Message from our CEO and Board President
Dear friends,
A community provides support. It is a foundation that holds you up and keeps you steady when circumstances are challenging.
For many, it may look like a patchwork of family members, friends, neighbors and colleagues. A community can also consist of a network of providers, dedicated to well-being and supporting recovery through collaboration and person-centered care. As a federally designated Certified Community Behavioral Health Center, we provide a community of care: providers delivering integrated and enhanced services to those who need it the most.
In the face of social distancing, isolation and the many types of loss that began to impact our community in the spring of 2020, we got creative. We saw the opportunity for transformation and created innovative ways to stay connected to each other, building and nurturing our MHA family and making sure we strengthened our resilience in our personal lives.
We also redefined community for our clients. We cultivated human connections by expanding our existing TeleHealth platform, and staff across the entire agency were able to quickly pivot their service delivery to this model. When our virtual doors opened on Monday, March 16th, we were ready, and in the months that followed, more than 90 percent of our services were delivered remotely.
We learned so much during this time, and we became stronger together while staying apart.
More than ever, we are grateful that you are part of our community. Our supporters are the foundation that our work is built upon... a foundation that provides support and strength when circumstances are challenging. Thank you for being an integral part of our community and for believing that #MentalHealthMatters
Charlotte Östman, LCSW-R
Chief Executive Officer
Meryl Allison
Board President
IMPACT BY
THE NUMBERS
*Hover over the statistics for our stories of impact
Care Management
In 2019, Health Homes Serving Adults Care Management enrolled 25% more than any other year and expanded by 28%, serving a total of 910 individuals.
“Working in Care Management can be both hard and rewarding. Last year, I worked with Steve*, who was diagnosed with brain cancer and was undergoing treatment. During one phone call, he told me, ‘I don’t have anyone besides my sisters, thank you for guiding me in this process.’ Steve wasn’t married, nor had any children, so our services became a vital support for him. As his cancer progressed and the prognosis worsened, we were there through the whole process to coordinate services. Eventually, this meant hospice care. I visited him in the hospital, and am thankful I was able to provide comfort and support in his last days. Just one day before he passed away, I was able to visit him at the hospice facility. Although Steve was unable to speak or see, there was a tangible sense that he knew I was in the room. Although it was a difficult experience, the honor of being there for someone in their last days was a reminder of how important our support can be, and why I am proud to be a Care Manager at MHA”
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Partners in Parenting
89 individuals were served through 998 sessions.
"If it was not for PIP, I would not have been able to develop any level of trust, especially in letting people into my home. Through my work with PIP, I have been able to work on my self-love. I still need to work more on it, but I never knew how important it was for me to be able to put myself first and not feel guilty about it. I feel I am a better mom because the things I once used to yell at, I am now able to laugh it off with my children. Even my older children have noticed the difference in me and have lovingly joked that they wish I had been involved with the program when they were younger. I know my work is not done, which is why I am looking forward to continuing with therapy in the clinic.”
Employment Services
201 individuals engaged in Employment Services.
In 2019, we began offering Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), a new pre-vocational program developed for students with disabilities in secondary, postsecondary or other recognized education programs. Our Employment Services also expanded to our clinics, as we embedded an Employment Specialist into our menu of integrated care.
Home and Community Based Services
HCBS serves 151 individuals and continues to be the largest provider of HCBS in Westchester County. Since it's inception, HCBS has experienced a 128% increase in the number of clients served.
Rick* is one individual who benefited from HCBS recently. When his HCBS Peer Support services began, Rick’s social life consisted of once-a-week group therapy at a hospital; his social anxiety was preventing him from leaving his apartment. After working with a Peer Specialist, Rick made great strides in conquering his feelings of anxiety and now participates in a Meals on Wheels program and socializes with neighbors after enrolling in a program for senior citizens. Rick also visits friends throughout the county on a regular basis and attends various community and political meetings in his town.
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Court Appointed Special Advocates
Our Court Appointed Special Advocates worked with 162 children and teenagers in the foster care system.
