Hoyletonian Fall 2020 by Hoyleton Youth and Family Services

125 HOYLETONIAN FALL | 2020

YEARS YEARS

CARE Today. CHANGE Tomorrow.

Contents 03 05 06 08 10 13 14 16 18

President's Letter

Events

HOYLETON Board of Directors

KELLY BANDY, Chair ANN STEPHENS, Vice Chair KAREN HOLTGREWE, Secretary MIKE AUFFENBERG DONNA DAVIS

Your Tax Deductable Donations

REV. BOB GODDARD PATRICE HOWARD REV. DON JONES

Leading the Way in Diversity, Equity & inclusion Hoyleton Accepts the Challenge FORWARD Counseling Care by Hoyleton

Mental Health is All-Inclusive

AMY MISTLER STEPHEN SHEVLIN LARI VANDERPOEL DR. TRON YOUNG SONJA UZZEL REV. IVAN HORN, Ex Officio CHRIS L. COX, Ex Officio

Puentes de Esperanza Board of Directors REV. DON JONES

We are the Champions

ANN STEPHENS LARI VANDERPOEL

Honors, Memorials & Gifts-in-Kind

CHRIS L. COX, Ex Officio BRICE BLOOM-ELLIS, Ex Officio

Challenging times highlight how essential we are to southern Illinois In our 125-year history, we’ve helped thousands of families and children face unimaginable life challenges. I am very proud of the ways we step in to help people in difficult times. Over the last six months, the need in our community has never been higher, and the way we respond to needs has never mattered more. These times require us to listen closer, lean into compassion and remain hopeful above all else. Our support is essential, and I am grateful that our team is always ready to respond.

you find a new way to connect and support Hoyleton in the hard work ahead. Our work is essential, and we are here to CARE for today and to CHANGE tomorrow. Thank you for supporting Hoyleton so we can continue to meet needs as they happen.

President & CEO

The coronavirus pandemic and recent events of racial injustice have left many families uncertain about their future. Our leadership team has carefully developed a plan to address these matters with employees, which will impact the ways we communicate and deliver our care moving forward. Telehealth technology is playing a pivotal role in our day-to-day client interactions. For services that require in-person treatment, we have equipped employees with the necessary PPE and training to keep everyone safe. Dr. Karla Scott, Professor of Communication at St. Louis University and national leader in diversity and inclusion in the workforce, has helped us address diversity in our culture and work practices. She began her work with us before the death of George Floyd, but her expertise has furthered our ability to build understanding and communicate more effectively in all communities. These efforts have comforted many families. The nonprofit sector plays a unique and irreplaceable role in our nation and for Illinois. Our work, passion and mission-driven mindset are vital to an effective response in times of crisis. We must remain purposeful and build a community of like-minded organizations and leaders to help achieve our collective goals. With our connection to key policymakers, we are leading the conversation about resources and priorities that can help people and communities grow. In this Hoyletonian, you will read more about our work during these critical moments. You will learn how Hoyleton was moved to the frontlines of the COVID-19 response, providing food, shelter assistance and counseling care to children and families. Additionally, you will read about the delivery of critical services to people disproportionately disrupted by business closures, job loss and illness. We hope these stories help

Vandour Court | Almost HOME Prior to the COVID pandemic, Hoyleton purchased a residence in Belleville to support a new pilot program in southern Illinois. The program is designed to assist youth in stepping down out of our residential care program and give them a true home setting to help them transition back into the day-to-day lives they will be going home too. The house will be occupied by the first residences and staff in early 2021. While the program is still being finalized, the home is being renovated and updated. As with other Hoyleton programs, we work to reenforce the structure internally to reflect the look externally. The home will be able to house 3 youth and is only one of the four needed homes to support the plans of the Hoyleton Program.

HOYLETON Executive Team CHRIS. L. COX, President & CEO BRICE BLOOM-ELLIS,

Chief Program Officer

ALICE DROBISCH, Director of Philanthropy JENNIFER COX, Director of Information Systems & Performance Improvement KRISTEN SHINN, Director of Community Support Services LAURA HUGE, Director of Finance MONTE MISTER, Director of Theraputic Residential Care SHANNON MOORE, Corporate Secretary

BEFORE

SHARON SCHULTZ, Director of Child Welfare Services STEPHANIE TESREAU, Director of Communications & Marketing TINA KAMPWERTH, Director of Clinical Services WANDA HARDEN, Director of Human Resources

AFTER 4

GOLF CLASSIC

It was a Hole-In-One! Each year our Hoyleton Golf Classic seems to fall on the hottest day of the year! Well, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we had our Golf Classic in October! The weather was more crisp, the leaves were beginning to fall. With all the signs of fall, a more enjoyable Golf Classic and COVID didn’t harm us, but helped us make it a success. We were so thankful to have 120 golfers that made up

30 teams.

