Ep. 5 – David Duea – Mental Health Crisis Demands Intervention. Bold Asks.
LSS President and CEO, Héctor Colón, sits down with David Duea, President and CEO of Lutheran Community Services Northwest, to discuss how bold, aggressive advocacy and unashamed appeals for funding is vital for success. David describes how his organization’s push for big gifts and proactive partnerships with other agencies have taken Lutheran Community Services Northwest to the next level and helped countless more in need.
David also stresses how early intervention programs are vital to the health and well-being of everyone, including those working in social services agencies. This work is transformational, and it is important to have specific professionals to focus on each type of situation. Concentrated, direct devotion to each individual and family gives agencies the best opportunity to make an impact.
David Duea is the President & CEO of Lutheran Community Services Northwest. LCSNW provides services to people in Oregon, Washington and Idaho with support to meet life’s most difficult challenges and thrive in communities that are healthy, just and hopeful. David led significant growth for the organization in the past 7 years including bringing Compass Housing under the Lutheran Community Services umbrella, expanding their services to include emergency services and affordable housing. He holds a BA from Pacific Lutheran University in Social Work and an MBA, with a focus on Total Quality Management, from City University. David and his wife Jane live in Tacoma, Washington. They have two adult children that live in Seattle and San Diego.
Watch Mental Health Crisis Demands Intervention. Bold Asks. Now!
Ep. 4, May 17, 2022: Tracy Wareing-Evans, Accelerating Public Trust Through Sector Alignment, Investment.
Tracy Wareing-Evans, President and CEO, American Public Human Services Association (APHSA)
Tracy Wareing Evans is the President and CEO of the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA), a bi-partisan national membership organization representing the cabinet level leadership of state and local health and human services agencies, and the subject matter experts that help execute their mission to improve outcomes for people nationwide. In coordination with its governing board of directors, Wareing Evans sets the strategic direction for the Association and spearheads delivery on its mission “to advance the well-being of all people by influencing modern approaches to sound policy, building the capacity of public agencies to enable healthy families and communities, and connecting leaders to accelerate learning and generate practical solutions together.” In support of APHSA’s bold strategic plan, Wareing Evans is mobilizing strategic partnerships with connected sectors integral to thriving communities, including education, justice, housing, and health as well as community-based organizations.
Wareing Evans has a long history in high-level policy development and public administration. She served as a senior advisor to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and, before moving to Washington D.C. in 2009, as the Director of the Arizona Department of Economic Security, an integrated human services agency. She has also served as policy adviser for human services under then Arizona Gov. Napolitano and as director of the state’s child welfare division. Wareing Evans began her career as a litigator. Wareing Evans has served on more than 25 boards and advisory committees over the course of her career, including several national appointments. Her current board service includes Social Current (focused on activating the power of the social sector) and WorkRise (a research-to-action network on jobs, workers, and mobility). In 2019, she was selected as a fellow to the National Academy of Public Administration.
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Ep. 3, April 20, 2022: Charlotte Haberaecker – If not us, who? Human services shift social challenges
Charlotte Haberaecker, President and CEO, Lutheran Services in America
Too much emphasis for funding in the social sector has focused on providing services after problems have occurred. A lack of innovation and prevention dollars create larger gaps among certain demographics and fail to correct long-term problems for individuals and communities. Developing healthy, productive children and adults who live with purpose and meaning is critical to solving societies largest problems – and the social services sector can lead the charge.
LSS President and CEO Héctor Colón chats with Charlotte Haberaecker, President and CEO of Lutheran Services in America, as she talks about creating a disruption, not waiting for one to happen. Charlotte and Héctor also discuss the workforce shortage in the sector and how it impacts its members, the services they provide, and the ability to meet the whole needs of people. They also break down the need for upstream funding through innovation and prevention, and how strategic partnerships and stakeholders can help fuel philanthropy that provides flexible spending to fulfill essential needs.
