Jeffrey Moore. M.D.

 Portage Path Behavioral Health (PPBH) and Akron General Medical Center (AGMC) have entered in to a strategic relationship intended to share knowledge and experience, collaborate on behavioral health projects, and effectively serve the increased number of Medicaid recipients expected through the Affordable Care Act.  The agreement will initially involve implementation of shared psychiatric leadership, the joint recruitment and employment of psychiatrists and other behavioral professionals, the development of a coordinated model of care for Medicaid and Medicare recipients, and an enhancement of the training experience for resident physicians.

In addition to shared psychiatric leadership, the agreement established the groundwork for the companies to work collaboratively on a process to effectively serve those covered by Medicaid and Medicare through an Integrated Care Delivery System.  This system should help both companies be positioned to work with the State’s new Department of Medicaid scheduled to open in 2014.  As the management of care for these individuals is transferred to HMO’s through the new department, PPBH and AGMC intend to develop best-practice treatment that is comprehensive, outcomes-driven, and cost-effective.

CLICK HERE to read the article about it in the Akron Beacon Journal.

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Workers installing new fixtures at Portage Path Akron Clinic.

Portage Path has seen the light … so to speak.  We recently participated in a program that helped us stay on top of rising energy costs by upgrading the lighting ballasts and fixtures and all three outpatient facilities.  The program, facilitated by AEP Energy as part of their Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program, helped us save $20,000 on the new lighting, and should pay for itself in three years.  After that, our yearly estimated savings is $7,000 per year.  These new fixtures use a lot less energy than the old ones, and help us take a few more steps toward being more environmentally friendly.  We owe a big thanks to our partner company Prism Health LLC, for tipping us off about the program. 

Gwen Barlow-Martinez, an Emergency Clinician at Portage Path Psychiatric Emergency Services, was recently recognized by Akron Police Chief James Nice for her work in defusing a potentially life-threatening situation.  Here’s what happened – a man had coerced three juvenile males into his apartment.  Once inside, the juveniles realized the man was armed with multiple weapons and were afraid to leave.  While officers were being called to the scene, the man called the Portage Path Support Hotline, where Gwen answered the phone.  As Gwen talked with the man, she was informed what the man had done, and that there were police outside the man’s apartment door.  Gwen tried to encourage the man to open the door and talk with the officers – at first he refused to cooperate, and was exhibiting signs of paranoia.  Over time, Gwen was able to talk the man into opening the door, where he was taken in to custody without incident.

This is a perfect example of how the mental health and law enforcement systems can work together to make our community safer and healthier.  You probably don’t realize that these types of successful collaborations with police far outnumber the isolated incidents where something goes wrong.  Unfortunately, you never hear about the successes in the media.   Our police often have just minutes or seconds to make life and death decisions.  We’re proud to do our small part to help them find ways to resolve situations before they become violent.

The Portage Path NAMI Walks Team

St. Dymphna (the patron saint of the mentally ill) must have been smiling down on October 9, as the 2012 NAMI Walks event went off on a crisp, clear, fall day.  Portage Path fielded
a team of 21 for the event, led by organizer Denise Nash.  At the head of the pack was team mascot, “Heidi,” an energetic weiner dog. 

NAMI Walks is the annual fundraiser for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a group that advocates, supports, and educates on issues related to mental health.  Overall, the
event raised $60,800 from 576 corporate and individual donors.  Team Portage Path raised $750.00 

Team mascot “Heidi”

NAMI’s mission is to improve the quality of life,
ensure dignity and respect for the citizens of Summit County
who have a mental illness and to offer support to their families. 
NAMI offers family support meetings at various locations in
and around Summit County. 

To learn more about the Summit County chapter of NAMI, CLICK HERE. 

Would your business or agency like to save money on credit card processing costs AND help out Portage Path Behavioral Health?  Consider using First Financial for your corporate credit card processing, and sign up for the GiveBack Program.  First Financial will meet or beat the best rates out there, and you can keep your same systems and bank accounts. For more information, click the link above or call Kent Gilbert at 330-391-9899.

You now have the ability to pay your Portage Path fees safely and securely from the comfort of home.  Just click HERE, or on the “Pay Bills” link at the top of this page, and follow the instructions.  It’s that easy!

We also now have the ability to accept online donations in the same manner, so if you or anyone you know wants to support quality, affordable behavioral health services, tell them to go to our website, and click on the Donate link under “Make A Donation/Pay Bills.”

Thanks!

Do you want to make a real difference in your community?  Are you an effective communicator with compassion?  The Portage Path SUPPORT Hotline is seeking volunteers just like you to provide crisis intervention and suicide prevention to people who are hurting.

Some of the qualities we need on the Hotline include the ability to think logically and demonstrate mature judgment, the ability to put aside personal opinions and biases, and excellent verbal and written communication skills.  If you have these qualities, and you’re at least 21 years of age, CLICK THIS LINK to learn more, or email Hotline Coordinator Barb Medlock at bmedlock@portagepath.org.  Thanks!

Like many non-profits, Portage Path Behavioral Health has been caught in a “perfect storm” over the past few years, crushed between the pressure of cuts to funding for mental health services and increased demand for such services brought on by tough economic times.  We’ve been able to keep the doors open and continue to offer direct care, but that’s about it.

Fortunately, several local foundations have come to our aid, to help us both make capital improvements and create an environment that fosters dignity and healing.

Please join us in thanking the foundations below, and please support them as they make our communities better!

The Akron Community Foundation has awarded us $20,000 as part of a challenge grant to fund a new roof for our Akron Outpatient Clinic.  Also committed to the project is the Kenneth Calhoun Charitable Trust, who has contributed $5,000.  We are awaiting word from several other foundations.

The Mary S. and David C. Corbin Foundation has agreed to support an “exterior makeover” for our Akron Outpatient Clinic, including a client recreation area with tables and benches, a new sign to help people find us, and new shrubs.

The Sisler McFawn Foundation will provide automatic door openers for each of our outpatient clinics, allowing better access to facilities for people with limited mobility.

The Charles E. and Mabel M. Ritchie Memorial Foundation awarded us a grant to fund two wrough iron trash receptacles for our Akron Clinic.  These receptacles will be the same as those which adorn various buildings in the downtown area.

These foundations join the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation, who supported a makeover for the interior of our Akron Clinic, and Northern Ohio Golf Charities, who provided a new van for Portage Path Psychiatric Emergency Services.

Are you doing any online shopping soon?  If so, consider going through GoodSearch to make your purchases and help out Portage Path Behavioral Health.  Vendors in the GoodSearch database donate a small percentage of the purchase back to us.  

To get started, simply go to www.goodsearch.com and click on the GoodShop link or go to www.goodshop.com. In the “Who do you GoodSearch for” box, choose Portage Path Behavioral Health.

Next, click through to our partner merchants (clicking on the merchant’s link will open a new browser window and redirect you to their site) and start shopping! A percentage of your purchase will go to Portage Path. 

Thanks!