Long time, no write, y'all. There's a lot to be said in this edition of our Appalachian Counseling Newsletter, so let me get everyone oriented. Introduction: Word On The Street Is That All Y'all Rock
Chapter One: Interview Your Future Boss
Chapter Two: Transylvania CJPP
Chapter Three: Crystal's Ball
Chapter Four: Follow The Money - Billing Department
Chapter Five: Child and Family Community Support
Chapter Six: Who's doing what, where?
Chapter Seven: Tapestry
Chapter Eight: As Best I Can - Birthdays and Workaversaries
Chapter Nine: Mixed Bag of Goodness
Afterword: Exhortation
INTRODUCTION: WORD ON THE STREET IS THAT ALL Y'ALL ROCK
Rachael gathered up the 48 responses to our App Counseling Satisfaction Surveys and put into this handy internet application:
Click Here To See The Results of the Satisfaction Surveys
Once you're at the Survey site, you can click on "View" buttons to read folks' narrative comments, too!
ONE: INTERVIEW YOUR FUTURE BOSS
We're going to have candidates for our new Practice Administrator position rolling into town over the next several days. Everyone is encouraged to come to one of the events to meet and grill the candidates. Make sure to attend something, and let Rachael Smith know what you're attending. The dinners have limited seating, so it'll be the first folks to RSVP who get to go to those. The dinners aren't paid for.
15th-17th our candidate will be Bob Morris from Ohio
17th-19th our candidate will be Joseph Reap from Atlanta, GA
22nd-24th our candidate will be Denise Adcock from Concord, NC
April 16th - 10 a.m. - Noon Visits to the Brevard locations; 1:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. site visits in HVL and AVL; 7 p.m. Dinner at Carrabas on Airport Road.
April 18th - 1:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. site visits (more info to come); 7 p.m. Dinner at LaPaz in Asheville.
April 23rd - Site visits to be announced; 7 p.m. Dinner at Carrabas on Airport Road
The Practice Administrator will be taking the helm of this agency we call home. If you want to have any input at all into this important selection process, then show up.
TWO: TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY CJPP NEWS
Pat Menser - The Transylvanian Goddess of Substance Abuse Treatment writes:
I have been asked to share some good news about Transylvania CJPP program. At our last CJPP board meeting, Judith West presented some positive statistics on the success of the CJPP program in several categories:
The following are Raleigh 's Goals for CJPP clients in several categories with App Counseling's 2007 stats below:
1. 60 percent of clients will successfully complete treatment Average for state: 42%
Average for App Counseling: 71%
2. 70 percent of clients will not be re-arrested while in treatment. No State Average
Average for App Counseling: 87%
3. 70 percent of clients will not violate probation while in treatment. No State Average
Average for App Counseling: 87%
4. 90% of client's will work full time while in treatment. No State Average.
Average for App Counseling: 91%
Category of those who stay in recovery for this county: 65% clean after three months--50% clean after 6 months and 35% clean after one year. Marie Bartlette, regional director, said these statistics are excellent and praised our county and Appalachian Counseling. In the near future there will be an article in the Transylvania Times about the CJPP program. The CJPP board suggested the county should know what great work App Counseling is doing.
THREE: CRYSTAL'S BALL
Crystal Lance wrote in to let everyone know that some changes in Liaison Land have been happening:
Ashley Sutton's last day will be at the end of April. She is going back to school
Kamilah McKneill moved to the Asheville Office.
Alicia Israel moved to the Asheville Office.
Kate Eastman is working part-time at the Country Club Office.
FOUR: FOLLOW THE MONEY
Bonnie Kain sends this missive from deep within her billing bunker:
"There have been a lot of changes in the Billing Department starting in October with a new software system, Laura retiring, me starting in January and Vicki leaving. I moved here in September, 2007 from Wappinger Falls, New York. I was the Billing Manager for the Dutchess County Department of Mental Hygiene for 3 and a half years there. When I started, the Department had undergone a major software change.
Meg and Kody have been in the Billing Department helping to catch up with the backlog that was created. We have developed a schedule of transmitting claims and posting payments daily. We are keeping up with the current denials and reprocessing claims. We are in the process of identifying patients regarding outstanding balances in the new and old systems.
