Prevention Is the Best Medicine in the Age of COVID-19

2-Minute Read 

Galt Foundation is a proud long-time partner of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA), which took early and decisive action to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Learn about the critical steps they took to keep residents and staff safe, and read helpful tips inspired by the ODVA’s approach to managing change.

As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That is certainly the case when it comes to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA).
Taking Action Early
While most long-term care facilities across America and around the world are dealing with a heartbreakingly high number of COVID-19 cases, the seven facilities run by the ODVA have been successful at managing the virus’s spread. Their secret? They took early and decisive action to prevent the spread of COVID-19 along with the seasonal flu.
Weeks before the global pandemic became the only thing anyone could talk about, the ODVA implemented new protocols regarding hygiene, visitation, access to the facilities, and personal protective equipment, all aimed at keeping residents and staff safe. They also began offering video calls, to give residents a risk-free way to stay in touch with loved ones. The end result is a very low number of cases in ODVA facilities compared to other long-term care facilities throughout Oklahoma.
Galt Foundation is proud to be a long-time partner of such a forward-thinking organization, which has worked hard to keep veterans and employees safe during this time of unprecedented uncertainty and change. The ODVA currently employs hundreds of Galt Foundation field staff, representing a significant percentage of the ODVA’s total workforce. The ODVA has long supported Galt Foundation’s mandate of helping individuals with disabilities to find meaningful, sustaining employment.

Adapting to Change
Other organizations would be wise to learn from the ODVA’s example of taking decisive action early in a crisis.
Here are several principles inspired by the ODVA’s approach to managing change:

1. Acknowledge that change is happening. Denial only leads to delays, and delays can be costly.
   
   
2. Understand that bad change occasionally leads to some positive results. Take the opportunity to critically examine your organization’s usual way of doing business.
   
   
3. Accept that even good change can be stressful. It’s normal to feel stress in times of change.
   
   
4. Be proactive instead of reactive. Work preventatively, instead of waiting until after something negative has happened before taking action.
   
   

Let Galt Help You
Thank you to all of Galt Foundation’s clients for keeping people with disabilities employed and for serving our mission.
At this time when staffing requirements can change quickly, feel free to get in touch with our friendly associates here, or call us at 1-877-361-1277. We’re happy and ready to help.