Okaloosa County BOCC — July 21, 2015 — The History of Bridgeway Center — reading text

corporation organized under the laws of the State of Florida and exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code. The organization has been a provider of quality, comprehensive psychological healthcare services for almost fifty (50) years. BCI is committed to provide innovative mental health and substance abuse care programs and has held the solid reputation of creating special services to meet the ever-changing Behavioral Health needs of the children and families of Okaloosa Communities. BCI has been a pioneer in many areas providing quality care with a vast array of alternatives. For example, BCI was among the first to provide in-home services for crisis intervention for children, in-home family reintegration services, and the first in the State of Florida to provide Nurturing Parenting classes, free of charge, to at risk parents identified through the 1st Judicial Circuit Dependency Court Program. BCI continues the on-going practice of community awareness programs designed to keep the public knowledgeable about the latest topics relating to mental health care and substance abuse rehabilitation. All the efforts made by the BCI Team are demonstrated in the last Fiscal Year, ending in June 2015, a provision of: By Age Bracket Adults in Mental Health Services 22-35 36-55 56-65 66+ Total 1716 1848 642 240 4446 By Age Bracket Children in Mental Health Services 0-5 6-12 13-17 18-21 Total 165 824 711 409 2109 By Age Bracket Adults in Substance Abuse Services 22-35 36-55 56-65 66+ Total 558 306 67 14 945 3  By Age Bracket Children in Substance Abuse Services 0-5 6-12 13-17 18-21 Total 1 2 193 271 467 By Age Bracket Adults Directly Involved with Child Welfare 22-35 36-55 56-65 66+ Total 834 464 40 14 1352 By Age Bracket Children Direct Involved with Child Welfare 0-5 6-12 13-17 18-21 Total 16 210 134 63 423 Total Adults Dually Diagnosed 278 Children Dually Diagnosed 146 During fiscal year 2014–2015 Bridgeway provided 26,200 individual services to 2,846 children. • No less than 97% of children served were safe from abuse and neglect without any “substantiated” or “verified” findings of maltreatment during the fiscal year. • No less than 96% of families served did not have a child removed from their care during the fiscal year. • The 3-4% of children and families that had a negative outcome is assisted by other community agencies. BCI’s intervention and treatment positively impacts a majority of the children in need of services. • Approximately 6,500 patient visits are accomplished annually by BCI’s medical staff prescribers and BCI’s patients utilize BCI’s on-site pharmacy. Looking Forward Our leadership in, medical, clinical and self-sufficiency support services staff has a proven record of improving patient life skills, household budget responsibility, community engagement, and a positive patient experience. The integration of clinical and medical intervention to enhance positive outcomes for children and families receiving services is being led by Marla Michaels, M.D., BCI’s Medical Director. Dr. Michaels has over thirty years of experience providing child, adolescent and adult psychiatric services. Dr. Michaels specializes in ADHD/ADD and all child and adolescent psychiatry issues as well as adult depression and mood disorders. She is a member of the American Pediatric Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. BCI continues as a vibrant and responsive behavioral health services organization with 160,000 patient encounters per year of which 6,500 patient appointments with BCI’s medical staff. 4