Spring - Austin Travis County Integral Care

341616_ATCIC:FOCUS.qxd 4/13/10 11:30 AM Page 1
A Publication of Austin Travis County Integral Care
Determining Her Own Success
Sylvia’s Story
It is not easy managing life’s complications, especially when you
are a mother of four girls and two boys. So when Sylvia came to
Austin Travis County Integral Care (ATCIC) in 2004, even her
service coordinator had concerns. “I have to admit, I was concerned about taking her case, as she needed a lot of help, particularly because she had six kids,” said Elaine Jones, service coordinator, who works in ATCIC’s Intellectual and Developmental
Disabilities division.
With a diagnosis of mild mental retardation and hearing loss,
many would have looked the other way. Nevertheless, Jones and
her treatment team at ATCIC were inspired by Sylvia’s determination to succeed and knew she would persevere. Her life was
seemingly in pieces, her quiet, reserved demeanor made therapy
difficult, and her new support team struggled to learn about her
difficult past.
Sylvia had a complicated
criminal history that
presented many roadblocks and challenges,
but Jones and team persisted. With their help,
Sylvia was connected
with the proper court
staff and made restitution through community service. She began to
make progress.
Spring 2010
Inside this Issue...
2
3
ATCIC Launches
IntegralCareEspanol.org
Spanish Website
5
6
7
9
Guest Opinion:
Rep. Eddie Rodriguez
10th Central Texas
African American
Family Support
Conference Recap
Mental Health
Awareness Month
Best Practices Series:
Early Childhood
Intervention
Over time, as Sylvia’s
ATCIC News
confidence and trust
and Updates
grew, she began to
share her ideas and stories, encouraging her
peers and support team. Despite these breakthroughs, Sylvia continued to face parenting challenges, but because she had experienced newfound success, she reached a turning point and asked
for help. “She continued to need encouragement and guidance to
deal with situations with her children,” Jones said. “But she would
call with issues that she was dealing with to seek our help. I knew
then that I was making an impact.”
Although Sylvia is still working through the challenges of parenthood, she is a more confident person and has learned to use the
resources available to her. “Sylvia’s situation is not the so-called
norm,” Jones said citing her daily struggles with her disability as well
as the challenge of single parenting. With our help and a personal
commitment to life and those she loves, Sylvia has achieved what she
never dreamed possible. For almost four years, she has been in stable
housing and worked part-time in the food service industry and is
receiving Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid benefits.
“I feel that with the many challenges she has had to deal with, she
has come so far,” Jones said. Her greatest achievement, she said, is
taking care of her children and providing for their needs.
Sylvia smiling.
A determined
Sylvia’s story proves that no matter how difficult situations can get,
with the right support system there is a way to succeed, flourish and
live a meaningful, happy life.
341616_ATCIC:FOCUS.qxd 4/13/10 11:30 AM Page 2
ATCIC Launches IntegralCareEspanol.org
ATCIC is proud to announce the launch of our new Spanishlanguage website IntegralCareEspanol.org, which provides
resources, educational tools and in-depth information on the
services we provide. This is part of a larger effort from
ATCIC’s current strategic plan to develop, implement and
ensure appropriate practices and attitudes that communicate
effectively across all cultures. For information on recent
Strategic Planning efforts, see page 9. Please visit
IntegralCareEspanol.org and let us know what you think!
Comments can be sent to communications@atcic.org.
Resources
Section
2 Spring 2010 focus
Fully-Translated
Service Descriptions
Complete News
and Events Listing
Feature Stories
in Spanish
10th Anniversary Conference Largest to Date
The tenth anniversary of the Central Texas African American
Family Support Conference (CTAAFSC) was the largest to date,
drawing more than 650 attendees, presenters, volunteers, community leaders and exhibitors at the free two-day event!
Attendees heard from three nationally recognized speakers:
Nancy Carter, Dr. Rahn Bailey and Jennifer Ayers-Moore. On
Thursday, Carter spoke candidly about her personal journey
with her son who lives with a mental illness and the cultural,
racial and ethnic complications they have faced. Bailey began the
day on Friday by providing a comprehensive overview of behavioral health risk-management strategies for the African American
community. Moore followed with a profoundly touching
account of her experience living with her brother Nathaniel,
whose story was portrayed in the film “The Soloist.” Her openness and experiences lifted spirits in the room and ended the conference Friday afternoon on an inspiring note.
