New Beginning Today Press Kit

NEWBEGINNINGTODAY Press Kit Bringing brighter days ahead

2012

Dr. Marcus Green CEO/Founder

All Rights Reserved. Confidential & Proprietary

New Beginning Today (NBT)

2 www.NBTATLANTA.com

THE AGENCY’S PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACH FOR PROVIDING SERVICES TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSUMERS.

The agency’s mission is to assist clients in developing the capacity to improve their quality of life by providing a comprehensive range of services that are client centered, strength based, and uniquely tailored to meet their needs.

Our philosophy is to Families and individuals to be best for those that they love, as well as for themselves. Often children and their families have needs that cross agency boundaries; therefore, all of our services are developed cooperatively and care coordinated by teams and professional leadership. NBT ’s uses components of the Multisystem Therapy (MST), a home-based model of service delivery designed to reduce barriers that keep families from accessing services. The team and leadership share responsibility, expertise, and mutual support while designing creative services that meet an individual’s strengths and needs across home, school and community. Interventions are flexible because the approach is multi-faceted, taking all aspects of the child’s history and current life situation into account

Our Corporate Citizenship and Responsibility is to the communities and families it serves and believes in the strengths based approach to individual, family and community development. NBT is positioned not only as a provider of behavioral and mental health services but a committed and responsible partner who invests time and financial resource back into the community. As a part of its philanthropy, NBT’s leadership has established college scholarships and sponsorships for athletic teams and special events. Additionally, as described in the question 11i on collaboration, NBT is reaching out to partners to identify innovative solutions to enduring social issues on African American males, truancy and grandparents who are increasingly becoming caretakers of youth to have a larger social impact. NBT has founded a non-profit community based organization to partner with other community and faith based entities and child service agencies to provide services not permitted by CMOs.

New Beginning Today core services are preventive in nature and NBT’s core services address all required areas and are comprised of:

● Diagnostic Assessment and Individual Resiliency Planning ● Individual Counseling ● Family Training/Counseling, Group Training/Counseling ● Community Support Individual ● Crisis Intervention ● Medication Administration ● Nursing Assessment and Health Services ● Physician Assessment and Care ● Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment and Education Program

The Diagnostic Assessment and Individual Resiliency Planning are performed by a master’s

level clinician and typically include the client, the parent/guardian, and other family members if

permitted by the responsible adult. Information is also gathered from the referral source. The

information gathered during the assessment is then used by the assessor and the family to create

the client’s Individual Resiliency Plan, which includes specific/attainable goals, objectives, and

interventions with the family. SNAP-SMART principles, transitional planning, discharge planning

and other components provide a continuum administered by the clinical professional. The

diagnostic assessment is also used to determine what CORE service(s) is/are the best fit for the

client.



Individual Counseling is performed by a master’s level clinician, who has a background in Social

Work and/or Counseling. During individual counseling, the clinician explores, probes, and assists

the client with various areas of personal need and builds on client strengths.

Family Training/Counseling is performed by a master’s level clinician, who has a background in

Social Work and/or Counseling. During family training/counseling, the clinician assists the family

with the needs that were identified with in the client’s resiliency plan. These needs can include

teaching effective communication, how to deal with a child with maladaptive behaviors, effective

parenting skills, and other areas.

Group Training/Therapy is performed by a bachelor’s level and a master’s level clinician. The

Bachelor’s level employee and the Master’s level clinician work together as a team and teach

effective anger management skills, social skills, relaxation techniques, and other modalities.

The Community Support Individual (CSI) service is performed by non-degreed or bachelor’s level

employees and are classified as CSI workers/paraprofessionals. CSI is nontraditional and services

are typically not provided in the office. The services are provided in the community and empower

the consumer and family with life skills.

Crisis Intervention is used when a client is experiencing an abrupt and substantial change in

behavior which is usually associated with a precipitating situation and which is in the direction of

severe impairment of functioning or a marked increase in personal distress. The clinician typically

receives a call from the client, parent, guardian, or referral source regarding crisis, and the clinician

assists in the de-escalation of the crisis (over the telephone and/or in person dependent upon the

nature of the crisis).