The Flight Winners were: Flight A: 1st Place: “Old Pros” (53) 2nd Place: Wayne Barber Team (54) 3rd Place: Tim Boyce Group C (55) Flight B: 1st Place: Heartland Children’s Fund (59) 2nd Place: Tim Boyce Group B (60) 3rd Place: Benefit Services LLC (62) Flight C: 1st Place: Heartland Children’s Fund (59) 2nd Place: Tim Boyce Group B (60) 3rd Place: Benefit Services LLC (62) We are also very blessed to have been teed-up by our sponsors:

Assurance Agency Ltd. Auffenberg Dealer Group CompuType IT Solutions Dunlop Investment Group Larry & Pat Kaburick Laner Muchin, LTD

Hope for the

Holidays

Hope for the Holidays A Look Ahead Past COVID In these unprecedented times, one thing is for certain – December will be here before we know it and it will be time to celebrate Jesus’s birth! At Hoyleton it has become tradition that our youth are remembered through gifts and celebrations. Although it may look a little different this year, we will be moving forward with our Hope for the Holidays Christmas Drive. Your support will be the needed to make this project a success. Be on the lookout for emails and phone calls….we will be keeping you apprised of our plan. Although change is inevitable, below are a couple important dates to get you started thinking about how you can help. • November 9th - Wish lists from our youth and families will be ready for distribution. • December 2nd - All gifts wrapped, tagged and returned to our office. We are doing everything possible to work through this project safely for everyone! If you have any questions, or would like to know more, please contact Meghan at 618.688.7092 or via email at mmurphy@hoyleton.org.

Merrill Lynch - Chris Bagwell St. Paul UCC - Columbia, IL Spencer Fane LLP Wirth Insurance Agency - Sam & Kathleen Habermehl

Your Tax Deductible Donation can Help Hoyleton! During these difficult times, The CAREs Act has implemented a plan that will help you, as a tax payer, and your charity of choice. Your opportunity to assist Hoyleton Youth and Family Services during this time of need is truly appreciated. Over the past six months, Hoyleton staff has impacted more youth and families than ever, we have added hundreds of new relationships in the community. Through partnerships and donors, we have provided food, PPE equipment, hygiene products, self-care assistance, housing resources, utility payments, health needs and counseling services to individuals and families. According to the CAREs ACT there is a universal deduction for donations up to $300. For the over 9 out of 10 people who no longer itemize their charitable giving, the CARES Act will allow these individual taxpayers to deduct donations to charity of up to $300 on their 2020 federal tax return, even though they take the standard deduction. Married-filing-jointly taxpayers will get an

YEAR END GIVING THROUGH A REQUIRED IRA DISTRIBUTION Over 70 ½ Use your required minimum distribution (RMD) and avoid income tax you would otherwise have to pay on mandatory withdrawals. This benefit is available to itemizers and non-itemizers alike and requires only a few simple steps. •

Donor must be age 70 ½ or older at the time of transfer

•

The maximum amount a donor may transfer per year is $100,000

•

The gift must be outright. Gifts to donor advised funds or to life income vehicles do not qualify

•

The gift must be transferred directly from the IRA account by the IRA administrator to Hoyleton Youth and Family Services.

Please contact Alice Drobisch, Director of Philanthropy, at 618.688.7094 if you would like additional information.

above-the-line deduction of up to $600. For those donors who are still able to itemize their deductions, and therefore directly write off gifts to Charity, the current deduction cap is 60% of adjusted gross income. Corporations are able to deduct charitable donations up to 10% of taxable income. All of us at Hoyleton are committed to moving forward during this pandemic. With your help, and our determination, we will continue to serve youth and individuals in the best possible way possible. Please know that your support is needed as we continue to expand our services to more youth and families than ever before. If you would like to have a cup of coffee to discuss how your support can benefit Hoyleton, I would love to schedule a time that we can do so. Your passion for Hoyleton, helps shape the future.

