Wedgwood Executive Update 2023

Friends of Wedgwood,

I’d like to welcome you to the start of 2023, and what we pray will be a hope-filled year for you and your loved ones, and for Wedgwood and the people we serve.

As I look back on 2022 the scripture verse that stands out to me the most is Matthew 17:20-21,

“…if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

 

Our most difficult time at Wedgwood, quite possibly in our more than 62-year history, was in February of 2022 when we struggled to find hope after four progressively more difficult waves of COVID-19.

• 45% of frontline staff at one time were out with COVID-19.
• Turnover was at 87%.
• There was no relief in sight from the State of Michigan.

At that point, we found strength knowing God is faithful and all we needed to do is have a “mustard seed” size faith. We also committed to giving God the honor and glory when He saw us through.

So, by faith:

• We invested $1.3M from our donor foundation to increase wages, training, and staffing.
• Hired over 75 additional employees since June.

God honored that faith:

• Turnover dropped to 37%
• In November, we received nearly $2M relief payment from the State of Michigan.
• The Department of Health and Human Services increased our reimbursement rate by 37%.

And so, we will fulfill our promise with plans to create a tribute to God’s faithfulness with a statue of a mustard tree on our campus.

God is good.

 

Many of you have heard me talk about the mental health tsunami, a massive wave of depression, anxiety, eating disorders and suicidal thoughts that are facing our teens now more than ever before. In a recent Wall Street Journal article, social researcher Jonathan Haidt lamented, that there’s “never been a generation this depressed, anxious and fragile.”

The mental health epidemic for kids is more destructive than COVID-19.

 

To make matters worse, the pandemic induced workforce shortage has forced many childcare institutions to close. By the end of 2022, Wedgwood was the only one actively growing its census, to meet the growing needs for residential treatment.

Growth doesn’t just happen through a specific clinical model or approach. It takes bravery and courage to move forward. That happens best in open and honest relationships. The children we serve have difficult behaviors as a result of experiences no child should ever endure — trafficking, abuse, trauma, and substance use. We show them what’s possible with love, grace and the right supports. When we can help one child, we have the ability to impact a generational cycle that goes far beyond just one individual to also change the relationships of that individual in the future.

Relationships are what make us human.
Within every child, within every person, is a mustard seed of greatness.

 

There is a pressing need in our community to grow and expand our outpatient services because we have the tools and the expertise to address them. Our community benefits when Wedgwood is healthy and growing. If we are strong, our community is stronger.

I invite you to view a digital version of our most recent Outcomes Report. I want to highlight just a few of the accomplishments we are especially thankful for in 2022:

• 100% of residents participated in therapeutic activities that promote their physical, mental, and emotional growth and health.
• 95% of teens who participated in Wedgwood’s Employment Training Program show improvement in school and in their behavior.
• 1,594 individuals received counseling & community mental health services.
• 1,200 families received comprehensive, holistic, youth and family-driven support for serious mental health or behavioral challenges.
• 100% of children who attended our Autism Center for Child Development gained a functional method of communication or experienced substantial improvement in communication.
• 85% of children in our residential program go on to less restrictive placements such as with family members, open programs, foster care, or independent living.

I’ll close this update with some exciting news. At Wedgwood’s Anniversary Celebration I announced the creation of the Gary Raterink Employee Development Fund. Gary was a passionate steward of our mission in every way for six decades – literally until his last breath. I’m proud to announce that in just a few short months we’ve raised $56,542 to encourage, strengthen, and develop our incredible team here at Wedgwood, so that they can continue to expertly impact the people we serve in the same spirit that Gary did.

Thank you for your faithful support of Wedgwood, and for all the ways you transform lives.

God Bless,

Dr. Daniel T. Gowdy, Ed. D.
President/CEO

 

Listen to a conversation with Wedgwood’s President/CEO Dr. Dan Gowdy on Wedgwood’s Coffee Break Conversation Podcast recapping the year and his vision for Wedgwood’s future!