| KBH conference to feature Burlingame, Hemmelgarn |
These questions are part of health care providers' day-to-day professional lives:
Do we have to sacrifice mission for the bottom line? What do we get for the funding we put into these programs? How do we get the best value for our investment?
And, can we continue to successfully implement empirically supported practices? Can we afford them? Will public mental health survive for another 50 years? Will it matter?
Finally, can we keep pushing the envelope, successfully intervening in increasingly difficult and complex situations? Can we make extraordinary care the baseline that everyone can expect? And can we reconcile inspired passionate hearts, solid scientific principles, and organizational excellence?
According to Dr. Karen Mosher, KBH's Clinical Director and the conference director, "We can, and we will. There are no other good choices."
These questions form the foundation of KBH's thought-provoking conference to be held Oct. 22 at Maple Hill Farm Conference Center in Hallowell.
The conference, "Behavioral Health at the Confluence: Inspired Hearts, Solid Science and Organizational Excellence," addresses what each of us can do to transcend conflicting priorities and discover values-affirming answers to these questions by creating and maintaining solid, successful, committed teams who work together toward success on all three of these bottom lines.
The conference is co-sponsored by APS Healthcare.
"We have come to firmly believe here at KBH," said Thomas J. McAdam, the agency's chief executive officer, "that in order to remain relevant and provide valued services to our patients, clients and communities, we must actively balance the clinical and financial demands while at the same time provide a supportive and dynamic work environment for our clinical staff."
The conference will reinforce these themes.
This daylong workshop will feature Dr. Gary Burlingame and Dr. Anthony Hemmelgarn who have both demonstrated sustained success in honoring and melding these values in their life's works.
Dr. Burlingame is a Professor of Clinical Psychology at Brigham Young University. He is one of the developers of the standardized OQ measurement tool and has received the Group Psychologist of the year award from the American Psychological Association in 2006.
Dr. Hemmelgarn is a research professor at the Children's Mental Health Services Research Center at University of Tennessee. Dr. Hemmelgarn has worked for more than 15 years in both state and private agencies conducting research, training, assessment technologies and organizational-development efforts designed to create high-performing organizations.
Lunch will be provided.
The talks and break-out sessions will help participants including lawmakers, policy makers, administrators, clinicians and consumers create a shared vision and plan for inspired, sustainable and extraordinary care.
Registration will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.
A free iPod will be raffled off for workshop-goers, courtesy of Bangor Savings Bank. For conference details and to register, call Michelle Snowden (ext. 2253) or e-mail msnowden@kbhmaine.org by Oct. 10.
Directions to Maple Hill (207-622-2708), at 11 Inn Road, Hallowell, Maine:
From the South: Take I-95 North. You will then need to take an exit just south of Portland onto I-295 north at Exit 44, or north of Portland at Exit 52 onto the Falmouth Spur over to I-295 north. Continue taking I-295 north which reconnects with I-95 north just south of Augusta, and continue on I-95 north. Take Exit 109, the first Augusta Exit, off I-95.
From the North: Take Exit 109A, the last Augusta Exit, off I-95. (Don't take Exit 109B, since this just misses the next turn!)
Then, from either direction: Stay in the left lane on the exit ramp for Route 202 West (toward Winthrop), then as soon as you get onto Route 202 West, scoot over into the left turn lane and take a left turn onto Whitten Road (at the first traffic light only a few hundred feet from the end of the exit ramp). Then just watch carefully for our blue and white signs directing you through a series of turns during the next 4 miles to Maple Hill Farm Bed and Breakfast on the Inn Road (our driveway) off the Outlet Road in Hallowell.
Alternate directions:
From Downtown Augusta rotary, take Route 201 South about 1 1/2 miles (or From Downtown Gardiner - not the Gardiner Interstate Exit - take Route 201 North about 4 miles), then turn away from the river onto Central Street in Downtown Hallowell at the Clock (right turn from Augusta, left turn from Gardiner) and proceed about 3 miles, following the blue and white signs to Maple Hill Farm Bed and Breakfast on the Inn Road (our driveway) off the Outlet Road in Hallowell.
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| KBH expands Independent Housing program |
| Kennebec Behavioral Health's Independent Housing Program has assumed responsibility for the Augusta BRAP & Shelter+Care Rental Subsidy programs that had been managed in southern Kennebec County by Motivational Services.