Also featured was the premiere of the CTAAFSC commemorative video, produced by an award-winning Austin production
company, Arts + Labor, portraying testimonials from individuals
who have experienced success with their own mental illness
through supports including the CTAAFSC. This year, the
CTAAFSC was recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration with a $50,000 grant and was
recently awarded the 2010 Award of Excellence in Consumer
and Family Advocacy by the National Council for Community
Behavioral Healthcare.
To view the video, photos, detailed information or updates on
the 2011 conference, please visit ctaafsc.org.
Outstanding community members were honored for their leadership in the areas of behavioral health and developmental disabilities with awards in honor of Texas State Representative
Garnet Coleman and ATCIC Vice Chair Richard Hopkins.
Additionally, two scholarships were provided to assist individuals
to attend the conference and pursue educational opportunities.
Dr. King Davis, Willie Williams, Sherri Fleming and others in a workshop session
Ashton Cumberbatch receives the Garnet F. Coleman Eternal Flame Award.
Vicky Coffee-Fletcher and ATCIC Board Chair Genevieve Hearon
Awardees and presenters at the 2010 Scholarships and Awards Luncheon
Diane Hopkins presents Judge David Crain the Torch Professional Award.
3 Spring 2010 focus
rces
on
341616_ATCIC:FOCUS.qxd 4/13/10 11:30 AM Page 3
341616_ATCIC:FOCUS.qxd 4/13/10 11:31 AM Page 4
ATCIC Home Health Services Program
Increasingly, people are choosing to have necessary medical care
provided in the comfort of their homes. This type of care, known
as home health services, has become a growing national trend.
Home health services allow individuals diagnosed with an illness
to receive treatment in a minimally intrusive manner that works
to preserve their independence. Home health care provides an
alternative to individuals' receiving services in a medical facility.
ATCIC began home health services in September 2007, offering
comprehensive physical, psychological, mental, cognitive, family
and environmental assessments of individuals to determine the
needs of the individual and the family. Interventions such as blood
pressure checks and medication education are provided by licensed
nurses with experience in home health and psychiatric nursing.
This program includes a variety of services, including post-hospitalization assistance to transition from hospital to community;
physical, occupational and speech therapy; and educational components that increase knowledge and control over one’s illness.
“This program is so important because it aims to provide health
care in a person’s own home in hopes of avoiding hospitalization,” said Kimberly Littlejohn, program manager of ATCIC’s
Home Health Services program.
ATCIC’s program is the only home health agency in Travis
County that provides psychiatric nursing services. “We have
found during the past year that providing psychiatric nursing and
medication management in a person's home has resulted in fewer
hospital or institutional returns,” Littlejohn said.
Today, with a growing trend toward reducing hospital stays,
home health care is gaining popularity. While caregivers of the
past were generally family members or friends, home health care
is now based more on a professional health care team working
with the family toward a common goal.
Individuals interested in learning more about ATCIC’s Home
Health Services program should schedule an initial assessment by
calling 483-5800 or visiting IntegralCare.org.
Research shows that individuals who receive treatment at home are more likely to succeed in services.
4 Spring 2010 focus
Services Update
The following figures reflect the hours worked and number
of consumers served between December 2009 and February
2010 for ATCIC’s main service areas: Adult Behavioral
Health (BHS), Child & Family Services (CFS), Intellectual
and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and Psychiatric
Crisis Services. The chart below lists current numbers of
consumers who have applied for and qualify for services but
are on a waiting list.
Wait List Information (as of 11/09)
Developmental Disabilities
Behavioral Health
Child and Family Services
People
1,739
1,225
13
Behavioral Health Service (BHS)
Hours
People
Benefits Eligibility Determination
1,317
2,894
Crisis Intervention Services
1,338
1,248
Case Management
1,203
1,104
PsychoSocial Rehabilitation Living Skills Training
12,558
3,030
Skills Training
1,708
1,432
83
3,394
3,690
4,182
Treatment Planning
Medication Services (Doctor & Nurse)
Mental Health Counseling
Substance Abuse Counseling
COPSD Services
Other Services
290
93
1,084
519
759
91
16,471
BHS Total Service:
40,502
7,363
341616_ATCIC:FOCUS.qxd 4/13/10 11:32 AM Page 5
Guest Opinion
Rep. Eddie Rodriguez
Addressing Gaps in the System
How many times have we heard it? Texas ranks among the country’s five lowest-performing states
in nearly every major essential service or protection, from percentage of insured, to education, to
environmental protections.
