ANNUAL REPORT TO OUR COMMUNITIES Covering July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023
2023
Moving Forward, United in Purpose
Table of Contents Page 1 - Organizational Summary - Mission, Values, and Vision Pages 2-3 - Meridian’s Leadership - Executive Team and Board of Directors Pages 4-5 - Letter from the CEO - “Focused on a Vision“ Page 6-11 - Summary of Services - In Our Region and Beyond Pages 12-15 - Client Satisfaction, Outcomes, and Stories Pages 16-19 - Organizational Summary, including Financials Pages 20-25 - Thank You’s to Sponsors, Partners, and Donors Pages 26-27 - Meridian’s Award Winners Pages 28-33 - Program Highlights and The Way Forward
Mission, Values, and Vision Our Mission To promote the health, recovery, and well-being of those affected by mental illnesses and substance use disorders through prenvention, coordinated treatment, and supportive services.
Our Values
Collaboration, Efficiency & Effectiveness, Initiative, Innovation & Growth, Integrity, and Accountability
Our Vision
Hope, recovery, and wellness are within everyone’s reach.
352-374-5600 | mbhci.org | 800-330-5615
1
Executive Team
2
Donald P. Savoie
Lauren Cohn
Teresa Jenkinson
President / Chief Executive Officer
Executive VP / Chief Operating Officer
Senior VP / Chief Financial Officer
Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
Richard Anderson Senior VP / Chief Clinical Officer
Dale Laing-Hall
Ashley Tozier
Alan Paulin
Senior VP / Chief Human Resources Officer
Senior VP / Medical Services
Senior VP / Clinical & Community Services
Board of Directors Tina Seifert Chair - Columbia
Jeff Feller Vice-Chair - Alachua
Stephanie McClendon Secretary - Suwannee
Bob Milner Executive Committee Bradford
Patricia Knight Executive Committee Gilchrist
Irma Phillips-Maxwell Alachua
Jason Cason Levy
Becky Sharpe Lafayette
Amanda Manske Union
Paul Metts Alachua
Kindall Crummey Baker
Stuart Wegener Alachua
“Meridian is united in its desire to give, for giving is living. Moving forward together, we acknowledge this shared need. When we stand together, we are never alone. As Helen Keller stated, ‘Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.’ The gifts we give empower others to live. We are glowing embers, igniting joyful fires of Hope. Meridian’s legacy of shared Recovery will endure as we guide others to find their own unique path to wellness.” Denise Bennett At-large
- Tina Seifert, Board Chair 352-374-5600 | mbhci.org | 800-330-5615
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Letter from the CEO
A
s I reflect on the past year, it is apparent there is much for us all to be proud of. Our efforts have been focused on building capacity to meet the growing need, increasing access to care, treatment innovation, and sustainability for the future. As our 50th anniversary year concluded, we looked back on the monumental years of service to our communities and two questions came to mind. First, what would our communities have looked like today without Meridian? Second, what will our communities look like with another 50 years of service? I believe that the ever-increasing need for mental health and addictions education, prevention, and treatment is a battle that requires all of us to work together in order to succeed. To win this battle and combat not only stigma, but lack of understanding of the impact of mental health and addictions challenges, each of us must work individually and together as a community. We must partner in providing care to those who are suffering. Everyone in need should have the opportunity as well as the support to believe that hope, recovery, and wellness are within his/her reach. 4
Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
M
oving forward, we must be united in purpose. Meridian exists to serve our communities and work together to improve the lives of the individuals and families impacted by mental health and addictions. We each have a voice that can be heard but together our voices will be loud and resounding, making the difference. Those in need of care are more often met with negativity, cynicism, and stigma that for too long has overshadowed the value from quality mental health and addictions treatment. Together we can be one voice with a united message of love and compassion, providing support and opportunity that enriches the lives of each person and their families and in turn enriches our communities.
