Above: Joanna in front of Southern Tier Connects Oneonta office.
Care Coordination Manager (CCM) Joanna Jackson has been working with Southern Tier Connect for three years and is a pro when it comes to providing families with the care they need. Joanna has worked in the human services field for over ten years and expressed her gratitude for all the families she’s met and for whom she’s had the opportunity to provide care and support when we talked to her recently. Before working at Southern Tier Connect (STC), Joanna worked at Springbrook as a direct support professional (DSP) in a residence at The School at Springbrook; she has also worked in the foster care system. Joanna has worked with over 30 families at STC, but few have stood out more than Taylor Piucci and her family. In the three years she’s been working with Taylor and her family, Taylor was one of the first STC members on Joanna’s caseload, and so much has changed for them at that time. Joanna has been there to support them through every trial and triumph.
Taylor’s name may be familiar to you from the Polar Bear jump—Taylor and her family were recipients of the annual jump at Goodyear Lake, which raised $182,000 for local children, adults, and their families, as well as other non-profit organizations. For the Piucci’s, this funding supported Taylor’s treatments, transportation, and so much more. When Joanna started working with Taylor, she had a primary diagnosis of autism. In March of 2023, just shy of her 12th birthday, Taylor was diagnosed with type one diabetes and Hodgkin’s Lymphoma stage 4 after a lump was discovered on her neck. Stage 4 indicated that the cancer had spread beyond the lymphatic system and into the rest of her body; Taylor will be undergoing a bone marrow transplant in the coming months.
The Piucci family purchased their home in Stamford, New York, over seven years ago. They have since made frequent trips to Albany Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) in New York City to support Taylor’s diagnosis and treatment. At MSK, Taylor has a doctor who is working with her through all of her treatment and has a holistic understanding of Taylor’s primary needs and wants as a young girl with autism. As a CCM, it became Joanna’s job to help the family secure transportation, temporary housing, and additional items and food for their weekly trips to New York City for Taylor’s chemotherapy. Joanna secured assistance for the family with transportation to Albany through the HELP Committee at Springbrook and additional food reimbursement through the Family Resource Network (FRN) Legacy Fund for their time away from home, and Catholic Charities. She also secured weekly transit with the same driver through Medicaid Transport and stays in NYC through Alex’s Lemonade Stand (which provided reimbursement for lodging). More recently, the Ronald McDonald House has partially funded and guaranteed the family’s stays in NYC.
Above: Joanna taking a selfie with Taylor
Joanna was also able to help Taylor secure funds for food. Because she loves sweets but has type one diabetes, as well as sensory processing and food sensitivities, Taylor’s food options are minimal. Her doctor recommended a cocoa-based drink that costs upward of five dollars per drink, something she can now divulge in and enjoy thanks to Joanna’s hard work. Beyond transportation and medical treatment, Joanna advocated for Taylor by making recommendations for further support in school, including her individualized education program (IEP); she also worked with Taylor’s physical therapist to secure a sensory crash pad and an adaptive tricycle. Taylor was given a keyboard piano at school, which she loves to play regularly. Joanna also secured food for the family through the Delaware Opportunities food pantry and Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) benefits to provide oil for heat in their home throughout the winter.
Joanna Jackson’s dedication and hard work as a care coordination manager at Southern Tier Connect have been instrumental in supporting Taylor Piucci and her family through the challenges they have faced. Her role in securing essential resources such as transportation, temporary housing, medical treatment, and additional support services has significantly impacted Taylor’s quality of life. Joanna’s commitment to meeting the specific needs of Taylor and her family showcases the exceptional compassion CCMs provide for the people they work with.