Month: October 2020

We may not have been able to do our usual costume parade or come together for Halloween this year because of COVID-19, but we still worked to find a way to bring a little treat – no tricks – to the incredible people we serve throughout the community!

These photos feature our VersAbility team and family in Gloucester near the Puller Center during a drive-thru costume parade and pick up of Halloween treats!

Watch a video of this drive-thru trick or treat event here.

 

An incredible journey.

If there’s anything that 2020 has been, Linda Kerns will tell you, it’s that.

Especially when you start to look at life today through the lens of a “new normal” thanks to the weathering of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But you know what comes with a journey? Ups. Downs. Opportunities to learn. Opportunities to grow. And opportunities to see the best in people.

We sat down with Kerns, VersAbility’s Chief Community Living Officer, to find out just what life has been like during the global pandemic for the organization’s residential program.

What have been the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic for the community living homes that VersAbility operates?

The challenges COVID-19 presents Kerns and her team don’t go away at 5 p.m. Instead of being daunted by them, Kerns is even more committed to VersAbility providing safe, supportive homes for people with disabilities.

Kerns oversees all 10 of the community living homes that blend into neighborhoods throughout Hampton, York County and Newport News. Six of those 10 homes require skilled nursing care around the clock.

“In all of our homes, we have residents with fragile medical conditions,” Kerns says. “But in those six they have even more fragile medical conditions.”

Masks and temperature check protocols were in place long before they became common elsewhere.

Safety for the residents — 46 in all — is priority No. 1. And that happens 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

There is a team that supports all the residents. How big is the team?

Kerns coordinates the team effort for a staff that is never off the clock. Roughly 150 make up the Direct Support Professionals who provide the care to residents, who, at times, require a ratio of 1:1.

“We have to keep a certain number of staffing to keep every individual safe,” Kerns says. “I am absolutely astounded at the way we have been able to do that.”

Shuffling staff to plug in needs has long been part of Kerns’ regimen. Life, in the form of last minute illness or family emergencies, has always called for her to adjust and then readjust schedules. But COVID-19 added a different kind of wrinkle.

“Never in my life did I think I would become a COVID-19 dispatching expert working with the Department of Health along with our director,” Kerns says.

How has the pandemic impacted the team in other ways?

The pandemic heightens stress in other ways, too.

“COVID has put a pressure on a number of staff,” Kerns says. “Some have children at home trying to do online school. Some who might have worked during the day no longer have childcare. There’s not anybody who hasn’t been impacted by this.”

As important as safety and sanitation are, so, too, is the mental health of the residents living. All follow individual support plans.

How does the team keep the residents active when they are still staying at home?

Keeping therapeutic recreational activities ongoing increases stimulation and prevents boredom during a time when family visits are infrequent.

Arts and crafts projects continue to occupy many, even a sewing project specific to the times.

“One of our houses made cloth masks for two of the other houses,” Kerns says.

Outdoor activities are encouraged. One family member of a resident recently dropped off a homemade cornhole set. A Halloween Zoom costume party is in the works for all of the houses.

Family visits are limited to outdoors with masks and social distancing measures in place. Birthday celebrations continue with cake and ice cream outside. Pizza drop-offs from family are constant. Residents with their own iPads use them to connect with family via Facetime and Zoom.

“Each week we seem to get better at technology in terms of the interaction between families and the residents,” Kerns says. “Really our family members have been wonderful.”

One sister of a resident added a second swing in the yard. Others have delivered masks. Another has already inquired about cooking Thanksgiving dinner. Meals are, of course, provided at the homes, but families want to go overboard right now, Kerns says.

“It makes them feel useful and involved,” she added.

If COVID-19 takes a toll on Kerns, she doesn’t let it show. VersAbility residents are family to her and the rest of the staff. They aren’t just a group of faceless people; they’re all individuals.

