Nonprofit Talk: Adapting to a crisis to serve New Yorkers with mental illness

Dr. Larry S. Grubler is the CEO of Transitional Services for New York, Inc. Photo courtesy of TSINY

By Dr. Larry S. Grubler, as told to The Eagle

Dr. Larry S. Grubler is the CEO of Transitional Services for New York, Inc. (TSINY).  Founded in 1975, TSINY is a not-for-profit Mental Health agency providing residential and outpatient to individuals 18 and above who have a serious and persistent mental illness.  TSINY serves over 4,000 individuals per year and employs 380 staff.

We are now about six months since the pandemic essentially shut down most of New York City. How has your organization adapted during this time? 

TSINY had to adapt very quickly. While we had a disaster plan in place, we needed to modify it to cover telehealth, personal protective equipment, working remotely and at the same time move forward with technology that would allow staff to continue to serve our clients wherever they were.  We have adjusted well, and we have been able to maintain all essential services. Those staff who have to come to work to provide care have been going above and beyond to make sure the clients are cared for and healthy. 

How are you now adjusted in serving your constituents/clients/program participants? 

TSINY staff, when necessary, have adapted to telehealth very quickly. As an example, instead of coming in to visit your doctor or therapist, care is provided by phone or video conferencing. Groups are held via telephone or zoom. Multiple phone calls per day are made to the clients. Monitoring medications and providing meals in groups was challenging at the beginning but staff and residents adapted quickly by putting new practices in place to keep everyone safe and healthy. 

How are you balancing the needs of your clients with the level of risk to your employees? 

This can be challenging but staff are aware that everyone needs to wear protective equipment and keep socially distant.  We quarantine clients when necessary and staff are to stay home if they are not feeling well. There have been a handful of staff and many clients who have tested positive and unfortunately, we lost about 15 clients and two staff members to the virus. We are being very cautious with reopening.

What, if any, new services or programs have you launched in response to the pandemic?

TSINY continued to operate all our programs to meet the high demand for mental health care. Many of our services moved to Telehealth where you can use your telephone, smartphone, tablet, or any other video-enabled device, as we continued to provide the support our clients need. Telehealth services have become a true lifeline for members of our community, enabling them to obtain the care they need in the safety of their homes. At the same time, we implemented new medical and cleaning protocols for our residential and outpatient programs keeping everyone safe and healthy.

Some organizations are hiring based on new needs. How has the pandemic affected your staffing and are you hiring?

We are an essential service, so our hiring practices continue as usual other than interviews often happen over technology rather than in person.  To encourage staff to meet the needs of the residents, we are offering overtime after 35 hours of work rather than 40 hours. We also offer a higher per diem rate than we normally do so all shifts are covered and services continue.

As you look the remaining part of 2020, what are your expectations and hopes? 

I look forward to seeing people in person again. I anticipate that the number of people who are going to be in need of mental health services are going to increase. Anxiety and depression are on the rise and that has been documented. I hope that funding continues and that resources increase so that we can meet the rising demand for services. I clearly hope that the virus either becomes so weak after a time that it is more like the common cold and not deadly or that a vaccine is developed. Humans are social beings and isolation is a very difficult way to live.

How have you personally been impacted by COVID-19? 

There was a time at the beginning that I personally knew many people who had the virus and who had died. My Executive Assistant of almost 28 years was in the hospital on a ventilator for almost 12 weeks. Thankfully she survived and is home now rehabbing. I lost some colleagues from various organizations I belong to. Then there are the other parts of my life that were totally affected like going to a movie or the gym… I really was one of those people who would frequently say, “I like my life the way it is.” I, like everyone, had to make changes very quickly. I can’t wait to resume life the way I knew it.

What types of support do you most need support now?  

Our fundraising events for 2020 had to stop because they were all in person gatherings.  We are appealing to our supporters to continue their financial support because we need it more now than ever before and many have stepped up to the plate. The clients still have needs, programs still need that extra funding that the government does not supply. We need more money for technology. Not all staff and clients have computers and internet.  We have a responsibility to give both the tools they need to function. We help PEOPLE REDISCOVER THEMSELVES. That’s our tagline… we need the dollars to continue to do what we do best.

What is next for your organization? 

We will continue to expand our residential program with more housing that is needed, grow telehealth services, serve more individuals that truly need mental health services, and continue to reach out for funding to government and supporters who understand the needs for mental health assistance.

What do you think the future holds for your sector as a result of the pandemic? 

I believe people are more honest and open about their emotional state than before the pandemic. This open, honest communication will help decrease the stigma of mental illness issues. Unfortunately, there are constant threats of service dollars being cut at a time when services are needed more. I am concerned the resources will not be there. As we have spent more money on things like technology and protective equipment so has the government and there is concern as to where is the money going to come from to pay for all of this. This is going to take a while, but mental health services are going to be needed and mental illness is said to be the most prevalent illness in the United States by the year 2030.  We need to rethink how we provide services and how we can reach more people.

Learn more at www.tsiny.org.