Extensively training volunteers, CASAs advocate for the needs of youth removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect or at risk of removal. In Family Court, CASAs champion for critical needs related to physical and behavioral health, education and more. When in-person visits were disrupted, CASAs stayed in contact with the youth they serve through video and phone calls. Always an essential arm of Family Court, the need for CASA is higher than ever. With social isolation, the severity of risk and abuse has risen.
Apartment Treatment Program
Our Apartment Treatment Program expanded with the addition of a CASAC Residential Counselor.
Prior to John’s entrance into ATP, he was homeless and struggling to maintain his sobriety. He experienced multiple unsuccessful attempts at residing in congregate care settings and was feeling hopeless. With MHA, John found a second chance. He was grateful and saw it a chance to rebuild his life. Actively engaged and motivated to change his life, John collaborated with his Rehabilitation Counselor to identify goals. John began attending AA/NA meetings again and was able to find employment in his field of interest. After two years, John was accepted into an independent living program and was able to move into his own apartment.
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OnTrackNY @ MHA
In 2019, our OnTrackNY team served 68 young adults experiencing their first episode of psychosis.
For those experiencing onset of psychosis, early college years is a common age to begin experiencing symptoms. OnTrackNY also works with participants who are in high school. Helping individuals graduate and move on to other opportunities can be a crucial step in recovery. By collaborating with families and schools and building a resource team, OnTrackNY helps make graduation a reality for participants. Cait* is one such client, who struggled with academics for the entirety of her educational career. Her family had a difficult relationship with the school district, and Cait was struggling socially as well. At OnTrackNY, Cait’s Supported Education and Employment Specialist and her Primary Clinician worked together to contact key staff in the school to clarify graduation requirements. The team also conducted multiple joint sessions to prepare Cait for her upcoming Regents Exams. Cait’s confidence grew and she successfully graduated. Building on her success, she enrolled in community college last year.
Children and Family Treatment and Support Services
108 children received support through CFTSS.
When Robert, an adolescent, started engaging with CFTSS, he had a difficult time getting to school each day – and staying in school. After working with his Community Psychiatric Supports and Treatment provider, he learned and practiced new skills that allowed him to not only attend school on a daily basis but complete his classwork and homework assignments.
Substance Use Disorder Services
144 clients received Substance Use Disorder (SUD) support from CASACs. 34 individuals engaged in Medication Assisted Treatment, a whole-person approach to treating individuals experiencing SUD or co-occurring disorders, including opioid or alcohol use disorder. Combining FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies, MAT is an evidence-based best practice for maintaining long-term recovery.
Prior to engaging in Substance Use Disorder services at an MHA clinic, Tom* had spent the majority of his life incarcerated and struggling with the management of his mental health and addiction to PCP. Through an integrated approach of working with a clinician, psychiatrist, CASAC and vocational specialist, Tom achieved one year of sobriety and, for the first time in years, spent his first holiday season out of jail and with his family. Tom also completed the Peer Training Program and expresses a hopeful outlook that he can achieve his personal goals for the first time in his life.
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Health Homes Serving Children
HHSC served 69 males and 54 females, between the ages of 5 and 21.
Health Homes Serving Children helped three siblings who were having challenges with aggression and fighting in home, the school and the community. The siblings also had difficulty succeeding academically. While working with MHA, the youth began expressing themselves in a healthier way, feeling comfortable to talk about their interests. Their Care Manager connected the siblings to a local boxing program, which was a welcome outlet for the youth. The siblings all benefited from improved communication skills and their grades have all dramatically improved. With the help of MHA, their home and school lives are much more positive.
Mobile Mental Health
35 youth received support through Mobile Mental Health.
Health Homes Serving Children helped three siblings who were having challenges with aggression and fighting in home, the school and the community. The siblings also had difficulty succeeding academically. While working with MHA, the youth began expressing themselves in a healthier way, feeling comfortable to talk about their interests. Their Care Manager connected the siblings to a local boxing program, which was a welcome outlet for the youth. The siblings all benefited from improved communication skills and their grades have all dramatically improved. With the help of MHA, their home and school lives are much more positive.