M
eridian strives to never stand alone, but always to stand in partnership with individuals and organizations from across our communities, state, and nation as we aim to reduce stigma and use our collective voice to improve the lives of those in need. Meridian stands a faithful servant and partner, focused on improving the wellness of our community. We hope that you will join us on our journey as we work to realize a vision where those in need are met with compassion and care. Donald P. Savoie President & CEO
Focused on a vision of
compassion
and care for all.
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Service Area “Fiscal year 2023 was another banner year for Meridian when it came to focusing on those at the heart of our service area, which now includes Marion and Putnam Counties. In all, we served 21,157 clients within our 13-county region. As you can see from this “service density” map, in-person visits vary from county to county, while Telehealth remains a favored option for receiving mental healthcare services, with over 13K service instances.” 6
Suwannee 45K 1,689 Gilchrist 20K 568
Hamilton 13K 483
Columbia 72K 2,758
Telehealth 13,190 Baker 28K 1,047
Union 15K 534 Bradford 27K Alachua 1,370 284K 6,383
Lafayette 8K 206
Homeless 125 Neighboring 1,610 Putnam 75K 527 Marion 396K 805
Dixie 17K 726
Levy 45K 1,117
Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
KEY County Population Clients
Detail on opposite page
13,000+ Clients served 5,000+ Clients served 2,500-4,999 Clients served 1,001-2,499 Clients served 501-1,000 Clients served
Service Reach “Meridian’s reputation as a leading mental healthcare provider, not just in our core service area, but throughout the Southeastern United States, has not diminished. We served residents in 60 of Florida’s 67 counties and we even served residents from half a dozen counties in Georgia. We will continue expanding our access to and capacity for mental healthcare services, in order to ensure anyone looking for help, in a crisis or otherwise, can readily get the support they need.“
101-500 Clients served 25-100 Clients served 12-24 Clients served 1-11 Clients served 0 Clients served 352-374-5600 | mbhci.org | 800-330-5615
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Client Demographics Income
94.5% of clients at or below poverty line
“It’s vital we understand our clients’ demographics and any challenges these may present. For instance, we noticed an ~8% increase in the number of clients at or below the poverty line compared to last fiscal year.”
Age
0.30% of clients live 300+% above poverty line 1.91% of clients live up to 300% above poverty line 3.34% of clients live up to 50% above poverty line
.99% of clients between ages 0-5 years
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6.82% of clients between ages 6-11 years
Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
13.4% of clients between ages 12-17 years
39.7% of clients between ages 18-39 years
33.7% of clients between ages 40-64 years
5.28% of clients age 65 years or above
“We also strive to meet clients where they are in terms of identity, thereby aknowledging everyone’s right to self-identify. We don’t wish to force anyone into a box, which is why our intake forms allow for no specificity.”
Client Demographics 46.0% clients identified as white
36.5% clients did not specify a race
Race/Ethnicity
Gender
.06% of clients identified as Pacific Islander
53% of adults identified as female
46% of adults identified as male
46% of children identified as female
50% of children identified as male
.24% of clients identified as Native American
1% of adults did not specify a gender
.27% of clients identified as Asian
2.7% of clients identified as Hispanic
14.2% of clients identified as Black/African American
3% of children did not specify a gender
352-374-5600 | mbhci.org | 800-330-5615
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Diagnoses Treated Adults
Each
= 1%
Children
30.64%
. . . . . . . . . Depressive Disorders . . . . . . . . .
35.24%
36.57%
. . . . . . . . Substance Use Disorders . . . . . . .
1.27%
2.50%
. .Behavior, Attention, Conduct Disorders . .
30.86%
11.27%
. . . . . . . Traumatic Stress Disorders . . . . . . .
17.69%
3.53%
. . . . . . . . . Adjustment Disorder . . . . . . . . .
17.00%
11.18%
. . . . . . . . . . . Anxiety Disorder . . . . . . . . . . .
11.82%
14.98%
. . Schizophrenia & Psychotic Disorders . .
0.66%
13.69%
. . . . . . . . . . Bi-polar Disorders . . . . . . . . . .
0.64%
4.25%
. . . . . . . . . . . Other Disorders . . . . . . . . . . .