Medication Administration service includes the giving or administration of an oral medication or

injection. Medication Administration requires a physician’s order, and licensed medical personnel

under the supervision of as physician must administer the medication. The client, parent, or

guardian is educated regarding the proper administration and monitoring of prescribed

medication.

Nursing Assessment and Health Services require face to face contact with the individual to

monitor, evaluate, assess, and/or carry out a physician’s orders regarding the physical and/or

psychological problems of the individual. It includes providing nursing assessments, assessing and

monitoring the individuals response to medication, assessing and monitoring an individuals

medical and other health issues that are related to mental health or substance related disorders.

Physician Assessment and Care Services include the provision of specialized medical and/or

psychiatric care such as evaluations and assessments, psychiatric diagnostic evaluation, medical or

psychiatric therapeutic services, assessment and monitoring of the youth’s status in relation to

treatment with medication, and assessment of the appropriateness of initiating or continuing

services.



NBT PROVIDES AND EVIDENCED-BASED PRACTICES AND DOCUMENTATION OF TRAINING.

NBT uses Multisystem Therapy, Multidimensional Family Therapy, Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Promoting Awareness of Motivational Incentives (PAMI) and Strength Based Interventions for Families as their essential models. The Cognitive Behavior Therapy training has been conducted by Schantate Johnson, LMSW, former Director of Training, and PAMI, family based and other trainings have been conducted by Taunya Lowe, Ph D, who is retained by NBT to provide support to clinical staff . All documentation of training in evidence based practices and therapeutic interventions is monitored by the Human Resources director as described in detail in 11h, on continuing education. Minimal documentation includes agendas, objectives, copies of training materials and power point presentations and on site or electronic certificates and sign in sheets with corresponding dates, times, and topics. Michelle Schofield, M.D, is NBT’s psychiatrist who refers to the psychodynamic psychotherapeutic approach based on the traditions of Sigmund Freud. She also uses interpersonal psychotherapy based on the teachings of Gerald Klerman and supportive psychotherapy recognizing the consumer’s strengths.

Recognizing the emphasis on evidence based practices and innovation, NBT is establishing the Transformational Practices Team, which focuses on evidence based practices, professional training and development, new and creative approaches and looping data back into quality performance and consumer outcomes. This team has emerged out of the management and training staff of NBT and interested community and professional stakeholders with expertise in clinical, behavioral and social services.

NBT utilizes a family-centered modality.

NBT has a comprehensive family centered model in place. NBT services promote a family-based focus in order to:

● Diffuse the current behavioral crisis, evaluate its nature and intervene to reduce the likelihood of a recurrence;

● Ensure linkages to needed community services and resources; and, ● Improve the child/adolescent’s ability to self-manage behavioral health issues, as well as the

parents/responsible caregivers’ capacity to care for their children.

Beginning with the assessment and the Family Team Conference, NBT invites the client, his or her family, referral source and other professionals in collaborative treatment. This opportunity also orients the family to NBT’s services, the Consent for Services and other relevant documents. The clients, parents and guardians sign the Consumer Rights and Responsibilities and Expectation of Consumers and Families Participating in Services, which empower them to be aware of their assurances for treatment. Strength-based assessment, Individual Resiliency Planning/Treatment Planning, transitional planning and discharge planning are fully integrated opportunities for client and family input and require their signatures as well. Basic information such as scheduling, frequency of services, routine times, introduction to therapists and contacts is established at this conference. Staff members use SNAP-SMART principles in establishing measurable client and family centered outcomes. NBT provides a special resource called “Additional Tools” to help with meeting the family. NBT’s Professional Training Team also provides workshops on consumer and family centered treatment planning.

NBT possible services provided in the family centered approach are:

● Family therapy



● Individual therapy ● Communication skills ● Anger management ● Parenting education ● Child development ● Nutrition ● Resources Acquisition ● Networking ● Fiscal and home management ● Advocacy

At each stage from intake to discharge, family centered and strengths based approaches are documented:

● Screening for Risk ● Progress Notes with Goals and Objectives ● Family Assessments ● Consumer Assessments ● Individual Resiliency Plan ● Discharge Plan, and, ● Other NBT standards.

