LaWanda Fluker - 7 Catherine Moore - 7 Donna Thornhill - 7 Candace Wyatt - 6 Lindsay Apostolopoulos - 6 Alecia Moran - 6 Kasondra Cooper - 6 Audrey Dodd - 5 Veronica Ducksworth - 5 Victoria Ulmer - 4 Miranda Furnace - 3 DaMoise Brown - 3 Chris Furlow - 3 Monique Watson-Williams - 3 Sylvia Hembree - 3 Mollie Montgomery - 3
OCTOBER
10/01 - Alecia Moran 10/01 - Jeanette Wilson 10/02 - LaShonda Barnett 10/02 - Reneshia Blakney 10/04 - Christiana Jefferson 10/05 - Tina Cross-O'Bannon 10/05 - Leslie Holmes 10/05 - Erica Jenkins 10/08 - Titus Braboy 10/08 - Robyn Brewer 10/08 - Lawanica Thomas 10/11 - Brenda Hobbs 10/11 - Kashay Newton 10/12 - Stephanie Walker 10/14 - Wesley Garner 10/14 - Kelsey Ann Hinton 10/14 - Carolyn Pierce 10/15 - Chelsea Campbell 10/16 - Muna Eltom 10/17 - Dale Trussell 10/18 - Pamela Jones 10/18 - Maria Perry 10/19 - Shawn Dishmon 10/19 - Shinese Leach
Eva Newson - 2 Sara Kline - 2 Jasmine Everett - 2 Katrina Griffith - 2 Cassidy Redding - 2 Sharon Travis - 2 Amber Taylor - 1 Drake Sanders - 1 Marissa Johnson - 1 Carmelia Perkins - 1 Randolph Brown - 1 Shanner Rule - 1
OCTOBER
Loretha Dudley - 28 Casandra Poullard - 26 Pam Foster - 21 Terry Hight - 20 Gina Rollins - 14 Chiquita Scott - 12 Sherry Perrin - 12 Justin Walton - 11 Whitney Jackson - 8 Genny Bigbie - 7 Jasmine Hardy - 6 Latoya Pittman - 6
10/19 - Arthur McLaughlin 10/20 - Penne Worsham 10/21 - Sara Kline 10/22 - Barbara Buie 10/22 - Louis McGowan 10/22 - Casandra Poullard 10/22 - Donna Thornhill 10/23 - Audrey Dodd 10/23 - Cheryl Scott 10/24 - Rachael Caldwell 10/24 - Ashley Denson 10/25 - Debbie Brooks 10/25 - Shanner Rule 10/25 - Patricia Smith 10/25 - Taylor Wisvari-Weir 10/26 - Ashleigh Davis 10/27 - Julie Towe 10/27 - Tabitha Weathersby 10/28 - Pam Foster 10/28 - Kimberly Young 10/30 - Rebecca Reed 10/30 - Edwina Thomas 10/31 - Raven DuBose 10/31 - Erica Sanders
Demarius Tolliver - 5 Jasmonique Boyd - 5 Brenna Morris - 4 Daphne Littleton - 4 Dianco Mallett - 4 Eddie Delgado - 3 Alyson Woodruff - 3 Angie Sides - 3 Dennis Williams - 3 Shirlonda Mays - 3 Jennifer Chesney - 3 Danielle Lowther - 2 Gertrica Harris - 2 LaVeda Hawkins - 2 Channing Dumas - 1 Felicia Downs - 1 Keshia Williams - 1 Amanda Burress - 1 Brooke Holloway - 1 Kelli Walker - 1
You can help too!
Amazon Smile lets you order through Amazon and a percentage of your purchase price goes to Canopy. Just register your Amazon.com account Just a minute of your time at http://smile.amazon.com/ch/64-0303085 .
can help Canopy raise additional funds.
Register your Kroger Plus card to help raise money for Canopy. Every time you purchase, we get a percentage of that sale. It will not affect your fuel points. You must register your card every year for Canopy to continue to receive benefits. Register online at www.krogercommunityrewards.com. Search for Canopy Children’s Solutions or NPO number 32816.