Adult & Child Plans to Join Brightli Behavioral Health System
The Boards of Directors for Indianapolis-based Adult & Child Health and Springfield, Missouri-based Brightli, Inc. have signed documents expressing the companies’ intent to create a formal partnership between the two nonprofit organizations. Under the agreement, Adult & Child Health (A&C), a state-designated Community Mental Health Center (CMHC), would join nearly a half dozen other behavioral and community health providers as member organizations of Brightli, the nation’s fourth-largest nonprofit behavioral health organization by total revenue. The partnership has been approved by each company’s board and is anticipated to be finalized in coming weeks pending regulatory approval. A public signing and press conference will be announced once the partnership closes, which is expected in early 2024. The partnership will significantly increase financial and system support resources available to Adult & Child, for the benefit of those with behavioral health needs in central Indiana. “To expand services in our communities, we need altogether new and different approaches,” said A&C President and CEO Allen Brown. “With Brightli we’ve found a tremendous partner who is willing to dream big, and I know they feel the same way about Adult & Child.” Indiana is one of 10 states selected to participate in the second round of the federal Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration project, beginning next year. Missouri was part of the first cohort of demonstration states in 2017; CCBHC has since become state law. In coming months, the Indiana Department of Mental Health and Addiction is expected to announce which Community Mental Health Centers will be part of the state’s first round of CCBHC demonstration agencies. “The CCBHC approach for community mental health is exactly what’s needed, and the time is now. Effective implementation and optimization of the CCBHC model truly changes the trajectory of what is possible in the behavioral health space,” Brown added. Brightli’ s existing member organizations include multiple CMHC/CCBHCs, including the second largest CCBHC in the country, Burrell Behavioral Health. In the first five years under CCBHC in Missouri, Burrell’s total revenue grew by 125%, clients served grew by 163%, and it added 1,000 employees to its statewide workforce. Dr. C.J. Davis is CEO of Brightli. Davis previously served as CEO of an Indiana CMHC from 2012 to 2017. “I have never stopped caring about Indiana or following the progress of the behavioral health industry here,” Davis said. “To be able to return, and to do so through a company with the legacy and respect that A&C carries in this community, is a dream come true. Brightli shares the commitment to mission this team lives out every day, and I am truly excited to see what we can do together.” “The fact that Indiana is such a forward-thinking state, with strong leadership at the very top, will only aid our efforts to recruit top-of-field providers to the Hoosier State,” Davis added. Upon approval, A&C will retain its board of directors and continue to operate under the Adult & Child Health name, serving its existing area of downtown Indianapolis, greater Marion and Johnson counties, and the surrounding region. As a Brightli affiliate, A&C will be positioned within a family of systems, able to receive significant resources and support from the parent organization. Adult & Child Health joins Burrell Behavioral Health, Preferred Family Healthcare, Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health, and other subsidiaries under the Brightli umbrella. Burrell and Preferred Family each have various subsidiaries and affiliates, providing a full behavioral health (CMHC) and community health (FQHC) continuum, including dental services, as well as significant developmental services operations. Brightli currently serves more than 100,000 individuals in four states. With the addition of A&C, Brightli would employ some 5,500 individuals with total revenue of more than $500 million. “The landscape for mental health care is changing. A&C could not be more excited to be at the forefront of that change with Brightli as our long-term partners in Indiana,” Brown said. About Adult& Child Health:Adult & Child Health, a Joint Commission accreditedcommunity mental health center and Federally Qualified Healthcare Center LookAlike (FQHC) in Central Indiana, strives for caring communitieswhere all people can live healthy, purposeful lives. Services includebehavioral health, primary care, social services, and addictions treatment, allof which are designed to provide quick, affordable, and efficient access to highquality care. Please visit adultandchild.orgfor more information. About Brightli:Brightli, Inc.’s subsidiaries include Burrell Behavioral Health (including Comprehensive Mental Health Services), Preferred Family Healthcare and Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health. While these organizations operate independently and are governed by separate board of directors, their operations and services benefit from this parent-company model, which allows them to collaborate, share resources and system supports, increase recruiting and retention efforts, increase access to specialized care, and meet the growing demand for behavioral and addiction recovery care. Alone, organizations may be able to navigate the current tumultuous healthcare environment, but we believe that together we can do so much more than survive. Our communities need us now more than ever, and by working together we are ready to answer their call for years to come. In all, Brightli member organizations total more than 5,000 employees in four states, with annual revenues of nearly $450 million.