Year to date for 2008 we billed $2,182,523.57 (gross) and collected $955,330.14 with a collection rate of 84%. We are striving for a collection rate of minimum 96%. This does not include the monies that have been collected in the old system.
Next week Marian Robinson joins our team. Marian comes with 23 years billing experience and a lot of enthusiasm. I am looking forward to working with her.
We still have work to do to get us to a higher collection rate and with your help we can do it. What we need from everyone is that the patient's address, phone number, and insurance information is verified at each visit. The most important thing is to get the necessary authorizations for the services that the patient will be receiving.
The Billing Department's motto is TREAT but DON'T EAT. Which translates: If you treat the patient make sure that the necessary insurance information and authorizations are obtained so that you and Appalachian gets paid. Please feel free to call or e-mail us if you have a question regarding billing."
FIVE: CHILD AND FAMILY COMMUNITY SUPPORTKenny McAbee is letting his inner motivational speaker come forth in this update from CS:
"The Child and Family Community Support Team has seen its share of changes over the past year. With state mandated changes, employee change, and many other obstacles that have been thrown our way, we have stuck together and have grown stronger as a team. I am proud to say that we have made a great influence in the Transylvania and Henderson County Schools and we will continue to grow our staff and influence the Buncombe County District.
Currently we have a fourteen member team that is striving to make positive changes in the lives of the clients we serve. Most of our staff have gone beyond the call of duty and have attended and/or become members of local organizations that support children and their families. This has been an avenue that has put Appalachian Counseling's name out in the communities and we have received great applause for the hard work they have done.
Our team members have been challenged to provide better communication within this company and to build bridges into other teams that we work with. It is our desire to see this company, community, and the families we serve be a united force.
Although our job description has set hours that we work, most of the community support workers live and breathe their job 24/7, but yet still find energy to give their best. As we continue to march forward and serve the mental health field, I am proud to say that our team can take any obstacle or change and turn it into an opportunity. Thank you Child and Family Community Support for doing a great job."
SIX: WHO'S DOING WHAT, WHERE?
Erica has lots of news about who's been hired and where they're working:
Welcome new Employees:
Jill Pistel at Kanuga as a QP for CS
Karen Silver at Kanuga as a QP for adult CS
Dana Broach will start on Tuesday as the intake Coordinator for the Hendersonville office, she will be working at the Kanuga office, taking over Megan Fink's position.
Martha "Marty" Thompson at Country Club as the Intake Coordinator for the Brevard office and individual counselor.
Nicole OConnell at Williams street as Medical Records Clerk
Tracey Scott in Brevard as AP for child CS
Meghan Gowland in Hendersonville as QP for Child and Family CS
Sorry to say that Diane Satterfield and Megan Fink are no longer part of the Appalachian team.
Plus - Dental Insurance rates increased to $12.97 per pay period effective 4/1.
SEVEN: TAPESTRYTina Nowak's carrier pigeon dropped this into my email box:
"Tapestry has been exceeding the budgeted census since July '07. Since January, we have been at a 5.5 census with many weeks exceeding that with the first step-down clients who have been transitioning into the community. We have been getting excellent feedback on our program and the step down program with insurance companies, families, and clients. Calls come in daily requesting additional outpatient, IOP, and day treatment options. We are currently being approached by two different organizations wanting to discuss investing in expanding Tapestry's programs.
We have added a part-time Registered Dietician to the program who provides individual, nutrition groups, meal planning, and grocery shopping with the clients. This was a much needed addition to the program that has shown great success. In addition, we have added a Licensed Exercise Physiologist who assists the clients with learning healthy limits around exercise and strength training with healthy limits. Many of these ladies have lost all muscle tone which leads to many physical problems who need this type of training. On the other extreme, many clients are athletes who include mountain bikers, marathon runners, and dancers who need training on when to recognize and how to manage the desire to exceed their bodies limitations. We have also transitioned our Equine Therapy to Brevard which has lifted the burden of traveling and hour and a half each way. Harry Taub took over as Medical Director in December, he is also providing client and staff education on a weekly basis.
Improvements to the site include having the driveway paved and striped to comply with City Regulations, converting the cottage into a Transitional Home, and landscape improvements.