KBH, which ran the state- and HUD-funded programs for northern Kennebec and Somerset County, now handles the programs for all of both counties. KBH has been administering the program for about 18 years, according to KBH Housing Supervisor Barbara Worthley.
KBH earned its expanded role in the state- and federally funded programs due to programmatic consolidations in Kennebec County combined with the agency's "excellent track record in administering both programs and in developing supported housing for disabled persons, particularly those with mental health, substance abuse and co-occurring disorders," said Sheldon Wheeler, director of Housing Resource Development in the DHHS Office of Adult Mental Health.
"We are extremely pleased to be able to provide expanded housing services here at KBH," said Thomas J. McAdam, chief executive officer of KBH.
"Without stable and safe housing, we know that people struggle in other areas of their lives. The expanded role we can play is a great fit for many of our other clinical services and this allows us to more comprehensively serve our clients."
The BRAP and Shelter+Care programs were begun in Maine largely as a result of the AMHI Consent Decree. That requires the State to establish and maintain a comprehensive mental health system including funding, developing and recruiting a variety of housing options to meet varying levels of consumer need.
BRAP has been established in recognition that recovery can only begin in a safe, healthy and decent environment - a place one can call home, in other words. People with psychiatric disabilities are often unable to afford to rent housing of their choice in the community. BRAP is designed to assist individuals with psychiatric disabilities with housing assistance until they are awarded a Housing Choice Voucher (aka Section 8 Voucher), another federal subsidy, or alternative housing placement.
Wheeler, of DHHS, said "there isn't a single community in the nation where a person receiving SSI can afford to rent even a one bedroom apartment, unless there is some kind of rental assistance."
"The beauty of these programs," he said of BRAP and Shelter+Care, "is that they empower consumers with choice, independence and control over their own living situation and the services they need as directed by them."
Enrollment in the BRAP/Shelter+Care program doesn't require that a participant to receive a parallel set of health services. But evidence shows that the program encourages, indirectly and directly, linkages to services that have documented improvement of physical and mental health care for those individuals, said Wheeler at DHHS.
A cost-benefit study of Shelter+Care, written by Wheeler and Shelter+Care program coordinator Melany Mondelo shows that Permanent Supported Housing residents simultaneously and substantially increase their access to health and mental health services while decreasing the total costs of their care. For example, Shelter+Care participants typically experience a 43 percent decrease in mental health service cost, after moving into the program - plus a 49 percent drop in emergency-room costs and a 51 percent decrease in ambulance-service costs - all while substantially increasing their access to and encounters with more appropriate community-based services.
The study demonstrates that the cost of housing and health services for someone using the Shelter+Care program were less than the cost of all services rendered when the individual was homeless.
As a responsibility of administering the program, KBH must see that all units subsidized by BRAP or Shelter+Care funding meet the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Housing Quality Standards and Fair Market Rents. The program requires about 200 rental inspections by KBH each year - an important task, as Maine has one of the oldest housing stocks in the nation. KBH ensures that the program's housing quality is up to "the highest standards proscribed by HUD," Worthley said, focusing on safe and decent housing is the first step to a better life.
Under the BRAP program, participants pay 51 percent of their household income for rent. BRAP subsidizes the remaining portion of the rent up to the Fair Market Rent. Participants of the Shelter+Care Program are expected to pay about 30 percent of their household incomes.
Motivational Services director Richard M. Weiss said the efficiency of administering the service is "better done in a non-duplicative way. With KBH having done it as long as Motivational Services, it just makes sense for the services to be subcontracted as one."
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| Careers video on KBH workplace culture |
Providers interested in working at Kennebec Behavioral Health are invited to browse the job openings on our Careers page, which now features a new slide show produced by KBH Clinical Director Karen Mosher, Ph.D.
From the opening titling, "Why come and why stay?," Dr. Mosher presents thoughtful photos and video of central Maine's natural beauty simultaneously with words about the respectful workplace culture at Kennebec Behavioral Health.
Images for the four-minute, 30-second video were taken by Drs. Karen and Peter Mosher. The soundtrack, licensed from Freeplay.com, is called "Blue Ridge Mountain Mist" and composed by Ralph Schuckett.