In 2007, the Texas Legislature committed more than $160 million over the course of four years to
fund and redesign the delivery of psychiatric and mental health crisis services. However, despite our
good intentions, Texas may actually be moving in the wrong direction regarding mental health services overall. Despite the infusion of funds, Texas ranked 49th in per-capita mental-health expenditures in 2009. And, in their 2009 national mental health report card, The National Alliance on
Mental Illness gave Texas an overall grade of D, down from a C in 2006. To view the report, visit
http://www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Grading_the_States_2009/Overview1/Overview.htm.
Rep. Eddie Rodriguez
Texas House of Representatives,
District 51
With the State's reluctance, thus far, to fully address the needs in the adult mental health service
delivery system, it's critical that local governments and other community entities step up to fill the
gaps in high-need areas such as Central Texas. Fortunately, in the last few years, some of our local
leaders have responded. In 2004, the Travis County Healthcare District (now Central Health) was
voted in, amidst an awareness of the problems in our community's mental health crisis services
delivery system. District organizers, realizing the impact that those inadequacies could have on the
rest of the health-care system, convened the Psychiatric Services Stakeholder Committee to develop
strategies for addressing mental health crisis services. At approximately the same time, former Mayor
Will Wynn created the Mayor’s Mental Health Task Force Monitoring Committee. Since April
2005, these collaboratives have worked toward moving Austin/Travis County to becoming a national model of a “mentally healthy community.”
Ultimately, much of the burden of our underfunded mental health system falls on Austin Travis
County Integral Care. During my time in office, my staff and I have worked closely with ATCIC.
In 2006, ATCIC graciously agreed to administer Community Voice Mail, a project I was trying to
bring to Austin to help address communication barriers for our homeless and others in crisis or transition populations. We also had regular contact during the development of our local response to crisis redesign. Through our work with ATCIC and other mental health advocates, I have come to
understand just how interdependent state and local mental health funding is, and also how a lack
of mental health services early in the course of the disease can affect cost and effectiveness later.
Although it is critically important to address the problems and service gaps in the crisis systems in
our communities, we will not be able to get to the heart of the problem until we adequately fund
and provide effective services that are accessible to people in need before the crisis occurs.
Travis County Juvenile Court
Leadership Group Services
Early Childhood Intervention Services
Case Management
Skills Training
Hours
People
1,092
97
2,981
2,546
519
865
2,079
433
Flexible Community Supports
903
66
Counseling
468
126
95
655
Treatment Planning
Other Services
1,660
CFS Total Service: 11,824
1,848
Developmental Disabilities Services (IDD)
Hours
Respite Services
8,255
81
Supported Living Services
18,465
337
Habilitation Services
9,176
43
Service Coordination
1,704
723
Job Placement and On-going
931
Employment Support
Residential, Supervised Living, and
2,521
Foster Care Services
Community Support Services
1,272
Other Services:
14,815
IDD Total Service: 57,138
People
60
11
125
1,075
5 Spring 2010 focus
Child and Family Services (CFS)
341616_ATCIC:FOCUS.qxd 4/13/10 11:32 AM Page 6
Mental Health Awareness Month
ATCIC Vision
A caring and healthy community
that supports individuals and
families in achieving self-reliance
and self-determination
ATCIC Board of Trustees
Chair
Genevieve T. Hearon
Vice Chair
Richard E. Hopkins
Secretary/Treasurer
Robert Chapa, Jr.
Members:
Exalton Delco, Ph.D.
Toni Inglis, RN
Martha A. Martinez
S.J. “Buddy” Ruiz
Dorcas Seals
Matthew Snapp, Ph.D.
ATCIC Staff
Executive Director
David Evans
Director of Communications
Iliana Gilman
Chief Operations Officer and
Chief Financial Officer
Charles Harrison
General Counsel
Lisa Laky
Director of Network Development
and Management
Louise Lynch
Director of Programs
Sally Spill
Director of Medical and
Clinical Management Services
Jim VanNorman, M.D.
