Miki Jordan joined Wayfinder Family Services in 2006. Below, she answers questions about the organization’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
How has Wayfinder responded to the COVID-19 crisis?
The health and safety of our clients and staff is our top priority always. We began monitoring the situation in January and took proactive steps before Los Angeles County declared a state of emergency. Wayfinder provides essential services, so our internal response team worked rapidly to maintain our programs. Our residential programs house children in the child welfare system and children and adults with disabilities—they have nowhere else to go. Our responsibility is to keep them safe. We increased our protective supplies and the frequency of cleaning. Our dedicated staff who provide direct care around the clock in residential programs are receiving hazard pay. We created a plan to isolate residents who display symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been exposed. Plus, we retrained all staff on universal precautions for infection control. All our services that can be delivered remotely have been converted to telehealth or distance learning. Only staff performing essential functions are on campus. It’s amazing how quickly staff managed these transitions.
In what ways can this pandemic positively impact Wayfinder?
This crisis is an opportunity for Wayfinder to think creatively about new ways to serve our clients. Using online options, I think we will be able to serve a larger number of people more economically in the future. Also, Wayfinder will have a more nimble workforce that is adept at using technology to advance our mission.
What has been your proudest moment during the crisis?
Every member of Wayfinder’s staff has stepped up to keep our clients safe. Our employees are working long hours to make sure children, adults and families receive what they need from Wayfinder. I’m especially touched by the acts of compassion and empathy that staff extend to clients and to each other. I’m so proud of them!
Please consider supporting children and families during the COVID-19 crisis.
For 67 years, Wayfinder and friends like you have been stepping up and standing in the gap for families in need. Your gift can provide:
- Diapers and formula for two weeks for an infant ($50)
- 20 meals for children in our programs ($100)
- One day of 1-to-1 individual care for a child with a disability ($250)
- 30 hours of extra cleaning of our facilities ($500)
- 30 hours of additional nursing staff time ($1,000)
- Increased inventory of protective equipment and supplies for our staff ($2,500)
- A fully equipped isolation facility for Wayfinder clients in the event of infection ($5,000)
June 24, 2020