HYS Supervisors Win Prestigious Patriot Award
“The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide-range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.”
From right: First Lieutenant Marc Bush, MSW, Clinical Therapist at St. Joseph House, Shari Gross, MA, Director of Finance and Treatment Services, and Erin Bastow, MS, LPC, NCC, Clinical Director and Clinical Therapist at St. Joseph House
Marc Bush is a father, husband, Clinical Therapist in the St. Joseph House at Harborcreek Youth Services…and a First Lieutenant serving as a Medical Logistics Officer for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. Recently, Marc worked to recognize his supervisors and our agency for their efforts to support him while on duty by nominating Shari Gross and Erin Bastow for the Patriot Award, which is presented through the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) program.
“Throughout my time with Harborcreek Youth Services (HYS) Shari and Erin have been very supportive of my National Guard commitments of schools, drills, and annual trainings. If there was ever a change in any of those categories, they were willing to work around me being away for that short period of time and cover the needs of the kids and the agency.
Most recently, I was called to several State Active-Duty Missions outside the yearly training realm. An eight-month in-state deployment to support COVID-19 operations in nursing homes, a few State Active-Duty missions were launched to assist with civilian operations, specifically protests and inauguration support, and additionally support for mass vaccination clinic sites. HYS really stepped up to help support me and my family while I was away. It was very short notice for these State Active-Duty Missions, sometimes less than 8 hours, but Erin, Shari, and I were willing to stay in contact, and the facility and staff worked together to meet the needs of the kids and the mission of the agency in my absence. On top of that, I had to go away for two months for military schools. When all of this was done, I was welcomed back with open arms and a team that appreciates everything I do and continue to do.
For the past two years, with the extended number of times being called to duty, Shari, Erin, and HYS have always been mindful of my family and my family’s needs. Even while away, they were both consistently checking up on me and my family. Upon my return, HYS is moving forward with self-care and the promotion of everyone's individual family plans as that is an important part of their mission. Shari and Erin have cared about how my wife and child have been since I was away and have gotten to know them on a personal level because of these recent events. I am truly grateful for the supervisors that I have.”
- First Lieutenant Marc Bush, MSW
Medical Logistics Officer
HHC 128th BSB Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania Army National Guard
and
Clinical Therapist, St. Joseph House
Marc has also taken the time to nominate the agency as a whole for supporting active-duty members, and the agency was recognized in 2019 with the Seven Seals award.