Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RYMA) received a 2023 High Impact Grant to upgrade agency technology and keep personal data safe for the children and youth they serve through residential and therapeutic care. A new client management system was purchased, installed, and data migration from the old system completed on an expedited timeline.
Q&A with Julie Dorsaneo Healy, Senior Director of Development and Marketing:
Congratulations on completing your 2023 High Impact Grant in record time!
Tell us about the need for the technology upgrade and the keys to a successful implementation?
RMYA’s mission is to help children who have experienced severe abuse and neglect heal in a safe environment, but on January 17, 2022, RMYA’s entire IT network was locked down by a cyber-criminal. While no personal information was compromised during this attack, RMYA’s technology infrastructure and client database required a complete overhaul. RMYA worked closely with a technology company to rebuild the infrastructure in phases and migrate client data to a new platform that would keep the children’s information extremely secure by today’s standards.
The High Impact Grant funded one phase of the renovation project, how is
the project going overall and how will it help RYMA?
The project is complete and will help ensure that RMYA client information is safe. With Impact San Antonio’s support, RMYA serves children in vulnerable situations who rely on the agency for protection.
What else is new at RMYA that you would like to share with Impact
members?
RMYA is honored to be an H-E-B Tournament of Champions Charity Work Site. This June, over 300 volunteer vendors will visit the 40-acre campus in Boerne to make a significant impact in the maintenance of the grounds and facilities. The State of Texas only funds 50% of the cost of care for children in the foster care system. Support from community partners is critical to the agency’s ability to provide the highest level of care for children who need it the most.
How do you feel about Impact San Antonio and the work they do in the
community?
Nonprofits serve vulnerable populations that are not fully supported through government funding. Partners like Impact San Antonio provide transformational help that creates significant change for marginalized members of our community.
Anything else you would like to share?
RMYA provides residential care and counseling for children in or at-risk of entering the Texas Foster Care system. Residential programs include the Bridge Emergency (ages 5-17), Meadowland, a long-term stay campus for children (ages 6-17) with high needs due to trauma, and TurningPoint, a supervised independent living facility for youth who lack stable housing that have usually aged out of the foster care system (ages 18-24).
