Cenpatico is pleased to announce the awarding of a $25,000 grant by The Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare to Madison County Community Health Centers in Alexandria, Indiana. This grant will be used to support the development and implementation of a School Based Health Clinic, a model designed to address the effects of inaccessible primary healthcare for school aged children. This Clinic will specifically focus on conducting health assessments for all elementary, intermediate, and high school students in the Alexandria area.

Cenpatico’s parent company, Centene Corporation, established The Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare in 2004. This 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of healthcare in the United States.

Cenpatico, in partnership with Managed Health Services, supports the development and enhancement of School-Based Health Centers, and is actively working with Schools, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and Community Mental Health Centers across Indiana to build collaborative partnerships wherein the delivery of comprehensive integrated medical and behavioral health care services can be offered to school-aged children.

“We recognize health to be a cornerstone to a better education, and believe School-Based Health Centers are an important component to allowing all students the opportunity to grow up healthy, strong, and achieve their educational potential,” said Mark Fisher, Administrator of School Based Services in Indiana. “The Centene Foundation’s grant to Madison County Community Health Center demonstrates the type of support needed in our continued efforts to plan, develop, and enhance school-based health centers, so that accessible, comprehensive, and quality healthcare services are provided to Indiana’s school-aged children.”

The Madison County Community Health Centers, Inc. (MCCHC) was founded in 1999 with a mission to improve the quality of life in Madison County by providing quality, accessible healthcare for those who are experiencing a disparity because of their social, economic, race, age, or cultural status, especially the uninsured, underinsured and the working poor.

For more information about Centene and Cenpatico’s vested interest in the School-Based Healthcare Initiative, please contact Mark Fisher at 1-877-647-4848 ext. 20257 or mfisher@centene.com.

This entry is filed under News.

By Linda J Weinberg – Cenpatico Arizona Policy Developer

We have all heard the expression, “it takes a village to raise a child.”  This is the same concept of behavioral health prevention -   Healthy communities build healthy families which helps us to raise healthy children.

In our prevention efforts, we work with members of the community to change norms, perceptions, policies and laws.  Similar steps are used when working to change communities as are used in treatment.

In treatment we determine readiness for change and motivate change.  We use a best practices model – motivational interviewing.  Using a strength-based approach we assess strengths, resources and needs, conduct psychosocial assessments, and collect previous treatment records or other pertinent information. We then develop a treatment plan with measurable goals, objectives, outcomes and time frames with the member.  This helps us to then assign tasks and implement an effective culturally appropriate treatment and support intervention plan with the individual.  We consistently update treatment plans as goals are attained and support is provided through community resources.

When working with communities we assess the community’s readiness for change using a best practices model.  We assess the community’s strengths, resources and needs through primary and secondary data collection.  We develop a plan with stakeholders with measurable goals, objectives, outcomes and time frames.  Tasks are assigned and culturally appropriate strategies are implemented by community members.  The process is continually evaluated.  Changes are made when indicated, successes are celebrated and slowly communities begin the change process.

Nationwide, many communities have introduced programs and initiatives aimed at reducing underage drinking.  It is crucial to provide this outreach and education to parents seeing as the majority of youth report they obtain alcohol from home.  Communities working towards this goal have employed unique approaches to increase awareness, educate parents, change behaviors and change norms and laws.  The SAMHSA Strategic Prevention Framework is the model being used in hundreds, perhaps thousands, of communities in all 50 states, District of Columbia and the territories.  Check to see what is occurring in your community.  Get involved.  Prevention Works!

This entry is filed under Blog.

Cenpatico was recently featured in the March 2009 OPEN MINDS Newsletter.  Click to read OPEN MINDS’ Industry Profile Article on Cenpatico

OPEN MINDS is a national behavioral health and social service industry market research and management consulting firm.  Their mission is to provide executives in the field with the management knowledge and management tools necessary to create “best value” for consumers by facilitating the development of effective systems for financing and delivering service.  Founded in 1987, OPEN MINDS provides information, professional education, market research, and management consulting services to payers, regulators, professionals, service provider agencies, and advocacy organizations in the field.

