Cenpatico Blog

Cenpatico Awards $32,000 to Mountain Health & Wellness
Money will enhance Earthheart Park and Community Garden in Apache Junction 

Tempe, Ariz. – Cenpatico of Arizona presented a check for $32,000 this afternoon to Mountain Health & Wellness (MHW) to create garden pathways at Earthheart Park and Community Garden in Apache Junction.  The contribution is one of several Community Reinvestment Awards given by Cenpatico throughout its Arizona service areas. 

The four-acre wellness based garden and park will be located at Superstition Boulevard and Plaza Drive adjacent to the new MHW Integrated Health Care Facility. 

“At Cenpatico, we are dedicated to being a partner with our local communities and are always looking for opportunities to give back,” said Terry Stevens, Chief Executive Officer of Cenpatico of Arizona.  “Earthheart Park is a perfect fit with our goal of improving lives.”

The park and community garden will actively promote eight areas of wellness including physical, emotional and environmental.  It will serve as a community gathering place for physical activity, nutritional awareness and artistic expression. 

“Earthheart Park will be a valuable resource for our community,” said Rob Evans, CEO and President of Mountain Health & Wellness.  “We very much appreciate the financial support provided by Cenpatico of Arizona to make this dream become a reality.”

As part of its new contracts with the Arizona Department of Health Services, Cenpatico committed to giving back a percentage of its after-tax profits for community reinvestment.  Earlier this year, Cenpatico sought proposals from community organizations to fund worthwhile projects.

Cenpatico is the Regional Behavioral Health Authority for Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yuma counties.  Cenpatico Behavioral Health of Arizona (Cenpatico) services are funded through a contract with the Arizona Department of Health Service/Division of Behavioral Health Services (ADHS/DBHS) and AHCCCS.

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AUSTIN, Texas—(December 12, 2011)—Cenpatico applauded the announcement Thursday of $14 million in Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grants awarded to 45 school-based health centers across the country. 

Cenpatico has worked with Managed Health Services (MHS) in Indiana, since 2007, to support its SBHC Project. Through the SBHC Project, we work closely with MHS, community health centers, community mental health centers, and school districts to promote SBHCs in Indiana. The SBHC Project is part of the services provided under the Hoosier Healthwise State/Managed Care Entity (MCE) contract.  Cenpatico and MHS “plan for, develop and/or enhance relationships with school-based health centers (SBHCs) with the goal of providing accessible quality preventative and primary health care services to school-aged children in Indiana.”

In Lake County, Cenpatico and MHS have worked with Gary Community Health Center (FQHC), Regional Mental Health Center (CMHC) and Lake Ridge Schools since 2008 to provide behavioral health services within the school system. Recent analysis indicates that utilization of the clinic’s services by students is trending downward, possibly due to improved health across the student population but further analysis is necessary to confirm.  Additionally, healthcare services are available at the Lake Ridge SBHC to the community at large, adding overall access. 

Cenpatico and MHS have also worked with Madison County Community Health Center (MCCHC) and Alexandria School Corporation on an initiative to develop a SBHC at a middle school in that district. That effort was facilitated by a $25,000 planning grant from Centene Foundation to support the SBHC initiative. Cenpatico and MHS are Centene subsidiaries.  “While school budget cuts resulted in the project being delayed, we continue to work with these partners on ways to bring a SBHC and behavioral health services to their students,” according to Mark Fisher, Cenpatico’s School-Based Services Administrator.

Cenpatico and MHS have taken a national stance on supporting school-based health care services, by becoming organizational members of the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care (NASBHC).  This organization promotes and supports school-based health centers (SBHCS) to assure that all children and adolescents receive high quality, comprehensive primary and preventive health care services.  School-based health centers can greatly enhance access to health care and create educational success for school-aged children and youth. 

About Cenpatico-

Cenpatico’s expertise lies in managing benefits for vulnerable populations. Our healthcare specialties include behavioral health, school-based services, specialty therapy and rehabilitation, community reentry and more. We have managed Medicaid and other public sector benefits since 1994; currently, we serve more than 1.4 million members across nine states. Our headquarters are in Austin, Texas and we have local teams across the country in the markets we serve. We are committed to innovative solutions and designing programs tailored to improving functional outcomes with our members.

This entry is filed under News.

It’s World Mental Health Day (October 10) and this year the focus is on integrated care. By bringing different facets of health care together, we have a better chance of improving both the physical and mental aspects of a patient’s life and overall well-being. Cenpatico is making integrated care a priority in Arizona and plans to expand their integration models into other markets. Click here to find out how we are doing just that.

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One of the most important parts of achieving good mental health is recognition. In honor of Depression Screening Day (October 6), Cenpatico encourages you to get a screening for depression or another mental disorder if you think you may need one.

Common symptoms of depression include:

• Crying spells
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Guilt and/or hopelessness
• Lack of energy
• Change in eating or sleeping habits
• Thoughts of suicide

There are many effective treatments available. Click on the following resources for more information about depression and other mood disorders.

• Behavioral Health Resources
• Depression Screening Tool
• About Mood Disorders (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)
• Signs, Symptoms and Treatment of Depression – (National Institute of Mental Health)

This entry is filed under Uncategorized.

It’s Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 2-8) and Cenpatico continues to work toward raising awareness and breaking down stigmas associated with mental disorders. Our extensive Behavioral Health Resources page contains helpful information about common mental illnesses as well as ways to get help.

Cenpatico also continues to be a proud sponsor of the NAMIWALK, which increases understanding about the need for treatment and recovery programs for those suffering from a mental affliction.

Click on the links below for more information about mental disorders and Mental Illness Awareness Week. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to take control of your mental health.

• Behavioral Health Resources
• Mental Illness (American Psychiatric Association)
• Mental Illness Awareness Week Resources (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

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