Tracey Lamm
for The Beacon
Cheryl Plank believes the one thing that is preventing Hope Haven from growing as an organization is a lack of individuals to fill the many open positions available at the direct care provider of services to individuals with developmental disabilities.
Plank, who became Executive Director of Hope Haven following the retirement of Bob Bartles in January, thinks the thing that inspired her to devote her professional career to this particular field, might be the answer for Hope Haven.
“My older sister worked in a nursing home when I was a teenager and I used to go to work with her and read to the residents. I really think that is probably what got me hooked,” Plank said.
Plank comes to Hope Haven after 36 years in the direct care services field.
“I have known Bob (Bartles) for many years. We served on the IACP Foundation board (Iowa Association of Community Providers). What big shoes to come in and fill,” Plank said.
She began her career in Muscatine and has held various positions over the years, most recently back in Muscatine assisting several community non-profit organizations with sustainability.
“I really thought I was at my final position there,” Plank said. However, during a meeting with Bartles he revealed he would be retiring, and it sparked her interest in taking over at Hope Haven. “I love it here. Burlington has been so welcoming,” Plank said.
Hope Haven is respected across Iowa and is known nationally as a premier organization.
“I want to maintain and sustain what Bob started here. We could grow, but we can’t find staff to fill the positions we currently have open,” Plank added.
Recruiting and maintaining current staff is a priority for Plank. She is seeking an individual to hire as a recruiter that will be in charge of hiring and training Hope Haven staff.
“That is unheard of for an agency like ours,” Plank said.
But, she feels that it is necessary in order to maintain current staff and to acquire the most appropriate individuals for current open positions with Hope Haven.
Paying competitive wages will also help as Hope Haven works to fill open positions. Additional funding from COVID-19 recovery money has helped Hope Haven increase wages.
“But we have to work to maintain that once those funds are no longer available,” Plank said.
Hope Haven staff provides care and training to individuals with developmental disabilities who live in a group home setting with some independence. Job training services are also a premiere Hope Haven service.
Many local companies and businesses have Hope Haven trained staff filling positions on site. Hope Haven also operates an aluminum can redemption center.
Plank said it is unusual for service providers like Hope Haven to provide this type of service because of the costs to operate and the inability of those types of businesses to operate without losing money.
And while Hope Haven is a business that must maintain facilities and provide payroll, its largest asset is human capital. Plank said not just anyone can do the jobs available at Hope Haven.
“We are dealing with people and it takes a certain kind of person to fill these roles,” Plank said.
That is why early exposure to Hope Haven and the clients who receive services there is an important part of job recruiting for the future.
In the meantime, Plank said she plans to find areas of current operations where efficiencies can be realized and where current employees can be used differently to continue to serve clients adequately.
“We may need to house more people in one home and job coaching may be a coach for three to four clients instead of one on one,” Plank said.
“I love my work. It is part of who I am,” Plank said. “My personal mission statement is to use my abilities to serve, support, and peace and understanding through compassionate action. Everything I do needs to fit my mission,” Plank added.
When not working, Plank and her husband bicycle, hike, and walk. Her two sons and eight grandchildren live in Iowa, and they all spend a lot of time together on 18 acres near Eddyville.