The Northwest Center for Mental Health: Helping NW Corner and, soon, New York, too

LAKEVILLE — It’s a wonderful thing when a major area mental health provider is sunny and optimistic. The Northwest Center for Family Services is moving into the new fiscal year and preparing for its annual fundraising gala on June 7 with confidence and a positive message.

The center had struggled in recent years as government funding for mental health services was being reduced and health insurance companies began making it more difficult to get reimbursement.

A year ago, the Northwest Center made a decision to seek help — which, as they often say in  mental health circles, is the first step toward finding a cure.

The center approached Community Mental Health Affiliates (CMHA), the mental health authority for Central Connecticut. The nonprofit, formed in 1975,  was offering services in New Britain and several surrounding communities.

“The Northwest Center and other small agencies were stretched too thin,†explained Melinda Smolkin, vice president of external relations for CMHA. “There was no economy of scale; there was insufficient reimbursement from the insurance companies. And their staff was primarily trained in counseling, not in finance.â€

In 2007, the Northwest Center and several other small agencies were acquired by CMHA, which now provides service in 13 locations in Connecticut, including Lakeville and Winsted. That same year, in November, Ray Gorman joined CMHA as president and CEO.

“I’ve been  an administrator in the health and human services field for 30 years,†Gorman said in a phone interview last week. “And I know my role is to provide the caregiving staff the resources they need to do their job.

“I understand probably better than most mental health professionals how the system works, what the financial pressures are, the need for productivity and accountability,†he said. “The ‘payers’ are often vilified for what they refuse to do. But providers have to take responsibility for providing care the payer is willing to pay for. It’s a shift we’re seeing throughout human services. There is a need to adapt to changing circumstances.â€

This should not be misunderstood as “the centers are offering fewer services, to meet the needs of the insurance companies.†Rather, it indicates an effort on the part of Gorman and CMHA to intelligently fit a round peg in a round hole, rather than bashing a square peg unsuccessfully into a triangular hole.

For example, Gorman is working with insurance companies to streamline the process for getting approvals for the caregivers. Many companies, he noted, will only approve particular clinicians. Gorman is trying to get the companies to approve the center as a whole.

Gorman is also trying to get the center in Lakeville credentials that would make it a New York Medicaid provider, so that it can serve clients in nearby New York state.

“We’re optimistic we’ll have that before July 1 or early in the new fiscal year, maybe in September,†he said.

The Northwest Center has retained its policy of helping everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.

“We see about 30 people a year who are unable to pay,†Smolkin said. “And you don’t see them just once, you often need to see them for a year. People cut their therapy short if they feel they can’t pay and then their problems come back. That’s why its essential to make care available regardless of the ability to pay.â€

The center and CMHA have grant applications out to help cover some of those client costs. But, said Smolkin, “the annual gala is incredibly important. It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year.â€

The grand prize in this year’s raffle is a trip for two to the city of New Orleans, which donated the entire package even though it is still struggling to get back on its feet.

“They were so generous,†Smolkin said. “Because they understand the theme of this year’s fundraiser: neighbors helping neighbors.â€

Gorman stressed that CMHA and the Northwest Center are actively participating in their own resurgence.

“When organizations get scared and start worrying about their long-term vitality, they sometimes make the mistake of turning to the community and saying, ‘If you don’t help us, we’ll go out of business,’†he said. “We want to say, ‘We have a lot of exciting things happening and we want you to be a part of it.’â€

The Northwest Center for Family Services will hold its annual fundraising gala on Saturday, June 7, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the dinner are $125 per person. Raffle tickets for the New Orleans trip are $50 and only 250 tickets will be sold. For more information, call Priscilla McCord at 860-435-2529 x114.

The Northwest Center at a glance

Organization: The Northwest Center for Family Service, a division of Community Mental Health Affiliates (CMHA) (merged in August 2007)

Director and title: Raymond J. Gorman, President and CEO (full time)

Web site: nwcct.org

Founded in: 1952

Mission:  “Partners in Recovery.†We are dedicated to providing behavioral health services regardless of an individual’s ability to pay.

Biggest annual fundraising event:  Always held in the beginning of June.  This year, “An Evening under the Stars†will be on Saturday, June 7, right in the center’s “backyard.† Cocktails will be served at 6:30 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner, live auction and dancing to a DJ.

This year we are also conducting a raffle, “Neighbors helping neighbors.†Tickets are $50 and there are only 250. 

How long does it take to plan?  In October, with the establishment of a new events committee.

Cost to set it up:  In past years, the event has either been held at a private home or in the center’s backyard under a rented tent, along with rented chairs, tables, dinnerware, etc.  Total cost is approximately $15,000.  Thanks to the generosity of the community, the event this year is successfully underwritten.  The individual ticket price has remained $125 for the last five years.