Firm: North Highland
Type of Work: Pro Bono
Client: Alexander Youth Network
In Charlotte, N.C., North Highland partnered with Apparo, a non-profit that empowers local non-profits in the greater Charlotte area through technology that enhances their missions, to help Alexander Youth Network (AYN) in the spring 2015 to assess its IT capabilities. The organization had a great need to have a better understanding of its IT needs and risks. Project details include the implementation of cloud solution, Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft remote desktop servers for easy maintenance.
At North Highland, we strive to be leaders in business and the community, Tom Murphy, Global Retail Lead at North Highland, says. "We began a partnership with Apparo through their Skilled Volunteer Engagement Program. The SVE provided us a great opportunity to review needs of a few local non-profit organizations. Apparo facilitated a joint selection process where we were presented the opportunity to work with Alexander Youth Network."
AYN had a great need to have a better understanding of their information technology needs and risks as well as a phased plan to bring about change that would be financially feasible.
Ann Church, Executive Vice President, AYN, says: "I think all of our staff have great heart and passion for the mission but we're also aware that the operating environment for us is primarily funded by Medicaid and charitable dollars. One of the things that has changed recently is that we are in a managed care environment and we really need to be able to measure our value and measure our effectiveness," Church says.
Church says AYN invested a lot in an EMR but one of its ongoing struggles has been the ability to put it all together in a sustainable way. "We don't have the staff capacity to put it all together," Church says. "North Highland and Apparo have helped us get a 50,000-foot view of our situation and helping us articulate our needs is absolutely critical."
Church says she realizes that sounds "businessy," and added that it all comes down to making a difference in the lives of kids. "What do we need to do in terms of data analytics? Especially when it comes down to children's mental health: How can we better use the data that we have to get more children what they need when they need it?" Church says. "And we're also hoping a part of this process will help us be more pro-active rather than re-active."
Some of the project details include the implementation of cloud solution, Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft remote desktop servers for easy maintenance. Previously all network hardware had been located locally in Charlotte, N.C.
"We learned about the mission of AYN, which is to provide quality professional treatment to children with serious emotional and behavioral problems. They deliver an effective and efficient array of services, enabling children and their families to exercise self-determination, achieve their potential, and find long-lasting positive ways to connect with their community," says Murphy.
"AYNs passion and their mission with helping children with behavior challenges is incredible. What you quickly realize is how traumatic some of these children's lives have been and how impactful AYN has been to their lives. In many cases, AYN is the last thing these children have before they go over the cliff. The AYN staff is amazing and anything we can do to help, and help the staff do their work is so important."
Because of North Highland's investment, AYN has a better understanding of their current and future needs, Church says.
North Highland contributed some $23,000 worth of consulting hours as part of the project. This solution would not have been feasible for Alexander Youth Network without the volunteer hours of North Highland.
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