3.75%
0.55%
. . . . . . Autism Spectrum Disorders . . . . . .
0.92%
1.93%
. . . . . . . General Health Conditions . . . . . .
0.00%
0.25%
. . . . . . . . . Personality Disorders . . . . . . . . .
0.03%
0.28%
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dementia . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.03%
Note: percentages reflect co-occuring diagnoses and will not add up to 100%
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Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
Psychiatric Services 48,997
Counseling / Therapy 98,033
Community Based Care 28,885
Diversion and Recovery 23,688
Services Provided
CCAT 16,204
Adult Crisis Stabilization 64,943
Children’s Crisis Stabilization 52,282
Emergency Screening 17,755
Addictions Receiving 14,086
Bridge House 13,293
Family Services 5,672 CCAT = Children’s Community Action Team MIST = Mother’s Intensive Support Treatment
Access and Admissions 4,111
MIST 8,040
The Lodge 8,471
Recovery Center 5,223
Primary Care 2,311
Intensive Outpatient 1,872
Joyce House 2,096
Transitions 5,267
Medication Assisted Treatment 154,874
Residential Treatment = 26,556 Supported Housing = 15,834
Psychosocial Rehab 10,819
Outpatient Services = 395,466 Acute Care Services = 149,066
Client Satisfaction and Outcomes Satisfaction Percentage of clients who agreed with the statement, “I received services that were very helpful.”
Recommendation
Outcome
Percentage of clients who agreed with the statement, “I would recommend Meridian’s services to others.”
Percentage of clients who agreed with the statement, “This program helped me feel better about myself.”
97.2%
79 .4%
Averaged across all programs for adults and children.
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Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
95.4%
“There is no greater indication of the effectiveness of our services than the feedback of our clients and I am grateful to them for making this past fiscal year our most impactful to date, with ratings 2-4% higher than previous years.”
One More Way We’re Helping Clients
TextForHelp.app is available for anyone in need of emotional support, at any time. While the line is intended for teens in crisis situations, users need not be in crisis (or even a teenager) to use the service. We encourage teens to use TextForHelp.app if they have concerns about a friend or loved one and need support in getting them help. Trained clinicians are licensed and prepared to support anyone who texts in.
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Client Stories Ashley C.
Services that Helped Ashley
“I don’t know who I owe my sobriety to more, The [Mothers’ Intensive Support Team] MIST Program or God…God gave me the strength, but the opportunity I was given at MIST gave me the knowledge and power to stay sober and be the mommy my baby deserves! My time wasn’t all peaches at the MIST program but with every obstacle a lesson was learned. Today marks, one year since I had entered the MIST program, I’m still sober and sharing my story to help encourage other mothers who struggle. I got to use my time in the MIST program, to really bond with my son and grow closer to God. I’m forever grateful for the opportunity I had at the MIST program.” Sincerely, Ashley C. 14
Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
Individual Counseling Group Therapy Peer Support Care Coordination Residential Treatment Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Services that Helped Megan Individual Counseling Group Therapy Peer Support
Care Coordination Residential Treatment
Client Stories Megan M.
“I am so grateful for the [Children’s Community Action Team] program. Words do not express everything you all have done for my family. We were in a dark place, but now my daughter is enrolled in a new school, making friends, praying, making good grades, and good decisions. She has blossomed as a person thanks to the services of the CAT program. I really appreciate you all.” Sincerely, Megan M. 352-374-5600 | mbhci.org | 800-330-5615
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Community Investment
HOUSING AND SUPPORT $1,705,053
CO
Once indigent care funds from the state and county were exhausted, Meridian provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in services to individuals, despite having no established payment TIO T E N options. IEN 5 AT
VETERAN SERVICES $1,136,906
MM
CA DI TR M E E D ,4 I S T 69 A S S $ 8, 6
16
IENT TREATM INPAT NT, AND ENT MO ATIE , INP 17,548,689 BILE RE Y C $ SP EN ON RG E SE M ) (E
U NIT Y BASED C A RE $9,4 92,4 4 9
“Meridian is not merely the leading mental healthcare service provider in the North Central Florida region, now surpassing $60M in revenue; the organization is also a partner to the many communities in which it resides, investing heavily in the wellbeing of the people in those communities. But we go beyond geographical boundaries and focus on the unique needs, as broken down in the chart you see here.”