A partial listing of consumer and family techniques include: Miracle Question, Modeling, Life Story Telling, Family Round Table Discussion, Behavior Modification, Reframing, Mirroring and Self-reflections. Sample consumer and family centered supportive care provided by professionals and paraprofessional Community Support Individual (CSI), only where appropriate are: Positive Self-care, Career Counseling, Independent Living Skills, Grief Management, Loss and Separation Issues, Independent Living Skills, Leisure/Recreational Skills and Financial Literacy. Please note that paraprofessionals provide only non-clinical supportive services and skill building.

We are offer evidence-based practices and interventions of Adolescent Substance Addiction.

NBT uses the Matrix Intensive outpatient treatment as its intervention for substance use disorder. This treatment model incorporates elements of relapse prevention, cognitive behavioral therapy, psycho education and family approaches as well as the 12 step intervention. Consumers receive information, assistance in structuring a substance-abuse free lifestyle and support to achieve and maintain abstinence from drugs and alcohol. For 16 weeks, consumers receive several intensive outpatient treatment sessions per week. This intensive phase of treatment involves counseling and support such as individual/family sessions, early recovery skills, relapse prevention, and family education.

We offer 24/7 Accessibility: On the policy level, NBT provides services when needed and responds to crises immediately and addresses accessibility in Consumer Rights and Responsibilities. An on-call team either headed by a clinical professional or with access to a clinical professional is available 24 hours per day 7 days per week. The on-call leader is trained in crisis intervention and crisis stabilization techniques as well. NBT also has a psychiatrist or psychologist on call 24-7. NBT is proactive, and plans are developed to prevent or mitigate crises. Crisis response can be taxing, but most families are appreciative because NBT’s capacity to respond engages the family and achieves the critical goal of preventing out of home placements and family discontinuity.



Regarding involuntary commitment after normal business hours, NBT focuses on stabilizing the situation using the Stabilization and Crisis Plan provided in the Orientation/Policies and Procedures Manual. The on-call team member makes a referral for emergency care to the one call emergency psychiatrist or emergency personnel at the local hospital emergency room. The on-call staff member follows the NBT Safety Protocol and contacts the NBT administrator to proceed with the next steps articulated in the organization’s guidelines. All appropriate referrals and Critical Incident Reports are followed in accordance with Georgia Law Requirements 37-3-41. Involuntary Commitments.

We provide utilization of outcomes data: NBT uses outcomes data in four basic forms. First, it monitors the client’s progress using SNAP-SMART principles throughout the Individual Resiliency Plan/Treatment Plan, Transition Plan and other components of progress. These outcomes are documented both in CAFAS and Sharenotes. Secondly, NBT meets in staff and management sessions to discuss the client’s progress often on a weekly basis. Thirdly, NBT will be participating in the CARF sponsored webinar on Performance Improvement: I and II and the conference on Transforming Outcomes Data into Management Information. Lastly, through its partnerships such as school systems, NBT is paying more attention to data trends on the aggregate/group levels and disaggregated/individual levels. For example, the field is observing an increase in ADHD, autism and other processing disorders and the emergence of gender and culture specific approaches. As diagnoses become more prevalent and diverse on the aggregated and disaggregated levels, NBT can provide more customized approaches in a pool of evidence based and solution focused strategies. The Transformational Practices Team and the Quality Assurance staff would be responsible for translating the CARF and other models into a more systemic approach to data collection and use.

We proffer monitoring of client satisfaction: NBT monitors client satisfaction through Pre and Post Surveys (Consumer Survey and Family Survey) administered by team leaders or other clinical staff. Staff also periodically makes calls to referral sources and families. On an on-going basis, staff meets with partnering agencies. When an informal or formal complaint arises, staff members immediately respond call family members or CMO representatives. NBT has an extensive complaint and grievance procedure outlined in its Orientation and Policies and Procedures manual.