This entry is filed under News.

Cenpatico will attend and host an exhibit booth at the 39th National Mental Health and Addictions Conference and Expo on April 6-7, 2009 in San Antonio, Texas.  Hosted by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, this conference started in 1970 as a means to bring together professionals committed to freeing the mentally ill population who were warehoused in state institutions.  Over the past forty years, there have been significant improvements to the conditions and school of thought for treatment of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens.  However, there this group of professionals remain just as committed to ensuring quality treatment and prevention for mental health and substance issues in our communities.

Featured speakers at this event will include David Gergen (Director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard University, Editor-At-Large for U.S. News & World Report and CNN Senior Political Analyst), Christopher Kennedy Lawford (Actor, Motivator & Author), Nora Volkow (Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse), and Craig Newmark (Founder of Craigslist.org).

“We are thrilled to be participating in an event where over 2500 professionals and community leaders will come together to share advancements in the behavioral health industry and have open discussions about how we can improve treatment planning and prevention in future years,” said Sam Donaldson, PhD, President and CEO of Cenpatico.

For more information about the conference, please visit: http://www.thenationalcouncil.org/cs/2009_overview

This entry is filed under News.

Octavia Browder Walks the Talk

At Cenpatico we say we Inspire Hope. Cenpatico Contract Implementation Manager Octavia Browder is proof of that with her work with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

“Cancer is a worldwide epidemic,” said Browder. “If it hasn’t affected your life in some way, it will.”

Cancer has affected Browder’s life. Two years ago, her mother was diagnosed with Colon Cancer; a disease that runs in her family. After a year long battle, she passed away.

During her mother’s struggle, Browder received an e-mail from The American Cancer Society. There she learned more about the Relay, the Society’s annual signature activity. Browder decided it was time for her to do more and take a stand…or in this case a walk against Cancer.

The Relay for Life is in its 25th year. It started in 1985 by Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma, Washington surgeon who decided to travel around a track for 24 hours in order to raise awareness for Cancer. Since then the Relay has become a nationwide event with over 3.5 million participants annually. While Relays may differ from city to city, there are a few features that are the same. One is that each relay is an overnight event up to 24 hours in length. The color purple is used as the color of inspiration and each team is asked to have at least one team member on the track at all times.

“The symbol for the Relay is a half moon/half sun with a star to symbolize that Cancer doesn’t sleep and neither do the relayers,” said Browder. “From the dawn of a person having Cancer throughout the night we keep fighting.”

The Relay is more than just walk. It’s a celebration of those who have battled and survived Cancer and a remembrance for loved ones lost to the disease. Most Relays open with a “Survivors’ Lap” where those who have battled Cancer walk around the track. There is also a Luminaria Ceremony where lighted bags decorated with the names of those who have fought or lost the battle with Cancer are placed on the ground and a moment of silent remembrance is taken. Most relays end with a Closing Ceremony where everyone takes one final lap together.

For the past two years Browder has put together a team of family and friends to honor her mother. In order to raise money for her team, Browder passed out Luminary Bags, wrapped Christmas presents in the Mall, and other activities to raise awareness. While no set amount of money is needed to participate, the American Cancer Society sets a goal of $500 for each team and $100 for each person. Many in the community donate more than just money. “For our walk there will be free food, silent auctions, and bands playing throughout the relay to keep us up and motivated,” said Browder.

Her mother’s passing has also opened her eyes to get checked herself. She and her sister continue to get check-ups to make sure they stay healthy and can detect any problems before they start.

“Cancer is year round,” said Browder. “Even if you miss the Relay in your area, you can still help the fight to find a cure.”

Click to learn more about the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. To support Browder’s team check out her team page.

This entry is filed under Close Up.