Redwood’s new CEO charts post-COVID course
When Sharon Fusco stepped in as the new CEO of Redwood, a nonprofit in Fort Mitchell, at the beginning of the year, in some ways it was like someone was playing a practical joke.
“I had to learn everyone’s name, but everyone was wearing a mask,” she recalls. “Now, as we come out of the pandemic, I’m going to have to learn everyone’s name without a mask all over again.”
All kidding aside, Fusco was keenly aware of the challenges she would face post-COVID. Tasked with the mission of growing Redwood in its reach, Fusco was also instantly aware that the team at Redwood was very special.
“They not only survived during the pandemic, but thrived,” Fusco says. “That speaks to the strength of their organization.”
Since its inception in 1951, the story of Redwood has been one of families, love, dedication, community support and involvement, according to Carol Serrone, chief philanthropy officer of the organization.
“We have been serving the Northern Kentucky community for over 67 years,” Serrone says. “Our name actually comes from two families, the Reders and the Woods, who had children with cerebral palsy. They could get medical care, but there were no rehabilitation services, and, perhaps more importantly, no school services—which only came online in 1990, when the Americans With Disabilities Act became law.”
With the help of other families and the support of the Diocese of Covington and other community organizations, Redwood was able to build a school for children with disabilities. When those children reached high school age and after, Redwood developed adult care services. Today, Redwood is in an 86,000-square-foot facility with a staff of over 120 that serves more than 750 individuals a year.
“We are unique in that we serve individuals through their entire lifespan,” says Serrone. “Redwood enrolls people from six weeks old, all the way up to their 80s. In addition to learning life skills, we help with daily living activities like eating and assistance in using the restroom.
“We have also expanded into behavioral support because a lot of times children who have developmental disabilities may have some other emotional challenges as well.”
But when COVID came along last year, Redwood had to pivot. It had to shut its doors to most of its clients, including those who receive therapy.
Redwood’s Therapeutic Services team began an innovative switch to teletherapy. Speech, occupational and physical therapies were all provided using Zoom-like technology with families only needing internet access and a device with a camera.
The solution has proven to be very effective. It’s not only loved by families but will also be an avenue of growth for Redwood moving forward.
“I am not a big fan of the ‘new normal,’ because I don’t think we can go back to where we were pre-COVID,” says Fusco. “We have to look into the future and turn our challenges into new opportunities.”
In addition to using teletherapy to extend Redwood’s reach into under-served client populations whether they be rural- or urban-based, Redwood is also looking to form partnerships that have a need for its services, says Fusco.
“If it’s a good fit, it also creates a good collaboration with a potential partner,” she adds.
And of course, there is also the possibility of creating another school, or expanding Redwood’s services north into Ohio and Indiana.
“But we believe there are a number of opportunities for us to grow right here in Northern Kentucky,” Fusco says. “It continues to be growing market for us.”