Alice Drobisch 6

HOYLETON is seeking individuals who want the freedom to follow their passion and be empowered to do what is right and needed.

Hoyleton is a place were your faith, values and skills can all be brought out to serve and enable those in need. We are bound togehter by our passion to serve. Through innovative tools and programs, we and our people remain at the forefront of social services and social justice. Hoyleton is an organization truly defined by our people. Together, we change lives and communities for the better.. Competative Wages Health Insurance Dental & Vision Insurance Opportunity for Advancement

Phylicia, Foster Care Licensing Worker

Vacation Time Sick-Time Personal Time Work Flexibility

Cristal, FORWARD CARE Coordinator Anthony, Residential Shift Lead

We coming together through a shared mission to raise up the lives of those in underserved communities. Our work today changes their lives for the better tomorrow. This is a career in which your care and empathy, along with our innovative programs enable those in need to assure a brighter future for you, them, us and our communities.

! n a c e W

HSA Plan 401b & Match Paid Holidays Tuition Reimbursement

you yourself

Can see

working here?

Apply today at hoyleton.org/careers

Leading the way in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion “Certain conditions continue to exist in our society which must be condemned as vigorously as we condemn riots. But in the final analysis, a riot is the language of the unheard and what is it that America has failed to hear? It has failed to hear that the plight of the Negro poor has worsened over the last few years. It has failed to hear that large segments of society are more concerned about tranquility and the status quo than about justice, equality and humanity. And so in a real sense our nation’s summers of riots are caused by our nation’s winters of delay. And as long as America postpones justice, we stand in the position of having these recurrences of violence and riots over and over again.” Not knowing the context of this speech, many would think it was written in 2020 with the racial injustice we see across our country. But in fact, it was part of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s speech in 1967. It demonstrates how little progress has been made since, not just with African-Americans, but across many other social, racial and gender groups that have struggled with inequality, such as Latinx and the LGTBQ+ populations. Inequalities affect the lives of so many Hoyleton serves daily. We realized that sitting idle is not acceptable. As an organization an opportunity to step forward and be a leader allowed us to fight for the rights of those underserved and unheard.

Bringing Expertise to the Table In 2019, the leadership team sought the knowledge needed to help address these important issues, both in the communities of southern Illinois and internally among the Hoyleton team. “We reached out externally and were connected with Dr. Karla Scott,” says Chris Cox, President and CEO of Hoyleton. “Karla was the director of the African American Studies program at Saint Louis University and

long studied and taught on racial and gender inequities in our society.” Dr. Karla Scott, a current professor in the department of communication of Saint Louis University, was willing to come talk with Hoyleton’s team members at a spiritual retreat. “Hoyleton’s mission resonated with me,” says Dr. Scott. “The theme was around connectedness, which as a communications scholar is important when talking about making human connections. The team understood that this was a big part of their mission and the outcomes would affect others’ lives.” What started out as a role of facilitator and observer evolved into a larger role over the past year within the organization as Dr. Scott provided counsel into strategies and initiatives to strengthen diversity, equity and inclusion within Hoyleton. “Organizations are made up of individuals, and they are the ones who implement this internally and through their work, so it’s important that they are involved at all levels and steps,” explains Dr. Scott.

PEER into a community of practice As part of the broader effort, Hoyleton recruited staff across roles and levels to take part in the PEERS advisory council. The council is charged with supporting Hoyleton’s initiatives and advocating for and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the organization. “Where organizations sometimes misstep is thinking that it is a one and done process,” says Dr. Scott. “They have one session and think that the workforce is educated and they can check it off. In fact, it needs a long-term solution to get to the full transformation we seek … a transformation of the individual, the organization and the community they support. Centuries of policies and inequities can’t be dismantled and fixed in a day.” “We knew that the solutions we wanted were only going to come about if we integrated it into what we do and who we are,” says Chris. “This can’t just be a top-down initiative. Everyone must be involved, thus our PEERS trail blazers. This is not only important to Hoyleton, but to all the people who work here and the communities we continue to support and strengthen.”

A voice for those who have none In addition to the work Hoyleton is doing at the organizational and local levels, they are also using their

leverage to have a voice at the state level.

How you can help

“We need to be a leader and have a voice for those who have none,” says Chris. “One example is simply language used in state contracts and job postings. So much of it puts certain people at a disadvantage and when asked why, it’s simply because the language has always been that way. That’s not a good enough answer any more.”