Bio
Charlotte Haberaecker is the President and CEO of Lutheran Services in America, one of the largest and most respected health and human services networks in the United States. Lutheran Services in America empowers one in 50 people in America to lead their best lives so all communities can thrive. Under Charlotte’s leadership, Lutheran Services in America has consistently been recognized by the Chronicle of Philanthropy and Forbes as one of the nation’s top nonprofit organizations. She is at the forefront of developing and implementing groundbreaking initiatives and collaborative learning models to drive systemic change.
Prior to joining Lutheran Services in America in 2012, Charlotte was the #2 Executive at Global Impact, a $110 million nonprofit that provides funding for critical humanitarian needs around the world. Previously she held senior leadership positions in management consulting at Price Waterhouse where she strengthened nonprofit, for-profit and government organizations. Charlotte also served as a senior leader at Fannie Mae where she led an industry transformation initiative and was the co-inventor on five patents awarded by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Charlotte was the recipient of the 2018 Rebrand 100 Global Award for one of the top 100 brand transformations in the world, the 2017 Humanitarian award from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the 2015 NonProfit Times Magazine’s “Power & Influence Top 50.”
Charlotte holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration in management science from the University of Illinois.
Watch If not us, who? Human services shift social challenges Now
Causing Disruptions: Upping the Social Services Game Across the Sector
Susan Dreyfus, Health and Human Services Thought Leader
If the social services sector is going to make a greater impact, then leaders must work together to elevate preventative services to the level of healthcare. Sector leaders need to help advocates who are not typically involved in direct client care (e.g., policy makers, philanthropists, etc.) proximate to our work in order to experience what it takes to holistically and sustainably improve lives. To reach this level, it will take a collective disruption by sector leaders to push towards increased partnerships including mergers and acquisitions, data and information sharing and more robust funding across the board.
More about Susan
After 9 years, Susan Dreyfus stepped down in 2021 as CEO of the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities after leading the organization forward through a historic and strategic merger with the Council on Accreditation. She is now working as an executive coach, retreat facilitator for teams and boards and consultant in adaptive change and planning in both the public and social sectors to advance enduring change to ensure all people can achieve their fullest potential.
During Susan’s tenure as CEO of the Alliance, the organization went through both organizational and adaptive change to accelerate its theory of change and position America’s community-based human serving organizations for excellence, distinction, and influence through the vision of creating a healthy and equitable society so all our neighbors can thrive. Prior to joining the Alliance in 2012, Dreyfus was secretary for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. She was appointed by Gov. Chris Gregoire in 2009 and approved by the Senate. She had responsibility for Medicaid, aging and long-term care, child welfare, behavioral health care, juvenile justice, economic assistance, and other human services. Before her work in Washington state, Dreyfus served as senior vice president and chief operating officer for the Alliance.
In 1996 she was appointed by the Gov. Tommy G. Thompson Administration in Wisconsin to be the first administrator of the Division of Children and Family Services. Her responsibilities included child welfare, childcare quality and licensing, youth development, and an array of emergency assistance, and other programs.
Dreyfus is past chair of Leadership 18, a coalition of CEOs from the largest and most respected nonprofit organizations in America and was previously the chair. She served on the governing boards of the American Public Human Services Association and Generations United. Dreyfus serves as chair of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Systems for Action (S4A) national advisory committee. She was appointed through the Speaker’s office in the U.S. House of Representatives to serve on the National Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities from 2013-2015.
In 2019, Dreyfus was named to The NonProfit Times’ Power and Influence Top 50 list of nonprofit leaders who have “distinguished themselves as initiators of concepts that will have legs and are already having impact.” She also was included in the Power and Influence Top 50 list in 2018, 2017, and 2015. The American Public Human Services Association awarded Dreyfus its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016 for her contributions to the field of health and human services in both the public and private sectors. In 2018, Dreyfus was recognized with a Women of Influence Award by the Milwaukee Business Journal.
