McClendon Center Receives $5,000 MAXIMUS Foundation Grant
We are proud to have been selected by the MAXIMUS Foundation to receive a $5,000 grant in support of our programs and services for our community members with mental illness. Over 2,000 men and women come to McClendon Center – all of whom are working toward achieving their highest degree of mental health recovery and independence.
“I’m honored to recognize McClendon Center with this MAXIMUS Foundation grant for its tireless work to promote self-sufficiency and personal growth that empowers families in the local community,” said John Boyer, Chairman of the MAXIMUS Foundation. “McClendon Center’s commitment to enhancing health outcomes and family and community development – while implementing innovative programs and services – continues to inspire the MAXIMUS Foundation. We look forward to seeing more of McClendon Center work in the future as they serve the community.”
With more than 23,000 adults with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) living in our nation’s capital, the need to provide mental health services is clear. In addition to SMI, many of our clients have, or at risk for, at least one co-occurring chronic health condition (e.g., diabetes, asthma, heart disease, etc.). Demographically, a majority live well below the DC poverty line, 88% are African-American, and nearly 30% are homeless. We provide our clients with the treatment and care that improves their quality of life, reducing the risk of hospitalizations and incarceration. In the end, the broader DC community benefits from filling a void in available mental health treatment. While our primary revenue comes from Medicaid reimbursement for clinical services, other crucial but “medically non-essential” assistance and programs must be covered by other sources of funding. This grant from MAXIMUS FOUNDATION is invaluable and will help to defray the costs of our support services.
THANK YOU MAXIMUS FOUNDATION!
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About MAXIMUS: Since 1975, MAXIMUS has operated under its founding mission of Helping Government Serve the People®, enabling citizens around the globe to successfully engage with their governments at all levels and across a variety of health and human services programs. MAXIMUS delivers innovative business process management and technology solutions that contribute to improved outcomes for citizens and higher levels of productivity, accuracy, accountability and efficiency of government-sponsored programs. For more information, visit www.maximus.com.
About the MAXIMUS Foundation: As the philanthropic arm of MAXIMUS, the Foundation extends the mission of the Company by identifying and awarding grants to partners with specialized expertise to deliver results within the same populations and communities served by the public programs the Company operates. The MAXIMUS Foundation is completely funded by MAXIMUS and its employees, and provides grants to local community organizations with programs and projects in the areas of child and youth development, health and community development.
What is the price tag for quality and compassion?
The problems with funding for mental and behavioral healthcare is not new to District of Columbia; but, this year, the effects are overwhelming. By the end of September, McClendon Center will experience a shortfall of over $100,000 due to the Department of Behavioral Health cutting off funding for uninsured clients. This problem appears to be system-wide at this point, threatening the notion that we — as providers — form the public safety net for District residents with serious mental illness. When it became apparent that there was a funding issue several months ago, we as a Center decided there were three basic courses of action. The first was to transfer these uninsured clients back to the Department of Behavioral Health and hope they could find an agency that was sufficiently funded. (The question then would be, why would McClendon Center — as the District’s highest-performing agency — not receive funding when a lower-performing agency had). The second course would be to serve these clients anyway and try to absorb the loss, which is substantial. The last choice would be to simply not serve them and wait for the new fiscal year to bring new revenues on October 1st.
It will come as no surprise that McClendon Center has chosen to serve these uninsured individuals and are doing so at our own expense. We can’t let them go un-served, and we refuse to transfer them to an agency that will not provide the quality services that we do. Our Board of Directors is acutely aware that this decision will likely put the Center in deficit for the fiscal year, the first time that has happened in this decade. But how could we do otherwise? What is the price tag for quality and compassion? And what exactly does the District government value in regard to serving its most vulnerable residents?
If you have considered a gift to McClendon Center but have yet to make a donation, I ask that you actively consider making a contribution to help us cover the cost of providing these services. For the rest of the summer, your financial participation in providing services to the uninsured would be very much appreciated by us all.
— Dennis Hobb, executive director
image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.nte
We Earned Our Second 5-Star Provider Scorecard Rating
We kicked of Mental Health Awareness Month by earning the only five-star Provider Scorecard* rating by the DC Department of Behavioral Health for the second year in a row. We are very honored to receive this recognition and are grateful to our staff — especially our Community Support Specialists whose teamwork with their clients is reflected in our success; our doctors, nurses, and professional staff; our leaders; and our Board of Directors.
*The Scorecard evaluates 20-plus DC community-based mental health providers for quality of services, adherence to Federal and District regulations and policy requirements as well as financial compliance.
DON’T WAIT! Buy your 2016 Art of Transformation Event Ticket Today!
We are excited to be hosting our 2nd Annual Art of Transformation Reception and Client Art Show on May 5, 2016, at the Toolbox in Dupont Circle. We guarantee a fun evening — guests are invited to mingle, enjoy tasty bites and our signature drinks, and take in the artwork created by our clients. Closing the evening will be our raffle drawing, which includes airline tickets, wine, art supplies, and more.
All proceeds benefit our clients who are working each day toward gaining their stability, pursuing their goals, and maintaining a healthy state.
Visit our Event page for more information and to purchase your ticket. Space is limited so please buy your ticket today!
FY2015 Annual Report Now Available
2015 was truly a year of celebration, progress, and accomplishment for McClendon Center. We invite you to review this 2015 Annual Report and learn about our new client-focused programs and activities, and the impact that further reflects our dedication to providing services that best meet the needs of our clients. Download the 2015 Annual Report here.
SAVE THE DATE for our 2016 Art of Transformation Event!
Join us on May 5, 2016, at the Toolbox in Dupont Circle or a fun evening. Instead of long speeches or a formal dinner, mingle with guests, take in the artwork created by our clients, delight in tasty bites and cocktails, and take your chance in our raffle drawings.
All proceeds benefit McClendon Center, a community-based mental health organization in the District, providing programs and services to more than 1,000 adults diagnosed with serious mental illness. By participating in our event, you’ll be supporting our clients who are working each day toward gaining their stability, pursuing their goals, and maintaining a healthy state.
Visit our Event page for more information and to purchase your ticket.
Check out our Past newsletter
The MC Connection Newsletter June 2019June 25, 2019 - 3:48 pm
May Message – Thank You & Final Art SaleMay 21, 2019 - 1:58 pm
The MC Connection newsletter October 2017October 21, 2018 - 5:47 pm
The MC Connection newsletter May 2018May 21, 2018 - 6:12 pm
The MC Connection newsletter December 2017December 14, 2017 - 6:23 pm
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