Department of Youth Services' Newsletter
May 2021 Edition |
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2021 Youth Art Rally & 8th Annual "Share Your Art, Share Your Voice" Youth Arts Showcase |
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion |
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It has been one year since the brutal and senseless killing of George Floyd. The emotional and physical pain our staff and loved ones have gone through as a result of racism, emphasized how far we have to go to address and unravel racism within the agency. Creating a safe space in the workplace, especially during a time of teleworking, and investing in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a priority.
Over the course of past year, DYS has been successful in supporting diversity in the workplace and working to increase awareness and understanding of how racial and ethnic disparities impact the agency.
DEI practices are embedded in many aspects of the work DYS does. There are data and reports we submit to the State’s diversity office every quarter to examine goals, efforts and results. Practices such as the Equity and Fairness Group, JDAI’s listening sessions, SE’s Diversity Book Club, Regional Veterans events, regularly updating subjects of Basic Training to promote DEI, Weekly/Monthly Newsletters to highlight awareness months (i.e. Black History Month, Disability Awareness Month, etc.), the Educations group’s Racial Trauma conference, evaluating hiring practices through a DEI lens, having CSD and other trainings available for DYS staff, to name a few, are aspects of DEI in the workplace that DYS makes efforts to enrich our the workforce and embrace the unique value that each of us bring to the table in serving youth.
Hiring and promotions: Hiring practices are continually evaluated to ensure diversity and equity remain a focus. With the HR Dept. and our Workforce Development work group, DYS looks at efforts to improve the work experience from start to career’s end – hiring practices, diverse candidate pools, diverse interview panels, evaluating onboarding and trainings, new hire transitions/mentorships, professional development opportunities, to name a few. Minority promotions continued to reflect more than half of all promotions. In FY2020, minorities represented 69.2% and women represented 34.6% of total promotions. The percentage of women hired in relation to total hires continues to trend above 20%. Most recently in FY2021 Q3, DYS continued progress in our EEO/AA efforts with Minorities representing 64% and Women representing 50% of new hires; Minorities represented 83% and Women represented 50% of promotions in FY21 Q3.
Despite the State of Emergency declared in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, DYS continued its commitment to providing key services and functions to the individuals we serve throughout the Commonwealth. Also, our efforts to support and develop our workforce pushed through these initial hurdles and re-established momentum for a number of programs.
In the 5 Regions, essential core staff were acknowledged through a coordinated DYS Appreciation Day. We continued to support and expand the conversation about race and ethnicity and its impact on the youth we serve and our workforce through elements of our compulsory Basic Training & Diversity training and holding a listening series in collaboration with the Juvenile Diversion Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) to continue to advance our agency’s conversations on race for our entire workforce. The JDAI listening series was a Regional led conversation on race equity to give staff a safe space to discuss how race impacts their individual self and their role at DYS. These trainings consisted of five sessions that unraveled staff experience with racial and ethnic disparities in their daily work, assessed current agency policies and practices and led to the development of tangible, actionable recommendations for DYS Executive staff. Also, Regional-led groups have furthered DEI efforts, including the Northeast Region Veterans Day Recognition to honor and recognize all Veteran staff members, and the Southeast Secure Treatment Book Club, which has been instrumental with continuing to expand our conversation on race serving as a forum for youth and staff to participate in joint discussions around authors and themes that reflect the community within our programs, help advance the conversation about race and assist in broadening our scope of knowledge and understanding. Our Senior Staff Equity & Fairness Group monthly meetings moved virtual over the past year and continued the commitment to our 3-year conversation on race.
We contracted with All Aces, a consulting group, to address and enhance our DEI efforts agency-wide, including evaluating our procedures, developing training and facilitating workgroups and education, and we are anticipating a pivot in our efforts to continue our conversation of race, racial trauma and disparity with our workforce. We amplified our agency distribution of weekly and monthly messages and newsletters to acknowledge and celebrate our diversity, including weekly messages during Black History Month, a special Women’s History Month message to all staff, and honoring the agency’s first female Commissioner, Jane Tewksbury, who was appointed in 2005.
Also, the Second Annual DYS Education Conference on Racial Trauma proved to be an ongoing next step to interrupt the harmful effects of racism and how we address it so as to not perpetuate the same trauma in our DYS programs. The Central Office Educational Services has been intentional about our partnership with our Clinical Services groups and teachers to collaborate on service delivery to our youth. This conference focused on collaborating with our provider partners around racial and ethnic disparities, culturally responsiveness, civic education, and eliminating racial implicit bias.
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In November 2020 DYS contracted healthcare providers started an ongoing COVID vaccine education campaign to increase vaccine acceptance and demand and reduce vaccine skepticism in DYS involved youth and their families. This work resulted in an increase in vaccine confidence among DYS youth and many youth were vaccinated during onsite vaccine clinics.
DYS administration and DYS contracted health care providers conducted a vaccine readiness assessment in DYS facilities, worked together to identify gaps and developed a vaccination plan for youth and staff in DYS regions.