Editor
Sireesha Rutter
Photography and Graphics
Brian Goodman
6 Spring 2010 focus
Please mail your comments:
ATCIC (FOCUS)
1430 Collier Street
Austin, Texas 78704
P: 512.447.4141
IntegralCare.org
24 Hour Crisis Line:
512-472-HELP (4357)
TTY: 512-703-1395
Each year in May, communities nationwide plan activities for Mental Health
Awareness Month that underscore the importance of education, awareness and
advocacy for individuals who live with mental illness. Since 1949, May has officially been recognized as "Mental Health Month" by Congress, encouraging parents
and caregivers to focus on children's and adolescents' mental health.
ATCIC, the Child and Youth Mental Health Planning Partnership (cymhppctx.org), and other community partners will be sponsoring a series of events during
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week from May 3-10 to promote children’s
social and mental well-being. Two events will take place on Thursday, May 6. First,
the South Texas Art Therapy Association and American Art Therapy Association will
sponsor a children’s art exhibit using the theme, "My Feelings Are a Work of Art,"
at the Texas State Capitol gallery. For details, see arttherapy.org/chmad.asp. The
second event is an art celebration and resource fair from 5 – 7:30 PM at Lucy Read
Demonstration School, 2608 Richcreek Road. This event will focus on education
and advocacy for children’s mental health issues.
ATCIC has also joined with I Live Here, I Give Here who will publish a brochure
about the mental health needs in our community to be highlighted on their website
(ilivehereigivehere.org), eNewsletter and will be distributed to local public libraries.
Additionally, ATCIC will participate in a Community Conversation panel to raise
awareness about mental health issues affecting Central Texans facilitated by I Live
Here, I Give Here.
Other creative events includes “Pick Up the Phone” Suicide Prevention, a national
initiative on May 8 at Stubbs, 801 Red River, where Blue October will headline a
music tour that focuses on healing, hope and education to prevent suicides on college campuses. ATCIC will be participating in this event. For more information,
visit putp.org. In San Marcos, Guadapalooza (guadapalooza.com) will take place
on Sunday, May 2 at the Texas Music Park. This series of concerts benefits the Texas
Federation of Families and is free for military families.
Nationally, Mental Health America (MHA) challenges organizations to promote
health and wellness in homes, communities and schools. This year, MHA launched
a national public education campaign themed “Live Your Life Well,” dedicated to
helping people better cope with stress and enhance their well-being. The program
uses its website (liveyourlifewell.org) to provide research-based tools and ways to
apply them in everyday life. From relaxation techniques, to journaling exercises, to
simple ways of getting better sleep and improving eating habits, the materials offer
a wide range of resources to promote health and resiliency. For more information,
visit mentalhealthamerica.net.
341616_ATCIC:FOCUS.qxd 4/13/10 11:32 AM Page 7
h
BEST PRACTICES
Early Childhood Intervention and Families
Working Together for the Healthy Development of Children
By Lisa K. Gourley, Child Find Coordinator, Infant Parent Program-ECI, ATCIC
Bringing your baby home from the hospital is one of a parent’s
greatest joys, among its many milestones. Parents commonly
develop concerns along the way or compare their child to other
children. But each child is different and develops and learns
new skills at different ages. If you are a parent, pediatrician or
someone concerned about child development, Early Childhood
Intervention (ECI) may be a helpful tool.
Early is Best!
Research has shown that children’s most critical learning takes
place during their early years. ECI strives to build relationships
with parents, caregivers and other professionals in the community to create an awareness of child development. Detecting
developmental concerns is critical for timely interventions and
more positive outcomes.
About Early Childhood Intervention
ECI is one of the most successful federal grant programs for
developmentally delayed children. By providing therapeutic
interventions in a child’s natural environment and providing
proper tools for their parents, children are better equipped to
begin their education. This statewide program was created during the 67th legislature in 1981 to provide services for children
with a developmental disability or delay, from birth to 36
months of age. Local ECI programs are partially funded
through state and federal programs such as the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, P.L. 108-446) and others
managed by the Texas Department of Assistive and
Rehabilitative Services (DARS). A growing body of evidence
shows that early intervention programs create permanent
changes in social behavior and are effective for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. Five major studies show that these programs significantly reduce the incidence
of social problems by the time children reach adolescence.
