Held the first of several symposiums on evidence-based practices, "Bridging the Gap: Research, Practice and Policy," featuring internationally renowned experts on each area and on systems transformation. The next symposium will be held at Texas Christian University on June 9-10, 2008.
Created Learning Communities to take the next step in bringing new research to Tarrant County faster. Each group studies existing research on one key diagnostic category, and then recommends one evidence-based practice to pilot in Tarranty County. The Learning Communities will also post executive summaries on the Mental Health Connection Web site.
Brought the exhibit "Fine Line: Mental Health/Mental Illness" to the Fort Worth
Museum of Science and History. Approximately 75,000 people saw the
exhibit during its 2 1/2-month stay. For comments from visitors, click here.
Implemented a social marketing campaign to drive people to the "Fine Line" exhibit,
which received a Public Relations Society of America Silver Anvil Award and a Texas
Public Relations Silver Spur Award. For a review of the marketing, click here.
Created an award-winning anti-stigma campaign, including a variety of materials in use by mental health agencies, school districts, hospitals and private practice offices in Tarrant County. Agencies throughout the country are using the local anti-stigma campaign as a guide while creating their own.
Completed an initial strategic plan and developed a new one to provide guidance for the next several years.The new plan addresses: Knowledge and Leadership, Evaluation and Outcomes, Individuals and Families, Technology, Advocacy, Social Marketing and Evidence-Based Practices.
Worked with area officials and business leaders to create a Blue Ribbon Committee to develop ways to improve mental health in the workplace.
Worked successfully with Tarrant County to become one of eight communities in Texas to receive a Mental Health Transformation Grant. The grant will provide $200,000 over a four-year period to improve mental health services delivery in each community. Tarrant County will manage the grant and will contract with Mental Health Connection to coordinate the implementation of the strategies. One goal is to join with collaboratives in the other communities to develop improved communication among agencies and other groups that deal with mental illness. The grant will also focus on working toward sharing information between two collaborative data systems: The Community Solutions MIS and the Resource Connection. The results could become models for improving mental health services delivery in other parts of the state.
Worked with the City of Fort Worth to obtain a six-year, $9.5 million grant for the development of Community Solutions of Fort Worth. The grant, which began in 2002, will end in September 2008.
Advocated successfully for reopening 16 adolescent psychiatric and adding 16 new adult beds at Trinity Springs Pavilion, the JPS Health Network’s psychiatric facility that provides psychiatric crisis stabilization, short-term psychiatric mental health treatment and family education.
Conducted a Tarrant County public opinion survey concerning attitudes about mental illness.
Anti-Stigma Campaign