Kelly Brown, Clinical Director is persuing her CEDS Certification and EMDR licensure. She is currently licensed and providing Imago and Energy work with the clients. Heidi Houser completed and received her LCAS, we are so proud of her. She is doing a wonderful job providing individual, music, and body work groups. Thalia Brennan is in the process of persuing her licensure and is doing a wonderful job providing individual and body works groups. Elizabeth Hazelwood is currently out on maternity leave following the birth of her beautiful boy and will be doing contract work as a Trager Practitioner until she is able to work more hours. Susan Link and Melissa McGill are doing great work with the clients with providing counseling, activities therapy, and support to the clients. Michelle Pitcavage has expaned her role as Admin. Assistant and has been posting billing, accounts payable, and will be doing payroll when Tapestry becomes a separate LLC which is currently in process.
Tapestry has a team of providers second to none and provide the most comprehensive, caring treatment that is offered in the Eating Disorder Field. Our staff are not here to merely make a paycheck, they are passionate and believe in their clients and what they do."
The Tapestry website is up and looking good - check it out by clicking here.
EIGHT: BIRTHDAYS AND WORKAVERSARIES
Because of the comings and goings, I don't have a comprehensive B-day and Workaversary list any more. Please send me your date(s), or leave them in the comments at the end of this post. To all of you whose special days fell in the fallow months of this Newsletter, my apologies. Here are the April/May celebrants!
Birthdays:
Catherine Myton - April 8
Michael Smith - April 13
Kenny McAbee - April 20
Mary Pitcavage - April 23
Thalia Brennan - April 26
April Banks - April 27
Karen Stewart - May 8
Richard Johnson - May 10
Kristin Doyne - May 23
Paulina Goodfellow - May 24
Linda Spencer - May 26
Jim Anderson - May 26
Workaversaries:
Teresa Drevar, April 9 celebrated one year.
Cindy Willis' first year will end on April 30.
Ruth Hobson will celebrate two years on May 9.
Kody Kinsley will be a two-year old on May 16.
NINE: MIXED BAG OF GOODNESS
Asheville: "This is a free lunch and learn about mediation and collaborative law and how it may work for your clients. It takes place at 34 Wall Street (Public Service Building or Self Help Building), Suite 401. Date and time: Tuesday, April 22, 12:00 - 1:30 pm. The sponsors are the Mediation and Collaborative Law Offices of Barbara Davis, Sarah Corley, Aleece Hiller and Kathy Marth. RSVPs to Kathy Marth have been extended to Wednesday, April 16 [kathymarth@mindspring.com]."
Laura Zabodyn says: "Just a reminder that if you want to meet with Jane or have her somewhere that you need to contact me or she might not be there. My phone at the office is 885-8255, email is lzabodyn@appcounseling.com"
Cindy Jordan is in the vacation rental business and wants y'all to know about her cute'z'hell chalet:
"Come experience life on a working, organic farm with all the comforts of home. Our vacation cabin rental is located at the base of Mt. Pisgah, down one of the prettiest drives in the North Carolina mountains. We're only 4 miles from the incredible hikes and gorgeous scenery of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and only 15 minutes from nightlife, culture, and charm found in Asheville, NC.
*Amenities include linens, feather pillows, towels, cable TV, wireless internet, coffee maker, full kitchen, CD player, DVD, local telephone.
*Laundry facilities on site.
*Pets ok with deposit. Some restrictions apply.
*Large rock fire circle, hiking and biking opportunities abound, picturesque fish pond, unspoiled views of Pisgah National Forest right outside your door.
*Gazebo, benches, meditation areas, flower and vegetable gardens.
*Cottage is furnished with local arts and crafts, most of which are available for sale."
AFTERWORD - EXHORTATIONTo anyone who's read this far, give yourself a pat on the back. This agency has gotten bigger than a deer tick on a bag of plasma, and it can be hard to keep up with all the goings-on. Feel free to send me information at any time for the Newsletter. I "star" it in my Gmail and put it up when it comes time to post another edition. You can also use the Comments feature beneath this post to add anything I may have missed.
My hat is off to everyone who's been toughing it out over this period of rapid growth and consequent stability problems. It looks like we're out of the woods, and the new Practice Administrator will be laying a solid foundation for what we will become. I'm proud to be a part of this unlikely agency.