Adult and Child Health Awarded Funding to Expand and Develop Community Mental Health Workforce
Adult and Child Health (A&C) was recently awarded $750,000 in grant funding for three years by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) to enhance the local behavioral health workforce, improve accessibility to peer recovery services, and expand professional growth and development opportunities for Adult and Child Health employees. Funds will support A&C’s efforts in two separate ways: training and certification for Community Health Workers (CHW) and Certified Recovery Specialists (CRS) and the development of Career Pathways for A&C staff. Both initiatives link to A&C’s greater vision of cultivating caring communities, where every child, adult, and family have opportunities to live healthy, purposeful lives. The demand for Community Health Workers (CHW) and Certified Recovery Specialists (CRS) in Indiana far exceeds the number of available staff in the workforce. CHW and CRS certification courses often have limited openings and a six month or longer waitlist, creating a significant barrier for individuals seeking certification. DMHA funding will support A&C becoming its own training site, creating an additional resource for staff and people in the community to draw upon their personal experience in mental health recovery and/or their professional work experience at A&C as they look to advance their mental health career through certification. To raise awareness and interest in CHW and CRS certification as a career option, A&C will partner with local high schools, adult education centers, and other organizations to provide information to the public. Built-in scholarship money will be made available for behavioral health technicians and recovery specialists who want to take their skills further. “At A&C, we know that our employees are our greatest asset,” said Denise Amato, Executive Vice President of Operations. “This grant funding should help us attract and connect with a new wave of compassionate, mission-driven people who are interested in pursuing a career in community mental health.” In addition to expanding the certified health workers and peer specialist workforce, the DMHA grant award will be used to fund staff engagement, recruitment, and retention initiatives in A&C’s Career Pathways program, which promotes long-term growth opportunities for employees of Adult and Child Health. DMHA grant funding will support increased staffing, mentoring, and training resources so that A&C employees have access to the tools and support needed to reach their career goals. This heightened focus on career growth and development is one of several initiatives in place to promote the well-being of Adult and Child’s workforce, including financial assistance for employee continuing education, opportunities to serve on taskforces, and access to health and wellness staff-led self-care groups that are supported within the organization. A&C is honored to be one of only a few selected organizations from over 90 organizations who submitted proposals for the Behavioral Health Workforce Recruitment and Retention Innovation Grant Program. Both components of A&C’s planned use for grant funding will strengthen A&C’s workforce capacity, ultimately leading to better mental health services for persons in the community. Adult & Child Health is an accredited nonprofit primary care, behavioral health, and social services provider with multiple locations in central Indiana. We strive for caring communities, where every child, adult and family have the opportunities they need to live healthy, happy, productive lives. Learn more at www.adultandchild.org.
School Based Staff Gear Up For Year Three Of Kendrick Foundation Grant Funded Program Supporting Morgan County Schools
Adult & Child Health (A&C) is excited to head into the third year of their partnership with Kendrick Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that supports education and initiatives that improve the health and well-being of Morgan County residents. This three-year commitment aims to support school-based and school-linked mental health services for Morgan County school-aged youth. During the first year of the program, A&C served nearly 200 students across Mooresville, Martinsville, and Monrovia school districts. Beyond the school setting, A&C staff worked with more than 40 families of enrolled students as a link to clinical services and family therapy sessions. “We are very grateful for our partnership with Adult and Child. We know working together we can better serve our students and meet their mental health needs,” said Windy McGowen, Mooresville County School District. Year two concluded with incredible growth for the program, which directly served nearly 800 youth and families. Also new this year for A&C were an increase in community outreach, caregiver support and training, teacher support and training, building connections across Morgan County, increased mental health awareness education, and continued service provision for more youth and families across Morgan County. “We are so excited to continue our partnership with the Kendrick Foundation and appreciate the collaboration with Mooresville, Martinsville, and Monrovia Schools. It has been a pleasure to lead our teams through this growth and program development over the last two years and now excited to see what we can offer in year three!” said Elizabeth Stirn, LCSW, Assistant Director of School-based Services. “We are proud to be a part of this mental health initiative with the Kendrick Foundation and work to improve the overall well-being of students and families in Morgan County.” Keylee Wright, Executive Director at Kendrick Foundation, Inc., said of the program, “When we invest in children’s mental health to make sure they can get the right care at the right time, we improve the lives of children, youth, and families — and our communities. As a result of this initiative, Morgan County residents have greater access to mental health practitioners and services regardless of their ability to pay.” Adult & Child Health is an accredited nonprofit primary care, behavioral health, and social services provider with multiple locations in central Indiana. We strive for caring communities, where every child, adult and family have the opportunities they need to live healthy, happy, productive lives.
Mission Moment: Marion & Johnson County School Based Teams Celebrate Summer
While students enjoy their summer breaks, A&C staff are still collaborating and working hard to ensure that those students have access to fun and resources all year long. School based leaders Jaymee Cummings, Team Leader for Perry School Based 2, Aja Bridgewater, Director of School Based Services, Aby Wischmeier, Assistant Director of School Based Services, Liz Stern, Assistant Director of School Based Services, and the staff of Perry Township School Based 2 welcomed staff, clients, and families to A&C’s 8404 Siear Terrace location on June 21 to celebrate summer and enjoy a day of fun, resources, movement, food, and games. Preparation for this event started with the approval of summer funding through the Indy Summer Youth Programs/Summer Youth Program Fund, which aims to supplement existing programs in order to enrich, enhance, and expand summer offerings for children and youth. A&C received funds specifically through Lilly Endowment, Inc. Once the team received funding, they set to work brainstorming ideas that would be both creative and fun for clients, their families, and staff. Their goal this year was to utilize the funds differently from years past, and they landed on a proposal to provide youth and families with experiences and activities they might not otherwise get to experience during the summer weeks, including the inaugural Summer Celebration and multiple park days throughout Marion County. After 3-4 weeks of planning, the team was able to pull off an exciting and interactive event with not only participation from multiple other A&C teams, but outside vendors including Kona Ice, DJ Duane Curry, caricature artist Bob East, Good Moves yogi Monica Wearren, and Indianapolis Fire Department – Station 35. Taste of Grace food truck provided lunch for the event, donating their time, supplies, tables, canopies, and a team of seven to serve food and drinks. Approximately 150 guests were in attendance throughout the day. When asked about her favorite aspect of the Summer Celebration, what stood out for Jaymee was all of the family participation. “Some families attended the event with a provider as well as on their own. We saw many smiling faces as children and families won giveaways throughout the day, they were very excited to win activities that will keep them busy through the summer,” she said. “We also enjoyed all of the participants who engaged in the live motion and movement sessions with Monica Wearren.” Jaymee wants to extend a special thank you to all of the staff, students, clients and their families who made this day a success. “It was very awesome to see this all come together,” said Jaymee. “Definitely a mission moment.”