How Can You Be Referred?
Anyone can be a referred to ECI. Most referrals are made by
parents and family members, physicians, daycare providers and
other professionals who have contact with the children and
families. If you would like to learn more about these programs
or eligibility, visit IntegralCare.org or contact any of the programs listed above. If the program you contact is outside your
service area, you will be referred to the appropriate program. To
learn more about ECI in your area, visit DARS online at
dars.state.tx.us/ecis or call 1-800-628-5115.
These services are made available through IDEA, which provides states with specific requirements to effectively diagnose
and treat children as early as possible, which continues to be an
important factor of the overall success of these programs. Each
state develops its own policies for carrying out these regulations
and its requirements. Texas has ranked in the top tier nationally in meeting the goals of the program.
ECI Process
The team of professionals assigned to each child referred to the
program includes a service coordinator (can also be an early
intervention specialist) and provider to address the child's
unique needs. For example, when a child has a speech development delay, the team will include a speech therapist.
1. Infant Parent Program, (a part of ATCIC);
2. Any Baby Can; and
3. Easter Seals Society of Central Texas.
The service coordinator will schedule a pre-enrollment appointment with the family to provide an overview of services, procedures and family rights. In addition, the child will complete a
vision, hearing, nutrition and assistive technology screening.
Within 45 days of the referral, the child’s team will complete a
comprehensive evaluation to determine eligibility. If eligible,
the team and family will write an Individualized Family Service
Plan (IFSP) to address the child’s strengths and needs, family
concerns and outcomes or goals. After the IFSP is complete, the
child will begin to receive services.
7 Spring 2010 focus
In Texas, ECI programs have grown from only a few to 58, serving every county in the state. Three are located in and serve different areas of Travis County:
Who Are ECI Providers?
ECI services are provided by a team of professionals. These
teams are tailored to address the unique needs of each child. All
team members are licensed and/or credentialed as early intervention specialists, physical and occupational therapists,
speech-language pathologists, registered dietitians, counselors,
social workers, nurses and others.
341616_ATCIC:FOCUS.qxd 4/13/10 11:32 AM Page 8
Uniquely, ECI services are provided in a child’s natural environment or setting. Clinicians will visit homes or familiar settings,
allowing children to learn through play and develop their skills
during everyday activities such as meals and play time. Teaching
parents and caregivers strategies that can be used during normal
routines allows them to use these strategies on their own.
Additional benefits include convenience and the practical use of
toys and other household items to promote development.
How is Eligibility Determined?
ECI eligibility spans from birth to 36 months for children with
a developmental delay, atypical development or a medically
diagnosed condition that has a high probability of developmental delay. Children with developmental delays must have
problems in one or more of the following areas:
•
•
•
•
•
Cognitive: difficulty with playing, learning and thinking;
Physical: issues with gross, fine motor or oral-motor skills;
Communication: limited understanding or responses
in communicating with others;
Social-emotional: attachment problems, limited
parent/family interactions or behavior concerns; and
Self-help skills: feeding, dressing.
Children who perform within their age range but show different or atypical patterns of development from their peers may be
eligible for ECI. Areas of atypical development include:
•
•
•
•
Sensory: motor development: muscle tone, reflex or
postural reaction responses, oral-motor skills and
sensory integration;
Language or cognition: state regulation, attention span,
perseveration, information processing, articulation;
Emotional or social patterns: social responsiveness,
affective development, attachment patterns, and selftargeted behaviors; and
Vision and/or hearing impairment.
Children with a medically diagnosed condition and high probability of developmental delay who demonstrate service needs
are also eligible:
•
8 Spring 2010 focus
•
Down Syndrome, autism, torticollis and chromosomal
disorders to name a few.
For a full list of medically eligible conditions please
visit: dars.state.tx.us/ecis/resources/diagnoses.asp
Paying for ECI
ECI has a flexible family cost-share system, but families who
cannot pay for services are not turned away. ECI staff and the
family jointly determine their monthly cost share based on
household income, family size and allowable expenses. Cost is
based on a sliding-fee scale.