To learn more and further help support Hoyleton Youth & Family Services in its mission to enable all people and to realize the wholeness of life that God intends, please visit: www.hoyleton.org/ways-to-donate.

Hoyleton continues to work with state officials to help bring balance to laws, contracts and legislation that have long gone overlooked.

The long road ahead “I am a native East St. Louisian and I’m fully aware of the disparities that have existed here with education, wealth and health,” says Dr. Scott. “Just looking at the environment today with COVID-19, it further puts those underserved communities at a disadvantage.” While we continue to educate children remotely, their safety net of a classroom setting of a social, physical, and emotion support are not met. Hoyleton continues to work to find ways to support children and families across southern Illinois as these disparities widen and have life-long implications. “We are working to provide hope and help these children and families in any way we can, so they can thrive and be a positive part of their communities,” says Chris. “What Hoyleton is doing is not only the right thing for them to do, but for all organizations and communities to do,” explains Dr. Scott. “In an unjust system, so many of the people who have the resources and support benefit from many of these disparities, but they are also the ones who can help and provide hope to those who are left behind.” It goes back to connectedness and human relationships. “The cultural, social and economic situations today look different as the context has changed,” says Dr. Scott. “We must ask ourselves how we got here, what we need to do, how we do it and what we do to further adjust … It is an ongoing cycle of improvement. Not addressing those gaps today causes long-term implications tomorrow.” Chris says, “For us, this is a call to action…It is embedded in our mission to create opportunities for children and families to have strong futures.” “Everyone should be offered the same opportunities.”

Dr. Karla Scott

Hoyleton

Accepts the CHALLENGES

“This is a time to be brave and rise to the challenges that face us,” said Chris Cox, President and CEO of Hoyleton Youth & Family Services, to his team back in early 2020. The global pandemic forced Hoyleton to face new challenges head-on that it had not foreseen, all while ensuring the essential services it provided children and families went uninterrupted. “We knew that we had to step in to help people during this difficult time as their needs had never been higher and our services never mattered more,” says Chris. “Compassion and empathy led our decision-making and our team responded in every way.”

Equipping Employees with Technology & PPE First, the Hoyleton team had to devise a safe plan to provide their services to those who relied on them. “We moved many of our services to virtual sessions, whether video conferencing or over the phone,” says Kristen Shinn, Director of Community Support Services. “We had to work hard to build trust and relationships with our new clients. It was their first time meeting us,

and that’s not an easy thing when it’s not face-to-face.” The team also looked to social media to provide seminars and education that normally took place in a classroom setting. “We were able to utilize Facebook to administer virtual workshops and live events,” says Kristen. “This allowed us to continue to help those in need without missing a beat.”

Many of Hoyleton’s prevention services for children revolve around partner schools, many that moved to online classes. “We knew we had to be flexible to each school in how we provided our services, whether it would be live in a social-distancing environment, a virtual classroom or a hybrid of both,” says Kristen.

United Congregations of Metro-East (UCM) to do a Facebook live Census Event. This event helped answer questions many immigrant familieshad related to the Census. Really, it was going beyond our usual services to find new ways to support them during extraordinary times.”

“For live sessions, we made sure to equip our teams with the proper PPE so they could conduct the meetings and workshops safely,” says Chris. “The safety of our teammates and clients has always been of the utmost importance.

In addition, Holyeton jumped in and provided three COVID test sites with bilingual interpreters to assist with testing, serving

more than 300 people.

Support from both Spirit Church of North County and the Meridian Health Device Grant further helped Hoyleton provide much needed help. “The Meridian funds went directly towards securing 40 Chromebooks for foster care and Puentes families for remote learning,” says Kristen. “And the Spirit Church donation allowed us to provide food for 210 youth and families distributed by Puentes.” Hoyleton became a committee member for the Immigrant Family Emergency Response Fund to further assist 675 families impacted by the pandemic with cash assistance.

Helping the Hard-hit Latinx Community Established in 2001, Puentes de Esperanza: Bridges of Hope provides assistance to the Latinx community in the Metro-East. The program began as a support to the growing Latinx population in the region and has become a leading provider in the region to assist Spanishspeaking families in need.. “When COVID hit, we knew that there would be even greater challenges across this community. We wanted to make sure our services continued but also find new ways to support them” says Kristen. Many families faced job losses or reduced hours and began to have health issues that prevented them from getting to work. “We had to explore new avenues to assist due to the various challenges families were facing,” says Kristen. “We participated in nine community food drives as well as partnered with

“We are proud of the way numerous agencies across southern Illinois came together during this time,” says Chris. “We continue to have weekly calls with community agencies that serve the Latinx community.”

