Behavioral Crossroads has been participating the FDA Food and Drug Administration Food Grant program for years. It is a Medicaid based program. In our new world of COVID-19, we have the unique opportunity to work with our clients using a food delivery system. Since our programs are running by different rules, based on safety, CDC protocols and social distancing, we must worry about the virus and offer treatment by telehealth and voice only telephone formats for our Medicaid programs. It is a necessary treatment modality, but it creates a void in the therapeutic relationship our counselors normally maintain socializing with our clients, sensing body language, appearance, smell, and touch.
The use of telehealth and audio only phone calls are restrictive in this respect. The beauty of the Crossroads Companies Food Grant Program enhances treatment, extends care and deliverers vital food supplies to a challenged population in its time of need. With this FDA Food Grant program, we are able to maintain employment of most of our corporate drivers and have a set distribution network of vehicles delivering 5-days’ worth of food weekly, in large, boxed packages to our Medicaid population. A population that sorely needs the nutritional support and companionship. Our drivers have the opportunity greet our clients in a socially responsible way and deliver vitally needed supplies. They act as our eyes and ears and report back situations and issues to our counselors in a HIPAA compliant format that our counseling staff may not see or hear on an audio only phone call or in a group session on Zoom Video Conferencing. This weekly food delivery, in the form of a 5-day box, becomes so much more in this time of need. We are blessed to have the system in place and the transportation staff to support its therapeutic value during the pandemic.
We would like to take this time to recognize our transportation heroes and compliment them on their valuable role in our therapeutic community. If you need any additional information about our food program please reach out to, Markus Caldwell at 609.645.2500 x 128.
