In my past employment, I was part of a well-connected team. Our director would visit us often, and every three months, we had an event where we could step away from our everyday tasks for self-care as a team. Leadership was present and always kept us informed. Our company went through a major change, and we were introduced to a new CEO. In his first months, he conducted a meeting for the entire company, discussing his plans and reassuring everyone that we were doing a great job and wouldn't notice many changes.
A couple of months later, my entire team was requested to attend a virtual meeting where we were informed that our department was going to go through a restructure. Effective immediately, we would be reporting to a new leader. We did not have the opportunity to ask questions and were later informed that there would also be staff cuts. Change is important, but I believe there should be a smoother process than holding a virtual meeting where no one is allowed to ask questions and then finding out that people in your team were let go.
I found the way the decision was made raised many questions, and people felt misled. The new structure being requested made sense, and if planned out differently, people would have had an opportunity to embrace the change. However, since it was more aggressive and fast, people were left with questions and concerns about the type of leader we had if they acted so aggressively. The change was needed, but the execution of the new plan was unpleasant. I could not stay and work for a leader who lied about his plans and acted aggressively.
What I took from the change was that communication and transparency are important. Taking into consideration what people have to say and providing them with upcoming updates in advance would help people to adapt. The change that the CEO wanted to make was understandable, but the execution of his plan and hidden agenda made people aggravated and feel that leadership was not being supportive. Instead of being a leader who had empathy, honest communication, and informed of upcoming changes, he behaved ruthlessly. Those who stayed felt unheard and eventually left. Having an unsteady leader creates fear in the team and they will not follow.
Family Voices of Colorado
Did you know that many families are currently struggling to obtain much-needed services for their children who have an intellectual disability? Family Voices of Colorado is here to help. We advocate for and support families with children who have special needs, guiding them through complex systems. Our organization is led by parents who have children with special health care needs, so we understand the struggle firsthand. We know the flaws in the system and the challenges many families face. Today, I seek the attention of families who have a member with an intellectual disability and are struggling to obtain the services their loved ones.
Personal Story
Recently, I worked with a family struggling to get a response from Rocky Mountain Human Services. The client, who has an intellectual disability, was attempting to obtain a Medicaid Waiver to access services, one services they are hoping to start is the enrollment in an adult center without financial worry. Despite numerous attempts, the agency repeatedly failed to show up for scheduled meetings, leaving the family on the verge of giving up.
As an advocate, I persistently engaged with the agency's leadership at Rocky Mountain Human Services, utilizing all available avenues to escalate the matter. My empathy and determination were instrumental in securing a Supportive Living Services waiver for the client. This experience highlighted the challenges many families face and reinforced my commitment to advocating for systemic change.
Vision for Change
I envision closer collaboration with Rocky Mountain Human Services to streamline the intake process and reduce the number of families lost in the system. By addressing the inefficiencies and advocating for policy changes, we can ensure that more families receive the benefits they deserve.
Importance of Change
This change is vital because it directly impacts the well-being of families with children who have special needs. A more efficient and supportive system will alleviate stress for both families and caseworkers, ultimately enhancing the overall effectiveness of our organization.
Call-to-Action
I urge everyone to support our efforts in advocating for systemic improvements. Let us spread the word that we are meeting weekly through Zoom to discuss raising issues and create plans of improvement. I encourage more families to come forward and share their stories of the challenges they have faced. We’ve create a social media page where families can openly share their struggles and include our government agencies along with Rocky Mountain Human Services to show them that there is a flaw in the system that is not being addressed but rather ignored. Let's invite more advocacy agencies like Grupo Vida, The ARC of Colorado, and Easterseals to join our cause, as they have also firsthand seen the struggles families are facing. Together, we can ensure that no family is left behind and that everyone receives the support and benefits they deserve.