ENVIRONMENTAL
A Holistic Appro ach ToWellness EXCELSIOR WELLNESSCENTER
ENVIRONMENTAL
Good health by occupying pleasant, simulating environments that support well being
SOCIAL
Developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system
VOCATIONAL
Personal satisfaction and enrichment with one’s work
FINANCIAL
Satisfaction with current and future financial situations
INTELLECTUAL
Recognizing your abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills
EMOTIONAL
Coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships
SPIRITUAL
Expanding a sense of purpose in life
PHYSICAL
Recognizing the need for physical activity, healthy foods, and sleep
MISSION
We connect children, youth and families to their futures by empowering them to live healthy, stronger, and more satisfying lives. We accomplish this by providing quality programs holistically rooted in the eight dimensions of wellness.
VISION
By identifying goals and focusing on the strengths of the individual, Excelsior works alongside a youth and their family to make positive change towards a brighter future.
Excelsior is a community advocate for youth that champions for families to live safer, healthier, and more satisfying lives. This is done through providing comprehensive holistic care that addresses the many needs of those we serve.
We support our compassionate and dedicated employees in continually seeking new opportunities for feedback and self-improvement in their professional skills. Our shared personal mission is to develop the necessary tools that will help create human connections with our customers. To support these efforts, we foster the values of communication, professionalism, and unity within our work environment. Excelsior cherishes the privilege to assist those in the search of a better life.
CORE VALUES
Professionalism, Unity, Communication
LETTER FROM THE CEO
Friends of Excelsior,
I am delighted to share the development and growth taking place within key areas of the organization. Excelsior offers four pillars of programs and services, creating a full continuum of care through the eight dimensions of wellness defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These pillars include engagement, integrated healthcare, education, and opportunities for success.
Excelsior is continually developing new, innovative programs within our healthcare and education services that respond to the barriers and needs of those we serve. Whether on our main campus or in our co-located partnerships throughout Spokane, we have trained staff who can reach out and meet needs of individuals at any point of service.
We are proud to offer recreation and adventure activities; integrated health services including oral, vision, primary and behavioral healthcare; a suite of academic and vocational services to build skills; and social determinants of health services including transportation, housing, and concrete resources. Excelsior is equally excited to offer recently launched education labs teaching cosmetology, music/art, information technology and nutrition services. As we learn more about how to best serve youth and families, we will constantly evolve and keep our commitment to being nimble, flexible and relevant in our response to the needs of youth and families.
For decades, Excelsior has shown a commitment to our community’s future through the delivery of hope, opportunities for success, and a path towards wellness. Connecting youth and families to their futures has always been the mission and it remains at the core of our services today. I welcome you to read our achievements from 2018, and we look forward to your collaboration and support in 2019. Our success relies on your support and our shared commitment to those serve.
Sincerely,
Andrew Hill
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Andrew Hill C hief e xe
Ryan Kiely
hief
Danielle Cannon C hief S trategy O ffi C
Kitara Johnson C hief D
Scott Davis C hief O
BOARD MEMBERS
Kevin Benson C hair
Alan Basham V i C e C hair
Anthony Anderman S e C retary
Dennis P. Hession
Keely Hope
IMPACT AREAS
CENTRAL RESPONSE
Many improvements have taken place within Central Response which has enhanced service delivery and access to resources. Central response has become the first point of contact for WISe, as well as planned respite, and currently completes CANS screenings for all WISe service requests. New department procedures have been implemented including reminder calls for all new appointments and taking on the initial Raintree forms for SCRBHO enrolled clients.
Central response has also implemented the Internal Referral Form as a communication and coordination tool which combines all referrals into one online adult and youth application. Central Response has assisted WA Connections to help clients obtain additional support (food assistance, child care, etc.) and is in process of becoming a partner navigator with BHT to offer Medicaid enrollment.