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| Clubhouses welcome prospective employers |
Maine's two vocational rehabilitation clubhouses recently redesigned their websites to better highlight the employment readiness of their members.
Learn more about the Augusta and Waterville clubhouse programs at www.capitol-clubhouse.org and www.highhopesclubhouse.org.
Both clubhouses operate under the auspices of Kennebec Behavioral Health, which has clinics in those communities, as well as in Skowhegan and Winthrop.
Following an international model, the clubhouses help persons with mental illnesses to learn about occupational responsibilities and help them find meaningful and for-pay jobs.
Clubhouse members also update their units' websites.
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| KBH marks 50th; honors Celenza, Rothstein, more |
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Thomas J. McAdam,
Chief Executive Officer |
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Brenda Harvey,
DHHS Commissioner |
Kennebec Behavioral Health on June 16 celebrated its 50th year of providing health care to central Maine residents, and it honored several area residents and the City of Waterville with awards.
KBH is a non-profit, multi-service mental health and substance abuse treatment agency that serves 12,000 children and adults annually. The agency has medical clinics in Augusta, Waterville, Winthrop and Skowhegan, and more than 340 employees.
"We're pleased to be able to take this evening to pause and reflect, and to honor all the board members and founders who supported our agency over the last 50 years," said Thomas J. McAdam, Chief Executive Officer of the agency.
"But more importantly," McAdam said, "this evening represents our agency's ability to provide quality mental health services for central Maine residents. The real testament to our access is the improved lives of those who we have helped."
Among the guests were Carmen Celenza, who was the agency's director for almost 30 years; agency founder Dr. Charles Rothstein; DHHS Commissioner Brenda Harvey; Rep. Patsy Garside Crockett; and Rep. Patrick S. A. Flood. McAdam gave Celenza and Rothstein special citations.
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| Carol A. Welch |
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Carol A. Welch and
George Myers Jr.
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McAdam led the meeting at the Senator Inn, in Augusta, after opening remarks by KMHA vice president Elaine Fuller. Awards were given to:
- Rome resident James R. Schmidt, who received the KBH Recognition Award for his ongoing efforts to strengthen the agency's presence in its many communities.
- Dr. Roger Renfrew, M.D., medical director at Redington-Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan. He received the agency's Transformational Clinical Collaboration Award.
- Waterville resident Carol A. Welch, honored as the agency's volunteer of the year. As a result, she will be given a REM Community Volunteer Award at the Waterville Opera House on Nov. 7, with top volunteers from other community agencies.
- The City of Waterville, for its support of the agency through projects, collaboration and model leadership, was given the Outstanding Community Partnership Award. The City was represented by Waterville City Manager Mike Roy.
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| Thomas J. McAdam and Waterville City Manager Mike Roy |
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Waterville City Manager
Mike Roy |
The meeting included the presentation of new board members and other business. McAdam praised the agency's staff and providers for their dedication, noted the agency's corporate accomplishments of the past and outlined his expectations for the agency's year ahead.
Gov. John E. Baldacci in late May proclaimed June 16 as "Kennebec Behavioral Health Day," praising KBH for creating what he called "effective, innovative programs that have been at the forefront of health care in Maine."
For details about KBH programs and services, explore kbhmaine.org, or call 873-2136. |
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| Baldacci proclaims June 16 'KBH Day' |
Maine Gov. John E. Baldacci and Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap have proclaimed June 16, 2010 "Kennebec Behavioral Health Day," corresponding with the agency's annual meeting this year.
The Proclamation praises the agency for creating "effective, innovative programs that have been at the forefront of health care in Maine."
The Proclamation, signed by Baldacci and Dunlap, in total reads:
WHEREAS, since 1960, the health care agency now known as Kennebec Behavioral Health has provided mental health and substance abuse care to many tens of thousands of central Maine residents; and
WHEREAS, this agency, its boards and providers have worked tirelessly to advocate for and create evidence-based supports for central Maine residents who need such care; and
WHEREAS, Kennebec Behavioral Health providers meet their clients exactly where they are, be they as outpatient clients, in our schools or in clients' homes or their guardians' care; and
WHEREAS, the hundreds of employees and providers at Kennebec Behavioral Health work hard, often in challenging economic climates, to create effective, innovative programs that have been at the forefront of health care in Maine.