OUTREACH & PREVENTION $314,481
Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
5
ME
NT
RESIDE N TIA L TREATMENT $6,507,819
PAT S O UT VICE 52 S E R 8 2, 7 9 $ 5,
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND DIVERSION $2,318,571
PSYCHIATRY AND PRIMARY CARE $4,090,377 SCREENING AND ASSESSMENT $4,265,207
Organizational Health
“Meridian’s financials are the strongest they’ve ever been, with increases in net assets indicating enhancements to our service delivery, while our liabilities were simultaneously decreased, pointing to sustainable growth.”
Financial Summary REVENUE
$62.03M
$7.98M
ASSETS
$42.60M
$6.10M
LIABILITIES
$11.56M
$0.40M
NET ASSETS
$24.10M
$4.10M
EXPENDITURES
$54.40M
$4.52M
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Workplace of Choice Why People Join Meridian
Competitive Salaries
Generous Time-Off
Healthcare Options
Wellness Advancement Incentives Opportunities
Tuition Reimbursement
Licensure Supervision
Why People Stay The Perks
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Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
The Experience
The Mission
The People
Our Staff
Positions by Profession Physicians & APRNS 35
Nurses 111
Positions by Location Baker Marion 30 45 Alachua 498
Lafayette 1 Dixie 3 Putnam 17 Gilchrist 18
Admin 168
Clinical / Licensed 64
Clinical / Program 536
Union 2 Hamilton 3 Suwannee 17 Bradford 20
Total positions = 914 Levy 31 Columbia 229
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Thank You to Our Donors $10,000 & Above Board of County Richard C. & Patricia ...Commissioners, ...Berne ...Alachua County Queen of Peace Catholic Catherine Ipser ...Church Bryce and Tracy Burger Gildard Bennett Don and Karen Savoie ...Charitable Fund of Alison Paris ...Thrivent Charitable Ben E. Keith Foods ...& Inv CAMPUS USA Credit ...Union $5,000 to $9,999 Community Foundation Vystar Credit Union ...of North Central Shey Charitable ...Florida ...Foundation Inc. Jeff Feller Liquid Creative Studio $3,000 to $4,999 Eric Parker Assured Partners Non Profit Insurance $500 to $999 ...Services Richard T. Jones MidiCi The Neapolitan $1,000 to $2,999 ...Pizza Company Dr. Maggie M. Labarta Martin Luther King Jr. ...and Jon Cherry ...Comm of Florida, Inc. Genoa Healthcare Alberta R. Blocker First Federal Bank Best Western Gateway MBM Properties ...Grand
Mary Benedict Blackadder Brewing ...Company Tara M. Blythe Heather Damron Becky Davis Devin Davis Madison Deer Maurice D. Levy Palms Medical Group Solar Impact The EHS Medical ...Practice, PA
* Is or includes a Gift-in-kind
... Continuance of Name
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(n) Total Anonymous Donors
Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
$100 to $499 Jerome Daniels Gainesville Health & ...Fitness Center Linda Skalsky Escapology Diane M. Hogan Aubroncee Martin Robert and Leslie ...Roseman Margaret D Green Ulla Benny
Bio-One Gainesville Jason Cason Stephanie McClendon Judy Sallustio Robert Milner Robert Norberg Alachua County Sheriff’s ...Office Kathy Cross Daniel Fisher Candidate ...for ACSB Jade Denny GPD Association of ...Retired Police Officers, ...Inc. Yvonne H. Hinson Lowry Financial Debra Main Mildred Russel ...Campaign Alan Paulin Vebb Education, Inc. Cornelia O. Stern Meldon Law Paul Metts Alisha Danel