Partnerships and Funding Expand Assistance “One fundamental strength of Hoyleton is the tremendous partnerships we have created over the years,” says Chris. “Through collaboration and additional funding, we can provide even more assistance to our communities.” Working as part of the East St. Louis Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD), the coalition could conduct multiple food drives across the community, helping to pick up and distribute the items at local libraries. Beyond making sure people didn’t go hungry, COAD also provided relief funds for rent, utilities and coordination amoung community agencies. Additionally, Hoyleton was able to secure new grants and donations. “These additional streams are truly a lifeline to so many people that we help day-in and day-out,” says Chris. Along with relief funds through the Small Business Association PPP loans, Hoyleton secured funds through Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), United Way, GCS Bank and Poshard COVID Response Funds. (continued on the next page)

says Chris. “This isn’t disappearing tomorrow, and with winter approaching, the impact will only be greater. This is why our mission remains true to our original calling to serve those in need.”

How You Can Help To learn more and further help support Hoyleton Youth & Family Services in its mission to enable all people and to realize the wholeness of life that God intends, please visit: hoyleton.org/ways-to-donate.

(from page 11)

“The United Way funds allowed us to provide utility assistance, food and essential items to families,” says Kristen. “In total, we have helped 424 people living in 87 households in the region.” The ICIRR funds allowed the organization to help an additional 27 households with essential items and utility bills, while GCS Bank’s donation gave required assistance to those in need. As a Poshard COVID-19 Relief Funds recipient, the team delivered items for 18 foster families in addition to 49 Hoyleton residential youth at its seven cottages. The items included education materials, technology items to allow for improved access to mental care, emergency access to food and basic toiletries and activity items to strengthen the caregiver-child relationship. “We can’t say enough to these providers for helping us, and more so, helping the people we support in a time of their greatest need,” says Chris.

From a Sprint to a Marathon Hoyleton remains on the frontlines of COVID-19 response, providing food, shelter assistance and counseling care to children and families. The delivery of critical services to people disproportionately disrupted by business closures, job loss and illness has been essential. As the pandemic continues, Hoyleton knows the needs of the communities aren’t going away. “What started out as a sprint to adjust our services in the wake of COVID has turned into a marathon,”

port e to sup I choos because they s, n Hoyleto lp local familie e i h n ce aim to cts. It’s al a p m i l a he loc with re o help t the t e l b a to be d see nity, an hey are u m m o T c results. it positive g people, and n i v truly lo l, . s Woeffe show - Kevin er Volunte

Hoyleton Launches a New Brand for Their Community Counseling Services Program To meet the growing demand for mental health treatment services in southern Illinois, Hoyleton has launched Forward Counseling Care. Forward Counseling Care by Hoyleton offers immersive and compassionate mental and behavioral health counseling services for children, adults and families in need of greater well-being. The clinical team is culturally and ethnically diverse to meet the needs and experiences of our clients. The team can provide a large range of interventions and all services are based on a personable approach that focuses on a client’s whole-health.

Counseling programs are available to organizations and businesses across the region as well. Mental Health First Aid is a featured program for organizations that trains corporate employees to first-responders on mental health issues and how to address someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Forward Counseling Care by Hoyleton is now accepting new clients. Learn more about the programs and services available at www.forwardbyhoyleton.org.

At Forward Counseling Care, we meet clients whenever we are needed — appointment or not — and wherever we are needed — at work, at school, at home or in their community — and walk with them hand-in-hand. With different experiences, cultural backgrounds and expertise, our care team is able to understand and address the unique needs of each and every client. Learn more at www.forwardbyhoyleton.org.

Mental Health is All-Inclusive Hoyleton Youth and Family Services has been a champion and an advocate for youth and families for 125 years. Since its creation, it has been the mission to enable all people, young and old alike, to realize the wholeness of life that God intends. Hoyleton started and became an orphanage because of a cholera epidemic. However, the call to help youth and families continued and expanded, which now includes community-based programs and services. With the introduction of programs designed to support our distinct communities, Hoyleton strives to ensure equal and adequate access to mental health for all those we serve. “Minorities are not exclusive, they may struggle more to obtain mental health care, because of the societal stigmas, economic hurdles, generational views, and judgment from peers,” says Ameila Odom, Clinical Therapist.

