Jefferson Center for Mental Health

Impact Statement

Jefferson Center helps to bring hope for a brighter future for thousands of community members who are struggling with mental health disorders. Mental illness impacts 1 in 5 Americans in all stages of life, regardless of economic status, race, or religion. By providing recovery-focused services and supports, Jefferson Center helps clients manage their illness and lead productive and meaningful lives. Last year, Jefferson Center provided care to 5,862 people. Jefferson Center targets those most in need: of all clients, 4,087 were disabled by mental illness; 71% had incomes below $10,000; and 2/3 were on Medicaid or were medically indigent. Jefferson Center works collaboratively with partner organizations to develop and refine programs and respond to emerging community mental health needs. In the past year, Jefferson Center added a new evidence based practice, Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment (IDDT). In IDDT, clinicians or multidisciplinary teams provide integrated treatment to support recovery from co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders. Research shows that individuals who receive IDDT have fewer hospitalizations and relapses, fewer criminal justice problems and more housing stability. Another significant accomplishment from the past year was the development of an array of health and wellness services called Wellness Now! Jefferson Center developed Wellness Now! to enrich services for existing clients, and to expand services offered to community members that do not have mental illness but need some help dealing with life's challenges. Several thousand community members have attended wellness classes or received individualized wellness assessments/coaching. For the coming year, Jefferson Center's strategic priorities include to foster the recovery and resilience of clients through strengths-based treatment; maintain and enhance services to the Medicaid population; continue to build and strengthen our community partnerships; and diversify revenues

Needs Statement

Jefferson Center's most pressing needs for the next year are to Expand community support and awareness of mental health issues, Diversify revenue and secure additional funds to support care for the uninsured and families who lack sufficient income to pay for mental health services, Build the Endowment to ensure long term sustainability of Jefferson Center, Enhance cultural & linguistic competency, and Expand services to children, families, older adults, and the mentally illin the justice system

Background Statement

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Jefferson Center has provided quality mental health care and innovative programs to children and families, adolescents, adults, seniors, and individuals with serious mental illness. The organization began serving the community in a small office in Golden, with only 3 staff members. Since then, Jefferson Center has expanded the variety of programs that are offered as a result of proactive efforts to identify community mental health needs and develop resources to meet those needs. Services are now provided by a staff of 300 in 20 clinical locations and in many community settings such as schools, nursing homes, senior community centers and foster homes.

Jefferson Center offers a full spectrum of comprehensive mental health services including outpatient counseling, in-home family counseling, 24-hour emergency services, hospital-alternative programs, residential care, case management, vocational assistance, psychiatric services, access to inpatient facilities and school-based counseling. Jefferson Center’s highly credentialed and professional staff has a wide range of expertise in children and family issues, adults with serious mental illness, suicide prevention, early childhood intervention, juvenile justice, and crisis management and trauma treatment. Peer Specialists (consumer staff members) help other clients to access community resources, serve as role models and an empathetic ear, and provide other supports to help clients along their road to recovery. They also run peer-led groups and co-facilitate groups with clinicians. Each client works with their clinician to develop an individualized treatment plan that assesses strengths and identifies goals related to recovery, and outlines treatment and supports needed.

Executive Director Statement

In my 25 years at Jefferson Center, I am continually gratified by the countless individuals - people facing some of life’s toughest challenges - whose lives are improved through their involvement with our innovative treatment services, educational activities, prevention programs and community partnerships. We have touched and changed the lives of nearly a quarter of a million people during our almost half century of service. We are indeed building hope, changing lives and strengthening communities. Unfortunately we cannot serve all those who come to us in need - but we are developing creative alternative programs to allow us to offer something to all who ask for needed mental health services. We have recently embarked upon a multi-year strategic planning process to redesign our service delivery system, reach out to underserved populations, and address the stigma that prevents so many from accessing the care they need.

Jefferson Center’s services are a good investment. Left untreated, people with mental illness are at great risk of becoming homeless, ending up in the hospital ER, or getting involved in the criminal justice system. Providing community-based mental health services costs less than half the cost incurred when an individual with serious and persistent mental illness ends up in the Department of Corrections.

Our vision for Jefferson Center includes helping other community organizations such as religious congregations, schools and police better serve people with mental health problems. Our vision includes increasing awareness so that all community members understand that illnesses like schizophrenia or depression are real, treatable illnesses. People with mental illness can recover and go on to lead meaningful lives, work, and even raise families. Finally, our vision for Jefferson is that soon, we will never again be forced to turn away a single community member who wants and needs our help. Your support can help make this vision a reality!

Board Chair/President Statement

I am honored to serve as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Jefferson Center for Mental Health, a financially sound organization with talented and committed staff. At Jefferson Center for Mental Health, we dream of a community in which there is no stigma, no lack of resources and no barriers to mental health care; where recovery from mental illness is not only possible but highly probable. We are advocates for breaking down barriers to treatment for those with mental illness including reaching out to underserved populations and developing new resources to ensure that no one in need is turned away. Our board is comprised of dedicated individuals who are representative of the communities we serve, all of whom are committed to carrying out the mission to make a difference in the lives of people with mental illness and emotional problems.

Our Board is examining its meeting structure and methods of recruitment/retention in an effort to best utilize the talents of our members and ensure that their board experience is rewarding and meets their needs. Because our members are required to serve on at least one committee and many sit on the board of our subsidiary organizations, attendance at monthly board meetings has not been optimal this past year. As the demographics of our community change, we are examining ways in which we can develop a more diverse board to incorporate more racially and ethnically diverse members. We were recently awarded a grant from the Colorado Trust, Equality in Healthcare Initiative to expand our cultural and linguistic competency and are excited about the opportunity to better serve our diverse community. We have a long history of consumer and family representation on the Board, and ensure that the consumer voice plays a central role in the development of our programs and policies and procedures.

Join us in expanding the dream…spread the word that there is hope for people with mental illness! If you are interested in getting involved as a donor, volunteer, or even applying to serve on the Board of Directors, please do not hesitate to contact us.