BeWellPBC's 2021 Impact Report

IMPACT REPORT

2021

STEWARDS LEADING CHANGE

Inside:

3 Stewardship Coordination and Alignment

10 Workforce Pipeline

11 Community Solutions BeWellPBC 2021 IMPACT REPORT 1

ABOUT

2021

As we look back over the past year, we are encouraged by how much BeWellPBC accomplished. System leaders and community are aligning. Workforce pipeline efforts are coming to fruition. And community solutions are taking root. We are moving forward and making progress, and we hope every one of you feels as hopeful as we do that our actions today will be the foundation for a transformed Palm Beach County tomorrow.

Who is BeWellPBC? In a word, everyone.

When BeWellPBC launched three years ago, we set out to create a movement to advance behavioral health and wellness for every person in Palm Beach County.

Like all movements, when people with a passion for change connect, share power, and build capacity, they gain momentum. They become movers and shakers.

They inspire others to join. They become stewards leading change.

Video courtesy of Naji Designs

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BeWellPBC has served as the convener for bringing stewards from every corner of our community together - residents, system leaders, providers, businesses, faith-based organizations, youth, and parents. We are now seeing them take the lead to create the change that they want to see in their families, their schools, their workplaces, and their cities. They are the best ones to tell you how they are Stewards Leading Change.

Creating Impact Through Shared Stewardship Our three impact areas: Stewardship Coordination and Alignment, Workforce Pipeline, and Community Solutions, are united through BeWellPBC’s Lofty Goal:

We envision a community in which every person in Palm Beach County feels hopeful, supported, connected and empowered.

Achieving our Lofty Goal will take a shared stewardship approach. What does that mean? BeWellPBC stewards don’t just lead change. They take responsibility for forming working relationships with others to transform health and well-being across a region, together, engaging all stakeholders with a sense of shared purpose and belonging.*

Stewardship Coordination and Alignment

Workforce Pipeline

Community Solutions

The pages that follow describe the impact our stewards are making to foster interdependence among systems, expand and streamline our workforce pipeline, and amplify the voices of residents to promote change.

We are inspired. We think you will be, too.

Thank you to all the dedicated community members who give of themselves, their passion, and their talents to support BeWellPBC. CONTRIBUTORS BeWellPBC Stewardship Council, Community Solutions Action Team, Community Connectors, BeWell Clubs, Pediatric Integrated Care Workgroup, Workforce Pipeline Action Team, Behavioral Health-Focused School Pilot Team, PBC Portfolio Design Core Team, Systems Leader Table, Healthier Together Communities, and our many invaluable partners across Palm Beach County

INVESTED PARTNERS The Celia Lipton Farris and Victor W. Farris Foundation, Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network, Palm Health Foundation, Palm Beach County, Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, Quantum Foundation, United Way of Palm Beach County, Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Merrell Family Foundation

*Stewardship definition source: ReThink Health.

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Stewardship Coordination and Alignment BeWellPBC brings together residents and system leaders to create a unified vision for building a culture of health and wellness and to co-design solutions grounded in equity, access, community healing, and behavioral health awareness.

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Shifting Mindsets, Shifting Investments ReThinkHealth, an initiative of the Rippel Foundation, chose BeWellPBC for a two-year project working with their Portfolio Design for Healthier Regions team (Phase I) to explore what it takes to reallocate resources to create more equitable regional systems for health and well-being.

Together with our project partners making up the PBC Portfolio Design Core Team - Palm Health Foundation, Children's Services Council, and Palm Beach County's Youth Services and Community Services Departments

Simple Rules for Building Civic Muscle and Belonging

- we focused on investing and coordinating resources to shift from urgent services to vital conditions (humane housing, basic needs and meaningful work) knowing that as vital conditions improve, urgent services are less needed, and residents are better positioned to thrive.

Grounding our work in co-designing solutions together are “Simple Rules for Building Civic Muscle and Belonging,” guiding principles ensuring that our actions are done with community, not to the community. They have become the foundation for BeWellPBC’s work and are demonstrated throughout our initiatives.

1. listen

Honor the community’s voice before you plan and do the work.

2. share

Reach out to everyone, especially those who are isolated and alone.

3. innovate

Cut the red tape and focus on things that keep people healthy and out of trouble.

4. connect

Rely on relationships to build power. Don’t go it alone.

5. commit

Acknowledge power dynamics and commit to partnering with community to dismantle racism.

