Don't Rest on Laurel: Elevating Case Management in Women's Treatment
Grace & Emerge co-owner Laurel Tracy, MBA, MAC, LCDC is an experienced operations manager known for her analytical and resourceful approach. At the same time, she has become an unwavering warrior against misconceptions associated with mental health, trauma, and addiction. Her own journey with recovery led her to where she is today, bringing a willingness to confront difficult truths to our community as she fights to raise the standards of women’s treatment—in our backyard and nationwide. Laurel’s new column takes a deep dive into the most vital issues facing women and the treatment community. This month, Laurel checks in on case management.
Beyond the Numbers: The Reality of Case Management
In many fields, an organization can gauge its success by reviewing its performance within competitive markets. As such, leadership teams rely heavily on quantitative data. However, despite all that KPIs can show us, you cannot truly understand the effectiveness of any aspect of your organization without actively participating in its operation.
As providers immersed in emotionally demanding roles, it may sometimes be easier to default to routines and high-level analysis rather than to engage with purpose. We feel a sense of earnestness in our ability to perform, even as we fail to touch ground. A recent deep dive into our case management department confronted me with this reality, and reminded me of our responsibility to create value as a provider.
Case Management: More Than Just Coordination
Case management in a treatment setting should go beyond just coordinating immediate care. It should target any external unresolved need that could jeopardize long-term stability—any area of life that was damaged and neglected. Case managers must have the perseverance to find ways to help women rebuild and minimize—if not wholly remove—the obstacles that make them feel like prisoners to their past, or as though the wreckage there is insurmountable.
Moving Beyond Box-Checking
Success comes from moving away from box-checking case management. Instead, we must embrace holistic and innovative case management filled with exploration and curiosity. It is there—and not in simply following the status quo—that we can create real value. Active participation from providers means taking an engaged, intentional role in the healing process.
How are you doing that at your organization?
