The Coronavirus pandemic continues to profoundly impact our social fabric, but the devoted staff and volunteers of PESA are meeting the challenges in innovative ways, all with a goal of maintaining and even improving its core mission: To provide educational and mental-health services to our community’s diverted youth.
In January as the crisis was beginning to unfold, PESA quickly retooled to provide the services it offers through its Juvenile Diversion Programs via HIPPA-compliant telecommunications. By working from home and exercising proper social distancing as mandated, PESA social workers and staff have been able to provide counseling, therapy and other services just as before, but without risking the health of staffers or youth clients.
We are pleased to report two unexpected yet very positive benefits of this challenging situation. First, PESA social-worker staff have seen that in many instances, the participating youth are even more forthcoming in their communications, apparently because they feel more relaxed when interacting from the comfort of their homes. And second, the critical need for educational tutoring services of diverted youth has resulted in a groundswell of participation by the Teen Court Alumni Association and other college students involved with PESA who have readily agreed to assist through HIPPA-compliant telecommunications.
Another important service PESA provides is sponsorship of Teen Court Clubs at participating high schools, and again, that effort continues unabated through the adaptive use of telecommunications that accommodate up to 100 participants and can be expanded as needed to 500. This allows students to continue meeting and interacting with each other, maintaining badly needed social interaction, while exercising proper social distancing.
Even as other entities are cutting back on services, PESA is expanding ours with the launch of an online career fair with live interactive presentations by professionals from diverse backgrounds. The purpose is to provide attendees a roadmap to pursuing a career in a variety of professions. These weekly sessions are available to all high school students involved with Teen Court.
On the subject of employment, PESA is doing everything in its power to avoid layoffs during this critical time of need. As a mental-health provider, PESA is considered an essential service, and we believe counseling and outreach must be provided, especially to those who might feel the strains of social isolation. By continuing our mission, we not only support the diverted youth, but keep staff gainfully employed, a win-win for the community.