We are delighted to announce that the Elizabeth Lund Employee of the Year for 2019 is Anna Mumford, Post Permanency Services Provider in the adoption department. (Pictured right with Melissa Appleton, Post Permanency Services Coordinator (l)) and Wanda Audette, Director of Adoption (r)) Anna works in Chittenden County providing support to families joined through adoption or guardianship. Her work varies widely depending on the needs of the family. “I provide in home support, and I can also be available for school meetings or meetings with other providers,” says Anna of her work. “This can be around normative adoption themes (such as how child fits into a family, how they make sense of their experience and role within family) or can be helping with contact with birth family or extended family. The experiences that a youth has had before they are with their family continues to be impactful throughout their lives. Parents do have to parent in a different way to support their whole family system. That needs to be acknowledged and the family should be able to receive support through their whole journey.”
Anna was honored for her thoughtful and intentional work. She weaves in a collaborative approach that empowers her clients and builds on their strengths. Her families know they can count on her and seek her steady guidance. She creates space for difficult conversations and the tough feelings unique to adoption and guardianship. She cares deeply about the families she serves.
“If a caregiver feels more supported after our interaction, I feel accomplished,” she says. “That’s a success.”
Last spring Anna collaborated with the Peace and Justice Center to host the training series, “Talking with Kids About Racism”. It was open to parents, providers, and community members and was well attended and well received by attendees. This training series built on Lund’s commitment to Diversity and Inclusion initiatives by bringing important training opportunities beyond our staff to Lund clients and community members. Anna became an LICSW in March. Anyone who has undergone licensure, knows this can be a demanding and involved process. She also become certified in Phase 2 of Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics, which was another huge time commitment on top of her already full plate. This certification broadened her own clinical skills and allowed her to teach the concepts to others including Lund staff members in other departments. As if that wasn’t enough, in the fall she took on a BSW intern. What a year for Anna!
When asked how she felt about winning the award, Anna said, “I was honored and shocked. It was really great, a real surprise. I have been able to grow a lot in my time here.”
We have know since you were born that you were destined to be someone who had a set of special skills. You have always had that sense of looking beyond the traditional path. You have a great family, friends that will always have your back if needed. We love you Anna-Banana.