An Idea is Born
FOUNDATIONS PIONEERCARE2022FALL
While causes of the workforce shortage are multiple, limited access to childcare is one major barrier for working parents with young children. The newest data shows that in Fergus Falls alone, 86 percent of children under five years old have all parents working. That’s 1001 children. At the same time, total licensed childcare capacity in Fergus Falls is just 497 children.
3. The workforce shortage limits Pioneer’s capacity to serve the needs of older adults.
A survey we completed in March 2022 identified a strong need for childcare among PioneerCare employee families. While some parents were satisfied with current arrangements, most said they’d prefer a different option or hadn’t been able to find suitable childcare. Employees indicated a strong preference for on-site childcare.
through Friday. Direct dependents of Pioneer employees (Pioneer Care Center, Pioneer Cottages, Pioneer Pointe, and PioneerLink) have priority placement. If capacity allows, PioneerKids may accept children from the greater community.
Your donation to the Foundation in any amount is sincerely appreciated and it will carry us closer to our goal in providing affordable and sustainable care for working families. By supporting PioneerKids Childcare, you’re connected.
In the brief time it’s been open, PioneerKids is already making a difference. With its location on the PioneerCare campus, the commute to work is simpler, employees have easy access to their children during breaks or in case the parent or guardian is needed, and children have intergenerational opportunities with Pioneer residents for activities and socialization.
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2. Those employees become part of the workforce shortage we’re experiencing and in turn,
Remember the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon? It was a popular party game in which players identified a random Hollywood actor and linked them to actor Kevin Bacon in six connections or less. For Pioneer, childcare is like Kevin Bacon in just three degrees:
While PioneerKids operates under a special family-based license, it offers many benefits of a larger childcare center, such as backup staffing to prevent closures due to provider vacation, training, and sick days. Creative work scheduling can help fit PioneerCare employees’ childcare needs, for example, by splitting a spot between two employees who each work only 2-3 weekdays.
PioneerCare is presenting a solution. PioneerKids offers early drop-off to accommodate day shift hours, serving children from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday
The stark reality is that PioneerKids will face economic challenges. Even with careful planning and watchful stewardship of resources, the program is anticipated to operate at a loss. For that reason, the PioneerCare Foundation has pledged its support.
The Kevin Bacon of Senior Care
1. Lack of childcare keeps some PioneerCare employees from doing the work they love.
Steve Guttormson
Just a few years ago, I hadn’t really seen a connection between access to childcare and access to elder care. Indeed, we’re connected.
WithNathangratitude,Johnson, CEO
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As you receive this issue of FOUNDATIONS, I hope you are well and enjoying the Fall season with your family and friends.
It is a beautiful time of year. There is something familiar and good about fall harvest season. We gather with people we care about, and with whom we share a common goal. It is a time for gathering in agricultural crops, the act of assisting neighbors, and the anticipation of a bountiful yield. However and with whomever you spend your time, I hope you sense God’s provision and blessing in your life.
Here at PioneerCare we are blessed with great people who believe in this mission, to promote quality of life in a Christ-like way for those we serve, by providing diverse and holistic care, focusing always on individual dignity and worth.
Nursing homes and assisted livings still face challenges exacerbated by the pandemic. Nonetheless, we turn our energy to finding solutions. We are thrilled to introduce PioneerKids to our campus. This employee benefit has already yielded wonderful results, and it is our hope that through PioneerKids we can continue to attract and retain mothers and fathers who make the honorable choice to be healthcare professionals. If that means they can enjoy their lunch break with their child, then so be it!
PioneerCare is a special ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). We believe every individual is made in the image of God, and that we are called to serve the most vulnerable adults among us. Our goal is to help everyone live exceptionally well. We believe careful management and strong community support are key ingredients to our success in lifting up this mission. Thank you to each one of you for your contributions. Your friendship and your support mean everything. As we enter the last quarter of 2022, please consider a tax-deductible year-end financial gift to the PioneerCare Foundation. In addition, stop in for a visit next time you find yourself in the neighborhood. We are open for visitors and your presence would brighten our day!
A Note from Nathan
needed to move ahead or put the idea into the drawer for the last time. We knew this idea was too good to be put into a drawer.”Last February, Patti started a focus group of employees to help identify what Pioneer was doing well and what changes could build and strengthen the workforce at Pioneer. “At our first meeting,” said Patti, “we identified a number of ideas, but they didn’t seem like things that would really make the necessary difference. Two gentlemen in the group piped up and asked us to talk about the real problem and that’s childcare. Surprisingly, these guys didn’t even have kids, but recognized our problem with an enthusiasm to make positive changes.”
