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| Briefs from The Bridge
~Fall 2020 |
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Dear Friends,
This year has been a tremendously difficult one for all of us. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, The Bridge has continued to operate throughout the pandemic.
As you'll read below, our programs have adapted to ensure we can continue providing the vital services our clients rely on while also keeping everyone safe and healthy. We have continued developing and constructing new supportive housing, and are in the process of opening our newest program, Park Avenue Residence. And even amidst the pandemic, you'll read about how we've found small ways to bring our staff and clients together to celebrate achievements and milestones.
With Thanksgiving upon us, I want to take a moment to express gratitude -- to our clients, who have continued the hard work of rebuilding their lives and striving for a productive future, even with the additional challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has brought; to our friends and partners in the community, who have continued to support our work at a time that has brought so much personal hardship; and especially to our staff, who are so dedicated to our clients and the work we do, who have truly gone above and beyond to continue providing services to those in need. Even in this difficult time, there is much to be thankful for.
I hope you and your loved ones have a safe and restful holiday season.
Sincerely,
Susan Wiviott Chief Executive Officer |
| | | | The Bridge Opens Park Avenue Residence |
| The Bridge has continued to develop and construct new supportive housing programs, despite the challenges of COVID-19. Park Avenue Residence, The Bridge's newest residence, opened its doors to new tenants on November 2nd. Opening a new program is a collaborative effort, requiring the skill, time, and dedication of many staff, including our Housing Development, Facilities, Intake, and Property Management teams. Our Residential Intake department, which is responsible for screening applicants for available supportive housing units, told us a little more about Park Avenue Residence and the part they played in opening the new program.
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| | | Park Avenue Residence, located in the Bronx, is a mixed-population building, with a total of 114 apartments. Of those, 69 are supportive housing units which are designated for homeless, disabled veterans; homeless frail or disabled seniors who can benefit from staff support around daily living tasks; and homeless adults with serious mental illnesses, many of whom have been living on the streets or in Safe Havens. The remaining 45 units are low-income affordable housing for families and older single adults. The Bridge's Property Management department has been working with NYC’s new lottery system through which applicants are selected for the low-income units.
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| All candidates for supportive housing are referred through the NYC Department of Homeless Services. The most important qualification for screening is determining if applicants fit the eligibility requirements for these supportive housing categories. Staff also have to ensure that supportive housing applicants are ready to move into more independent housing or if they might benefit more from a Bridge program that offers a higher level of support. Residents at Park Avenue Residence will receive case management services once a month or more as needed, and will have on-site staff available to help ensure a smooth transition from homelessness into permanent housing.
All resident screenings have been conducted remotely due to COVID-19. It has been complicated to manage the technology and adjust the interview process accordingly for both the Bridge’s Intake Department, as well as the referring providers and the homeless applicants across the different populations, especially as it is also The Bridge's largest building yet. At the height of the intake process, our Residential Intake division was screening 36 people a week.
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| | A client moves into Park Avenue Residence
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| Despite the significant challenges faced with opening a new program during a global pandemic, the Residential Department is very proud of the incredible work completed to open Park Avenue Residence and continue The Bridge’s mission of providing housing to vulnerable populations in NYC.
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| Outpatient Substance Use Services Program Adapts in Response to COVID-19
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| A conversation with Jessica O'Neill, Director of Substance Use Services, and Hector Mata, Assistant Director of Substance Use Services.
Q: How has the Outpatient Substance Use Services program been operating since the COVID-19 pandemic struck?
A: We have remained opened this entire time. We’ve continued to provide clients with groups and individual sessions, and all the services have continued, albeit differently. In the beginning, staff worked remotely when possible, and services were mostly provided via telehealth.
Q: What safety measures did you put in place in order to continue seeing clients and prevent an outbreak?
A: To start, we cleaned everything and put down placement stickers to direct the flow of traffic and maintain social distance. In mid-May, Hector and I came back full time to help with the transition back to more “normal” circumstances. Wearing a mask is a requirement for staff, clients, and visitors and we've installed hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere. There are additional cleanings and available cleaning supplies. We have also assessed the group rooms to see how many people can participate safely.
Everyone who enters the building must complete a health screening where we ask about travel and symptoms. We're also giving out masks to clients, and we're teaching them how to clean their cloth masks.
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| | A Group in the Outpatient Substance Use Services Program
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| Q: What changes are happening in your program as staff and clients are coming in more regularly?