Some ECI services are provided free of charge, including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Evaluation and assessment;
Development of the IFSP;
Service coordination;
Translation and interpretation services, if needed;
Services for children with auditory and visual
impairments who are eligible for services from
ECI and local school districts; and
Services for children in foster care or conservatorship
of the state.
For more information about ECI or literature regarding developmental milestones and developmental warning signs, go to
dars.state.tx.us/ecis or contact any local ECI program. The
Infant Parent Program-ECI at ATCIC may be contacted at
(512) 472-3142.
Sources:
1. Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
Division of Early Childhood Intervention Services,
website www.dars.state.tx.us/ecis
2. Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
Division of Early Childhood Intervention Services,
Serving Babies and Toddlers brochure (July 2008)
3. Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
Division of Early Childhood Intervention Services,
How’s Your Baby? Developmental Checklist brochure
(July 2008)
Lisa Gourley graduated from
Tarleton State University with a
Bachelor of Science in Human
Sciences with an emphasis in
Child and Family Studies.
Gourley is the Child Find coordinator for the Infant Parent
Program-ECI, working with the
public and referral sources to identify eligible children for the program. Prior to joining IPP-ECI,
Lisa was an Investigator with Texas Department of Family and
Protective Services and has several years of experience working
with consumers of varying ages with developmental delays.
341616_ATCIC:FOCUS.qxd 4/13/10 11:32 AM Page 9
ATCIC News and Updates
Five indicators have been selected through community consensus,
including the following: the number of individuals in the Travis
County jail with a mental illness; readmissions to public psychiatric
hospitals within 30 days of discharge; the number of individuals
reporting to various settings with behavioral health needs who selfreport housing instability; the number of emergency room admissions with a primary substance use diagnosis; and a fifth indicator
around schools and youth. This work is supported by ATCIC, the
City of Austin, Travis County, St. David’s Foundation, Hogg
Foundation for Mental Health and Bazelon Center for Mental
Health Law. Dr. Susan Stone, executive coordinator of the MHTF,
will continue to lead these initiatives with the hope of identifying
community challenges and solutions for mental illness. For more
information or to view the report, visit mmhtfmc.org.
City Council Prioritizes Permanent Supportive Housing
In March, the Austin City Council passed a resolution making
the construction of 350 permanent supportive housing units a
priority, dedicating $13 million in housing bonds to this initiative. Permanent supportive housing, a combination of housing
and services, has been shown to be a cost-effective way to help
people with substance use disorders, mental illness and other serious challenges lead stable, productive lives. This initiative will be
implemented through a collaborative effort between the Ending
Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO), the Austin/Travis
County Reentry Roundtable, the MHTF and others based on a
report compiled by the Corporation for Supportive Housing
(CSH). To view the full report compiled by CSH, visit
mmhtfmc.org. The City plans to use all available affordable
housing funds to continue to develop both home ownership and
home rental opportunities, and fund home repair programs.
NMF Receives Meadows Grant
New Milestones Foundation (NMF) recently received a generous
grant from the Meadows Foundation for $150,000 to fund its
Capital Campaign, which supports the
renovation of two crisis respite facilities that help individuals enrolled in
ATCIC’s “Next Step” program. With
the combined contributions and
donations from other donors and foundations, the Capital
Campaign has now reached 78% of its $500,000 goal. The crisis
respite facility at 6222 N. Lamar Blvd. has been operational since
early last year, and the second at 403 E. 15th St. is expected to be
ready by late fall. For more information, visit NewMilestones.org.
ATCIC Seeks Community Input
Public input is requested for ATCIC’s 2011-13 Strategic Plan to
guide and advance immediate and long-term priorities. Planning
efforts are led by Hilliard & Associates, who are currently using
community outreach to ensure stakeholder feedback through
forums and focus groups. Those unable to participate can submit
comments online at surveymonkey.com/s/GPHX36T.
Perry Announces Veterans Mental Health Service Expansions
Governor Rick Perry announced in March that the Texas
Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is awarding 10
communities $1.75 million in competitive grants to increase and
expand veterans’ mental health services through accessible treatment options, trauma therapy services and peer support. ATCIC
has received approval to lead these efforts for a Central Texas collaborative that includes 20 counties. Grant recipients have high
concentrations of military families and will each receive
$175,000. These funds are part of a $5 million statewide initiative announced in November, and add to the $1.2 million appropriated during the 81st legislative session for specialized trauma
training for therapists, the creation of an online system to help
veterans find mental health services and training programs for
peer-to-peer veteran and family supports.