So how does a long term care provider go about opening a childcare facility? “We knew we had the perfect space in an empty Pioneer Cottage,” explained Steve, “but we had a lot of pieces we had to whittle into place.” Thankfully, the idea was met with overwhelming support from the Board of Directors and PioneerKids was set in motion.
”Patti’s prodding helped give us the permission to seriously start digging into it. From there, we just kept putting pieces together one step at a time. We
The need was evident, but like any good idea, it seemed overwhelming. “It was hard to get past where to begin,” said Steve Guttormson, marketing and development director at PioneerCare.
Work and Family Balance
“It’s a little out of the ordinary for childcare and long term care to come together,” said Steve, “and for us it’s a new venture. We’re challenging the system a bit. We’re the first employer in the area to
Lisa Votaw
“We started talking about the need for childcare for our employees way back in 2018, and then again in 2020,” said Patti Fandrich, human resources director at PioneerCare. “The topic came up time and time again as we knew it affected the worker shortage. We had employees either leave, work less time, or change shift schedules just to manage their need for childcare. Most often when they changed to overnight shifts to be at home with their kids during the day, it didn’t last long. Those kinds of hours just don’t always work with family relationships.”
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PIONEERkids
Have you ever had an idea, one that rolls around in your head and keeps coming back as something that might really be a good thing? Then you let it slide for a bit because it seems overwhelming, or you just don’t know where to begin and move forward? It seems we’ve all been there, no matter the size or scope of our “good idea.” Pioneer is no exception, but their “good idea” is now a reality. In this issue, we are so pleased to introduce you to PioneerKids!
FOUNDATIONS
Withwork.”space available due to staffing shortages, it seemed the primary piece of the puzzle had fallen into place. “It’s an easy space to use for childcare,” said Steve. “When the licenser came in to inspect, almost everything we needed was already in place. It offered a perfect home-like environment with all the necessary things like sprinkler systems and an approved kitchen. We didn’t have to remodel; the space was perfect for a childcare.”
at PioneerKids.” Lisa has always offered a pre-school kind of education to her kids and intends to carry that model into PioneerKids. “I think we have a real gem here,” said Lisa, “we just need to polish it into the perfect program to support Pioneer staff.”
Lisa has been a licensed Childcare Provider for more than 26 years. “When they said I had come highly recommended by people,“ said Lisa, “that was pretty nice to know. It was an honor to know I’m well respected in this field. We talked about it and prayed about it as a family, and we knew it was right. Manager of PioneerKids sounded like a big job, but I’m so excited about this new venture. How cool to have aging residents and little kids be able to interact with each other!”
Balance
As expected, employees were truly excited. “Employees were super excited to hear it had been approved,” said Patti, “and I had two applications for kids to be enrolled within minutes of the announcement.”
“From the moment I walked into the courtyard at the PioneerKids space,” said Lisa, “I could see sidewalk chalking, bubble play and bike riding. Residents will be able to watch our kids at play and I think that’s amazing. I’m exploding with ideas to bring fun for the kids and put smiles on the faces of PioneerCare residents. I see Halloween parades and holiday programs and so much more. This is going to be so much fun. I’ve imagined kids singing songs and residents singing along. We can respect their spaces but allow them to watch and enjoy.”
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Lisa has always loved doing childcare. “I just love these kids,” she said, “I get rewarded with hugs and kisses every day! I’ve been at it for 26 years and now my mind is just spinning about all the possibilities
PioneerKids can offer on-site childcare services for up to thirteen children – infants, toddlers, and preschoolers – in the Homestead Cottage. Now open, PioneerCare employees have an on-site childcare option just steps away from their workplace.
By Mary Dolan
Next was to find a perfectly suited childcare professional to run PioneerKids. “We needed the best quality person in this position,” explained Patti, “to provide the very best care for our employees’ kids. Like other pieces, this fell into place, too. We hired long time childcare professional, Lisa Votaw, and we knew she was the perfect fit.”
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do something like this and it’s been a learning curve to make it
Onsite childcare like PioneerKids offers endless opportunities for intergenerational connections.
Lisa’s transition from home childcare provider to PioneerKids Manager was seamless. “It was hard for me to say goodbye to all my childcare families,” she explained, “but they all found new childcare and they were so supportive for my new endeavor. I even had a PioneerCare nurse on my wait list and now I get to care for her kids at PioneerKids. My excitement for this new program is overtaking my sadness of saying goodbye to families. There are so many possibilities ahead and I am so excited for this future!”