To reduce barriers to vaccination and to improve access to vaccine, as of April 30th, DYS hosted 76 onsite vaccine clinics in DYS residential facilities statewide. 66 vaccine clinics were held by DYS contracted healthcare providers. In addition, 10 onsite vaccine clinics were held by a partnering pharmacy. Approximately 1,000 youths and employees were vaccinated onsite.
DYS started vaccinations at the end of January. Beginning January 28, DYS vaccinated youth 18 and older in our care- about 20% of our population. February 26, DYS began vaccinating youth 16 and older in our care. In only three months, 31.3% of DYS youth in residential programs have been fully vaccinated. See chart below for more data.
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May is Mental Health Month |
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DYS wants to recognize all the staff who support youth and families, especially this month, since May is designated as Mental Health month. It is understood that this year, during the pandemic, everyone had to challenge their own fears regarding safety and continue being a caring adult with whom youth would want to trust. Because of the pandemic, many changes were put in place which have shown to be helpful and have resulted in changes in practices and policies.
To safe guard youth and staff during the pandemic, visits to programs were restricted and youth in residential programs could not go on passes (passes were reinstated July 10, 2020). Knowing the importance of maintaining family connections, virtual visits with families were initiated, as well as, virtual family therapy with outreach from clinicians in DYS programs to families. Many DYS programs report that due to the virtual capabilities, family’s attendance in monthly treatment meetings and in family therapy has increased over the year. Many families report appreciating this increased opportunity to interact with their child and to understand the treatment provided.
Youth’s inability to go on passes from residential programs also effected transition planning. As youth transition from residential treatment to the community, one aspect of the community planning is determining the youths need and willingness for continued involvement in behavioral health services in the community. Prior to the pandemic, during the last thirty days in residential placement, youth were eligible to go on passes to start behavioral therapy with a community provider. Because passes were not a possibility, EOHHS approved telehealth services between our youth in DYS residential placements with clinicians from community mental health centers to bridge services, if the community provider was going to work with the youth and family on the youth’s return home. Currently, the DYS research team is examining the use of telehealth services with DYS youth in the last year to determine what factors supported its use.
Mental health services are being reviewed on a state level and changes will be forthcoming which will also improve services for our youth and families. Prior to the pandemic, EOHHS did focus groups with adults, youth and families concerning mental health services in the Commonwealth. Based on this feedback, changes in service delivery are being designed and are included under the Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform. The design includes the development of Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHC) which will provide integrated mental health and addiction treatment for youth and adults. The CBHCs will also have same day access to intake and brief assessment, urgent and crisis treatment including medications, and drop-in treatment and support.
Mental health is an important part of overall health and well-being. Our mental health affects how we think, feel, and act and shapes how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on the mental health of people of all ages.
-Yvonne Sparling, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Services
For Mental Health Awareness month, please explore and share with your colleagues the mental health resources available on Mass.gov and on the CDC website. The tools and resources provided can help improve mental health and increase resiliency regardless of situation.
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DYS National Nurses Week & Teachers Appreciation |
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During Nurses Week, Commissioner Peter Forbes thanked our nurses for the role they play in our lives, especially during COVID-19. Their effort has been instrumental in the success of DYS. We truly appreciate the selfless and compassionate nurses who show up every day! |
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This month, DYS also celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week. We are fortunate to have a committed and professional workforce teaching across the residential continuum at DYS. Educational progress for DYS involved youth correlates with higher life long earnings as well as lower rates of recidivism and adult incarceration. Thank you for showing up and investing your time and energy with the young people we service! |
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Finding Healthy Food YOU Like in Your Budget
Please click here for the full article on nutrition written by DYS Dietician WaiLing Balsley, and view the video below
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Getting to Know our Communities' Heroes: DYS Caseworkers |
This month you will meet Megan Welch, a Caseworker out of the Central Region’s Webster District Office. Click the image below to read the interview. |
Megan Welch received Commissioners Award (Youth Award) in 2019 from Commissioner Peter Forbes, along with Margaret Chow-Menzer (left) and Ruth Rovezzi (right) |
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DYS Southeast Staff, Terrance Montgomery, Heroically Comes to a Youth's Rescue |
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On Monday April 5th at approximately 8:24am while in the cafeteria for breakfast YDSI Terrance Montgomery (pictured on left, next to Commissioner Peter Forbes) noticed DYS youth, Benjamin, place his hand on his chest and was choking. Terrance, who resorted to his training, applied the Heimlich maneuver to Benjamin. The object came out of Benjamin's mouth, he was medically cleared, and deemed to be fine due to the heroics of Terrance.
Recently at a small gathering, Terrance was awarded the Certificate of Appreciation and recognized for his selflessness, quick thinking, and valor while in the line of duty.
Thank you again for your heroic act, Terrance!
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DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH SERVICES [www.mass.gov/dys]
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Kathryn A Laverriere
Director of Communications
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