ATCIC Smoking Cessation Initiative
ATCIC along with local schools, health care providers, faith-based
organizations, retailers and media outlets, will participate in the
City of Austin's tobacco cessation initiative to provide support
services for consumers, staff and the broader behavioral health
community. Key strategies include: educating behavioral health
providers about telephone quit-lines and other local cessation services; reducing youth access to tobacco and marketing; implementing media outreach campaigns; promoting a tobacco-free lifestyle;
counteracting tobacco industry promotions; and promoting worksite and other tobacco-free settings. As part of the Community
Putting Prevention to Work initiative, the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services awarded grants to prevent chronic
disease and promote wellness to 44 communities around the country on March 19. Austin was awarded $7.4 million in stimulus
funds to decrease tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke
over two years. The Austin City Council will vote to officially
accept this grant on April 22.
2009 ATCIC Annual Report
ATCIC recently published its 2009 Annual Report, highlighting last year’s challenges and accomplishments as well as recognizing supporters and donors for fiscal year 2009. Testimonials from
individuals served by ATCIC are also highlighted. To view this report, visit IntegralCare.org.
9 Spring 2010 focus
Mental Health Task Force Develops Community Indicators
Last month, the Mayor’s Mental Health Task Force Monitoring
Committee published its fifth and final annual report that concludes its work for the original charges from 2004, when Mayor
Will Wynn instated this broad-based collaborative. During the next
two years, it will shift focus from measuring change to effectuating
change, and be known as the Mental Health Task Force (MHTF).
341616_ATCIC:FOCUS.qxd 4/13/10 11:32 AM Page 10
From the Executive Director
Effective Solutions through Partnerships and Collaborations
Today, organizations are in part defined and branded by their collaborations. Someone unfamiliar to
ATCIC can visit our website (IntegralCare.org) and quickly see three very significant collaborative relationships that directly support our mission across the top of the page: New Milestones Foundation
(NMF), the Central Texas African American Family Support Conference (CTAAFSC) and the Mental
Health Task Force (MHTF, formerly Mayor’s Mental Health Task Force Monitoring Committee).
David Evans
ATCIC Executive Director
Since 1983, NMF (newmilestones.org) has achieved tremendous success in philanthropy. They are currently engaged in a Capital Campaign to expand and support facilities for community psychiatric crisis
respite services. They also manage six housing facilities for ATCIC's consumers and promote community
awareness and advocacy through special projects such as their annual Champions Event.
The CTAAFSC (ctaafsc.org) is a nationally recognized collaborative comprised of an all-volunteer planning group that provides
free resources and information to the community on behavioral and general health issues in a culturally sensitive environment.
The planning committee works with local leaders – faith-based, state, health and non-profit – to bridge the health disparities gap
for African Americans.
Now in their final two years, the MHTF (mmhtfmc.org) is a broad-based collaborative that has worked for five years to identify local
mental health gaps and make Austin a national model for healthy living. Known as the Indicator Improvement Initiative, St. David’s
Foundation, Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, ATCIC, the City of Austin and Travis
County are pooling their resources to create long-term action plans around five key indicators created through community consensus.
While these three important collaborations are readily evident, ATCIC is part of many other local collaborations. For example, we
also work with the Community Action Network (CAN), which provides community metrics and public education on health issues.
Last month, the CAN issued a dashboard that grades our community on health, safety, education and people’s well-being. ATCIC
also works with the Integrated Care Collaboration (icc-centex.org), to develop consumer health information and data-sharing. St.
David’s Foundation, Central Health (the Travis County health-care district), Lone Star Circle of Care and Seton Family of Hospitals
are all part of this critical collaborative that can lead to a statewide integrated health-care system.
ATCIC staff and board members are important players in large solution-oriented collaborations to address major community issues.
For example, in 2006, Central Health (formerly Travis County Healthcare District) convened a group including law enforcement,
ATCIC, both major hospital systems and elected officials to address mental health crisis services. We have seen marked results
through improved community crisis services and access to medications.
