New strategic plan. New culture statement. New brand. New group homes. New virtual programs. You notice a theme here? So I thought, why not try a new format for my monthly message to all of you! So I asked Dan to facilitate a little Q&A session where I was able to touch on many of the questions I’ve received in the past few weeks.
Now, believe it or not, there are some of you out there who don’t have the time or inclination to watch to me talk for 20 minutes! (Shocking, I know!) So if any topic is of particular interest to you, feel free to watch in three-minute increments below:
Hopefully, you’re still with me! I’d love to hear from you now…do you prefer this type of communication? Are there questions you have for me? Are there others in the organization you want to hear from? We have a big year ahead of us, and our ability to work together for the people we support will be the key to maximizing our impact.
Remember, we’re all care champions – even me, the least valuable employee! ? And we’re all working #ForEachOther to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.
On August 10 we welcomed back a small cohort of day hab participants to Lawrence and Chelmsford. As we begin to lift the suspension on our facility‐based programs, programs we return to will look vastly different from the programs we left. This is by design, as the LifeLinks CLASS COVID‐19 task force has created comprehensive plans to facilitate the safe and secure operation of our Omni Way and Parker Street locations. LifeLinks CLASS’s top priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our program participants, caregivers, and staff.
Please visit the Coronavirus Advisory page for the most recent updates as they relate to Coronavirus and the LifeLinks CLASS community.
For the first time in nearly 150 days, our day programs will be open next week when we welcome a small cohort of day hab participants to Lawrence and Chelmsford!
The last five months have been an incredible period for all of us at LifeLinks CLASS.
We’ve listened to our Care Champions.
We’ve connected with our families and caregivers.
We’ve consulted with fellow provider agencies.
We’ve followed guidance from federal and state agencies.
We’ve completed training to build our skills in infection prevention and containment
All of this insight, collaboration, and action has driven our agency’s pandemic response plan that has been rooted in proactive steps aimed at promoting the health and safety of our community. Remember, we suspended day programs, required face coverings, and offered hand-washing training prior to the release of state requirements.
So, at the risk of sounding self-serving, I don’t mind saying that I think we’re doing a heck of a job! ???
But hey, don’t just take my word for it! Our most recent round of surveillance testing conducted at nearly every group home just this week recorded zero positive tests! In fact, we haven’t recorded a single positive COVID-19 test in six weeks! ? ?
And remember – WE NEVER CLOSED! Our 16 group homes are staffed 24/7 and are home to nearly 100 individuals. Our nurses and clinical teams are providing essential medical care to individuals where they are. Our Family Support Center is actively serving more than 300 families throughout the region. Our family support and day program specialists have run more than 1,000 virtual programs since day programs were suspended.
The bottom line is that our organization is rooted in doing things for each other; this isn’t novel for us. It’s what makes us all Care Champions! While it’s easy to focus on tangible policies and procedures, I am especially proud of what we’ve accomplished in the past few months…
We’ve learned from each other.
We’ve supported each other.
We’ve stayed home and avoided crowds for each other.
We’ve donned masks for each other.
We’ve been there for each other.
This includes all of you – staff, families, caregivers, individuals, public officials, Directors, and supporters. So on Monday, remember we aren’t just resuming day hab; we’re taking another step forward as a LifeLinks CLASS team…and we’re doing it #ForEachOther.
Earlier today Governor Charlie Baker announced that Phase 3 of the Reopening Massachusetts plan, which includes day habilitation and community-based day and employment services, will commence on Monday, July 6. Many of you – including staff, family, and caregivers – have already reached out to me in the hours since the press conference to ask how that impacts LifeLinks CLASS.
While we are very excited to provide these opportunities again for your loved ones, we cannot lift the day program suspension on Monday, July 6. We are still awaiting formal compliance and attestation guidance from EOHS and DDS that we need to meet before we are able to resume day programs.
After convening the COVID-19 Task Force this afternoon, here is what we know:
Day program providers must submit a comprehensive re-opening plan in compliance with requirements that have yet to be released by EOHS and DDS
Transportation plans that include “infection control strategies and maintenance of physical distancing while transporting participants” must be approved prior to re-opening.
Limitations on the number of staff allowed in the facility will impact the type of supports we are able to provide.
All day programs will operate at a reduced capacity once they are approved to be open in order to ensure proper social distancing and adherence to infection protocols.
As you can see, there is a lot to do before we are allowed to lift the suspension of day programs at LifeLinks CLASS. The task force has been working on a reopening plan and policies and now must align that plan with the soon-to-be-issued re-opening components from EOHS and DDS. We are pushing forward and will keep you informed of our progress.
But again, because of this, we CANNOT lift the suspension on Monday, July 6.
The guidance we did receive today emphasizes that day providers are encouraged to continue day program services remotely and through alternative, non-group methods when appropriate and feasible. While the task force pursues approval to re-open suspended programs, our incredible staff will continue to provide virtual services and supports in place of our facility- and community-based programs.
As much as we’d love to see you all again, we have to do this right. As I’ve said since we first made the decision to suspend day programs, we cannot re-open facilities until we as an agency can ensure the health and safety of our participants and staff.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and more to come!
I wish you all a safe and happy Fourth of July! Be well.
Last week, we regretfully announced layoffs of 140 valued members of the LifeLinks CLASS day program and employment services teams. It was a truly sad week for so many people, especially those staff members whose jobs were impacted through no fault of their own. But we will get through this.
When news like this drops, it’s natural that people may draw their own conclusions. LifeLinks CLASS is not closing. CEO Jean Phelps addresses this decision directly with all of you in her latest video, explaining “why we did what we did, and what our plans are going forward.” Additionally, we are enclosing the messages that were sent to both staff and families over the past week announcing the layoffs.
