2010 Honorees | Awards Program Book | Gala & Awards Ceremony

View and download the 2010 Awards Gala photos on FlickR.

Each year, the National Council honors the best and brightest in mental health and addictions services through its Awards of Excellence. Staff and board leadership, consumers and families, and community partners are recognized for philosophies, messages, advocacy, and programs that have a lasting impact on children, adults, and families with mental illnesses and addiction disorders.

2010 honorees recognized at the Fabulous Forty Gala on March 16, 2010 held in conjunction with the 40th National Council Conference, March 15-17, 2010 in Disney, FL.

2010 National Council Awards of Excellence Honorees

EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE INNOVATION
Supported by a grant from Mental Health Weekly

Winner
Burrell Behavioral Health, Springfield, MO
Journey Home Project

Is giving a homeless man with mental illness a bed in a shelter enough? Or does that man have the right to more? Burrell believes that with treatment, support, and respect every man and woman with mental illness can recover and fully participate in their community. They've backed up their belief by making it a reality for hundreds. Representing all National Council members that are devoted to bringing the homeless in from the streets, Burrell has won the admiration of the community and the nation. Thinking outside the box, Burrell formed partnerships with more than 20 organizations, expanding services as it went, and overcoming resistance from those who said it wouldn’t work or couldn’t be done. The results speak volumes — nearly 500 individuals and families with mental illness and addictions have made the leap from street to stable homes and acquired the needed strengths and life skills to become productive citizens with homes, jobs, and active social lives.

This award is supported by a grant of $10,000 to the winner from Mental Health Weekly.

Programs of Significance

• Mental Health Center of Denver, Denver, CO
  Court to Community Treatment Program
• Community Partnership of Southern Arizona, Tucson, AZ
  Criminal Justice Team
• Touchstone Mental Health, Minneapolis, MN
  Intentional Communities

EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH IT

Winner
Northern Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Authority, Flagstaff, AZ
NARBHAnet Telemedicine Network

Most mental health provider service areas encompass a few square miles. So how do a handful of psychiatric practitioners service 62,000 square miles in one of the most rugged parts of the country? Employing technology to its fullest, the Northern Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Authority relies on videos rather than vehicles. NARBHAnet is a comprehensive telemedicine network that uses two-way interactive videoconferencing to bring together mental health experts and patients in remote locations. Though telemedicine is often thought of as something new, NARBHAnet has served as an indispensable communications link for 13 years. In that time, it has been recognized as one of the best telemedicine programs in the U.S., tallied more than 50,000 clinical psychiatric sessions, and saved millions in travel costs. Most importantly, NARBHAnet has brought thousands the professional mental health support and services they need – saving time and money, and providing a level of service and convenience rivaling that found in many of America’s most cosmopolitan areas.

This award is supported by a grant of $10,000 to the winner from Qualifacts Services, Inc.
 

Programs of Significance

• Behavioral Health Link, Atlanta, GA
  Tracking delays and improved coordination associated with crisis lines
• Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, Denver, CO
  Health information technology program that united the state of Colorado
   

EXCELLENCE IN RISK MANAGEMENT

Winner
Institute for Community Living, New York, NY
Assessment and intervention program for clinical risk in a multi-service behavioral healthcare network

There are few endeavors more beneficial and rewarding than enabling individuals with serious mental illness to live with dignity and safety in their own homes. The Institute for Community Living provides more than 1,300 housing options for people with serious mental illnesses, co-occurring substance abuse and chronic medical conditions. And helping 1,300+ consumers to navigate and live successfully in New York City’s neighborhoods is no easy task. To ensure safety, ICL has developed and implemented a risk management system that helps both consumers and staff.  Staff is trained to assist consumers in identifying their triggers for risky behavior and together staff and consumers develop a repertoire of strategies to cope with risk-laden situations. Success is measured by insisting on an agency-wide culture of mutual responsibility and encouraging continuous learning, sharing, and support. ICL has built an exceptional platform that results in a win-win situation for all involved.

This award is supported by a grant of $10,000 to the winner from the Mental Health Risk Retention Group and Negley Associates.

Programs of Significance

• Beech Brook, Cleveland, OH
  Advancing the emotional well being of children
• Southwest Behavioral Health Services, Phoenix, AZ
  Managing risk from a strengths-based perspective
   

EXCELLENCE IN ADDICTIONS TREATMENT & PREVENTION

Winner
Hartford Dispensary, Manchester, CT
Continuum of recovery based services in an opiod treatment program

If one were able to offer a full range of health services, and do so in a manner that made it easy and convenient for patients already receiving treatment for drug addiction to access, would they respond positively? The Hartford Dispensary has found the answer to be a resounding “Yes.” Serving 4,000 individuals every day, Hartford recognized that many of its patients suffered from health issues that often extended far beyond those resulting from drug use. Rather than accept the status quo, Hartford took exceptional initiative reaching out to local healthcare organizations, and spearheaded a comprehensive care program that encompasses drug treatment, counseling and psychiatric services, primary care, infectious disease, dental care, and women’s services. Now through the convenience of one provider, patients are much more likely to seek care and the results speak for themselves — not only is patients' overall health much improved, their quality of life has been enhanced, and the incidence of drug use has declined.