Watch Now. Upping the Social Services Game Across the Sector
Demystifying Social Services: Pathways Beyond Healthcare That Lead to Sustainable Well-Being for All
Kathy Markeland, Executive Director, Wisconsin Association of Family & Children’s Agencies (WAFCA)
Kathy joined the WAFCA staff in January 2007 bringing a diverse public policy and member services background. In 2019, she was selected to serve as Executive Director to guide the continued growth of the Association and increase member capacity to deliver outstanding human services that help Wisconsin’s children and families to achieve their full human potential.
Prior to joining WAFCA, Kathy served as an associate director for the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, the public policy voice for Wisconsin’s Roman Catholic bishops. In her eight years with the Conference, Kathy advocated on a wide range of issues from environmental matters to human concerns and health care policy. In addition, she followed state developments related to welfare reform, services for the vulnerable and state and local finance.
In her early career, Kathy spent seven years serving the Wisconsin Counties Association, providing both member support and public policy advocacy services to elected representatives on Wisconsin’s 72 county boards. Her experience with the counties introduced her to a wide range of county services and programs and advanced her knowledge of state and local funding relationships. Her policy focus included human services, nursing homes, county organization and environment and land use management.
She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Behavioral Science and Law in 1992 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Watch Demystifying Social Services: Pathways Beyond Healthcare That Lead to Sustainable Well-Being for All
Reflection on Derek Chauvin Verdict
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LSS Selected Milwaukee’s 2021 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®
Organization receives high marks in a majority of areas, including diversity and inclusion, employee recognition and achievement, and company performance
WEST ALLIS, Wis. (February 16, 2020) – Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan (LSS) has been officially recognized as one of the “Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR). The non-profit social services provider earned the 2021 award as an organization that delivers “exceptional human resource practices and an impressive commitment to their employees.”
LSS was one of 47 Wisconsin companies to receive this award based on the assessment of numerous categories, such as diversity and inclusion, employee enrichment, community initiatives, compensation, benefits, and many others. According to the NABR, through determination, exceptional leadership, and daily ingenuity, these workplaces are seen as ideal organizations that “epitomize Better Business. Richer Lives. Strong Communities.”
“We are extremely excited to be recognized as one of the best companies to work for,” said LSS President and CEO, Héctor Colón. “Every day, the people in our organization work hard to create a Servant-Leadership culture that focuses on a commitment to the growth of our clients and one another, and building community throughout our two-state reach. We are humbled to receive this honor and will continue to strive towards becoming a Workplace of Choice.”
Overall, LSS scored above the median 60 percent of the time across all categories when compared to thousands of companies in its region. Among the variety of areas assessed to determine the “Best and Brightest Companies to Work For,” LSS received some of its highest scores in the following categories:
- Recruitment, selection, and orientation
- Employee achievement and recognition
- Communication and shared vision
- Diversity and inclusion
- Work-life balance
Meanwhile, in the “Strategic Company Performance” category, LSS was rated 83 percent above the median – the largest margin over its peers. This is due in large part to the LSS financial turnaround in recent years. For the three-year period prior to Colón becoming CEO at LSS, the organization incurred losses of $4.3 million. During the subsequent three-year period with Colón (2018-2020), LSS has had operating gains of $8.1 million – a cumulative $12.4 million turnaround.
Nominations for the “Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” are accepted across the United States and broken down by various regions. Employees then complete a survey to calculate an organization’s score to compare with its peers in a particular geographic location.
https://thebestandbrightest.com/events/milwaukees-2021-best-and-brightest-companies-to-work-for/
Chippewa Valley nonprofits hope for Giving Tuesday boost
EAU CLAIRE — With needs up and the ability to conduct traditional fundraisers down amid the COVID-19 pandemic, officials from some local nonprofits are hoping for a boost from the global Giving Tuesday movement.