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Family Support Services
In 2019, we supported 36 individuals, including Jane*
The mother of a young child diagnosed with autism and a teenager diagnosed with mental health challenges, Jane often felt overwhelmed by the conflicting needs of her children. She felt judged by school personnel and other providers and desperately wanted to move forward but struggled with feelings of anger and past trauma. Her Family Support Specialist was a true ally in Jane’s journey, listening to her concerns, validating her feelings, and discussing self-care ideas. Jane began to see that she did have choices and could plan – and achieve – her goals. Jane found a new apartment and struck up a friendship with a new neighbor, who could watch her children if an emergency arose. As Jane began taking better care of herself, her patience grew and she was better able to care for the needs of her children.
CERTIFIED COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER (CCBHC) IN ACTION
MHA is a federally designated Certified Community Behavioral Health Center, delivering integrated care regardless of an individual’s ability to pay. In 2019, we received a nearly $4 million SAMHSA grant to launch our CCBHC work; a year later, our hard work paid off and we were honored with an additional expansion grant of $4 million. In the summer of 2020, we were selected for the esteemed National Council For Behavioral Health 2020-2021 CCBHC Mentorship program. As a mentor, MHA will support new established CCBHC as they navigate and implement best practices.
Our Community of Care delivers integrated services from clinicians, medical staff, care managers, peer and family specialists and employment specialists. We also proudly serve those who have served our country – and their families.
Impact Story
Vic* was engaged in services at an MHA clinic and also seeing a primary care physician for buprenorphine to address his opioid use disorder. When his physician no longer accepted his insurance, Vic could no longer afford the treatment or medication he desperately needed. Need for care was critical: in the past, Vic had relapsed on opiates and fentanyl after breaks in care. His MHA clinician connected him to a CASAC at our clinic, who worked in conjunction with our Medical Director to facilitate the continuation of his medication. A Care Manager on his team assisted Vic with the Medicaid application so that he could access a range of needed services and supports, and his Employment Specialist worked with him to explore vocational options related to his Bachelor’s degree. Vic continued to work with his CASAC and primary clinician, and explored his continued use of marijuana and how it related to his depression and anxiety. With their support, he has been able to achieve abstinence from marijuana, leading to an improvement in his mood and motivation to work. Vic now attends AA meetings daily, remains abstinent from drug use, and is building a strong sober support system. Vic is also actively seeking employment and exploring higher education options.
Expenses
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FINANCIALS
Revenues
In the fall of 2019, MHA expanded its mental health clinical services in Rockland County and opened the doors to a new clinic in Upper Nyack, our first standalone New York State Office of Mental Health Article 31 clinic in Rockland. Our increased capacity has eliminated waitlists for individuals of all ages, including children as young as three -- especially vital after closings of county mental health clinics. In addition to our Upper Nyack clinic, we offer mobile services and school-based services. Notable partnerships include The Partnership for Safe Youth, Hilltop Elementary School in Haverstraw, and the Nyack Prenatal Center.
WE'VE EXPANDED ROCKLAND COUNTY SERVICES
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WE TRANSFORMED OUR
BRICK-AND-MORTAR FOOD PANTRY INTO A MOBILE SERVICE
Immediately following the temporary closure of MHA’s Sterling Community Center and its brick and mortar food pantry due to the pandemic, MHA staff pivoted and created a mobile service to deliver food and essential items to individuals in need. MHA’s mobile pantry delivers more than just food and essentials: it delivers care and connection. Certified Peer Support Specialists use deliveries to check in with individuals, model the reality of recovery and provide connections to additional supports and services, including MHA’s Employment Services for those with vocational needs.
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Originally created as a resource for those experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation due to the pandemic, MHA’s Community Connection Support Line is available all members of the community. In challenging times, we all need someone to whom we can talk. Someone we can share a meaningful reflection with. Or even someone who we’ve never met, but through connection can help provide a welcome reprieve from our worries and our stress. MHA’s free telephone support is here to meet those needs. Credentialed MHA staff can be reached Monday through Friday during normal business hours at 914-219-4232.