Surprisingly, both the stigmas and fears of minority and non-minority groups are too similar. However, while we may all share this “invisible” affliction, equal access to obtain care may be a different story. “In today’s world of the unknown, it’s important for Hoyleton to be there for our communities,” says Tina Kampwerth, Director of Forward Counseling Care by Hoyleton. “We understand the growing need for mental health services and want to continue to be there when the going gets tough to support our neighbors.” With millions suffering from mental illnesses, African-American’s struggle with mental illness at an alarming rate. The question must be asked, “What is the shame in getting help on this particular infirmity?” Clinical Therapists, Amelia Odom, feels many in the African-American community promote

the “be strong” mentality. This attitude appears to be a generational issue Ameila stated that, “Parents of minorities have a different mindset. It is a sign of weakness. People are encouraged to suppress their feelings and ‘be tough.” Today’s youth, however, are growing in a world that encourages people to share their feelings and “be who you are.” Yet, parents and grandparents of minorities encouraging “toughness” and suppression of “weak” emotions cause confusion, uncertainty, and hesitation for minority youth to seek and accept help. Hoyleton continues to make significant progress in breaking the stigma of mental illness and is making substantial headway into eradicating the cycle of “shame” within communities of color. Programs such as the CARE model, HALO, Wraparound, LGBTQ+ Support groups, and other therapeutic initiatives take a holistic approach to treating the entire person. The behavioral health model, Forward Counseling Care by Hoyleton, has been implemented in many diverse communities to allow equal and adequate access to all who are seeking resources. The process of treatment is straightforward. Hoyleton’s therapists start by getting to know the individual, they want to know who they are inside and get beyond the “be tough” exterior. At times, breaking through and building trust is challenging. However, clients are more comfortable with mentors or counselors with whom

they can socially connect. Client treatment is more than getting to know a person. The program becomes specifically tailored to the individual. Counselors work to identify root cause, gain knowledge of the individual through conversation, set specific, attainable goals, and understand the realization that maybe it’s time to move forward. The therapist then develops a specific plan that best helps the individual. Therapy is not a one size fits all situation. Consistency is a key factor in developing trust.

At Hoyleton our purpose is to make sure all who have a need that needs to be met gets support, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. If you or someone you love struggles with mental illness, please reach out to us directly at 618-688-7040 or visit us online at www. forwardbyhoyleton.org. Forward Counseling Care by Hoyleton is here, and we are ready to help. To learn more about CARE and other programs, Hoyleton offers, please visit our website at www.forwardbyhoyleton.org.

“We understand the growing need for mental health services and want to continue to be there when the going gets tough to support our neighbors.”

Hoyleton is able to

serve the community

Accountability is a crucial factor in successful outcomes. Clients are ultimately responsible for their treatment plan. For treatment to be effective, the client needs to actively work the recommended program steps, trust in the process, and take responsibility for their own well-being. The expectation is set for clients to utilize learned coping skills and actively put them into place during and after treatment. Another significant part of treatment includes praise, empowerment, and a validation of feelings. The end goal is to ensure each client understands how to set goals, utilize tools to overcome life challenges and expect life will come with adversity. Hoyleton is actively supports the community and is doing work necessary to help, but we need your support to be more effective. The best way to help move forward with our mission, is to make people aware of Hoyleton’s programs, and commitment to the community it serves, by sharing our information. One of the best ways to address the stigma of mental health issues is to talk about them openly.

by offereing

Over 100 years

of counseling,

education, and expertise to

the community and clients we serve. 15

Hoyleton Launches New Technology Platform to Advance Care Delivery in Illinois In March of 2019, Hoyleton Youth and Family Services’ leadership gathered to discuss the organization’s priorities for the next fiscal year. A large focus of the meeting was to develop innovative ways the organization could better manage its significant growth across programs, especially in behavioral health and foster care services. It was viewed as a critical time to build efficiencies, develop staff and create program models that could help more people in the region. “Moving into 2019, our leadership and board recognized our quick expansions in some key areas. It was time for us to thoughtfully organize a

comprehensive plan that would allow us to help more people without compromising our quality of care or mission and values,” says Chris Cox, Hoyleton President & CEO. A key opportunity to support the organization’s expansion was the use of technology. Hoyleton was utilizing over 30 online platforms in various ways, but very few of the systems communicated with each other, and many were dated. These system inefficiencies created several challenges that disrupted staff’s everyday work. Important data entry activities required several hours to complete — time that could be better suited with our children and families that need us.

