by Anne Connor
aconnor@mhm.org

San Antonio, like many cities in the United States, faces key gaps in mental health care: A fragmented “system,” with little coordination or collaboration among providers; few resources where the uninsured can receive mental health care in a timely manner; and a serious shortage of mental health providers. The $9.4 million funding initiative announced by Methodist Healthcare Ministries on October 12 was a coordinated response to those needs. The grants made by MHM will change the landscape of care in San Antonio, addressing system issues in a way that will benefit thousands of underserved mental health consumers. 

Here’s why it matters:

1. Hospital discharge is no longer abandonment. Previously, the fragmented mental health system of care in Bexar County did not have a way to care for mental health patients discharged from hospitals. This had gotten so bad that in 2009, bills were drafted trying to address “patient dumping.” In one high-profile case a woman, left at a bus station after being discharged from a mental hospital, died as a result. MHM’s grant to the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) includes funding for a Transitional Care Clinic. This clinic will link patients with care when referred from local ERs and inpatient programs. It will provide next day mental health appointments (almost unheard of in San Antonio) and 60-90 days of transitional care until the patient can be enrolled in existing community programs. The clinic will open in 2012 with a projected capacity of 550 psychiatric patient visits a month. An innovative feature is that care management and therapy will be delivered in the home or community, with patients coming to the clinic for medication management only. By providing 60-90 days of intensive coordinated care, the clinic will (a) decrease emergency visits and re-hospitalizations and (b) provide an inter-professional training venue.
2. San Antonio will have more mental health providers. San Antonio has a lower mental health provider-to-population ratio than the national average, exacerbating other conditions to create a serious care shortage. Through MHM’s grant, UTHSCA will establish a multidisciplinary training and clinical care program, addressing the shortage of mental health professionals, with four new behavioral health training and practice programs. MHM’s total grant to UTHSCSA (for both the Transitional Care Clinic and the behavioral health training and practice programs) is $5.3 million.
3. The mentally ill homeless will receive centrally located care. Prospects Courtyard, the “encampment” at Haven for Hope, is a temporary home for those homeless persons who are not ready to enter the Transformational Program at Haven, largely because of mental health issues. Haven for Hope is not currently equipped to deal with this situation. MHM’s million dollar grant to The Center for Health Care Services will fund a new Mental Health Clinic. This walk-in psychiatric outpatient clinic will serve homeless individuals: (a) living at the Courtyard, (b) living in a new dormitory residence (not funded by MHM), and/or (c) referred by community agencies. Services will include psychiatric assessments and follow-up, medication stabilization and monitoring, case management and rehabilitation, benefit procurement, and nursing assessments.
4. Providers will work together to serve the whole client. Life is not simple, and mental illnesses do not occur in isolation. More often than not, they are accompanied by physical ailments and substance abuse issues. MHM’s $2.8 million grant to The Center for Health Care Services will fund the creation of two new integrated care clinics, in partnership with CentroMed. The program will launch at an existing location, the University Family Health Center Northwest, providing 24/7 access to care and wraparound services. The focus will be on those patients most in need of integrated care (especially high utilizers of emergency and hospitalization services). The second phase of the program will be a brand new clinic in the downtown corridor in Year two of the grant. 
5. Mental health rehabilitation will be more available. Not all mentally ill persons need hospitalization or crisis services. Many are stabilized through medication, and need a place where they can move from the feeling of being disabled (as a patient) to being able. Our House San Antonio is an important part of the mental health continuum of care in Bexar County. At a very low cost per client, it provides outpatient rehabilitation and prevention services for those with severe and persistent mental illness.  The central model is prevention- rather than treatment-oriented, emphasizing healing and stabilization through a work-centered day and a return to a productive role in society. Services include “active reach out” to identify and address possible crisis situations when members do not show up to the Clubhouse. This program has been demonstrated to significantly reduce mental health hospitalizations.  MHM is providing a $300K grant to Our House for capital renovations to a new building that will triple their ultimate capacity to serve clients.

The mental health strategic initiative, mandated by the Methodist Healthcare Ministries Board, was implemented through a year-long effort by a mental health work group convened by MHM.  The work group identified key gaps in the system of mental health care and produced a report on the system of care in July 2011. The grants responded directly to that report.

The San Antonio Express-News also provided coverage on this announcement, to view the article click here.

About the Author:

Anne Connor has 14 years of experience in development and nonprofit management. She is a champion for collaborative work in philanthropy and among nonprofits, and for the use of outcome measurement to demonstrate how programs make a difference. She has been with Methodist Healthcare Ministries for nine years. Her team administers the grants made by MHM, and provides technical assistance to other organizations in seeking grants from foundations and government agencies. She coordinates the Texas Health Funders’ Consortium, organizing educational presentations on health topics (including mental health) and facilitating the co-funding of health grant projects.  

Our 2011 United Way Campaign came to a close last Friday and it has been an AWESOME week!

MHM has exceeded its goal by over $4,700 and we are still counting! Thank you to each team member for your generousity and support.

A campaign meeting was hosted again on Friday, October 14 at the Wesley Health & Wellness Center. Thank you to everyone that was able to attend.