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Stewardship Coordination and Alignment

Setting the Table for Change Stemming from increased interest in a population health approach, Dr. David Shern and Dr. Mary Armstrong released their exploratory study of the children’s system of care in Palm Beach County, “Achieving Greater Impact from the System of Care,” in January. BeWellPBC hosted 65 leaders (community and systems) at the Systems Leader Table on February 22nd to hear a presentation of the report and begin planning for action on the six key recommendations: 1. Create a multi-pronged plan to target areas with the greatest health inequity with the goal of reducing these inequities.

2. Develop a governance model premised on shared stewardship and a population health approach.

3. Broaden the work of the PBC Portfolio Design Core Team (ReThink Health project) to include a full range of stakeholders.

4. Expand investment in initiatives like Healthier Together, BRIDGES and Birth to 22.

5. Determine strategies for greater data system integration.

6. Support growth of pediatric integrated care locally.

Pediatric Integrated Care Innovation As an example of BeWellPBC’s role in acting on the report’s recommendations, we are providing technical and facilitation support in partnership with Mental Health America to advance pediatric integrated care in Palm Beach County and contribute to Florida-wide efforts. Through building the Pediatric Integrated Care Community of Practice Project, two pediatrician pilot offices are coming together with a multi-agency workgroup to identify opportunities and challenges for their practices, address specific systemic barriers to integrated care, and document a standard for care that is scalable for other practices to follow.

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“The starting point of moving forward is governance structure, especially if we want to think about resource management, shared stewardship, and community residents and providers at the table; we need to have a table.”

– Mary Armstrong, Ph.D. University of South Florida

Systems Leader Table Meeting

Studies show that 75% of children under age 18 present to primary care for psychiatric care needs, and 50% of primary care visits are related to psychosocial, emotional, and behavioral concerns.

Stewardship Coordination and Alignment

Supporting our Partners Through BeWellPBC’s partnerships, we played an active role in initiatives and workgroups: • Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures - Racial Equity Core Team – Co-hosting Advancing the Mission learning cohort for organizations pledging to operationalize and institutionalize racial equity.

- Becoming a Trauma-Sensitive Community Workgroup – Promoting education about personal, community, and systemic trauma of youth and their families, and services/ supports for a resilient community.

Racial Equity at the Core of Civic Muscle and Belonging Equity is the North Star that guides our work. We are a significant partner with racial equity groups across the county, including:

• Organizing Against Racism Palm Beach County Alliance.

• Palm Beach Racial Justice Action Team: Equity and Child Welfare project facilitated by ChildNet.

• Florida Race Equity Challenge: Circuit 15 Collaborative

• Culture of Health Network

- Get Your Green On campaign - Co-chairing the countywide planning committee dedicated to increasing awareness of mental health and wellness. Over 3,000 people posted to our social media campaign in May 2021, our sixth year.

HOW WE ARE EVOLVING Pursuing opportunities to shape an equitable ecosystem for health and well-being, the PBC Portfolio Design Core Team is spearheading Phase II of the regional project by inviting additional stakeholders to join in 2022.

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Workforce Pipeline BeWellPBC works with alongside behavioral health professionals, education and community stewards, and students to grow and meet Palm Beach County’s workforce needs now, and in the future. Together we are fostering inclusion, diversity, and youth advocacy to build a culturally competent more equitable workforce and with the supports they need for their own health and wellness.

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School Pilot Project Influences State BeWellPBC partnered with the Allied Health and Behavioral and Mental Health Departments within The School District of Palm Beach County and community partners to develop the front-end of the workforce pipeline for high-school aged youth.

We reached significant milestones: • The behavioral health curriculum for The School District medical academies was completed and submitted to the state for approval in November 2021. Once approved, students will be able to work towards a career in the behavioral health field by receiving instruction and internship opportunities.

• CareerSource Palm Beach County is identifying paths for behavioral health providers to receive support for offering internships for the high school students in the program.

• The Florida Certification Board is now working with us to design a new state behavioral health certification attainable by recently graduated high school students. The provisional certification is slated to be available when the state-approved curriculum is rolled out.

Retaining the Behavioral Health Workforce Our Mix & Mingle virtual events continued to offer a venue for behavioral health professionals to share camaraderie, resources, and connections for supporting one another—an outlet that was much-needed during a trying year. Virtual events focused on self-care, workforce wellness, and honoring diversity in the behavioral health workforce.