Jennifer Cox, Director of Information Systems & Performance Improvement at Hoyleton explains, “Technology can be such an asset to our impact as an organization if it is used correctly. We knew that if we could find the right ways to incorporate it in our delivery of care, clients and our staff would benefit greater.” To help Hoyleton imagine ways technology could support growth and further its impact, global consulting firm Slalom Consulting was invited to join the project. With their expertise and commitment to addressing every area of the organization, their team developed a plan to build a comprehensive online platform that could track important information in real time. The platform priorities focused on improving the client data collection as well as improve the communication and collaboration among our staff members. “With so many old, disconnected systems, it was hard for the Hoyleton team to work collaboratively while in their own spaces. Records often had to be manually copied and inputted into another system. This took to much time and caused the workers additional complications. It was our goal to design a system that allowed the staff to easily record data in one place and make that data accessible for other team members, so they could ask questions or make more informed decisions about their care when working with the same clients,” says Arathi Srikanta, Lead Consultant from Slalom. The Slalom team worked for over 11 months to build the platform. Along the way, they worked with the staff to test their experiences and interactions with team members as well as developed training protocols for a successful launch.

pain points. They also embedded themselves into our organization’s mission through volunteering, participating in fundraising events, and moved into our office spaces to be accesible. My worries vanished because I knew we had a trusted partner,” Jennifer Cox says. Since July 2020, most team members have worked through the platform training sessions. Each department has appointed System Champion’s that are responsible for communicating user feedback, answering questions, and being the internal support needed. The role is important to help streamline team communications and make implementation steps more personalized to each department’s needs.

The platform officially launched on September 1st and is being rolled out in all departments over the remainder of 2020. An employee-inspired campaign entitled “Care That Connects” launched on September 8th to highlight team member’s achievements with the new platform and to share ongoing tips to improve the organization’s collective impact in southern Illinois. Chris Cox says, “We’re privileged to launch a technology platform like this in our region, but people will always be the key to our success. This tool will enable us to reach new milestones in the years to come.”

Jennifer Cox “Embarking on a project of this scale with so much promise for the organization’s future made me anxious in the beginning. However, the Slalom team worked tirelessly to understand our staff and organization’s

To learn more about how Hoyleton is moving forward and leading the way with technology in our services, follow us on social media and stay up-to-date on our website stories.

Honors & Memorials September 2019 – July 2020 In Memory of

Earl Anderson Pat Mueller Edward Anderson Sandy Anderson Mildred M. Baltz John and Candance Baltz Marilyn Breitling Patrick Breitling Muriel Brockmeier Vernon Steiner JoAnn Steiner David Carroll Steve and Bonnie Thiems Jack Colclasure Sonny and Brenda Perry James and Mary Shoemaker Mark and Theresa Collier Virgil and Darleen Gummersheimer Nellie Dauderman June Bronnert Joan Deuser Bernell Deuser JoAnn Steiner Jeffrey Deutsch Sharon Deutsch Marlene Dickerson JoAnn Steiner Judith Dietz Daniel Dietz Lauren Christine Dowd John Rechtien Ken and Deborah Keilbach Matt and Anna Ryan Sr. The Orschells Marvin Erdmann Virgil and Darleen Gummersheimer Justin Erickson Leif and Pam Erickson Edith Faletti Jeannine Burk Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Feurer Sue Drewer Donald Freeland Cylde and Becky Trexler Jeff Gilbert William and Lillian Gilbert Gladys Grotefendt Earl Grotefendt

Tributes

Elmer and Esther Gummersheimer Virgil and Darleen Gummersheimer Anthony “Tony” Haislar JoAnn Steiner Dolores Hake Robert and Marilyn Guerrieri Jr. Jan Heichelbeck Casper Heichelbeck Beverly Hirstein Harold Hirstein Harvey Hoffmann Dorothy Brandt Louis and Mildred Hoffmann Carolyn Shields Vivian Horn’s Mother Ivan and Vivian Horn Leroy and Luella Hosto Gail VanWinkle Shirley M. Jackowski JoAnn Steiner Mildred and Lester Jehling Larry and Kathy Washausen Mr. and Mrs. Harold H. Keller Betty Ann Keller-Timmer Mevil and Stella Kielbach Evelyn Lashley Shane Knobloch Louis and Marlene Knobloch Ida Koelling Roger and Shirley Cunningham Patricia L. Kolditz Loren Kolditz Nancy J. Krauss Kenneth Krauss Tammie Mathis Charles Mathis Calvin McDaniel Alberta McDaniel Don Merkle Donna Merkle Opal Miller Randall and Margarite Miller Robert Miller Jane Shelton Cathy Moore Ron and Cindy Borkowski

