Newsletter – July 2018

 

July 2018

Shout Out to Episcopal Health Foundation

A big shout out to our friends at the Episcopal Health Foundation. Thanks to their generous grant, Integral Care’s supported housing team has brought on two new staff members.

Meet Krystal Bond and Manny Escobedo

Krystal is an Employment Specialist. She works with individuals, teaching essential life and social skills to lead a successful and purpose-driven life. She received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi and her M.A. in Psychology from American Public University. She is especially passionate about helping individuals with special needs and intellectual and/or developmental disabilities reach their full potential.

Manny is a SOAR Specialist. He helps individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, who also have a mental illness and/or substance use disorder, apply for SSI/SSDI benefits. Manny graduated summa cum laude from Texas State University with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Anthropology. After graduation, he worked as a mental health technician at Austin Oaks Hospital, where he received the Service Excellence Employee of the Month award.

Welcome aboard, Krystal and Manny! We’re excited to have you. You’re doing great work already.

We Made National News

U.S. News and World Report recently shined a spotlight on Integral Care’s integrated approach to mental and physical health care through the voice of one of our clients. Our partners Dell Medical School and CommUnityCare are also featured. Check it out here.

Integral Care and Partners Come Together for Motivational Interviewing Trainings

Healthy Community Collaborative, Integral Care’s supportive housing program, is excited to host two intensive motivational interviewing trainings this month. Dr. Mary Velasquez and Cathy Crouch, MSW, who have extensive professional experience and research in effective approaches for helping people experiencing homelessness, are leading the trainings.

Motivational interviewing is an evidence-based counseling technique for people who feel ambivalent, insecure, or even angry about making changes in their lives. It helps people find the motivation to make healthier choices.

Sixty staff from Integral Care, the SAFE Alliance, ECHO, Family Eldercare, Caritas, Front Steps, Salvation Army, Lifeworks, Foundation for the Homeless and the Austin Police Department are receiving this important training.

Community Collaboration

Integral Care (Travis County’s Local Mental Health Authority), Dell Medical School at the University of Texas, Austin Police Department, Travis County sheriff’s office, Emergency Medical Services and others collaborate to expand and create programs that ensure people get the help they need to recover from mental health issues. The goal – improve the health and well-being of our community.  Read the Opinion piece in the Austin American Statesman.

We know that housing is more than four walls. It’s the basic foundation for mental health and well-being.

Sincerely,

Ellen Richards
Chief Strategy Officer

Housing First Oak Springs is a project of Integral Care