We invest in the continuing education of clinical staff: The Human Resources director monitors all training of clinical and supervisory staff. Records of Essential Learning and Continued Education Units (CEU) are maintained in a centralized Training Log, with appropriate certificates and on site or electronic sign in sheets. All NBT staff is expected to maintain knowledge and skills regarding research trends in best/evidence based practices. NBT requires all potential clinical staff to submit copies of licensure or certification. For clinical staff in the process of licensure and or unlicensed staff, a master’s degree in the areas of counseling, social work and/or psychology is required. Clinical staff is required to have 29 hours of specialized training per year. Individual and small group coaching, technical assistance through emails, phone conferences, webinars individual improvement strategies, cross training, CEU and NBT sponsored staff development are a part of skill enhancement. NBT retains an external professional trainer and uses master’s level staff to provide customized support in areas included but not limited to Individual Resiliency Planning, Family Centered Planning, CORE components, Cultural Competency, SNAP-SMART principles and evidence based practices. On an individual basis, NBT financially underwrites external training through CARF, professional organizations and credentials enhancement such as paying for testing to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). After attending outside training, staff is required to demonstrate at least three modalities, strategies or interventions. Training development staff headed by Dr. Lowe evaluate growth areas and staff inquiry. By promoting a culture of inquiry, clinical staff feel comfortable in pursuing creative, non traditional approaches, discovering evidence based practices and solutions and exploring treatment options.



We have strategic collaboration with other agencies to enhance outcomes and innovation: NBT staff develop collaborations based on the consumer/family’s needs in education, personal skill development, housing enhancement, counseling (individual and family), healthcare, job training and other services. NBT staff and the consumer develop a transition plan for all consumers entering the NBT program. The plan ensures a continuity of therapeutic and family support. NBT advocates for and links families to community resources and services promoting family self-sufficiency.

Our partnerships. Some of NBT’s key partners and referral sources are TriCity High School, Atlanta Metropolitan College Upward Bound, Fulton County Department of Juvenile Justice, Clayton County Department of Juvenile Justice and Hearts to Nourish Hope.

NBT’s relationship with referral sources transcends traditional boundaries of a clinical provider to that of a company with a heart for the community, searching for solutions. NBT assists families in accessing community resources, modeling positive behaviors to demonstrate how to engage referral sources, making initial contact, documenting progress toward any adjusted goals and objectives and ensuring that consumers get authorized support. Referral sources are documented in an internal Referral Tracking System which is now being migrated into Sharenotes.

Our collaboration. Three examples of collaboration demonstrate NBT’s commitment to innovation with our partners: Clayton County Schools’ truancy presentation, grandparents’ workshops and proposed principals’ meetings on African American male achievement and behavior.

Highlight of Achievements

● In January 2011, NBT staff met with Clayton County School System officials to introduce the” Truancy Prevention in Action: Best Practices and Model Truancy Programs” by the National Center for School Engagement, an initiative of the Colorado Foundations for Families and Children. The federal Department of Juvenile Justice uses this model as its national best practices, and NBT indicated to the district the link between poor academic performance and antisocial behavior and other risk factors. NBT and school officials will be determining next steps, perhaps including NBT’s providing clinical services to students and professional development opportunities to staff.

● Prior to this meeting the school system was not familiar with this nationally recognized model. In the fall of 2010, an NBT clinician offered workshops to grandparents of their clients who attended Venetian Hills Elementary Schools. Topics encompassed Navigating the School System, Health and Nutrition, Grandparents’ Rights, Communication Skills, and Recreational Resources for Grandparents.

● NBT has noted chronic dropout rates and social ills affecting African American males in the metro Atlanta area. As a result, NBT is designing a series of listening sessions with school officials to develop a proposal to offer more customized services to families, students and staff. This may expand NBT’s role beyond providing traditional clinical services to youth and their families to helping schools develop environments of achievement by focusing on how behavioral and academic services are offered.

● NBT is currently researching effective practices for African American achievement including positive behavioral enforcement, pedagogical models, asset and inquiry based learning, heritage



and identity, hands on experiential learning, community linkages and other features conducive to their learning. NBT partners with experts in various sectors to provide technical support. If nothing else, NBT is committed to and raising awareness regarding African American achievement among its referral sources and peer agencies.

New Beginning Today Press Kit

Health & Medicine

Transcript of New Beginning Today Press Kit