Supporting our communities with
PASSION, AGILITY & STRENGTH
A letter from
our CEO
There are ‘How To’ books on every topic imaginable. How to build a house, catch fish, bake a perfect cake, to name just a few. When the stark reality of the COVID-19 crisis became clear, we soon found ourselves navigating in uncharted territory. Previous health emergencies, like H1N1 and SARS, gave some hint, but no one could have predicted the sweeping damage caused by COVID-19. We found ourselves planning for a pandemic in real time. We didn’t realize it then, but we had started writing our own version of a ‘How To’ book.
James and Camelia Button
Delivering vital health services to vulnerable populations is a challenge under normal conditions. Regardless of the challenges, be it individuals and families receiving supports through our developmental disability services, or those living with a mental health or addiction diagnosis, their well-being depends on reliable care. Just because there was a pandemic, did not mean we could put the needs of those we support on hold.
So, we started writing our book, one page at a time, always guided by our mission of Making Lives Better. Immediately, every employee and every department mobilized on multiple fronts. They gave selflessly to ensure our services and supports remained consistent during this time.
The public health emergency resulted in social distancing, limited personal contact and large gatherings were no longer advised or socially acceptable. This directly opposed the nature of our very personal work that relies heavily on face-to-face contact. Within just a few weeks, we went from high-touch, to an approach that was ‘high-tech, high-touch’.
This meant deploying a massive amount of information technology infrastructure so our outpatient clinics and day habilitation facilities could continue to support upwards of 8,100 individuals and families with remote services. Likewise, we did the same for around 250 employees who suddenly found themselves needing laptops and other technology so they could work remotely from home like millions of workers across the country.
While the ability to rely on technology expanded, some individuals in our care require 24/7 supports and in-person services. This meant equipping our direct care and front-line employees with the resources and materials, like personal protective equipment, they needed to not only do their jobs safely, but to protect the health and safety of those we support.
In many ways, we’ve experienced only the tip of the iceberg so far. Despite the challenges that lie ahead, we’ve learned so much about ourselves and our ability as an organization to excel in the toughest of times. Our services are thriving and we are exploring new ways of delivering those services. No longer are we limited by the physical space of a clinic, and our workforce is not bound by location.
Make no mistake, this pandemic has been a source of tragedy, frustration and longing for the life we knew before COVID-19. That said, the solutions that emerged from this massive disruption have given us great new possibility and opportunity for the future of care delivery in our community.
For that, we are optimistic. We look forward to the promise it holds as we close this chapter and start the next by emerging from this public health crisis stronger and wiser. We are indebted to our workforce, for their tireless commitment to making lives better, but also to our community and those we support for placing their trust in us.
James Button, CEO
“We’ve learned so much about ourselves and our ability as an organization to excel in the toughest of times.”
— JAMES BUTTON, CEO
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
The Citizen Advocates Board of Directors is a group of civic-minded community volunteers representing a wide range of professional backgrounds, and is directly responsible for the ongoing governance and stewardship of the organization.
Leadership
Team
Our vision is to be the recognized leader of exceptional services and employer of choice. We do this by providing high-quality, person-centered care, through sound financial management, best-in-class customer service, and fostering a workplace culture that matters.
Transportation in rural areas can pose a major road-block to those needing our services. We traveled these miles to bring services to our community and transport people to and from the care they need.
Were it not for nonprofits in our community, many individuals would have to travel significant distances at personal expense to receive many of the services they have access to locally for day-to-day life.
Citizen Advocates is a major employer and economic engine in the community. Not only were we able to avoid any layoffs during the COVID-19 crisis but we helped find 82 job placements for the people we serve through our Career Visions program.
The Backpack Program provides eligible children in grades kindergarten through 6th with nutritious food on the weekend throughout the academic year. This year we gave 34,100 meals through 2,400 hours of volunteering.
“Addiction grabs your entire soul...you don’t know where to go, what will work, or who will help.”
CHANGING LIVES
Injured in a 4-wheeler accident, Angelica received prescription opioids to help with the pain. That prescription turned into a really scary addiction. “Addiction grabs your entire soul,” Angelica says, “you may think you’re managing your life and functioning okay but you’re not. You get edgy and irritable, which is not great for a mom with three children. It takes away any ambition and ruins any relationship you can think of. You lose touch with yourself; you don’t know where to go, what will work, or who will help.”