Dontrell Davis Omaria Davis Victor J. Delgado Jayden Dickerson Tyrik Domininque Aden Donald Harvey Ward Jr ...Campaign Account Eileen Solin ReQuest Physical ...Therapy Irene Kellner Brian Wilson Anthem Tattoo Kadie Barrios Gabriel Bitton Nancy Bitton Lillian Cason Kay Chambers Angela L. Choate Lauren M. Cohn Clarence Dabney Dylan Dean Erin Delovrey Vito F. Dibartolo Jonathan N. Dickens
The following is a compilation of all donors who made gifts during the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
Scott Donohue Howard & Laurel J. ...Freeman Robert Greenberg Gary E. Ihas Barbara Kerxton Michelle Lisk Stanley A. Rakofsky Sonya Slott $99 & Under Randall Mire Patricia Philbin Jeff Solin Valeria Gorden Suzanne Richardson Joanne Edde Judy McGee Ilene Silverman-Budd Amalia Alvarez Rick Barton Celia Burger Carolyne Freeman Donald Hardenbrook Lynn O’Sickey Kris Pagenkopf
Samantha Schiappucci Ashley Tozier Johanna J. Van ...Rinsvelt Donna Wegener Christina Hill Florida Museum of ...Natural History Vaunda Pearson Kelsey Thurman Alan Geering Danielle J. Judd Satchel’s Pizza Sabrina Brown Steven Foley Darin Hendricks Betty D. Jackson Sandra Munson Margaret Philbin Pauline Tavares Brette Williams Kandra Albury Gabriel Ahn Denise Cowart Elizabeth Harvey Eliza Philbin
Prudence Tucker Elizabeth Wachman Anonymous Joseph Hendricks Brandy Hodge Stephen Welbers Miles for Meridian Registrants Tina Harkness Kara Wassman Stephen Karafa Jennifer Weaver Theodore Weaver Margaret Mccloskey Mary Benedict Alex Sarosi Rick Lind Mallory Becker Chris Mccuiston Stephanie Foley Steven Foley Matthew Lisko Jeff Feller Alexander Costa Teresa Costa
Amy Jonasson Anas Ismail Rhonda Clyatt Terri Cochran Krishna Jha Joshua Forgione Melissa Forgione Ashley Tozier Lindsey Digiosia Marco Digiosia Barrett Standish Brennan Standish Carolynne Standish Kyle Standish Rob Pettie Christina Pettie Kady Morris Don & Karen Savoie Stephanie Esposito Mikayla Birnstiel Ian Fletcher Patrice Fletcher Alex Flinchum Landon Harrar Anne Polo Tim Propes
Julianne Raymond Rex Wier Tiffany Williams ...Propes Vicki Gervickas David Macphaul Ritu Shah Priscilla Guariglia Tammie Geer Michelle Burridge Chaise Champion Johnny Fussell Sabrina Busch Brian Busch Karolina Glogiewicz Jay Price Hannah Fisher Abigail Fisher Alexandra Fochi Roeland Vandevelde Isaac Swope Amanda Larson Denise Bennett Katrin Silvis Lewis Silvis April Thompson
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Our Continued Thanks Barry Mcandrew Lee Mcandrew Shaheeda Fawcett Meredith Smith Jennifer Nalli Stuart Arnold Alennys Taveras Seda Kerra Knight Stacha Donaldson Dylan Guzman Letteen Lilian Guzman Letteen Dylan Townsend Susanne Townsend Cortney Perez Jaxxon Duenas Danielle Hamel Joy Riddle Barry Mcandrew Lee Mcandrew Christian Silvis Dakota Tredway Garand Garand Wendy Shirah Shahriar Shahabaldine Kelly Harvey Devala Griffith 22
April Phinazee Regina Grimes Mauri Bryant Tera Kelley Kaylin Harmon Matthew Byal Eva Del Valle Sara Young Jon Farland Michelle Farland Katelin Sexton Kurt Linebarger Joelle Higgins Penny Church-Pupke Laurel Payne Lisa Johnson Stacie Stephenson Betty Godshall Michael Modeski Lori Muniz Anas Hammoudeh Julie Rada Amy Meacham Lourdes Ptschelinzew Audrey Rada Teresa Jenkinson
Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