Giving Tuesday, which started in 2012, encourages charitable giving on the Tuesday after the holiday spending sprees associated with Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. The efforts are often promoted on social media with the designation #GivingTuesday.
“A lot of nonprofits are struggling more than usual this year, so Giving Tuesday is a great time to start thinking about supporting local charitable causes,” said Sue Bornick, executive director of the Eau Claire Community Foundation.
Chippewa Valley nonprofits are experiencing a surge in demand for services this year in response to economic fallout from the pandemic that includes higher unemployment, lost wages and reduced hours for many workers.
“The needs are real, and they’re right here in the community,” Bornick said.
Andy Neborak, executive director of United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley, agreed that it’s been a tough year for many people who are struggling financially and for a number of the nonprofit agencies that serve them.
“Some people are needing to ask for help for the first time in their lives,” Neborak said. “That’s where we see higher demand for some of the basic needs stuff.”
Financial contributions are important this year in particular, he said, because nonprofits are facing unprecedented challenges including cancellation of in-person fundraisers because of health risks, higher costs for sanitization of facilities and paying staff for duties previously performed by volunteers, who may be opting out for safety reasons.
While the local United Way is promoting Giving Tuesday, it is focusing more on December as a giving month in a digital marketing campaign seeking donations for its effort supporting 29 different programs in the Chippewa Valley.
“Everything we do stays local,” Neborak said. “Any charitable contributions that can stay local are really important. It doesn’t need to be a huge amount because we’re able to combine those smaller gifts and really make a big impact.”
Among other local organizations seeking to tap into Giving Tuesday generosity are L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, which is seeking support for its Story Builder library expansion campaign; Boys & Girls Clubs of the Greater Chippewa Valley, which is continuing to serve local youths despite the pandemic; and Positive Avenues, a Lutheran Social Services program that converted its daytime resource center into a 24-hour-a-day shelter this year, in combination with the Sojourner House homeless shelter, to give the unsheltered population a safe place to go.
The pandemic also brought higher costs for Positive Avenues for increasing staff, providing more meals, acquiring personal protective equipment for staff and guests, buying more cleaning supplies and toiletries, and moving locations twice to enable guests to practice social distancing, said Stephanie Pritchard, Lutheran Social Services’ west regional director for community-based services.
“This year, more than ever, donations are important to our program and to the people we serve,” Pritchard said. “Our guests have more needs now than ever. Trying to stay safe during a pandemic is hard for everyone, but it’s especially difficult when you are homeless.”
For donors who can’t decide which local nonprofits to support but want their charitable dollars to stay close to home, Bornick said the Eau Claire Community Foundation’s Community Fund offers a Giving Tuesday opportunity The fund addresses what she called “the Eau Claire area’s greatest needs” by supporting grants to a diverse array of nonprofits.
Earlier this year, the foundation and United Way created Response and Recovery Funds that awarded grants totaling nearly $1 million for local nonprofits responding to needs generated by the pandemic.
The CARES Act offers an incentive to be extra generous this year, Bornick said, noting that donors can take a deduction of $300 beyond the standard deduction and that a qualified charitable deduction allows traditional IRA owners to lower their adjusted gross income by deducting distributions on tax returns.
Contact: 715-833-9209, eric.lindquist@ecpc.com, @ealscoop on Twitter
Ahead of winter, shelter asks for Giving Tuesday donations
EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) – Many non-profits are thinking ahead to Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to donating to local charities.
When the pandemic began, Positive Avenues and Sojourner House teamed up to become a 24/7 shelter. Positive Avenues manager, Katie Petska, said in the months since they have found working together has allowed the non-profits to do more than working separately.
During this challenging year, the team has had to move facilities twice, now located at the old Hansens IGA off Clairemont Ave. Petska said going into winter, they expect to see a lot more people using the shelter so the non-profits need donations to help people experiencing homelessness during the frigid months ahead.
