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Applied in 2007

Unsung Heroes

The Cedar Tree Institute

Program Facts

  • Paid (FTE) Staff Working: 2
  • Program Participants Last Year: 50
  • Meets about 2 time(s) with each participant per month
  • Participants remain in the program for 12 months

Volunteers

Volunteers per month: 10

Volunteers are trained:

Volunteer Training
AlwaysRarely

Volunteers are actively recruited:

Volunteer Recruiting
AlwaysRarely

Board Activities

  • Formally reviews the performance of the chief executive officer at least once every two years.
  • Formally approves the budget.
  • Ensures that arrangements with outside fund raising firms are made in writing.
  • Receives information about the financial arrangements with such firms and, if applicable, the anticipated portion of the gross proceeds that goes to the organization.
  • Has formally approved a conflict of interest policy and regularly monitors it to ensure adherence.
  • Receives, at least quarterly, the organization's financial statement.
  • Receives, at least annually, an auditor's management letter and report.
  • Convenes an audit committee.

Outcomes & Measures: (self-reported)

Outcome 1
Increased self-awareness and empathy skills for nursing home, hospice and home health staff

Measure
Written evaluations of training experiences by participants.

Outcome 2
Increased effectiveness of staff interactions with colleagues and patients.

Measure
Three and six month evaluations; Measurements and observations by supervisors on site

Outcome 3
Increased resiliency and health education in areas of diet and stress management.

Measure
Feedback by participants, blood pressure readings and history, weight control measurements, self-reporting of exercise

Outcome 4
Continuing education opportunities, scholarships for conference participation.

Measure
Annually five participants attend conference on grief, bereavement and patient care. Documentation on attending these classes/seminars and reflection essays.

Outcome 5
Educational components on personal financial management for staff workers on minimum wage scales

Measure
Participants complete personal model budgets focusing on credit risks and savings strategies.

Change Process: (self-reported)

Participants learn ways to cope with the personal stress of an overburdened, underfunded rural healthcare system that’s stretched to the maximum in areas of supplies, patient needs training, conflict resolution, compassionate care.

These healthcare, hospice and home health employees and support staff are also dealing with their own financial and dietary stress due to a minimum wage pay.

CTI staff, clergy, relaxation experts and others teach coping skills and provide spiritual education that the participants use to provide better patient care and a improve relationship with co-workers.

Participants prepare personal budgets and healthy menus with information from diet, health and budgeting experts and learn how addressing these issues makes other areas of their life more enjoyable.

Participants also learn from each other by describing their own concerns and/or conflicts in a wide range of duties from home health, to end-of-life care, to veterans needs through projects for Veterans Administration employees.

Five of those attending Unsung Heroes are annually given scholarships/grants for continuing education thanks to support for the project from the Marquette Community Foundation. Those who receive grants report back on what they have learned and how it appliers to their medical jobs. Financing for the additional training is not readily available from their own employers due to the economic hard times facing Michigan’s Upper Peninsula that economists have described as the “Second Appalachia” due to the highest unemployment and lowest household income in the state.