Programs of Significance

• San Luis Valley Mental Health Center, Alamosa, CO
  Preventing child substance abuse, delinquency and behavioral issues
• Threshold Services, Inc., Silver Spring, MD
  Integrating dual disorders treatment and supported housing
   

EXCELLENCE IN CONSUMER AND FAMILY ADVOCACY

Winner
Austin Travis County Integral Care (formerly Austin Travis MHMR), Austin, TX
Work with the Central Texas African American Family Support Conference

Education is an incredibly powerful tool and the promise of equitable healthcare services for all is much more than a hope for many African Americans in the heart of the Lone Star State thanks to Austin Travis County Integral Care. As the organizational brains and brawn behind the Central Texas African American Family Support Conference, ATCIC puts on this amazing two-day event annually to acquaint the African American community with information about behavioral and physical healthcare services and supports available locally and provide indispensable education and resources that help to change attitudes and literally save lives. With the help of both local public and private sector organizations, and the assistance of volunteers and health professionals, ATCIC is an inspiring force for change and is helping to break down health disparities by bringing together those in need with those able to help, and doing so in a highly engaging, innovative, and supportive way.

Programs of Significance

• Turn-A-Frown-Around Foundation, Freehold, NJ
  Improving the lives of persons who have lost hope
• May Farr, Pacific Clinics, Arcadia, CA
  Improving the behavioral healthcare system

 
EXCELLENCE IN GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY (STATE)

Winner
Association for Behavioral Healthcare, Natick, MA
Campaign for Addiction Prevention, Treatment and Recovery

If necessity is the mother of invention than the Association for Behavioral Healthcare offers a valuable lesson in how to take a demoralizing situation and turn it into a winning proposition. Faced with the elimination of many of its vital alcohol treatment and support programs as a result of state budget cuts, the Association elected to fight fire with fire. They established a grassroots organization — the Campaign for Addiction Prevention, Treatment and Recovery—to repeal the Massachusetts sales tax exemption on alcohol. As a result of their aggressive campaign and the untiring efforts of the Association to present its case to lawmakers, not only was the alcohol sales tax exemption repealed, $115 million in new revenue was generated and then channeled directly back into programs treating individuals dealing with alcoholism. At a time when many state and local agencies are seeking solutions to budget shortfalls, this endeavor stands out for its social and fiscal brilliance.
 

EXCELLENCE IN GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY (LOCAL)

Winner
Colorado West Regional Mental Health Center, Glenwood Springs, CO
Grassroots advocacy program to retire debt and remain open serving people

After three local hospitals closed their psychiatric wings, the prospect of having no psychiatric hospital capacity in the entire western half of Colorado was too much for the Colorado West Regional Mental Health Center to contemplate. With the best of intentions, it took on a $10 million debt to build a new psychiatric hospital. However, in the process, it drained its financial reserves leaving the organization, its patients, and its staff vulnerable. Rather than submit to certain foreclosure, Colorado West dug in its heels and went on the offensive, initiating an aggressive grassroots advocacy campaign to build needed support for its operations. With the help of local foundations and policymakers, whose endorsement and support was solidified as a direct result of the grassroots campaign, Colorado West was able to retire the entire debt in just 15 months and return to financial stability. The extraordinary vigor and determination it demonstrated to right its plight is testament to the organization’s commitment, perseverance, and resilience.
 

UP & COMING LEADERSHIP

Winner
Rosa M. West
Vice President for Specialty Populations and New Initiatives, Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc., Gainesville, FL

Rosa West is a rising star who has demonstrated time and again that innovation is not simply an exercise, it’s an essential element in finding new ways to solve age-old problems. Distinguished by an indomitable spirit and quest for innovation, her work has made a significant difference in the lives of untold numbers of people. West is responsible for initiating special programs in mental health and addictions services at Meridian Behavioral Healthcare. Her endeavors include successful programs such as the Medication Assisted Treatment pilot project for people with addiction disorders and the Forensic Diversion Program designed to keep at-risk individuals out of jail and in treatment. She also has been a catalyst in implementing state and national initiatives to establish open access walk-in clinics for mental health-addictions and a foster care redesign initiative to reduce the number of children in out-of-home placements. Rosa West brings extraordinary promise and passion to behavioral healthcare at a time when it is needed most.
 

VISIONARY LEADERSHIP

Winner
Mary Anderson
Board Member, Newaygo County Mental Health, White Cloud, MI

Walk a mile in Mary Anderson’s shoes and it’s abundantly clear why she is so passionate in her defense of and advocacy on behalf people with mental illness. As a consumer of mental health services herself, she brings a unique perspective and experience that strengthens her influence and enhances her credibility. Anderson possesses a deep understanding of the complexities of the public mental health system and the funding challenges that always seem to represent a constant threat to its operations. As an experienced and tenacious negotiator, she plays an especially valuable role working with county, state, and national officials to improve the quality of life for individuals with mental illness, along with their families. Seeing challenges as opportunities, Anderson is an eternal optimist who channels her uncommon compassion for those in need through community volunteerism, public office, and serving on the board of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare.

