The National Council wishes to showcase our members and your accomplishments. If you have a piece you would like mentioned here and in the biweekly Techinical Assistance Update e-newsletter, please e-mail theab@thenationalcouncil.org. 

Henderson Mental Health Center (Fort Lauderdale, FL) has been selected as one of thirty leading behavioral healthcare organizations from across the nation, to participate in a new National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) research study. The study is designed to evaluate the benefits of a comprehensive pharmacological and psychosocial treatment package (referred to as the RAISE Enhanced Treatment Program) for individuals with first episode psychosis, compared to a typical community mental health treatment (community care).

Family Life Center (Riverton, KS) was recently featured in the Jopin Globe for their ground breaking ceremony for the Community Health, Education and Wellness Center. The new building is expected to be complete by late August or early September. The 19,000-square-foot building will have a fitness center, an indoor walking track, a Federal Emergency Management Agency-certified shelter, multipurpose rooms, a virtual golf center and a therapeutic preschool.

CenterPointe (Lincoln, NE) recently received $50,000, its largest gift ever, as part of the distribution of funds from a class action suit. The money will help to restore hope for people seeking services from CenterPointe, which provides treatment, rehabilitation and housing for people overcoming homelessness, mental illness and addiction.
 
Sanctuary Psychiatric Centers (Santa Barbara, CA) has recently launched a new website.
 
Magellan Health Services of Arizona (Phoenix, AZ) and My Life (Magellan Youth Leaders Inspiring Future Empowerment) will be hosting their Youth Day at the Arizona State Capitol on February 10, 2010. My Life consists of youth (13-23) who have experience with behavioral health, substance abuse and or foster care-related issues. For additional information please contact Greg Dicharry at (602) 652-5833 or GDDicharry@MagellanHealth.com.

The Nord Center (Lorain, OH) received the prestigious honor as one of the “Top 100 IT Projects of 2009” from InfoWorld Magazine for transforming its paper-based documentation process into a fully, electronic, biometrically authenticated system. 

The River Oak Center for Children (Carmichael, CA) received a $20,000 contribution from AT&T to support leadership development and access to technology for low-income, transition age youth (ages 13-18) who are served by the agency’s programs. The funding will support the purchase of computers, digital cameras and other technology to help them make a multi-media presentation describing their experiences as mental health consumers.

Texana Center (Rosenberg, TX) received a $10,000 grant from AT&T to advance education and strengthen their community.

AtlantiCare (Egg Harbor Township, NJ), has received the prestigious 2009 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The 2009 Baldrige Award recipients were selected from a field of 70 applicants. All of the applicants were evaluated rigorously by an independent board of examiners in seven areas: leadership; strategic planning; customer focus; measurement, analysis and knowledge management; workforce focus; process management; and results.

Lubbock Regional MHMR (Lubbock, TX) was one of ten finalists in the City Bank of Texas Community Rewards Program. They will be awarded $5,000 to enhance their superior efforts!  

The Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies presents “The Tail that Wags The Dog.” This is the impact of insurance on the behavioral health sector on January 14, 2010. Attending the conference are State and City Officials, representatives of Managed Care Companies, and the keynote speaker Wendell Potter, for a full day's exploration and discussion of insurance reimbursement and the watershed effect on New York State's Clinic Reform.

The National Council has a new Region 8 Board member. Jon Gordon from Midwestern Colorado Mental Health Center in Montrose, CO has been elected to the National Council Board. Jon Gordon will be representing Region 8 along with Neal Cash from Arizona. Region 8 represents Arizona, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. 

Dr. Peter Campanelli, President and CEO for the Institute for Community Living (Brooklyn, NY) was honored by the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitative Services for his extraordinary efforts in behavioral health. Dr. Campanelli is the recipient of the Marty Smith Memorial Award that is presented to a "uniquely inspired and dedicated provider who has demonstrated exemplary contributions to the advancement of best practices in service to New Yorkers with psychiatric disabilities."

Lee Mental Health (Fort Myers, FL) was awarded a $25,000 grant to expand their Outpatient Therapy Services by the Southwest Florida Community Foundation.

Leon Evans, CEO of The Center for Health Care Services, (San Antonio, TX) was quoted in an article in the San Antonio Current regarding Haven for Hope which is scheduled to open in early 2010.
 
The CMS Promising Practice Report describes how Medicaid claims data can be combined with service-level data to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of services provided in community mental health centers (CMHCs). It describes how CMHCs in three States have used a particular system, Service Process Quality Management (SPQM), to improve quality and achieve cost savings. The three agencies that SPQM has are: Carlsbad Mental Health Center, Arkansas Division of Behavioral Health Services and Colorado Behavioral Health Care Council.