MEDICAL
Excelsior’s Medical Clinic received a generous grant from Coordinated Care which supported medical equipment and assessment tools to provide quality healthcare to patients. Washington Healthcare Alliance Association also contributed to the clinic with a grant to purchase a medical freezer, adult immunizations, and funding for volunteer providers and malpractice insurance. The clinic began seeing patients in February 2018 and our staffing has continued to grow as employees pursue further certification and mentor psychiatric ARNP interns through Gonzaga and WSU.
HOME OF THE MARMOTS
EDUCATION
Excelsior's Schools have continued to grow with new staff, students, and programs. Our staff encourages students to discover new interests and guides them in taking steps towards attaining their goals. We have two special education teachers, a music instructor, and PE teacher, as well as an assistant who is directly supporting the construction trades program. Excelsior school now follows the district 81 schedule and will offer a 6 week summer school program for credit retrieval.
This year we have started our vocational classes which include construction, Microsoft IT academy, culinary arts, and music. The school is looking forward to completing the cosmetology lab later this school year. The Future Song Foundation contributed to the construction of our music lab, as well as supported a music teacher who is providing students with the mentorship needed to achieve and discover new talents through music. Our schools are happy to be offering Odysseyware career, technical, and educational courses online, as well as a re- engagement program for youth, Open Doors. Excelsior's schools are looking forward to a partnership with Cardea and offering a WA PREP for healthy youth by providing a personal responsibility education program. We are looking forward to a great school year and supporting the individual needs of youth enrolled in our schools.
INPATIENT
Olympus has becomean integrated care unit and is supporting more Intensive Inpatient clients that continue to graduate from treatment.Olympus has become a component to the continuum of care, while transitioning some clients to LifePoint.
DAY TREATMENT
Has expanded enrollment from 8 to 13 clients and is currently at full capacity. Day treatment has continued to grow as a program by offering services to WISe and Hospital Diversion clients. Respite has become a 7 day/week program and has also increased its capacity from 6 clients to 13 during weekend care.
LIFEPOINT
In the past year, LifePoint has had the unique opportunity to transition our level and type of care from solely Behavioral Health Organization (BHO) clients to an integrated care model. This model includes clients with varying backgrounds while working with multiple community funding sources. This care model elevates Excelsior and puts LifePoint at the cutting edge of facility-based treatment in the state. Youth are gaining employment opportunities, further education (High school diplomas and GEDs), and are successfully transitioning to lower levels of care. Excelsior has been fortunate to be able to continue to anticipate and identify the need for this demographic to be served. Community Partners have been an integral part of Life Point’s success, especially with regard to Life Point’s community relationships and resources. The Lifepoint team has been flexible during this transition and continue to provide holistic, client- centered interventions and treatment.
CAMPUS MANAGEMENT
In the past several months, the CS team has made a point of modeling and motivating other staff in a positive manner to reach their full potential, utilizing Excelsior’s core values as a basis to do so. Through their crisis response techniques they have been able to create a safe environment, not only in an inpatient setting but by working closely with outpatient and WISe teams as well. We value the support we have been given by multiple other departments to grow and thrive as a team. By doing so, we are able to consistently learn and provide insight to other staff, creating a cohesive, knowledgeable team of individuals providing the best care for our clients.
OUTPATIENT
Outpatient services has a leadership team and infrastructure that is building cohesiveness, support, skill development, investment and ownership; resulting in improved quality of services. Each department has a coordinator and have added team captains in the clinical, care coordinator, and peer staff groups. Our service volume is close to the lead in the region because of our progressive approach to service provision which includes Medication Management, Respite, Recreational Therapy, Primary Health Care, Intensive Inpatient, Community Response, and Integrated Behavioral Health.
Excellent staff support, supervision, clinical training, internship and professional development opportunities, and strategic hiring have resulted in creating a vibrant, committed, and effective team. Excelsior created a training and internship oversight position for Amber Teichroeb. She has done an excellent job of scheduling weekly trainings and infused our internship program with excellent candidates. Excelsior is fortunate to have long time employee Lou Ratcliffe utilizing her tremendous wealth of knowledge and skill by providing clinical supervision to a large number of newly hired staff. We have reduced staff turnover and been able to hire staff from other parts of the country, rectifying the local shortage of qualified and capable staff. We have created a play therapy room and have been successful in securing insurance for our ropes course and zip line and continue to move forward in creating a multitude of therapeutic opportunities for eligible individuals.
