Winter 2016
masthead
saving time
Less time with paperwork translates directly into more time with residents.

EHR Benefits

Expected benefits of using Electronic Health Records include:

» Increased productivity for case managers

» Greater ability to meet clinical goals

» Less redundancy and duplication in data entry

» Savings of two hours per day in administrative work

» Speedier reimbursement and fewer billing issues

» More accurate charting of care hours provided

» Earlier problem identification and resolution

» Easier data collection for reporting and grant submissions

 

Thanks to Holiday Party Sponsors

PLACES wishes to thank the generous sponsors of its holiday party for residents, clients and tenants.

Collectively, the seven top-tier sponsors below represented 60 percent of the $13,525 received in sponsorships and individual contributions this year.

Platinum Sponsor
Gayle Rominger and Tom Henighan

Gold Sponsors
Centerville LTC Pharmacy
CREST Commercial Realty
Elizabeth Hardy, Ph.D., LLC
In memory of Joseph and Kathryn – family supporters
Laura Hardy
Project CURE, Inc.

PLACES also received five Silver sponsorships, nine Bronze sponsorships and 11 individual contributions for its holiday party.

 

Striving for Success

Dawn is a 40-year-old mother of five who wasn’t employed when she was arrested on two felony counts of robbery. Addicted to opioids, she struggled with anger issues and substance abuse.

She began to take her life in hand during her incarceration by entering a rigorous program of education and therapeutic community treatment. PLACES got to know Dawn as an RHO client. They helped her get a car, join a sobriety group and begin to deal with the consequences of her anger.

After almost losing her housing twice, Dawn today is learning how to handle conflict more appropriately with the help of case managers. She recently earned PLACES’ Reach for Recovery award for her positive progress.

 

Meet New Board Member Jay Grandfield

The PLACES executive board welcomed its newest member in January: Jay Grandfield of Springboro, Ohio. Jay is an investment advisor at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., where he offers comprehensive financial planning, retirement and estate planning. With more than 15 years of experience at Ameriprise, JP Morgan Chase and American Express Financial Advisors, Jay brings a wealth of financial acumen to our board roster.


Electronic Health Records Free Up Staff Time For Realizing Core Mission

Electronic health records are secure, digital versions of paper patient charts, and they are changing the way medicine is practiced across the U.S.


The secure sharing of medical records will help reduce administrative time spent on paperwork.

“Adopting the electronic health record will help streamline paperwork for our case managers and free up staff time,” said director of client services. “It also will improve communication between care givers. We’ll be able to look into the system and see what actions have been taken to care for our clients.” For example, the Supportive Living staff will be able to see at a glance what mental health providers are working with residents.

PLACES is eager to phase in technology like EHR that will enhance the efficiency of its operations, from program management to billing. Laptops were recently provided to case managers in the Housing First program, and handheld devices will be given to eight case managers in the Supportive Living program as soon as grant money can be secured.

PLACES is working in partnership with other agencies to implement electronic health records, which require a new server, computers, tablets, scanners, updated data lines and software licenses. “We couldn’t do this all on our own,” said executive director Roy Craig. “With the support of ADAMHS, our investment will be half of the normal cost to implement EHR.”

The Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Montgomery County helped four local groups, including PLACES, select NextGen® as a best-in-class solution for EHR, while the Northeast Behavioral Healthcare Alliance will train Dayton area staff.

“EHR puts us in a position to bill directly to the state,” Craig added. “That gives us the flexibility to consider Medicaid and other funding in the future without adopting a different system.” It also allows PLACES to consider launching additional programs by expanding the bandwidth of its lean administrative staff.


Returning Home Ohio

Helping “Returning Citizens” Reclaim Productive Lives

“How do you turn things around if nobody gives you a chance?” asks Penney Kramer, team leader of the Returning Home Ohio & Supportive Living programs.

Returning Home Ohio (RHO) is all about giving a second chance to people recently released from incarceration in Ohio state institutions who have the added challenges of substance abuse, mental illness and/or an HIV diagnosis.

 Mark Gilliam earns the Supportive Living Program Client of the Year award, shown here with SLP/RHO team leader Penney Kramer.

RHO is a joint program of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) and the Corporation for Supportive Housing. Since the program was launched, there has been a dramatic decrease in recidivism statewide, from 44.4% in 2006 to 27.1% in 2014.

