MHCA - Meeting the Challenges of Today's Behavioral Healthcare

Tri-County MHS Returns to MHCA

Tara Boyter — 5/10/2012 9:38:45 AM

MHCA is pleased to announce the renewed membership of Tri-County MHS of Lewiston, Maine. CEO Catherine Ryder attended our 2012 Winter Conference in Clearwater Beach, Florida as a guest. Tri-County serves a sizeable portion of the sourthern portion of the state and operates with a budget of $23 million and 383 FTEs. They were members of MHCA prior to 2000 under the direction of then CEO Greg Shea.

In addition to her membership with MHCA, Ms. Ryder has just been elected to the Mental Health Risk Retention Group Board of Directors by its Class C Shareholders. She fills a vacancy created by the retirement of Debra Falvo.

New MHCA Members from Arizona and Pennsylvania

Tara Boyter — 5/3/2012 9:37:33 AM

Following recent visits to MHCA conferences, Brad Barry, CEO of Child Guidance Resource Centers of Pennsylvania (pictured left bottom), and Dennis Regnier, CEO of CODAC Behavioral Health Services of Arizona, have become our newest members.

Regnier (pictured left top) is a returning member, having recently served as CEO of Grand Prairie Services in Tinley Park, Illinois. Dr. Sharronne Ward has become CEO there. CARF-accrediited CODAC is located in Tucson and serves Pima County with a staff of 245 FTE and a budget of $32 million.

Barry's Child Guidance Center becomes our second member in Pennsylvania. Child Guidance is located in Havertown and serves Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties with a staff of 375 FTE and a budget of $22.5 million. They are accredited by The Joint Commission. Join us in welcoming both Dennis and Brad!

Bob Davison of NJ's Mental Health Association of Essex County Goes Undercover In Advocacy Effort

Frank Collins — 4/24/2012 11:26:16 AM

Robert N. "Bob" Davison MA LPC, Executive Director of Mental Health Association of Essex County, Inc., in Montclair, NJ, went undercover to show what can happen when the state discharges psychiatric patients into facilities his group says are poorly run.

For about 51 hours late last month, he posed as a homeless man inside Dover Woods, a state-licensed residential health care facility in Toms River that is often home for patients discharged from psychiatric hospitals. What he experienced "angered and stunned" him.

"The whole time I was there the staff never spoke to me. It was difficult, particularly hearing all the noises � the slamming doors, people hallucinating, people arguing with themselves, throwing furniture in the courtyard. It really sounded like bedlam."

Now Davison is calling on Gov. Chris Christie�s administration to demand these facilities be made safer or stop using them.

Davison plans to share his experience with state Human Services officials, and will ask Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee Chairman Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex) to hold a hearing. He also wants to team up with other mental health advocates to offer possible solutions.

Please read more about Bob's ordeal at the following link:
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/04/mental_health_official_poses_a.html

Meridian Health Services Designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center

Tara Boyter — 4/5/2012 2:52:20 PM

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that MHCA member Meridian Health Services of Muncie, Indiana has been designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike based on information received and reviewed by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). CMS has designated two Meridian sites including MeridianMD, a primary care clinic and Suzanne Gresham Center, a children�s treatment center.

Hank A. Milius, President/CEO (pictured at left), stated, �We are pleased with being recognized as a FQHC Look-Alike. This allows us to expand primary care access to our patients and community.� Brent Webster, Chairman of the Board, noted that this designation has been the outcome of a long process initiated by Meridian�s Strategic Planning efforts in 2009. The Board approved pursuit of the FQHC designation in 2009 and the establishment of a primary care clinic, MeridianMD, in 2010.

Family Health Services, a community health center in Rushville, joined Meridian Health Services in October 2011. Amelia Clark, VP of Community Health, noted, �Meridian Health Services� new approach to health integrates physical, mental and social well-being. Patients receive coordinated care from Meridian�s qualified staff of doctors, nurses, therapists and other professionals to address the different components of health. It is clear that this patient-centered approach for whole-person health can greatly benefit patients.� Milius noted that integrated care reduces hospital admissions and costs. The integration model positions Meridian Health Services favorably with major healthcare systems and insurers. Milius stated, �Becoming an FQHC allows us to integrate more fully in existing clinics, adding primary care to areas that are underserved and reach patient populations that do not have adequate access to healthcare.�

Meridian Health Services has 10 locations serving over 20 counties throughout Indiana. These locations include specialized facilities that provide primary medical care, children and family programs, hospital psychiatric services, residential living and a Child Advocacy Center.