New Community Services Announced at Phoenix Gala

New plans and services for Clay, Platte and Ray counties were leading topics Aug. 22 at the Tri-County Mental Health Services annual Phoenix Gala.

With more than 300 people attending the event at the Hilton Kansas City Airport, CEO Tom Cranshaw noted several initiatives are under way to better meet growing consumer and community needs.

“Our goal is to provide more care to our consumers and to do so more efficiently,” Cranshaw reported in his annual state of the agency address. “What we know for certain is that status quo is not an option. We need to build on our strengths and find ways to better serve our community”

Building on growing recognition that many area residents have co-occurring physical and behavioral disorders, Tri-County is seeking to become a  “healthcare home.” This initiative, one of the first in Missouri, will allow Tri-County to provide for those in need of integrated care of co-occurring challenges such as mental disorders, hypertension, obesity and diabetes. The healthcare home effort is one of several at Tri-County that better recognize the connection between consumers’ physical and mental health challenges.

Featured speaker Ed Hearn told of his first-hand experience with such physical and mental health issues. A catcher on the world champion New York Mets team later traded to the Kansas City Royals, Hearn ultimately faced career-ending injuries, kidney disease, cancer and depression. “I am a walking example of what you call a consumer with co-occurring disorders,” Hearn told the audience. “And I’m the personification of the Phoenix because with help, you can rise from the ashes of despair, recover from life’s challenges and move on to a productive life with a focus upon helping others also to succeed.”

Several honorees were recognized, including two who were singled out for their support in making Tri-County Mental Health Services productive and sustainable. Developer Charles Garney was presented the 2011 Phoenix Award for his efforts in Tri-County’s founding and growth over more than 20 years.

Missouri Representative Ryan Silvey (R-Kansas City North) was recognized as Public Official of the Year. His recognition was for his leadership to maintain funding for essential community-based behavioral health and developmental disability services in a challenging budget year.

The annual Prevention Award was presented to Excelsior Springs community leader, Chris Lake, who has helped bring state and national recognition to Tri-County’s Community 2000 Coalitions and other prevention programs. Provider of the Year went to Heartland Residential Care, represented by Dale Hallman. The Mental Health Professional Of The Year was Tony Moore, a clinical social work supervisor with the Missouri Department of Mental Health.

The annual meeting also paid mourned the passing of Malcolm Wilson, former Tri-County Board member and Blue River Community College President, and Bill Kyles, former CEO of Comprehensive Mental Health Services and a recognized State and National leader and advocate for community-based mental health.

The evening marked Tri-County’s 21st year as a freestanding community mental health organization.

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