WE LAUNCHED OUR COMMUNITY CONNECTION LINE
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WE HOSTED VIRTUAL
COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS
We have remained connected with our community throughout our series of virtual community conversations which are open to everyone at no cost. The topics we covered included screen time for children, navigating grief of lost experiences, promoting post-traumatic growth and fostering resilience. Stay tuned and follow us on social media for more information on our upcoming community conversations.
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$20,000 +
Clarfeld Citizens Private Wealth
Nita Glickberg
The Stone Foundation
$10,000 - $19,999
Jane Orans
OUR
DONORS
$5,000 - $9,999
Meryl A. Allison and Elisa M. Burns, M.D.
Janet Inskeep Benton
The Estate of Lois Cowan
Allen and Jeanette Fairhurst
Steve and Jen Kasoff
Michael and Kate Lombardi
National Council for Behavioral Health
The Philip and Lynn Straus Foundation, Inc.
Proskauer Rose LLP
Regeneron
$2,000 - $4,999
Orlando Barreiro
Mary Jo and Oren Bramson
Epstein, Becker & Green, P.C.
The Hope for Youth Foundation Inc.
Rosemary McClare
Linda and Robert Rosenberg
The Sloman Foundation
Team Daniel Running for Recovery
Yvonne D. Tropp
$1,000 - $1,999
All Time Detection Inc.
Amcott Associates
Jeffrey Becker
Barbara Bernstein and Jonathan Arfa
Nora and Jonathan Contract
The Emelin Theatre
Entergy Wholesale Commodities
Alan Epstein
Mary F. Foster
Emily Grant
HRHCare
Tammy Huang
Paul and Kim Huchro
Patrice Ingrassia and Chris Broda
Janis and Alan Menken Charity Fund
The Louis A. Ritter Foundation, Inc.
Ann Mandel Laitman, M.D. and Robert Laitman, M.D.
Kenneth Mayer
The Newman-Tanner Foundation
The Östman Family
Proftech LLC
Alicia Scott
Joel and Joyce Seligman
Peter Sloane
Gerald Stern and Carla Pasquali
Stewart and Emily Tabin
David and Peggy Tanner
The W. and R. Bernheimer Family Foundation
Elise Wagner and Robin Stout
Warren J. and Florence Sinsheimer Foundation, Inc.
Westchester Women’s Bar Association Foundation, Inc
$500 - $999
David and Fran Alexander
Gail Ames and Sylvia Fabriani
Courtney Beach
Geraldine Bebernitz
Brown & Brown of NY, Inc.
Centene Management Company
Charles S. Raizen Foundation
D.P. Wolff
Danziger and Markhoff LLP
Vijay Gerard and Mary Lou D’Silva
Ronald and Jodi French
Andrew and Virginia Geist
Genoa Healthcare
Barbara Heenan
Human Development Services of Westchester
Paul and Susan Hodara
Catherine Karpowicz
Adam Kaufman
John and Ann Kaufman
Connie Kelly
Mark and Ann Kenyon
Mary Leferovich
Dustin Loughan
Douglas MacDonald and Tasha Sims
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Mental Health Association of New York State
David and Elizabeth Poppick
Donal and Jean Orr
Paul Rittenberg and Claudine Kelly
Laura Roche
Ron’s Trucking Corporation
Andrew and Melanie Schaffran
Thomas Scherer
Tarrytown Honda
Deborah Tega
$100 - $499
Nelson Adler
Alan and Elaine Ascher
Bagel Emporium
Barclay Damon LLP
Gabriela Barreiro
Nicole Bates
Peter Bauer
Ronald Belanger
Susan Bender
Michael Berardino
Bert’s Motor Works
Best Plumbing Tile & Stone
Barton and Barbara Bienenstock
Jordan Black
Charles and Brenda Block
David and Karen Blumenthal
Bob’s Discount Furniture, LLC
Michelle Brier
Bristol-Myers Squibb Matching Gift Program
Ashley Brody
Bronx Westchester Medical Group
Alison Carroll
John Carron
Shannon Catauro
Ron Colavito
Marie Cole
Mona Coogan
Emil D’Onofrio
Diana Daniels
Lisa Davis Gerson
Melissa Dominguez
Robert and Joan Easton