CREDENTIALING, CONTRACTING AND BILLING
Credentialing and Contracting has been busy maintaining operational status quo, while preparing both for integration and CareLogic, our new Electronic Health Records system. In early summer we brought on Kathy Strong, an experienced billing specialist who comes from a large health system. Janet Campbell has been a key player in the CareLogic implementation team and has also worked with Bryan Stanfill to improve partnerships with payers and work flow. Debbie Wilkey, our Raintree expert, is helping families navigate insurance applications, eligibility and benefits, and works with them as a financial advocate. Our billing department has created new processes that streamline and add to production, which enables them to focus on old uncollected revenue and discover new billable services. Excelsior is waiting to hear final word from MCOs and the State about potential differences in our existing experience regarding health care providers submitting a claim to insurance on a patient’s behalf and data that tracks how services are offered with regard to Evidence Based Practices we are implementing.
Contracting/Credentialing is focused on updating negotiated rates for what will be former SCRBHO carve out program, e.g., LifePoint, Co-IOP, and Outreach/ Engagement, as well as securing provider files so that future contracting to credentialing pathways are as smooth as possible. We will be meeting with Coordinated Care, the Apple Health Core Connections payer for youth in the care of DCYF as well as the three IMC payers, Amerigroup, CHPW, and Molina Healthcare. We are hoping to build a strong foundation in an effort to provide integrated, holistic care to those we serve.
EXCELSOLUTION SERVICES
As the healthcare industry adapts to integration and improved patient outcomes, many providers find themselves entering uncharted territory. ExcelSolution Services creates individualized service packages designed to decrease burdensome contracting, credentialing, and claims management. Let us help you reach your goals of excellent service by handling the challenges that take you and your staff away from patient care.
Contracting Services
Who benefits from Contracting Services?
• Primary Medical Providers
• Mental Health Providers
• Substance Use Therapists
• Physical Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Massage Therapists
Credentialing Services
I have a contract, now what?
• On-board your providers with:
– Primary Source Verification
– Re-Credentialing
– Attestation
– License Verification
– Clearinghouse Enrollment
Claims Management
What are the benefits of Claims Management?
• Decrease Denials
• Increase Revenue
• Professional Biller/Revenue Cycle Management
• 50 patient statements per month (50+ statements available for an additional fee)
For more information, please visit e xCel S OlutiOnSer V iCe S COm
OUR HISTORY
Excelsior is a private non-profit that traces its roots back to 1893 when the Sisters of the Good Shepherd arrived in Spokane.
The mission of their order was to care for girls in difficult situations, some of whom were abandoned by their families or orphaned.
The Sisters provided opportunities for girls to turn their lives around. This lineage has sculpted the culture of Excelsior to be an organization that protects and cares for those it serves in a compassionate and trauma-informed way.
Throughout the years Excelsior has adapted to the needs of the community to best serve our constituents. As an established community provider Excelsior brings its history of behavioral health and substance use treatment to the integrated healthcare model.
ENVIRONMENTAL
The vision for the landscape and grounds of the Excelsior campus is to create an integrated environment where healing of the mind, body, and soul come together, for our clients, program participants, staff, and broader communities through our outdoor environment. Our grounds will create a welcoming first impression, and provide both natural and designed spaces for meditation, relaxation, conversation, exploration, learning, physical activity, and healing.
It is our vision to contain within our larger campus an accredited arboretum, starting with a Level I accreditation and moving to a Level II accreditation in the not-to-distant future. Going along with this accreditation, we envision receiving certification as a wildlife habitat and eventually adding components of a botanical garden.
Integrated into the arboretum and building grounds will be walking trails and rest areas for client and public use, as well as a play field. We see permanent locations for: discussions around a “campfire”, a stage for community forums, a permanent challenge course, and a 9-hole disc golf course.
