A YEAR IN REVIEW

It has been 1 year since I became sole owner of Gemstones (Gemstones 2.0 as we affectionately refer to it). Time has passed quickly, with its ups and downs, but we have accomplished a lot by focusing on our mission statement.

As I reflect on what we’ve accomplished, I wanted to share it with you. I am proud. Our team is proud. Our parents are active supporters and participants. It is a dream come true!

Here’s what we did for the staff:

• Increased the number of PTO days
• Set paid holidays and schedule
• Rolled out a staff handbook
• Monthly team meetings for training on concepts of ABA
• Quarterly team in service to focus on the mental health of our staff
• Various incentives supporting staff’s professional goals
• BCBAs and supervision candidates attended the NC ABA Annual Conference
• Promoted from within for our Executive Director and Office Manager positions

Here’s what we did for our families:

• Set a calendar so parents have ample time to know when we are closed.
• Utilize Remind messages to get the word out quickly to all families as needed.
• Weekly update emails from the Clinic Director
• GEMS for Parents:  time for parents to meet and hear a speaker on a variety of topics; childcare was provided by our staff who volunteered their time which means parents did not have to find childcare
• MOVIE EVENT:  a sensory-friendly theater showing for Inside Out 2 for families (including siblings) and staff

Here’s what we did for GEMSTONES:

• Became a sponsor of the BRADY VALCHO FOUNDATION!  Gemstones will be participating in their Autism Acceptance Day in Holly Springs.
• Joined networking groups to gather additional resources and make partnerships to support our families
• Joined a small cohort with other BCBA-owned ABA companies who have similar missions to what ABA is and should be–quality care and family support.

We have accomplished so much in just one year! Growing pains come with any series of changes but the positive changes and new additions are more than worth it. We continue to grow in what we learn from each experience and look forward to continuing those things we have put in place and other opportunities that may arise.

At the end of the day, I have to reflect on the quality of care we deliver. I believe that it starts with supporting the team, as they work hard every single day to meet the needs of the children we have the privilege of working with. It also goes beyond the clients we serve, it goes to their families. All members of the family are affected and we want to support them. Helping to create an experience that our clients may not have, such as the movies, with parents who understand, staff willing to support, and giving a space for our clients to be who they are. 

While we can’t predict the future, the one thing I know is that we will continue to do our best each and every day for the families we serve. We will continue to grow as professionals so that our best is always focused on the quality of our care. We will maintain the strong relationships we have created with our clients and families. Our foundation is strong because of these three tenets and we are so fortunate to have so much support.

~Donna