Speaking of excited for the future, allow us to introduce Ashley Sortland, Trained Medication Aide, who is taking advantage of the new PioneerKids program. “I’ve worked for PioneerCare for three years and I had switched to evenings and night shifts because of childcare issues,” Ashley said, “something I thought would make it easier on my family. It was hard to miss out on evenings with my family, but it was the best I could do being faced with childcare headaches. It was also a challenge to work nights and then have a three-year-old child to care for during the day. It wasn’t an easy situation. But then I found out about PioneerKids and I’m excited to say my son is now one of the first kids in this great new program!”
Ashley Sortland and family
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In the time I’ve been writing these feature articles for Pioneer, I’ve seen this over and over again. Pioneer has always been so forward thinking. They’ve always been looking ahead to whatever would best serve their residents and staff. I guess it’s all in the name as they’ve long been a “Pioneer” searching for the next great idea to serve this community. Welcome, PioneerKids!
The schedule for PioneerKids works perfectly with the schedules of PioneerCare staff. “I’ll work from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and have the peace of mind knowing my son is just steps away,” said Ashley, “it’s just so handy! This new program provides so many opportunities for people to move to a full-time position. When they couldn’t find childcare at 6:00 a.m., it was impossible, but now we have PioneerKids.
Ashley said PioneerKids has provided her with a much-improved work and family balance. “Just getting a full night’s sleep has been so great,” said Ashley, “I guess I never knew how important it was to get enough sleep. I know there are a lot of other moms in my shoes who will now have an opportunity to pursue their careers here at Pioneer and at the same time, rest easy knowing their kiddos are under the best care just next door. It’s just one more example of how Pioneer has shown their employees how much they care about us and our family’s well-being.”Itseems that idea back in 2018 was never meant to be put in a drawer. Rather, it became reality and a much-appreciated addition to the family of Pioneer.
I just know this will make a difference. It will allow more people to get back into the workforce and that’s so important right now!”
PioneerKids is supported in part by a Childcare Education Capacity Grant through West Central Initiative.
PioneerCare Auxiliary members and the Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of the Dragonfly Gift Shop with a ribbon-cutting in June. The Dragonfly is the brainchild of Liane Barton, PioneerCare’s longtime volunteer and activities director, and staff liaison to the PioneerCare Auxiliary. Liane passed away in October 2017, but her dream lived on.
Donate by Mail to: PioneerCare Foundation
PioneerCare Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 organization welcoming outright contributions, planned gifts, memorial or honorary donations, and legacy gifts to support and enhance life at PioneerCare.
Attention: Steve Guttormson 1131 Mabelle Avenue S Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Auxiliary Opens Gift Shop
HOW DONATETO
On the cover: Vonnie and Londyn become friends through PioneerKids.
Thanks to generous donations honoring Liane’s memory, the Dragonfly gift shop has become reality. Proceeds from sales in the Dragonfly support resident needs through the PioneerCare Auxiliary, needs that cannot be fulfilled through PioneerCare’s operational funds.
Donate Online: Go to pioneercare.org/donate or scan this code with your smartphone for direct access to our childcare fundraising project.
Now more than ever, we appreciate those who are counted among our friends standing with us to serve the most vulnerable in our community. Together, we engage in the mission of PioneerCare through monetary support.
Farewell to Summer; Hello to Fall
Countless summer activities brought Pioneer residents together for worship, concerts, outdoor events, and more. Thanks to our local Let’s Go Fishing chapter, some enjoyed being on the lake. A mindful move to in-person activities continues this fall and winter. For details, simply ask for an activities calendar.
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PioneerPioneerCareHome, Inc. 1131 Mabelle Avenue S. Fergus Falls, MN 56537
DavidJ.P.HansRenaePatriciaTomLorriBruceJanelJenniferFlugstadFrankFredericksenGerhardsonHolt,ViceChairpersonKingston,TreasurerLindholmRasmussonRonnevik,ChairpersonStenderStrom,Secretary
Foundations is a publication of the Pioneer Foundation to inform friends, supporters and stakeholders of PioneerCare. For questions, comments, or address corrections, please contact Steve Guttormson, Foundation Director, at 218.998.1501 or email steveg@pioneercare.org . Mary Dolan and Steve Guttormson, Editors; and Beth Hagemeister, Graphic Design. PioneerCare is an equal opportunity employer and provider.
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