Our vision is to have an outdoor environment which supports our organization mission, and serves the mind, body and soul of all who wander here.
DONORS
LOWES
The life skills room facilities at Excelsior was in desperate need of an update. With a little help from Lowe’s, two new full new kitchens were installed to better serve the students who need it most. It hadn’t been remodeled in 36 years so the renovation included new counter tops and appliances along with custom cabinetry— all installed by Lowe’s to help teach Excelsior youth life skills as well as how to prepare meals and learn to work a register and talk with customers. Thanks to Lowe’s, the new facilities will continue to give to students for years to come!
FUTURE SONG FOUNDATION
HAGAN FOUNDATION
Cornelius E. Hagan, Jr., M.D. established the Hagan Foundation, choosing respected board members from the Spokane Community who held a firm grasp of numbers, had strong character values, and demonstrated a loyalty through their discussions and decisions to the adopted Mission Statement of the Hagan Foundation:
Studies consistently show that music education plays a significant role in the development of our children's academic skills as well as their self-esteem and creative abilities. By partnering with Future Song, Excelsior has expanded its comprehensive therapeutic services to include the power of music in its educational and wellness programs. Future Song donated instruments, complete renovation of the music room, recording equipment and the funding for a music teacher because of the shared vision that music completes the picture for a well rounded individual by allowing positive avenues for self expression and fundamental people skills.
ALL OF OUR DONORS— YOU HELP MAKE AN INCREDIBLE DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
Upon Dr. Hagan’s death in 2012, at the age of 101, The Hagan Foundation board created Hagan Opportunities, a grant opportunity for all local non-profits located within the boundaries of the NE Washington Educational School District 101. His writings shared above became the guideline for the grant awards.
The grant searches for innovative, creative, and bold ideas that will excite our youth to reach new heights in their desire to learn; however, the recipients not forgetting “to do the most good for individuals and the community
with the least amount of money possible”. The Hagan Foundation Board of Trustees has set high standards to maintain the integrity of Dr. Hagan’s wishes.
Excelsior obtained this funding to create the EXCELPre-Apprentice Program adding vocational programs such as a salon/barber shop, Food Service Deli, Microsoft Imagine Academy and micro-enterprise equipment to help self-sustain programs.
“The staff, counselors, and teachers are amazing and very friendly. They are very active in the community, and have been able to change so many lives for the better through their numerous programs!"
SUCCESS STORIES
From 7th grade to my freshman year of High School, I was a stellar student. I had an A in every class ending each school year, with a GPA of 4.0. Things changed my sophomore year when I started hanging out with a crowd I shouldn’t have and developed a drug habit. I found myself raiding different family members medicine cabinets, my friends cabinets, for any pills that could get me high. I barely went to class and my grades and family relationships suffered.
After an overdose and seizure I knew I needed help and I did not know where to go. There was only one person I could trust and that was my mom. I told her, and she directed me to Excelsior. I was really nervous when on my first day, but all of my anxiety went away when I walked through the door. My counselors helped me find the roots of my problems and how to deal with them. Excelsior put me back on my feet and before September, I was a full time student at Eastern Washington University. When I couldn’t afford my books or needed a quiet place to study, Excelsior was there to help me.
Excelsior helped me find my spark, and helped that fire spread. Now, I feel whole again, and have the skills I learned from Excelsior to deal with my anxiety and my depression. I am working a full time job, with one on the side, and am working towards graduation at EWU. Excelsior has taught the skills not just get back on my feet, but to stand tall, and be able to lend out my hand to others. I am forever grateful to everyone at excelsior, because they really do amazing work and care about their kids.
-Gabe Fensler
“My only son was admitted to this facility after he was abandoned by me years prior. His involvement was hard for him at first. After more than a year of being a patient he graduated and came home 6 months ago. Now, tomorrow we graduate services through the department of child and welfare. [He] misses staff and is doing well at school and at home. We are safe and happier because of the help and encouragement from Excelsior staff. From the front desk to the back room this place is made up of magic and mercy. It’s an honor, not a humiliation, to know this institution.” -Client Parent
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