Kate Lindt Cailin Lewis Niya Dix Joanne Edde Andrew Kotranza Sarah Kotranza Jessica Thompson Jennifer Sykes Otto Strasburg Eric Godet Yvette Godet Kevin Marshall David Martin Madelyn Martin Margaux Martin Megan Martin Frances Richburg Jimmy Ossa Luke Hart Julian Bautista Du Meyer Juan Motta Alan Paulin Olivia Green Renae Green Shelley Salter
Brooke Douglas Gracie Manske Amanda Thomas Sally Chappell Eileen Ahlquist Devon Myers Lisa Coleman Steve Cannon Jordan Polo Paula Allen Sabrina Brown Steven Foley Darin Hendricks Betty D. Jackson Sandra Munson Margaret Philbin Pauline Tavares Brette Williams Kandra Albury Gabriel Ahn Denise Cowart Elizabeth Harvey Eliza Philbin Prudence Tucker Elizabeth Wachman Anonymous
Joseph Hendricks Brandy Hodge Stephen Welbers Steps to Wellness Registrants Mary Alford Amalia Alvarez Richard Anderson Carol Auerbach Jannine Barnes Mary Benedict Denise G. Bennett Nancy Bitton Angela L. Choate Lauren M. Cohn Terri Crawford Steve Datkuliak Diana Drew First Federal Bank Harvey Goldstein Margaret D Green Betty D. Jackson Elaine Jacobson David Johnson Irene Kellner
“We just want to...
Maurice D. Levy Michelle Lisk Kevin Marshall Sara J. Mihlfeld Jeremy Mikell Robert Milner Chad Paris Alan Paulin Leslie Roseman Sarkis Clinical Trials Kimberly Simmons Alexandria Stanaland Connie Stern Ashley Tozier Stuart Wegener Tonia L. Werner
Our Continued Thanks Board of Associates Eric C Parker Steve Datkuliak Sam Guess Jim Ipser Cathy Ipser Joel Islam Chad Paris Mary Benedict Denise Bennett Kevin Marshall Heather Damron Joanne Edde
...for your continued support year-after-year. Your generosity is what places ‘hope, recovery, and wellness’ within everyone’s reach. We also want to especially thank our Board of Associates for the giving of their time and expertise in strategizing and implementing new and impactful initiatives every year!” 352-374-5600 | mbhci.org | 800-330-5615
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Thank you to Our Corporate Sponsors Platinum Level Gold Level Silver Level Bronze Level Supporters Patrons 24
Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
And Community Partners Gainesville Police Department
Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
Co-responder Respite and Rapid Response
Alachua County School Board Columbia County School Board Baker County School Board Dixie County School Board Gilchrist County School Board
Levy County School Board Bradford County School Board Union County School Board Suwannee County School Board Lafayette County School Board
Hamilton County School Board Marion County School Board Putnam County School Board
CAT, MRT, and Outpatient Services
Criminal Justice Diversion and Recovery
352-374-5600 | mbhci.org | 800-330-5615
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Employee Awards Leadership Award
Supervisor of the Year
Jamie Stormer, Ph.D. Director of Children’s Outpatient South
Tina Harkness Vice President Access and Admissions
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Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
Employee of the Year
Ronnie Williams Billing Analyst
&
Phillip Flint Primary Care Registered Nurse
Hope, Recovery, and Wellness Awards It is only through the passion and dedication of staff members like these that Meridian is able to realize its vision — Hope, Recovery, and Wellness within everyone’s reach. Each of these awardees exemplified our core values for the betterment of not only our clients, but their colleagues as well.
