Two Years In: Leadership and Recovery in Times of Covid-19

Tuesday, May 3 from 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Last year, New York’s human services programs saw an unprecedented influx of emergency federal relief. This funding was critical in supporting the communities hit hardest by the Covid-19 pandemic. At the same time, relief funding hid looming risks facing human services funding. Funding for many key human services programs was on a downward trend prior to the pandemic. As emergency relief begins to expire over the coming years, many of these programs will face a federal fiscal cliff. FPWA’s Federal Funds Tracker, which monitors funding for New York’s human services programs, can help identify where these risks may exist. This presentation provides an overview of federal human services funding in 2021 and look ahead at what this means for human services providers.

Thursday, May 12 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM | It is no secret that the human services sector is experiencing another wave of change. Two years into the pandemic, many organizations are seeing high rates of staff turnover, an exhausted workforce, and an unclear view forward. These realities can make it extremely difficult to effectively lead and support your staff or team. This session explores the change management cycle, assess our own readiness for change, and identify strategies to successfully manage change.

The greatest strength of any human services organization is its people. The work simply cannot be done without “the people” who make up the workforce. In order to maintain organizational strength and effectiveness, it is imperative that staff at all levels prioritize both individual and collective well-being. This session goes beyond self-care and begins to answer the question, “how can we help ourselves and our colleagues through the process of recovery and healing?” Our guest presenter, Dr. Wenimo Okoya, offers an equity-centered approach to discuss how to think about and address workforce stress, burnout, and the need for connection.