This year, Palm Beach County Youth Services held its annual employee retreat as a department-wide virtual gathering via Zoom Video.

The gathering opened with a “community meeting” where employees took turns asking one another three questions: How are you feeling? What is your goal for today? Who can you ask for help?

Following the opening, Youth Services Director Tammy K. Fields expressed her appreciation to the staff for  their dedication and flexibility while adjusting to the new ways of doing business during the COVID-19 pandemic. The department’s three cross-divisional action teams provided presentations on their objectives and the progress of their respective goals. Plans were announced for new action teams that will address trauma-informed care, equity and youth engagement. Although the goals and focus of each team varies, they all strive to create positive impacts from the bottom up.

Geeta Loach-Jacobson, director of the Outreach and Community Programming Division, gave a presentation on the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) and steps being taken by the county and Youth Services to address equity.

Residential Treatment and Family Counseling Division Director Dr. Twila Taylor provided a presentation on the plan to seek department-wide certification in trauma informed care utilizing the Sanctuary Model. The certification will occur over a two-year period and focuses on the seven commitments and SELF (Safety, Emotions, Loss, Future). Both practices are at the core of the Sanctuary Model. Sanctuary certification encourages, sustains and reinforces the department’s commitment to the standards of a trauma-informed care environment for clients and staff.

The gathering then shifted its focus to a self-care practice provided by the Palm Beach County Employee Wellness Program. Staff participated in a 15-minute guided meditation.

The virtual gathering concluded with a year in review video presentation. “With multiple offices throughout the county, our annual retreat is an opportunity for department camaraderie,” said Fields.“We did not want COVID-19 to interfere with that sense of connection. It was wonderful to see everyone’s faces and get updates on the work of the cross-divisional teams.”

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