To learn more about Kennebec Behavioral Health's services and programs, explore this website or contact the agency's Communications Office.
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| UWKV awards two grants to KBH programs |
| The United Way of Kennebec Valley has awarded Kennebec Behavioral Health $9,500 for the agency's Substance Abuse/Dual Diagnosis Program and $9,500 for KBH's Family Visitation Center program.
Thank you, UWKV, for sharing our view that people needing these health care services deserve to have them.For details about KBH programs, explore this website or call the Communications Office at 873-5173, ext. 1905. |
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| KBH staff big part of fund-raiser walk |
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More than 70 Kennebec Behavioral Health-affiliated staffers and clients participated in the annual NAMI Maine fund-raiser walk on May 8. About 900 supporters of mental health programming from across the state participated in the Portland event, including actor Glenn Close.
 Shirley Ware, a member of the High Hopes Clubhouse in Waterville, won NAMI Maine's award for having raised the most money for NAMI Maine by an individual.
The annual walk is intended raise funds for NAMI Maine and to help draw attention to the need for mental health programs and services in Maine. According to data made available by NAMI:
- Nearly 35 thousand of Maine's 1,200,000 residents have a severe mental illness. (U.S. Census 2000; U.S. Center for Mental Health Services)
- In the year 2000, the estimated number of people age 18 or older with a serious mental disorder living in Maine (excluding homeless people or people in institutions) was 26,000. (SAMHSA National Mental Health Information Center)
- In the year 2000, the estimated number of children and adolescents with a serious mental disorder was 1,866,112, or more than 9,000 children in Maine. An estimated 17.6 percent of those affected live in poverty. (SAMHSA National Mental Health Information Center)
- Prior authorization programs for people in Medicaid are a dangerous proposition for persons with mental illness. Prior authorization programs for people with mental illness have the potential to further erode a very tenuous community system of care. (NAMI Policy Research Institute, State Action Alert, April 2003)
- Untreated mental disorders cost our country's economy and business more than $70 billion annually to lost productivity. (U.S. Surgeon General)
The photos on this page were taken by Lisa Soucie, director of the High Hopes Clubhouse in Waterville.
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| Agency celebrates Children's Mental Health Month |
| Kennebec Behavioral Health CEO Thomas J. McAdam and Brandi Farrington, the agency's Wraparound Maine mobilization specialist, were among the KBH staff who attended the statewide salute to Children's Mental Health month at the Statehouse Hall of Flags on May 6. Children's Mental Health Month is celebrated each May.
Wraparound Maine, offered by the agency, refers to a detailed planning and implementation process for children that begin with training and coaching of the providers of the team-based service. Gov. John E. Baldacci, First Lady of Maine Karen Baldacci and DHHS Commissioner Brenda Harvey were among those who spoke at the Statehouse event, which featured screenings of public-service announcements and motivational talks by youths whose family members are involved with mental illnesses.
Dozens of agencies made their program brochures available in their show of support for mental health "from birth to adulthood." Those who spoke included Carol Tiernan, program director of the G.E.A.R. Parent Network; and youths representing G.E.A.R., the Maine Parent Federation and Thrive/Youth MOVE Maine.
DHHS Commissioner Brenda Harvey speaks with Thomas J. McAdam, CEO of Kennebec Behavioral Health
KBH provider Brandi Farrington, left, looks over a KBH Wraparound
brochure with DHHS Commissioner Brenda Harvey
DHHS Commissioner Brenda Harvey and Gov. John Baldacci
From left: Thomas J. McAdam, Brandi Farrington and Joan Smyrski, director of Children's Behavioral Health at DHHS
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| KBH speakers available on health care |
| Need a speaker? KBH welcomes any opportunities to explain mental illness or substance abuse and how they impact on families and our communities.
Since mental health care is fundamental health care, these are topics that all of us care about.
If your company, service organization or trade association would like to have a speaker, e-mail info@kbhmaine.org or call the agency's Communications Office, 873-2136. We'll get back to you with a date for a professional from our organization to meet with your group.
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Press Room
Visit the Press Room for links to articles about KBH from the news media and our latest press releases.
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