“Individuals who are experiencing homelessness, when they have personal supplies shampoo, conditioner, new clothes shoes, things like that even just a new pair of socks, just quickly changes someone’s day and even could change someone’s life,” Petska said.
On Tuesday, f you donate to Lutheran Social Services, which operates Positive Avenues, your donation will be matched up to two thousand dollars.
Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan: Opens community-based residential facility in Waukesha as needs increase
CONTACT: Steve Jagler, steve@kanecommgroup.com or news@lsswis.org, 414.405.8398
LSS Aspen Center offers diverse treatment options for substance abuse
WEST ALLIS, Wis. (Oct. 15, 2020) – Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan (LSS), in partnership with Waukesha County, opened the LSS Aspen Center, a comprehensive medically-monitored treatment center for women and men from throughout southeastern Wisconsin. The 23,000-square foot community-based residential facility is located at 2000 W. Bluemound Road, Waukesha. LSS Aspen Center will begin accepting referrals immediately.
The 22-bed center offers a wide range of substance use disorder rehabilitation and therapeutic services in two gender-specific wings with the capacity to grow to 34 beds based on need. LSS Aspen Center anticipates serving approximately 125 individuals from Waukesha County and southeastern Wisconsin annually.
“LSS believes healthy communities happen when we eliminate barriers to services and resources for those in need,” said Héctor Colón, President and Chief Executive Officer of LSS. “As we see substance abuse increasing at dramatic rates locally and nationally, now is a critical time to be providing accessible and affordable drug and alcohol treatment offerings to our Waukesha residents.”
The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that COVID-19 presents unique challenges for people with substance use disorders and in recovery. The pandemic has heightened stressors for many individuals and disrupted daily routines and health care services, causing many Americans to turn to substance use. The Wisconsin Department of Health reported that deaths in Wisconsin related to drugs have been increasing over the past decade. Substance misuse and addiction pose significant health, social, public safety and economic problems in Wisconsin.
LSS Aspen Center serves as a residential substance use disorder treatment center for both men and women. Previously, women were referred to locations outside of Waukesha County due to a lack of affordable, high-quality options in the area.
“Many of our female clientele who we work with during their treatment for substance use are responsible for children, household obligations and work commitments,” said John Kettler, Human Services Supervisor for the Waukesha County Department of Health and Human Services. “When you compound those challenges with women who choose to leave their own community to get help in a treatment facility far from home, it is clear why opening the LSS Aspen Center here in Waukesha will be exceptionally helpful.”
LSS Aspen Center provides the needed space and resources for successful treatment such as:
- Trauma-informed, trauma-responsive treatment
- Supportive services including housing, employment, family education and counseling, continued education and more based on individual needs. Many of these services are being offered virtually due to COVID-19 precautions.
- Individual, small and large group counseling spaces
- Fitness and quiet rooms for physical and psychological needs including an outdoor walking path, seating and recreation area
- Co-occurring disorders groups and gender-specific support groups
“More than ever, these types of services are needed in our community as our residents face compounding crises and substance use is on the rise,” said Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow. “While individuals are on their road to recovery, it’s so important to have them close to their support networks and a community they call home. We’re especially glad that LSS Aspen Center provides refuge for women so they can receive treatment in our county.”
LSS Aspen Center is an evolution of the Genesis House in Waukesha, a 12-bed residential treatment facility for men. Individuals currently at the Genesis House will now receive support at the LSS Aspen Center.
Click here to download more images of the LSS Aspen Center.
Photo credit: Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.
About Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc.
Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan strives to build healthy communities filled with people using their God-given gifts to serve. For more than 100 years, this has been our goal. At LSS, we value compassion, co-creation, change and courage, instilling these core values in every community and residential program we offer. We believe in the infinite worth of every individual and because of this, we are committed to the growth and empowerment of others. To learn more about how LSS acts compassionately, serves humbly and leads courageously, visit www.LSSwis.org.