To our LifeLinks CLASS family, we will continue to lead in providing critical supports to the nearly 1,000 individuals and families who we serve. The Family Support Center will continue to provide engaging virtual programming, individualized support, and personalized counsel. Our residential programs will continue to support people living independently, in one of our 16 group homes, or with shared living providers. Our AFC program will continue to assist caregivers across the community during their time of need. Our clinical teams will continue providing their invaluable services to every person we serve. Our Strive2Thrive and Healthy Balance programs will continue to engage young people in the community in our work. And if we get guidance and funding in place, we are confident that facility-based, community, and employment programs will thrive again on the other side of the pandemic.
Message to Staff on June 17:
To my LifeLinks CLASS family,
I’ve pledged never to lose focus on communicating with all of you on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our agency. Sometimes that pledge is easier to keep than others, and today I’m overwhelmed with emotion as I write to you all with extremely sad news.
Tomorrow, we are mailing layoff notices to 140 of our colleagues – all of whom work in day hab, CBDS, TREE, and employment services. (If you do not work in these departments, you are not affected.) The layoffs will take effect on July 3 and will impact both hourly workers and managers. For an agency whose mission is centered on inclusion, this development has been painstakingly difficult. Even more frustrating is the fact that due to the pandemic, I’m delivering this news to all of you from a distance – and not speaking to you directly.
First, let me assure you that this decision was not made in haste; it was a last resort. We highly value and respect every member of the LifeLinks CLASS team. But the fact is our agency is confronting three hard realities that we have little control over:
Reduced funding of day programs that was in place through June 30 has now ceased.
It’s been nearly 14 weeks since we made the announcement suspending facility-based day programs due to the pandemic.
We’re not sure when – or even if – we’ll be able to operate at 100% capacity again.
Over these past few months, we’ve overcome so much by working together. You’ve all been laser-focused on the people we support. You’ve adopted new policies and procedures that keep all of us and the people we serve safe in a time of uncertainty. And most importantly, you’ve stayed positive throughout this entire ordeal. I’m so grateful for that, and it’s something I never take for granted.
To those team members who are leaving LifeLinks CLASS, I am truly sorry. This is not your fault. Let me say that again – this is NOT your fault. The people you serve and their families truly value the care and supports you provided on a daily basis. Your impact will live on, as you embody what it means to be a LifeLinks CLASS care champion. I want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for everything you do. I pledge to you that we will do everything in our power to recall you as soon as we are able to resume our day and employment programs.
Human resources will be in touch individually with each of you whose jobs were impacted to help with the difficult and painful transition. We informed the SEIU earlier today and will work together to follow all the policies and procedures outlined in the CBA.
To those team members who are staying with LifeLinks CLASS, let’s live up to the example set by those who are leaving us. Let’s honor their contributions to LifeLinks CLASS. And let’s never forget our mission as an agency, that every individual has a right to live a fulfilling and happy life.
I know this news is difficult, and I want to give everyone a few days to process it. I’ll be convening a virtual town hall meeting next week so we can come together virtually as a community and begin the healing process. I’ll release more details on that in the coming days.
I promise you, better days are ahead. We will persevere. And we will always be there for the people we serve. The world is a better place because of it.
Message to Families on June 23:
Dear LifeLinks CLASS Families:
Last week, I shared the extremely sad news with the LifeLinks CLASS team that 140 of our colleagues – all of whom work in day hab, CBDS, TREE, and employment services – were receiving layoff notices effective July 3. The staff who are leaving us did nothing wrong, and truly embody what it means to be a LifeLinks CLASS care champion.
When I last wrote you it was with the news that we were suspending our facility-based day programs indefinitely, The reality is that without clear re-opening guidance from the Department of Developmental Services there is no way to commit to a re-opening date. Unfortunately, even after Governor Baker’s announcement of the phased re-opening plan, our agency is confronting three hard realities that we have little control over:
The already reduced funding of day programs that was in place through June 30 has now ceased.
It’s been 14 weeks since we made the announcement suspending facility-based day programs due to the pandemic.
We’re not sure when – or even if – we’ll be able to operate at 100% capacity again.
Over these past few months, we’ve overcome so much by working together. No matter the circumstance, we’ve kept our focus on providing the critical services and supports to your loved ones. We will get through this. Together.
That being said, we’re losing critical funding that we need to maintain our current level of day services. While we’re hoping to recall all of the day services staff once we’re able to re-open, members of the team who you count on have been impacted by the layoffs. For some of you, that will mean changes after July 3:
You may have a new main contact assigned to you.
You may see a decrease in remote and in-person check-ins.
You may see a reduction in some of the day program-related services and support we’re able to provide.
Over the next week, we’ll be in touch with each of you who will be directly impacted. While this is difficult, we’re all in this together. While we have to adapt to a new economic reality, we will never waiver on our commitment to providing the services and supports that your loved ones deserve. Our incredible team has pivoted over these past few months to ramp up our virtual and remote services and programs, and you’ve been a huge part of this incredible transition.
I want to thank you all. These past few months have been challenging for all of us – especially for your loved ones who are part of our family. We’ve been forced to suspend programs, restrict group home visitation, and implement new COVID-19 policies. Through it all, you’ve been thoughtful, understanding, and incredibly supportive. The stories you’ve shared with me about the dedication of our care champions have warmed my heart in ways I cannot possibly express.
I know this news is difficult to hear. I truly wish I could be more certain about the state’s plan and what it means for us going forward, but I promise I will update all of you as soon as we have clarity.
In the meantime, be well and stay safe.
Our agency is in regular contact with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services and industry organizations and will keep you updated and informed as we learn more. We’re anxious to see all of you in person again once it’s safe to do so.