Deputy Dan Maynard Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Monica Kadlec Guidance Counselor Bradford Elementary
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Williams Manor
Residential Treatment
In response to the growing need for Residential Treatment, we opened Williams Manor Residential Treatment Facility on our Lake City campus, admitting residents in December 2022. This 16-bed facility provides a structured, supervised recovery setting for adults with severe and persistent mental illness. The focus of the program is to provide care for individuals stepping down from State Hospital treatment and those in need of additional residential support as part of diversion from the State Hospital, thus, keeping individuals in the least restrictive placement possible, safely. At Williams Manor, individuals receive skills training, easy access to needed treatment, social support, assistance with daily needs, and community connection, further enhancing the lives of the residents.
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Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
Hospital Bridge Program Peer-to-Peer Support
The Hospital Bridge is a unique peer-led collaborative effort that allows hospital staff to contact our peers when they have patients identified as Marchmans, overdoses, and/or come into the emergency department intoxicated (and identified with a substance abuse diagnosis). Our certified peers arrive at the hospital to speak with patients, assess their readiness for change, and provide information on services. Our team of experts work to eliminate all barriers and get patients the help they want. If support is desired, medically assisted treatment and outpatient services are coordinated before discharged, thereby bridging their services from the hospital to the next level of care. Peers have been able to successfully move patients from healthcare facilities to the Bridge House (our residential treatment program), or from the hospital straight to MAT (same day of discharge). The Hospital Bridge is currently made up of two full-time peers (one in Gainesville and one in Lake City) and two part-time peers (in Gainesville). 352-374-5600 | mbhci.org | 800-330-5615
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Disaster Relief Idalia
Hurricanes are something we have become accustomed to preparing for and responding to, no matter the community affected. With Hurricane Idalia, the disaster hit home, as our own communities were severely impacted. Our amazing team came together and quickly worked to staff disaster relief sites in Dixie, Suwannee, Levy, Lafayette, Hamilton, Gilchrist, and Columbia Counties, providing compassion, support, resources, supplies, and crisis counseling to those in need.
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Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.
Community Outreach Meridian’s Mobile Bus
Throughout the 22-23 FY, we increased our outreach efforts and our presence in many of our service areas. Along with a team of professionals, the bus was a part of those efforts in the 100th University of Florida Homecoming Parade; in Palatka at the Blue Crab Festival; the Baker and Bradford County Fair; Church of God by Faith Back to School Health & Wellness Fair (Gainesville’s Eastside), and the 24th Annual Stop the Violence Back to School Rally (Santa Fe College Northwest Campus), to name a few.
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New Partnerships
SF Student Peer Ambassador Partnership Meridian Behavioral Healthcare and Santa Fe College entered into a collaborative partnership summer of 2023, with the goal of creating a mental health-focused peer education program for students. This unique partnership will have peer ambassadors based on all seven college campuses. The partnership consists of a collaborative effort between Santa Fe Student Affairs, Santa Fe “Mind Body Life”- a special mental health program, Santa Fe Counseling Center, Meridian’s Marketing Department, and Meridian’s Education and Training Staff. Valerie Pasquale, Director of Prevention and Education and Madeline Adkins, Mental Health First Aid Coordinator, were designated to develop and execute the education program for the 2023-2024 school year. Ten peer ambassadors will receive mental health training as well as outreach and career development opportunities. They will also creatively engage with students, on campus, by hosting at least one outreach event and one educational seminar on various mental health topics. Additionally, the peer ambassadors, will work to increase Santa Fe student body’s knowledge of local and national mental health resources, while fostering a culture of mental health awareness while focusing on de-stigmatization on the various campuses.
New Grants
Treatment for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness - TIEH We were awarded this federal grant of $500K per year for 5 years funded by US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS). In this project, we will be partnering with Gainesville Fire Rescue, Gainesville Opportunity Center, and GRACE Marketplace, to strengthen and expand a comprehensive system of integrated outreach, recovery support, and housing support for adults and families who are experiencing homelessness along with mental health challenges. This project will implement a mobile unit to provide outreach, screening, assessment, and treatment, increasing engagement in services. This collaborative project will focus on improving treatment outcomes, reducing homelessness, strengthening social and family support systems, addressing socioeconomic needs, and enhancing community connection.
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