January - 2004

MHA & FSA – Form Strategic Alliance

Mental Health Alliance of Monroe County, Inc (MHA) and Family Service Association of Monroe County, Inc (FSA) are announcing the formation a strategic alliance January 2004. After four months of negotiations, the two agencies are aligning services, location and personnel to create a greater scale of efficiency putting more direct dollars into programs and less money into overhead costs. Both agencies, working in the area of human services, provide programs such as CASA, Guardian-of-the-Person, Oak Tree Counseling, various support groups and related educational, outreach and advocacy programs, are a natural marriage. FSA just celebrated its 40th anniversary and MHA will be celebrating 50 years of service in 2004. Between both agencies, there will be nearly a century’s worth of history, knowledge and experience within our community in one centralized location: 120 7th Street, One City Centre building; telephone 812-339-1551; website www.monroementalhealth.com.

Both agencies have been in talks since August 2003 forming a strategic alliance committee. The members of that committee: Lynda Robison MSW, MPA, JD, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney City of Bloomington and President of MHA; Becky Wann restauranteur Tortilla Flat and President of FSA; Jill Jolliff Director of CASA; Tonia Karnofsky MSW, Program Coordinator FSA; Camilyn Leone JD, FSA Board member; Holly Harvey JD, FSA Board member; Tim Risen CPA, Treasurer MHA; and Cameron Clairmont, Executive Director MHA.

The agencies will combine Board of Directors (BOD) to form a single operating structure governing both 501(c) (3) corporations. The new BOD will adopt a revised bylaw structure; the two corporations will adopt the same operating policies and structures making the integration of services as seamless as possible during the first year.

MHA an affiliate of National Mental Health Association and Mental Health Association of Indiana focuses on services such as: outreach; advocacy; centralized referral source for people seeking mental health services; several peer-to-peer support groups for schizophrenia, depression, bi-polar, Together-We-Learn-To Cope (TLC) centered around family members of persons with mental health disorders; State Mental Health Ombudsman program serving those who need advocacy within the state mental health system; and a pilot program, Guardian-of-the-Person, where the agency will serve or find a volunteer to serve as an emergency temporary guardian or long-term full guardian of an incapacitated individual. All services are centered-around promoting good mental health in our community.

FSA agency holds programs such as: the highly regarded CASA, (Court Appointed Special Advocate), one of the highest ranked CASA programs in the state of Indiana for training community volunteers to advocate on behalf of abused or neglected children in the juvenile court system; Oak Tree Counseling, a family and child centered counseling program reinforcing marital, parental, family commitment and stability; and, Families in Transition, a support program for incarcerated parents and their families.

While many of the United Way member agencies work in close partnerships, this is the first instance of two member agencies developing such an alliance. Rebecca Beckfield, Interim Executive Director of United Way Community Services stated, “In facing tough economic times the need to reduce overhead expenses and increase program efficiencies is one that many agencies face. By aligning their operations the resulting efficiencies will foster direct benefits to their clients and the community as a whole. I am pleased that MHA and FSA found unique and creative ways to work together forming this alliance.”