Recognizing Employee Wellness Needs BeWellPBC’s Workforce Pipeline Action Team created the Workforce Wellness Questionnaire for employers to use as a tool to speak to employees about their wellness needs. The tool was included in a “Help the Helpers” grant offered to nonprofit organizations through United Way and The Nonprofit Chamber for Health and Human Services during the summer.

Peers as Stewards BeWellPBC supported peers to build a Peer Leadership Council. What started as monthly peer exchange meetings initiated by The Lord’s Place and Rebel Recovery, is growing capacity. Peers are forming an advisory group to influence local policy and practice for people with lived experience and their opportunities in the workforce.

HOW WE ARE EVOLVING

In 2022, BeWellPBC will foster engagement among behavioral health workforce partners to create a talent pipeline that begins with high school graduation and reaches through college, bringing more professionals into the workforce.

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Community Solutions BeWellPBC amplifies the voices of residents to promote change. We know our neighbors hold the key to creating greater belonging and civic muscle by connecting people who have not been represented in the past, leading conversations to change, and co-designing behavioral health solutions.

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Our Community Solutions stewards are residents creating solutions that are deeply proximate to their communities. From all corners of the county, this expansive team remained committed during the pandemic, pivoted as needed, established virtual and community-based resources, and exponentially grew BeWellPBC’s voice throughout Palm Beach County.

Stewards Coming Together During COVID-19 The Rapid Response Team—Palm Health Foundation, BeWellPBC, Community Partners of South Florida, Volunteer Nurse Corps, and grassroots initiatives from the six Healthier Together communities met weekly from April 2020–April 2021 to review Sensemaker stories from the community and respond in real-time to needs presented by residents. Read resident stories.

HOW WE ARE EVOLVING

BeWell Clubs Stewards are expanded the impact of BeWell Clubs in their communities, which included resident-led spaces for resource-sharing, advocacy, and connectedness.

• In Boynton Beach, the Caregiver Club hosted monthly support groups for caregivers across the county to give and receive support.

• Students Connect, the student-led virtual club, planned behavioral health activities for high school-aged youth across the county. BeWellPBC worked with students to develop curricula for a teen-to-teen behavioral health training thanks to invested partner support and OD2A grants from the Health Council of Southeast Florida. From inception to implementation, the youth are directing the project and receiving stipends for their leadership.

The one-hour training led by youth trainers will be offered to groups serving teens across PBC in 2022.

Building upon the energy and talent of residents stepping forward in this work, our resident ambassadors will take the lead in spreading behavioral health awareness, bridging relationships between stewards of health across the county, and expanding the movement.

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Community Solutions

Community Connectors— Stewards of the Stewards BeWellPBC’s Community Connectors are resident ambassadors bridging community and systems and developing a feedback loop between residents and BeWellPBC. BeWellPBC’s Community Connectors amplified the community's voice and their own. They increased their team from three to four, chose the projects that would offer them leadership roles, and determined how they wanted to receive stipends for their work–often requesting means to give back to their communities and causes they cared about most, a true symbol of stewardship. Their impact during the year grew incredibly.

Six Virtual "Couch Conversations" opened discussions between residents and system leaders for greater understanding about topics ranging from COVID-19 to 211 Helpline.

Couch Conversations podcast series launched in October offered intriguing and relevant topics connecting a diverse group of people passionate about creating positive change in behavioral health and wellness.

Now We're Talkin' videos showcased through various media platforms highlighted trending behavioral health topics and tips and resources available locally.

HOW WE ARE EVOLVING 12

The Community Connectors team is growing and in the new year looks forward to introducing new team members. In addition, it will host safe in-person connection events to reach more residents in our community.

Community Solutions

A Time(line) of Success JANUARY

MARCH

MAY

JULY

AUGUST

OCTOBER

DECEMBER

BeWellPBC newsletters reach 1,166 subscribers on new platform Infogram.

Now We’re Talkin’ videos increase engagement with 1,452 viewers

Creative team met to strategize The Well of PBC publication

Hired Julie Khanna, Editor-in-Chief, for The Well of PBC publication

Hired Thinking Out Loud Inc. to produce Couch Conversations Podcast

BeWellPBC connects with community through multiple platforms, expanding our reach and the ability for stewards from every corner to become a part of our movement.