These meetings provided us with an opportunity to hear from several United Way agencies, including: Child Advocates of San Antonio (CASA), Crosspoint, Inc., United Way 2-1-1 and Children’s Association for Maximum Potential (CAMP). They are all doing great things in our community with the support of the United Way.

Remember that everyone who attended a meeting will be entered into a door prize drawing for United Way goodies, gift cards and lunch with our President & CEO! We’ll announce our winners next week.

We will also raffle prizes for donors in each MHM Leadership Giving Level – Steward ($26-249), Mission Partner ($250-499), Caring Servant ($500-999) and John Wesley Society ($1000 and above).

For more information, contact your Pledge Coordinator or Maggie Vasquez at mvasquez@mhm.org.

by Chivariak Khus
vkhus@mhm.org

On Friday September 30^th, MHM presented another free Logic Model Workshop for partner agencies and other local area nonprofits.  A few years ago, the Technical Assistance & Grants Team noticed that nonprofits and funders were often not “on the same page” about how to describe programs.  The most common error was confusing program activities with client outcomes.  We launched an initiative to create a common language based on logic models, changing the paradigm for how nonprofits went about planning and describing their programs.  We stepped outside our usual box of only providing training to a narrow range of affiliated agencies, reasoning that we needed to build a “critical mass” in order for logic model usage and terminology to become commonplace in the community.

The three hour course reviewed ways to use logic models, as well as the four parts of a logic model:

• inputs;
• activities;
• outputs; and
• outcomes.

Participants closely reviewed the definition and examples of program outcomes and divided into groups to develop and present a working logic model.

MHM provided this workshop to help local area nonprofits better plan for future grant dollars as well as to maximize program impact. The reality is that nonprofits will always be expected to do a lot with limited resources, and the logic model will not only help to prepare a stronger grant proposal, but it will help create a more strategic and focused program.   

The logic model workshop will be periodically delivered throughout the year at MHM. If you are interested in attending a class, please feel free to contact Chivariak Khus at Vkhus@mhm.org. 

The workshop can also be seen online at mmlearn.org (you must register for free to view it).  It is available in four segments; Part 1 is located at: http://msm.mediasite.com/mediasite/Viewer/?peid=238f5fe152bc4e5fb4b2aa15593456031d.

About the Author:

Chivariak Khus has over 15 years of professional work experience in the public sector covering local, national and international initiatives. Upon graduating from the University of North Texas in 1995, he went with the United Nations into Cambodia, where he first started working with logic models. His use of logic models is integrated into organizational, program, and monitoring and evaluation planning. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration from UTSA, and he is currently a Grants and Research Specialist with Methodist Healthcare Ministries.  

As MHM sets forth on the 3^rd Annual United Way Pledge Campaign, we have determined a team goal of raising $30,000 in donations.

With Day 4 coming to a close, we are happy to report that MHM is inching closer and closer to our goal with over $27,980 raised; 93% of our goal!!

GREAT TEAMWORK MHM!!!

We have one day left in the campaign so there is still time to submit your pledge to United Way. With a collaborative effort from our team, we are hopeful of reaching our goal of $30,000.

Since embarking upon the 2011 United Way Pledge Campaign, campaign meetings have been scheduled at the Bishop Ernest T. Dixon Jr. Clinic, Wesley Health & Wellness Center and MHM Corporate Office.

We are asking every team member to please consider making a donation of any amount, however it is NOT mandatory to give. All team members are asked to log onto the e-Way system and select an option (make a pledge, decline, etc.).

Thank you to every team member for your consideration and for your donations!

For more information, contact your Pledge Coordinator or Maggie Vasquez at mvasquez@mhm.org.

It's that time of year again! As families geared up for Back-to-School, many set health needs as a top priority.

Health services are provided through MHM School Based Health Centers that provide primary medical and dental care to school-age children and their younger siblings who live in the Schertz-Cibolo Universal City Independent School District (SCUCISD). The School Based Health Center at Schertz Elementary recently held a two-day Immunization Clinic for students and parents in the SCUISD, which was designed to correspond with school registration being held that same week.

At the conclusion of the two-day Immunization Clinic, a total of 56 children were immunized. As dreadful as vaccine shots may sound to the ears of a child, the children walked away with smiles on their faces doting takeaway pencils, toothbrushes and colorful Band-Aids. Parents left with enthusiasm knowing they could confidently tend to their remaining Back-to-School list as their child's health needs had been addressed.

Diana Piña,
Front Office Supervisor,
Wesley Health & Wellness Center

Diana was presented with the Excellence in Action button for strongly demonstrating the MHM Core Value of Team Work.

Diana is a blessing to numerous departments. She demonstrates this daily by providing support, guidance and training to every department that reaches out to her. Diana always does this in a professional, caring and courteous manner.

We are proud of Diana and applaud her for personifying our core values. Please join us in congratulating her on earning this recognition!

Congratulations Diana!

Have you seen Excellence in Action?

Tell your collegues you appreciate them by passing along this gift and sharing their story. Photos and stories can be submitted via email, the MHM Blog or Facebook page!

