LaTarsha McCoy, B.I.S. - Lincoln Leader Spotlight

Lincoln Leader Spotlight

LaTarsha McCoy, B.I.S.

EXCEL Alameda/Hayward

As my family ushered in the new year, I sat with my daughters to design vision boards. “2020 Vision” boldly positioned in the center of my board; short term goals, inspirational quotes to myself, dreams and aspirations, and milestones reached…that is what I envisioned. Never could I have imagined an event of this magnitude, storming onto the scene and forcing every living being to re-think life.

COVID-19, for nearly 8 weeks now, has everyone, somewhat blindly, navigating through a phantasmagoria of exceptionally frightening and thought-provoking times. All of our lives have been greatly impacted in one way or another. Though challenging, many of us have discovered new hobbies and have become reacquainted with old ones. We are spending much needed, quality time with our families and putting the multitude of mundane, daily distractions we once knew, into perspective. While that is one silver lining, it is important to remember the challenges presented to those within our society who are the most affected by this pandemic; most notably are our elderly, nurses, doctors, caregivers, essential workers, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. One sector of people I do not hear talked about enough, however, are those who have been diagnosed with a mental illness. 

With May being the month to observe Mental Health Awareness, I am proud to say that I am a member of EXCEL Alameda/Hayward, a program of Lincoln Families, with the main office being located in Oakland, Ca. As an intervention specialist with EXCEL, I provide academic and behavioral support to families with children who have been diagnosed with a mental illness and or have been traumatized. Sudden changes to our client’s routines, are often triggers for impulsive, undesired, and unpredictable behaviors, which is both concerning and difficult to respond to, remotely. “Six feet apart”, “Social distancing”, “Quarantine”, “Self-quarantine”, “Essential workers”, “Shelter in place”, “Distance Learning”, and “#Alonetogether”, are all terms that Boomers and Generation Z, alike, are now accustomed to. This is a new way of being and though scary at times, my team has pledged to team up with our families and figure it out together. With a combination of amazing leadership, support, talents, and skills, EXCEL has risen to the occasion!