Introducing The Well of PBC

Our Reach Is

growing

2,092 FOLLOWERS on Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

Partnered with Unity3 Palm Beach LLC to support communications for The Well of PBC

Launched Couch Conversations on various podcast platforms

Launched The Well of PBC publication engaging a total of 1,945 reads and 10,519 impressions

The Well of PBC publication released its second edition, reaching 1,450 subscribers

Couch Conversations podcast aired a total of five episodes with 131 listeners

We evolved our monthly newsletter into a bi-monthly online magazine covering all behavioral health and wellness topics relevant to Palm Beach County through the eyes of the community. The first edition launched October 13th with a virtual Launch Party Facebook Live event with 334 viewers, and our second issue premiered Dec. 16th.

The Well’s Mission The Well of PBC is an online publication that serves as the primary resource for behavioral health and wellness information for Palm Beach County, a safe exchange space for the community, and an outlet for our neighbors and stakeholders to transform the behavioral health landscape.

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Community Solutions

Be Well Do Well Mini-Grants We’re investing in the innovative ideas of residents and organizations to share power and create impact.

We see the signs of civic muscle and belonging in every one of the 13 minigrants awarded in 2020–21: training seniors to embrace technology addressed isolation and loneliness as they learn to connect virtually with family and friends; creating a safe outlet for men to come together and understand trauma and how it affects the lives of African Americans shared how to deal with emotion and other internal issues that are taboo in their community; and a program for under-served Hispanic/ Latina women built peer support to overcome stress, anxiety, and depression and create connections to resources.

Video courtesy of KVL Media

These are just three examples of the 13 grants awarded to residents, nonprofit organizations, the faith community, and schools that demonstrated the perseverance of all to help our neighbors in the face of the pandemic.

The recipients were resilient, pivoting as needed to provide a broad range of behavioral health support benefitting youth, seniors, homeless and underserved individuals, behavioral health professionals, and individuals in the arts community.

2020–21 Mini-Grants • 105 applicants • 13 awardees • Grants from $1,000–$5,000 • $50,000 awarded

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Signs of Sustainability Eight grantees received additional funding to continue their programs.

Community Solutions

Video courtesy of Naji Designs

MINI-GRANTS

SPOTLIGHT

'Express Yourself' Fashion Art Ball

As Deon C. Jefferson thought about the purpose of BeWellPBC’s Be Well Do Well mini-grants to promote behavioral health and wellness, inspiration struck.

That’s not surprising, given the talents of this true Renaissance man, artist, journalist, singer and designer.

His vision for a multi-media art and fashion event to showcase works inspired by mental health came to fruition on May 8th at Arts Warehouse in Delray Beach with 100 people in attendance.

Twenty-seven original works of art, a fashion show that featured original dresses designed by Deon C. Jefferson for Gather and Gown along with Psyche Signature apparel, a Palm Beach County mental health-focused clothing business, and song and dance performances brought together like-minded artists who have experienced or dealt with mental health challenges. The ball also served as a form of therapy in a safe environment for those who had been locked down all year.

HOW WE ARE EVOLVING

“People shared their mental health challenges, whether it was their own or a loved one’s, and walked away appreciating that they were not the only ones going through certain things,” said Jefferson.

The closing scene of the fashion show was dedicated to self-care with models from the community with lived mental health experience representing every race, ethnicity and size walking confidently in Jefferson’s floor-length gowns. After the show, the models talked with guests freely about their mental health experiences.

“My vision was to marry fashion and the arts with mental health to see how we could be effective in raising awareness and holding conversations,” said Jefferson. “It was beautiful to see so many people coming together to learn from one another and feel open and understood.”

Deon Jefferson has joined BeWellPBC as Grants Navigator to lead the grant process and mentor future awardees for our next cycle in early 2022.

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IMPACT REPORT

2021

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HOPEFUL SUPPORTED CONNECTED UNDERSTOOD INFORMED COMPASSIONATE TRANSFORMATIVE OPEN YOU Stewards Investing in Stewards BeWellPBC’s funders - our Invested Partners - provide far more than monetary support. They are true stewards, coming together in the belief that we can transform behavioral health in Palm Beach County by putting community at the center of solutions, holding each other accountable for a more equitable and just system, and sharing resources to advance health and wellness for all residents. They serve on our stewardship council, action teams, co-planned programs, and mini-grants panel, reinforcing their all-embracing commitment to BeWellPBC and our community. We are grateful.

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