A: We are now open four days per week. Some staff members who were working remotely have now returned to the office on a two-day schedule. In order to maintain social distancing, we’ve been adjusting certain physical aspects of our site. It has been a learning experience as clients have come back to figure out what works, and we're regularly reviewing our policies and monitoring guidance from the city, state, and federal government.
Q: How have clients reacted to these adjustments and changes?
A: Telehealth was not universally working for our population, as some people could not have phones or were actively using. With that, we deemed it better in some cases to have clients come on-site to ensure they were receiving services. Even with Telehealth options available, we had clients who would continue coming on-site as they felt it helped with their recovery goals.
It was a team effort to make sure the clients who were not coming on-site were able to access services and support through virtual meetings and phone calls. Telehealth has allowed those who are not coming on-site to receive services and know they are not alone.
The program staff has been hard at work to make sure the clients have stayed connected through the fall. For Halloween, the staff made candy bags to distribute candy safely to clients and also decorated the space with pumpkin cutouts wearing face masks. The staff is also working on planning a socially distanced Thanksgiving luncheon in order to provide clients with a hot meal and a chance to celebrate the holiday.
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Program Spotlight: Care Coordination |
| | The Care Coordination program serves clients over the age of 21 who have a serious mental illness, chronic medical condition, or both. The program serves 920 clients across the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. We spoke with Rebecca King, the new Senior Director of Care Coordination, about the program. |
| | Care Coordination Staff (L to R): Candida Henry-Adams, Associate Director; Tyshaun McCallum, Clinical Supervisor; Rebecca King, Senior Director; Mesha Best, Supervisor for Engagement & Development; Cynthia Bookhart,Clinical Supervisor
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| Q: What services do Care Coordinators provide to clients?
A: The goal of the Care Coordination program is to ensure clients are receiving the healthcare and social services they need in order to reduce visits to the emergency room and hospitalizations. Care Coordinators work toward this goal in a number of ways. For example, one solution could be referring clients to a primary care physician to reduce emergency room visits, while another solution could be applying for housing so that clients don't have to use the hospital as a shelter.
Q: How do Care Coordinators provides these services?
A: Care Coordinators act as a go-between for care providers and clients. A key aspect of Care Coordination is making sure that all care providers are on the same page. For example, a Care Coordinator would check that medicine prescribed by one doctor does not negatively interact with medicine prescribed by another doctor. Care Coordinators work closely with different care providers to make sure that clients are receiving appropriate care.
Q: How has COVID-19 affected how Care Coordinators provide services?
A: Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Care Coordination program has ensured that clients have food and medication. Care Coordinators have been utilizing a hybrid model of in-person and telephonic visits. This model has been useful, since some clients find telehealth effective and others benefit from in-person visits.
Q: Can you describe the recent changes to the management structure?
A: Prior to recent changes, the program was split between Brooklyn and Queens and Manhattan and the Bronx, with two directors. In order to make the entire program more cohesive, there is now one senior director, an associate director, and multiple clinical supervisors. There is also a director that specifically oversees outreach and intake. |
| | Safe Haven Celebrates Third Anniversary |
| | On August 19th, staff and clients at the Marmion Safe Haven shelter in the Bronx held a barbecue to celebrate the third anniversary of the opening of the program. |
| | The Safe Haven celebrates its third anniversary
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| | Clients enjoyed freshly grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, homemade rice and beans, and a variety of snacks and drinks. Staff used both indoor and outdoor space to encourage social distancing, with the food stations outside and ping pong tables and television inside. |
| | A client, Clifton, enjoys lunch at the Anniversary Barbecue
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| | The Safe Haven serves men who have a history of long-term street homelessness. The shelter partners with homeless outreach teams to identify clients who would benefit from a harm reduction, housing first approach. On average, a client has been homeless for more than five years before coming to the Safe Haven, and the average length of stay at the shelter is a little over one year. There are 41 clients in residence, and the average age is 48. The majority of the residents have mental health diagnoses. The Safe Haven staff work with clients to find more permanent housing. Since July 1st, six clients moved into their own home. |
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The Bridge provides help, hope, and opportunity to New Yorkers living with a serious mental illness by providing a wide range of vital programs, including behavioral health treatment and supportive housing. This year, The Bridge has faced new challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, but we have been able to continue to offer essential services to New Yorkers via telehealth or in-person with social distancing and the proper protective equipment to keep our clients and staff safe.
Thanks to support like yours, The Bridge can provide services to over 3,500 men and women in New York City. We ask for your continued to support now and as we move through the rest of the year.
All donations are 100% tax deductible and will help us continue to provide essential services to vulnerable New Yorkers.
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