“Landlords in even the worst neighborhoods do background checks. That’s why this program is so important.”

ODRC ran an RHO pilot from 2007 to 2012, and contracted with Miami Valley Housing Opportunities (MVHO) to supply housing. Once the pilot became a program in 2012, MVHO contracted with PLACES to provide supportive services. In March, the program expanded to provide services to 25 participants, due to the continuing need and positive outcomes of the program.

Ex-offenders – or “returning citizens” as they are now called – face unique challenges in finding housing. “No one wants to rent to someone with a felony record,” Kramer explained. “Landlords in even the worst neighborhoods do background checks. That’s why this program is so important.”
PLACES helps new renters find food and clothing pantries, guides them in signing up for Social Security and food stamps, coordinates mental health and other supportive services, and teaches them life skills for leading independent lives.

“We have daily contact with various clients and weekly meetings with Miami Valley Housing to see how they are managing in their new homes,” she said. The program is designed to support each client until they have accomplished their goals and can qualify for a more permanent housing subsidy.

Kramer, who is a team leader for RHO and the Supportive Living program, where 120 other clients are receiving supportive services, says her greatest joy is seeing one person persevere through all the stigmas and make a positive name for themself in the community. “It’s an amazing feeling,” she said.


Residents Shine at Holiday Party

December 10 was a magical night at Sinclair Conference Center when the clients, residents and tenants of PLACES celebrated at their annual holiday party along with staff and special friends. The annual party is not a fund-raiser, but a magical evening when the focus is on the clients of PLACES.

 Supportive Living Case Manager Betty Coleman (center) with guests.

“It can be a challenge to figure out new ways to display the good things that we do to our board members, families and others,” said Kathy Nickell, office manager. “Our holiday party is one time a year when our residents really shine. They have the chance to dress up, be served a nice meal and enjoy entertainment.”

The party is a group effort that entails months of preparation on the part of staff and residents alike. They use this event as an opportunity to work on activities of daily living, such as selecting appropriate clothing and getting haircuts. Others work to polish their acts, like singers Victor and Bill, who captivated the crowd with their karaoke renditions of Primrose Lane and Silent Night. A highlight of this year’s party was the reinstatement of the fashion show, a popular feature in the past. Residents, clients and tenants served as the models, selecting their own outfits for the runway.

Executive Director Roy Craig gives “Golden Record” award to D.J. Don Wright.

A special “Golden Record” award was given to long-time D.J. Don Wright for his many years of service at the event.

“This evening is so different from what our clients and residents normally get to do on a regular basis,” said director of client services. “They have a chance to feel special and respected by people who are serving them. You can see the pride on their faces.” The holiday party is funded exclusively by private donations. This year more than $13,000 was raised, which also will go towards funding the summer picnic. Other upcoming events for clients include a bowling banquet for PLACES leagues in May and a fall event in October.


New Board Committees Add Depth to Key Functions

This year finds the Board of Trustees launching new committees to expand and improve PLACES’ ability to meet its mission.

This year finds the Board of Trustees launching new committees to expand and improve PLACES’ ability to meet its mission.

The new Governance committee, chaired by Dr. Patrick Donnelly, and new Development committee, chaired by Dr. Elizabeth Hardy, had their first meetings in January.

“From the board perspective, one of the most impressive features of PLACES is that everyone involved – the leadership and the staff – are mission-driven,” Donnelly said. They provide quality support and services and treat residents and clients with dignity and respect.

Governance prepares priorities for the board, oversees recruitment, chairs the nominating committee, is responsible for overseeing board member orientation and training, and monitors board member giving to the organization.

Development has three members today and hopes to expand its ranks with community leaders who can explore new revenue sources and develop a fundraising plan with PLACES staff.

“In the near future we plan to add an Advisory Committee to help us get input from even more partners and donors and expand community interest in PLACES,” said executive director Roy Craig.

Ending Homelessness Is Cheaper than Doing Nothing

The 100,000 Homes Campaign estimates their achievement today represents $1.3 billion in annual taxpayer savings.

We know that just one person experiencing chronic homelessness can cost communities between $30,000 to $50,000 per year in emergency room visits, hospitalizations, jails, prisons, psychiatric centers, detox programs and other costly services.

But solving the problem — connecting someone to permanent housing with the supportive services they need to achieve health and stability — only costs about $20,000 annually.