Places for People (PfP) is taking a major step to ensure people with the most severe mental illnesses always have an open door—or doors—to hope and recovery.

With the future in mind, PfP is moving towards a merger with a mental health partner. In February, the respective Boards of Directors of PfP and Community Alternatives (CA) gave approval to proceed with formal negotiations on merging as a single provider.

The proposed merger would take effect Jan. 1, 2011, and would result in an increased client base, a wider range of services, and improved efficiency designed both to benefit clients and to ensure long-term sustainability of services.

Details of the merger—including what name the merged agency will employ—are being finalized. But one thing is certain: services provided by the new agency will continue to assist people with mental illnesses who otherwise would receive no help or would receive insufficient help through traditional means.

Serving people who are not well served by other agencies has been PfP’s mission since its founding in 1972. Once PfP’s Board identified a merger as a strategic objective, the next step was finding a partner who shared that philosophy and mission. CA was the logical choice.

“We believe that the skills, talents, methods of outreach, and methods of funding our work are so complementary that combining these traits will make the resulting organization stronger and more secure for the future,” said PfP Board Member Bill Krenn.

CA offers a range of mental health support to people of all ages, providing most services in clients’ homes. CA’s specialties include innovative programs targeting underserved populations—immigrants and refugees who have survived state-sanctioned torture and children and young adults with behavioral disorders.

“We believe that our model, which has worked wonderfully for so many for so long, may not be the only model—there may be additional ways to help move people into recovery and there may be different but equally vulnerable groups of people we should be assisting,” explained Francie Broderick, PfP Executive Director.

There are numerous reasons why a merger makes sense, added Broderick. Clients with increasingly complex needs—including substance abuse, trauma, homelessness, and medical disorders—would benefit from a broader range of available services. Additionally, with funding an ongoing concern, a merged entity would streamline administrative functions and increase both efficiency and effectiveness.

Community Alternatives: A Brief Overview

CA’s services both reinforce and complement programs offered at PfP.

Similar to PfP, CA recognizes the need to reach out to people who might not otherwise have access to services and to people who have frequently used public mental health services without achieving or sustaining recovery:

• Outreach Services: CA’s Outreach Team engages people who are homeless and living with an untreated mental illness. Like PfP’s ACTION Team, CA’s outreach staff address immediate needs (food, shelter) to develop a positive rapport with people who may be very distrustful and reluctant to receive assistance.
• Assertive Community Treatment (ACT): ACT services at CA are similar to those provided by PfP’s HOME Team, and address the needs of people with a history of frequent, but ineffective, mental health interventions. ACT Teams include on-site nurses and psychiatrists, as well as specialists in vocational therapy and substance abuse treatment.

CA also offers some services that will complement PfP’s community support:

• Pathways to Change: This team provides comprehensive services to people with HIV/AIDS, co-occurring with substance abuse and mental health disorders.
• Initiative for War Refugees and Immigrant Services (FAITH): This team serves immigrants who have histories of experiencing state-sanctioned torture and who benefit from mental health services and support.
• Incredible Years: This program educates parents of pre-school aged children about effective parenting skills to address behavioral issues and to prepare for school.
• Multisystemic Therapy (MST): This program assists families of teens referred to CA by the city’s juvenile court. (Please see “Focus on CA” above for more information.)

A Bright Future

A merger of PfP and CA will benefit the most vulnerable people in the St. Louis community. Combining the experience and leadership of similar programs will enhance the quality and effectiveness of core community support services, as well as homeless outreach and co-occurring treatment programs.

By expanding the range of services offered, the new entity will address all the recovery goals of our clients while being prepared to adopt and develop new practices in the future.

Labels: Agency Philosophy, Merger