“Even though they need a level of support, there’s not a single individual who can’t communicate their likes and preferences,” Kerns says. “They all need a certain level of support to feel safe. That’s what we’re here for.”

How can you help? 

VersAbility is accepting donations from community members for arts and craft supplies and large-piece puzzles. Monetary donations are especially appreciated during this time. Contact VersAbility at 757-896-6462 or jcrihfield@versability.org to learn more about ways to help.

Today, in honor of the U.S. Navy’s birthday, we’re delighted to share with you some exciting DID YOU KNOW details about our shipboard provisioning services!

DID YOU KNOW…

VersAbility Resources’ shipboard provisioning services are in the United States and Guam.

DID YOU KNOW…

Together, 322 people with disabilities make up the shipboard provisioning services team.

DID YOU KNOW…

The team transports massive quantities of new provisions onto ships and submarines, including several tons of fresh and frozen food items and Navy vessel repair parts. Employees with disabilities and Navy personnel work alongside each other to move these items aboard Navy vessels.

DID YOU KNOW…

From October 2019 to late August 2020, shipboard provisioning teams in Norfolk and Hawaii, along with partners in Bremerton, San Diego, Guam, Groton, and Mayport, have supported 4,311 ships loading over two million cases; including food and other much needed supplies. Back in March of this year, employees in Norfolk loaded the USS Comfort with 13,035 total cases of provisions during a two-day period, while employees in San Diego loaded the USS Mercy with 5,484 cases of provisions in one day. Employees and Navy personnel in Norfolk also worked together during Hurricane Isaias this summer.

Celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities and educate others about the importance of creating an inclusive workforce in October, which is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

What can your company or organization do to mark this milestone?

Glad you asked!

Here are 10 ideas.

10

The 2020 theme for the annual observance is “Increasing Access and Opportunity” (download the poster in English or Spanish free, here). Review your hiring practices to be sure workers with disabilities are part of your ranks. If not, use this month as a call to action to make your workplace more inclusive. Ask yourself if your recruiting materials are inclusive. Launch a proactive effort to spread the word that your company values inclusivity. Make sure disability awareness is part of your orientation process.

9

Highlight the accomplishments and personalities of workers with disabilities. Thank a different worker every day on the social media platforms you use or write a profile for an internal communication about how a worker with a disability makes a difference to the organization.

8

Establish an Employee Resource Group (ERG) that can match employees with similar needs and interests. In addition to providing support services, members can educate others about disability etiquette, accessibility and accommodations. They can also assist in recruiting and retaining candidates with disabilities and mentor other employees with disabilities. If you have an ERG, remind your employees about it on social media and other communication channels.

7

Reflect on how to best accommodate employees with disabilities. You don’t want to end contributing to the list of the worst places to live with a disability. Disability discrimination was the second-most filed cause of action with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission last year.

6

Start the conversation at your workplace about disability employment, and make sure employees with disabilities lead the dialogue. Listen and learn from them. VersAbility would be happy to facilitate this discussion, or simply start with a brown bag lunch.

5

Disability Mentoring Day is Oct. 21. Participate in this nationwide effort to promote professional development for students with disabilities. Go virtual this year to partner students from your community with mentors who can make an impact just by sharing their time and advice.

4

Educate everyone within your organization about what is and what isn’t a disability. Make sure your training materials include what language to use and what to avoid when referring to disabilities.

3

Offer volunteer opportunities to your employees related to community members with disabilities. Giving back creates camaraderie within the workplace and visibility for your organization. If possible, consider sponsoring your own event.

2

Join VersAbility Resources to improve the lives of people with disabilities in the Hampton Roads community. Show your support as a corporate sponsor, volunteer or advocate. Make a monetary donation.

1

While Disability Awareness Month lasts 31 days, it should serve as a gut check to do the right thing year-round. Learn about a population that represents one in four people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Promote a world where people with disabilities enjoy dignified, productive lives of their choosing as fully accepted members of society.