Winner
Howard Bracco, PhD, CBHE
President & CEO, Seven Counties, Inc., Louisville KY

Howard Bracco has always been driven by the conviction that anyone in need of professional help deserves quality behavioral healthcare, regardless of their lot in life or their ability to pay. In his distinguished service as President and CEO of Seven Counties for 31 years, Bracco has built Seven Counties into the largest provider of mental health, addictions, and developmental disability services in the Louisville area. In his quest to bring quality care to the region, Dr. Bracco diligently sought out new partners who shared his vision and forged a comprehensive network of 16 organizations to provide behavioral healthcare treatment and essential services to a region with a population of nearly 900,000. He is an exemplary leader and a powerful team builder who continually inspires staff as well as those his organization serves. As a result of his encouragement and vision, thousands are able to realize their potential and live valued lives in their communities.

Winner
David Guth
CEO, Centerstone of America, Nashville TN

There are those that follow and those that lead: David Guth is a man of vision and action. In his ongoing search for new and better ways to treat mental illnesses and addiction disorders, he has combined the best that science and information technology have to offer and invested in treatment research that translates directly to the real world. Under his leadership, Centerstone of America provides a continuum of high-quality, state-of-the art behavioral healthcare throughout Tennessee and Indiana, serving more than 75,000 people a year. Guth is an exceptionally strong advocate for mental health parity and has a regular seat at the table when it comes to healthcare reform at the local level. Never short on ideas or how to implement them, he led the integration of behavioral health and general healthcare provider organizations by establishing a dedicated research wing to achieve operational efficiencies and improve service quality… giving patients a full opportunity at recovery.

Winner
Jay Reeve
President & CEO, Apalachee Center, Tallahassee FL

Jay Reeve is a visionary who “walks the walk.” His uncompromising commitment to extending full support to persons with mental illness and addiction disorders set him apart as an individual of extraordinary conviction and exceptional compassion. Under his expert guidance and leadership, Apalachee Center has pushed the boundaries of traditional care by developing the capacity to treat co-occurring mental and addiction disorders and attending to patients’ physical health needs at the same time. To accomplish this, Reeve has been instrumental in building mutually-beneficial local professional relationships and forging partnerships with entities such as Florida A&M University’s College of Pharmacy and Bond Community Health Center. As an untiring advocate and community problem-solver, Reeve lends his strong voice as well as his considerable expertise to ensure that those in need receive the care they need and that mental health awareness is never far from mind in Florida.

Winner
Richard Van Horn
President Emeritus, Mental Health America of Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA

For 30 years, Richard Van Horn has played an exemplary leadership role in helping adults and youth recovering from mental illness lead independent and productive lives in their own communities. His unassailable belief in the power and potential of people with mental illness distinguish him as an individual of vision and commitment. As a valued mentor and astute business person, Van Horn has guided and built Mental Health America of Los Angeles into one of Southern California’s leading nonprofit mental health organizations through continuous service innovations, recurring systems design, and public policy change. Under his leadership, MHALA has become a highly respected service innovator, trainer, educator, and advocate. Van Horn also led MHALA’s development of recovery-focused, peer-run programs. He has worked tirelessly for systems change at the local, state, and national levels and serves on the board of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare.
 

EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICE

Winner
Pamela Greenberg
President and CEO, Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness

Pamela Greenberg has fashioned a long and noteworthy career advocating for individuals living with mental health and addiction disorders, along with their families. As President and CEO of the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness and Co-Chair of the Coalition on Fairness in Mental Illness Coverage, she led the charge and played an inseparable role in the 20-year battle to negotiate groundbreaking agreements between providers, advocates, the health insurance industry, and the business community — all culminating in the passage by Congress of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. Greenberg’s contagious energy and determined leadership on behalf of those with traditionally little or no voice in the political process exemplifies an unbridled passion for equality and fairness, and personifies the true spirit of public service.

Winner
Carol McDaid
Principal, Capitol Decisions, Inc.

For more than a decade Carol McDaid has worked tirelessly to bring about mental health and addictions parity. An individual in long-term recovery herself, McDaid knows all too well the struggles that millions of Americans in need of mental health and addictions treatment faced because they lacked adequate insurance coverage. Her unceasing efforts helped immeasurably to ensure the passage of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. She has been a passionate advocate not just for individuals living with mental health and addiction disorders, but also their families who often go overlooked and under-represented. Her work with leading nonprofit drug and alcohol treatment centers, physicians, alcohol and drug prevention, and consumer organizations to refine public policy regarding addictions treatment set her apart as an inspirational leader and a compelling role model.

Questions? Email Kara Sweeney or call 202.684.3723.