Gifts from

Larry Moss David and Audrey Steiner Milton and Florence Mueller John and Janet Garleb Marge Palmer Kevin and Dorothy Kriesel Rev. Max Pepmeier Rev. Fred and Shirley Wehrenberg Elmer and Alice Plocher Joseph and Jean Jacober Joan Powers Richard and Connie Martin Alex Rahn Gerald and Joan Rahn Gilbert Rankin Anonymous Rev. and Mrs. Craig Reed Marvin and Ruth Redman Shirley Mae Riecker Leonard Riecker Glenda F. Rippelmeyer Ray Rippelmeyer Jr. Earl Ritter Kathleen Ritter Edith Ruehrup David and Audrey Steiner JoAnn Steiner Marvin C. E. Sackett JoAnn Steiner Richard Schifferdecker Charlotte Schifferdecker Mary Jane Scott Ed Scott Roy and Dorothy Skaer Dean and Jane Skaer Blanie Spies Pearl Spies Alvin P. Steiner JoAnn Steiner Edwin and Leona Wacker George and Alixa Wacker Donn and Lou Willeford The Family and Donn and Lou Willeford Lou Willeford June Childerson Kelly Johnson Mike and Carol McLear Lisa Mareschal Max and Stella Winsniewski Karen Liszewski

In Honor of Tributes

Gifts from

Lynn and Sheila Beil Shirley Anderson Julie Blumer Shirley Anderson Ron and Cindy Borkowski Shirley Anderson Larry and Tammy Brant Shirley Anderson Ima Brant Shirley Anderson Chris Cox Stefanie Thelen Jim and Barb Gifford Shirley Anderson Rev. Bob Goddard Elaine Heatherly Ronald and Lynda Sauer Walter and Carol Giffhorn David and Mary Mehrmann Nora Ruth Bennett Sam and Kathleen Habermehl JoAnne Odem

Fred Robinson and Betty Gerth Ed Wegner St. Paul United Church of Christ, Columbia Arlen and Shirley Harres Howard and Linda Held’s 40th Wedding Anniversary Shirley Anderson Aaron Kaburick and Patrick Wetzel Chris and Jennifer Cox Patricia Mueller’s Birthday Shirley Anderson Norma Pepmeier Rev. Fred and Shirley Wehrenberg Brenda Priesmeyer Shirley Anderson Orville and Lois Riepshoff’s 60th Wedding Anniversary David and Audrey Steiner JoAnn Steiner Linda and Robert Schmidt’s 50th Wedding Anniversary Dororthy Brandt

Ron and Kathy Schneider Shirley Anderson Keith Senior Anonymous Rev. Nancy Shubert Trinity United Church of Christ at Biddleborn Marissa Paul Sterrett Barbara Sterrett Cathy Williams John and Marcia Kabat Our Grandchildren, Isabell, George and Olivia Robert and Marge Wolfmeier Shannon Zawaske Les and Ann Stephens Gary and Pat Zilles Shirley Anderson Chad Zurliene’s Birthday Jerry and Karla Zurliene Jerry Zurliene’s Birthday Jerry and Karla Zurliene Kelli Zurliene’s Birthday Jerry and Karla Zurliene

Remember a loved one… Making a donation to Hoyleton Youth and Family Services is a meaningful way to honor or remember someone special. Your gift reflects your desire to make a lasting impact on the lives of others, just as your honoree has done for you. Whether you make an individual gift in honor of or in memory of that special someone, your contribution will make a difference. Memorial and tribute gifts are fully tax deductible and the recipient(s) of the tribute, or designated person in the case of a memorial gift, will receive a letter acknowledging your gift in their honor. For more information, or if you have questions, please reach out to the Development Department at adrobisch@hoyleton.org or (618) 688-7094 19

FALL 2020 ISSUE

8 Executive Drive, Suite 200 Fairview Heights, IL 62208 618.688.4727 www.hoyleton.org