In a second example, ATCIC’s collaboration with the Re-Entry Roundtable works with offenders to re-enter normative, community life, removing barriers by addressing effective treatment needs and permanent housing. Just recently, a collaboration between the
Re-Entry Roundtable, ECHO (Ending Chronic Homelessness Coalition) and the MHTF successfully secured $13 million from the
City of Austin to begin local development of permanent supportive housing options.
10 Spring 2010 focus
As a part of The Children’s Partnership (childrenspartnership.com), we use a multi-system approach to deal with children's problems.
We help work through the schools, the courts, child protective services and juvenile probation, and we use wraparound service models
to keep children from entering long-term residential youth detention centers and county residential services. ATCIC is also a member
of One Voice Central Texas (onevoicecentraltx.org), a network of community-based health and human service organizations representing a broad spectrum of critical and essential services to convey local human-service needs to policymakers and the general public.
These collaborations are but a few of the many local partnerships. Being an effective collaborator requires mutual understanding and
a willingness to identify mutually beneficial solutions for the community at large. Fragmented approaches in such a large community have the potential to fall short of the “big picture” and fail to gain community support and resources by acting alone. Without collaborative strategic approaches, there is little optimism to meet the community need in the magnitude in which it presents.
341616_ATCIC:FOCUS.qxd 4/13/10 11:32 AM Page 11
Second Annual ATCIC Open House
Event Recognizes Outstanding Volunteers
In January, ATCIC proudly hosted its
second annual open house at the Robert
T. Chapa, Sr. Administration Building.
This educational opportunity allowed
consumers, advocates and industry partners to learn about ATCIC’s services in
the areas of adult behavioral health, child
and family, intellectual and developmental disabilities and psychiatric crisis and
jail diversion.
ATCIC Executive Director David Evans
and ATCIC Board of Trustees Chair
Genevieve Hearon led the volunteer ceremony by honoring each of the groups and
individuals for their outstanding work,
which directly impacts and supports
ATCIC's mission in the community.
These groups include ATCIC’s Board of
Trustees, Planning and Network Advisory
Committee,
VOICE
Committee,
Mayor’s Mental Health Task Force
Monitoring Committee, Central Texas
African American Family Support
Conference Planning Committee, New
Milestones Foundation, Consumer
Council and the many individual volunteer efforts. Last year, 605 volunteers
invested an estimated 6,905 hours of
their time to ATCIC's mission. Many
thanks to each of our volunteer groups for
their continued support of those we serve!
Attendees at the volunteer recognition ceremony
ATCIC Board Chair Genevieve T. Hearon and Board Members Exalton Delco, Ph.D., Robert T. Chapa and S.J. “Buddy” Ruiz along with Precinct 4 Constable
Maria Canchola, NMF President Paul Leek and others at volunteer recognition ceremony emceed by ATCIC Executive Director David Evans
11 Spring 2010 focus
ATCIC Assertive Community Treatment (left) and Project Recovery (right) showcasing their work
341616_ATCIC:FOCUS.qxd 4/13/10 11:32 AM Page 12
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 912
Austin, TX
Austin Travis County Mental Health
Mental Retardation Center’s New Brand
P.O. Box 3548
Austin, Texas 78764-3548
24-Hour Crisis Line
512-472-HELP (4357)
TTY: 512-703-1395
Visit us at IntegralCare.org and
donate at NewMilestones.org.
For volunteer information,
email volunteer@atcic.org.
Join Us!
Beyond Tradition Art Exhibit
Benefiting Capital Campaign
Wednesday, April 21
Beyond Tradition
221 W. 2nd St.
Austin, TX 78701
6 – 9 PM
Psychotherapist Christopher Brown and artist John Palmer will
showcase their book The Art of Meaningful Living, in which Brown
uses Palmer's abstract art to help individuals with mental illness capture their feelings. This event will be held in conjunction with Art
Week Austin from April 21-25, produced by Art Alliance Austin.
Ten percent of profits will go to New Milestones Foundation’s
Capital Campaign, which aims to raise $500,000 for the refurbishment of ATCIC’s crisis respite facilities, which provide up to 14
days of psychiatric crisis respite services and transitional care in the
community. For more information, visit NewMilestones.org