Ultimately, Angelica decided she had to make a change— for her three boys and herself. She first turned to Citizen Advocates for help by going to the Crisis Center. That step started her down a recovery path that initially focused on getting her physical and mental health back, as the addiction had taken a toll.
Angelica’s recovery, however, didn’t stop there. In addition to addiction recovery counseling, Citizen Advocates helped her develop employment skills through its skill-building program. Angelica started as an intern with Township Auto, one of Citizen Advocates’ affirmative businesses, training to be a mechanic. When COVID-19 struck, they needed help with detailing cars, and she quickly made the transition. Learning these skills not only improved her ability to financially support herself and her kids, but opened the door to opportunities that would pave a clearer path to maintaining recovery.
Citizen Advocates helped Angelica pull other parts of her life back together too, like teaching her how to budget her finances and even paying her rent for a time. And, when the stressors of confinement and home-schooling arising from the pandemic became tough to handle, Citizen Advocates provided extra support with more frequent counseling and vaccination coordination.
“I am very lucky to have come so far, and am grateful for the help Citizen Advocates and others provided. I like where I am now—my kids now see me as a rockstar.”
Angelica now works detailing cars at Bailey Ford. She really likes putting her headphones on, listening to her music and getting in there to do a deep clean. She adds that having the daily routine is important to her recovery. And, perhaps most importantly, the folks at Bailey Ford have been very supportive—taking the time to train her, showing appreciation for her work and making her feel needed. According to Angelica, “With this newly found confidence and sense of purpose, Bailey Ford has helped set the stones for my future.”
“I am very lucky to have come so far, and am grateful for the help Citizen Advocates and others provided. I like where I am now—my kids now see me as a rockstar.” And, she’s optimistic about the future for her and her kids. A future with more years of sobriety and where her kids know that Mommy’s love is always there.
CRIMSON PHOENIX
CLUB MEMBERS MAKE & DONATE FLEECE BLANKETS.
Community clubs are part of a long-term care network, providing support and a home away from home to its members. They offer a warm and friendly setting for individuals who may be experiencing emotional difficulties or mental health issues.
WAYNE FRENCH
IS SOMEONE WHO KNOWS
WHAT HE LIKES.
Although Wayne has limited mobility and expressive communication, he appreciates motorcycles and all things biker related. This includes the do-rag he wears on his head, the Harley stickers adorning his wheelchair and of course, tattoos.
TAKING INITIATIVE
OUR IMPACT
A COVID-19 PROJECT
A team effort at Citizen Advocates created some buzz through their participation in a local initiative. Individuals receiving supports at Enhanced Day Habilitation in Saranac Lake partnered with Adk Action to help with their Adirondack Pollinator Project.
DOLLY BRINGS RESIDENTS TOGETHER DURING SOCIAL DISTANCING
What started as a craft activity at one of Citizen Advocates’ residences in Brushton, soon evolved into a collaborative effort for the entire organization.
“Citizen Advocates fully embraces activities, whether it is this or others, that offer those we support the experience of having a meaningful impact in the community.”
— James Button, CEO for Citizen Advocates
tele-mental health:
Reaching people during covid-19
Mental health and addiction services are essential, even more so during a public health emergency. When in-person services were no longer available due to the necessary precautions implemented as a result of COVID-19, Citizen Advocates rapidly expanded the availability of mental health and addiction support through the use of tele-mental health services.
A successful and expanding field, tele-mental health services allow medically trained professionals like physicians, nurse practitioners and therapists to provide counseling and support over the internet through a secure, HIPAA-compliant connection by e-mail, video conferencing or simply a phone call.
“From the onset, we quickly realized business as usual was no longer an option for our Behavioral Health Services,” said James Button, CEO for Citizen Advocates. “Meeting the needs of those we support in a traditional setting
was quickly substituted with a tele-mental health solution—both telephonic and video sessions.”
Quickly expanding the tele-mental health method of service allowed more patients to receive treatment from Citizen Advocates’ specially-trained medical professionals, therapists and support staff during a time of crisis. Looking to the future, tele-mental health services provide an ideal solution for individuals who cannot leave their home, who work unconventional hours, or those who live in rural or remote areas.
Citizen Advocates provides person-centered, compassionate therapy services to all age groups. We are proud to include improved tele-mental health services in our wealth of resources helping to support our communities’ mental health or addiction treatment and recovery.
