We’re living in interesting times. Interesting times are scary, but moments when we can make great change happen. As a community, as a state, and as a country, we’ve been confronted with our own senses of identity and our moral values. We’ve been inspired or forced to change, and its opened up new avenues for relating to each other and working together. We have to keep the momentum going.

La Colectiva held its first virtual convening this week. There are many reasons to be thankful – we made it to this point, we heard from highly resilient leaders and their inspiring stories about adapting to COVID, and we saw the names and faces of friends and colleagues on our screens. It is not quite the same as being together with one hundred colleagues at the Georgetown Public Library (thanks Lesley!). However, it was great to hear how TeenSharp was able to increase the number of students served by the program because transportation wasn’t a barrier; how Autism Delaware was quickly able to adapt using telemedicine and institute self-care workshops for staff; and how the Delaware Readiness Teams have become a focus for information sharing and advocacy for families.

Barriers really can be broken down, and ineffective practices changed to accommodate new practices, so we can all be better together. The promise of virtual and social media as a place for grassroots social engagement (of all kinds) has been realized, and created wonderful spaces for connection, learning and action.

Erika Gutierrez, steering committee member, has been instrumental in forming truly member-driven information sharing spaces on Facebook, Los Ayudantes Delaware, and Education Possible Delaware, an initiative of DelawareCAN. Diane Frentzel, convening speaker, pointed out how the Delaware Readiness Teams list of downloadable Family Resources keeps growing because people are using it! Arlene Beltran of DART invited the network to join a webinar on how RideShare Delaware is providing essential transportation to those who need it. Rodel Foundation and Delaware Readiness Teams encourage parent voices to be heard as part of the Covid-19 Parent Survey extended until Friday, June 19th.

We now have a way for LCD network members to come together and work within a virtual forum that promotes collaborative and collective action. The LCD Member Forum is a place where members can meet and share information, ideas, and goals for collaboration. I encourage you to register for the Forum and get started.

In Solidarity,
Dr. Jennifer Fuqua
Steering Committee Co-Chair