The second in the four-part Lunch & Learn series continued yesterday with the "Facebook: Network Navigation & Protecting Your Privacy," presentation. This learning series, developed by the MHM Public Relations department, is aimed at providing team members the opportunity to further explore and gain knowledge in the area of social media and social networking.

As MHM expands its reach into the new media realm with the creation of a Facebook page, YouTube Channel and Blog in combination with a newly designed, social-friendly website, the Public Relations department found ensuring team members are equipped with the knowledge necessary to comfortably navigate through these channels to be a top priority.

This second installation took a look the Facebook network in particular. The presentation was broken up into four major topic areas including:

• Terms & Terminology
• Network Navigation
• Personal Security & Privacy Measures
• What's on the Horizon

First, attendees took a look at the unique language that makes up Facebook like what it means to "check-in" or to write on someone's "wall." Participants were then introduced to the most recent changes Facebook has activated in the Network Navigation segment of the presentation. Next, personal security and privacy measures were addressed to include topics such as how to enable secure browsing while on Facebook and configuring your Privacy Settings to fit your personal needs. Lastly, attendees were given a glimpse into what's on Facebook's horizon like the network's new profile called, "Timeline," and the expanding "Instant Personalization," feature.

As the session closed, one thing was clear: as Facebook continues to grow and change we must do our part, as subscribers to the network, to remain conscious and informed users.

Were you able to attend this session? Please share your insights. Still have questions? Share them here (by adding a comment) or contact Dominica Garza at dgarza@mhm.org or 210-253-3220.

Traveling is always exciting…new places to see, new people to experience, and new revelations even in places I know well.  Somewhere in the midst of the traveling it gets tiring…yet the stories of people, their lives and dreams always keep me renewed and rejuvenated.

In my travels, far away or close at hand, the questions that I ask and the questions I encounter are always forming me and those around me. Questions shape us by exposing us to new avenues of inquiry, to different problem solving explorations, and new ways of being people. Questions challenge us to explore our values and the foundations of those values. Questions drive us toward new life and new ways to live that life.

The easiest question to ask is 'why?' It is also the hardest one, at times, for us to answer. Yet, that is where we begin in our striving to understand. Why is Earth blue? Why does it rain in the East and not in the Southwest? Why is one person more important than another person?

What are the 'why?' questions that you have? Have you searched for the answer to those recently? Maybe it is time!

Keep asking questions and you will keep revealing more and more of yourself to yourself and to those around you. Keep asking questions and you will deepen your journey of faith and the passion with which you live faith and life. Keep asking questions and you will come to know more deeply the depth of God and the passion of God for you, for life, and for community. Keep asking questions…

Blessings and Peace,
Pastor Mickey

Do you have a prayer need for yourself or others?
You may send it to Rev. Mickey McCandless.
I will pray for your request and, unless asked not to,
I will share it with the rest of the community.

Please join us in celebrating our teammate's achievement…

Maggie Vasquez (aka Maggie Moreno) has been promoted to HR Generalist. Maggie will continue to fulfill MHM's talent development needs as well as provide broader support in policy & procedures, workman's compensation, risk management, and TMAC.

Congratulations! Our team is stronger and better because of you!!

Last Thursday, the MHM Public Relations department presented the first in a four-part learning series focused on social media and social networking. Web 2.0: An Overview of Social Media & Social Networking Platforms, provided team members with an outline of the current climate of social media with an emphasis on Blogs, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

As MHM ventures into new territory with the creation of a Facebook page, YouTube channel and Blog, tied in with the launch of a newly designed, social-friendly website, the Public Relations department thought it fitting to allow team members the opportunity to become better acquainted with the various channels MHM uses to communicate and share its mission.

The presentation was designed with the goal of empowering new media users by giving them the knowledge necessary to confidently navigate through the ever changing and growing world of social media. During the course of the presentation, attendees were given an inside look at the more popular social media and social networking sites in an open and interactive setting.

Were you able to attend this session? Please share your insights. Still have questions? Share them here (by adding a comment) or contact Dominica Garza at dgarza@mhm.org or 210.253.3220.

Last Friday, new MHM team members had the privilege of meeting with members of the executive management team as part of their team member orientation. Attendees enjoyed an opening Invocation by Reverend Mickey McCandless, director of church connections and spiritual care before being officially welcomed by MHM president and CEO, Kevin C. Moriarty. Individuals new to the MHM family were reminded of our faithful commitment to MHM's mission of serving the least served by ministering to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those in our care.

Newcomers to the organization delighted in the opportunity to receive an organizational overview direct from Executive Directors' Pilar Oates and Joe Babb. As orientation continued, new team members were introduced to the mission, vision and core values of MHM. Additionally, attendees received a proper introduction to the many programs and services available to the clients served by MHM. This occasion provided team members with the background necessary to successfully fulfill the critical responsibilities of their respective positions.

As part of his closing remarks, Mr. Moriarty shared with the newly initiated team members his goal of creating a desire for excellence for the essential role they play in serving the community. As the orientation commenced, new team members exited with a refreshed sense of encouragement and the drive to help navigate them through the start of a new, fulfilling career at MHM.