Wellspring’s Mission: To promote the recovery of persons with mental illness through leadership

in the development of quality housing and rehabilitation services.

www.wellspringky.org May 2014

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAIDLouisville, KY

Permit No. 1105

Officers and Directors Jefferey M. Yussman, Chair

Paul A. Coomes, Vice ChairGeorge W. Rapp, Jr., Treasurer

Cissy Mills, SecretaryRobert P. Bordogna

Meredith BrownTrinity Campisano

Dawn Franklin CroftRif S. El-Mallakh, MD

William FrielPhillip J. Keller

Gregory A. MayesNancy Neill

Margaret PenningtonJack Trawick

Elmore A. “Ack” Willets, III

Honorary Lifetime MembersNancy B. Bell

Barry Bingham, Sr.Roberta Fischer

Rev. Richard H. HumkeClifford C. Kuhn, M.D.

Malcolm R. Mathews, Jr.Cornelia A. Serpell

Jackie Swigart, Ph.D. Bosworth M. Todd, Jr.

Founding Board Chair

Philip P. Ardery (1914 - 2012)

Management Team Katharine R. Dobbins, LCSW

Chief Executive Officer kathy.dobbins@wellspringky.org

Robert L. Brodbeck Chief Operating Officer

bob.brodbeck@wellspringky.org

T. Patrick Rhodes, LCSW Director of Programs

patrick.rhodes@wellspringky.org

Nancy L. Doctor Development Director

nancy.doctor@wellspringky.org

P.O. Box 1927Louisville, KY 40201-1927

Wellspring Administrative Center225 W. Breckinridge StreetTelephone: (502) 637-4361Fax: (502) 637-4490

www.wellspringky.org

- 4 - supportive housing | affordable housing | crisis stabilization services | housing first

www.wellspringky.org

Healthcare in Kentucky is in a real state of flux. The Affordable Care Act, the expansion of the Medicaid rolls, and the addition of newly Medicaid-eligible services and provider types are profoundly impacting the way services are delivered. The changes bring both excitement and trepidation for those of us in the field. As with all system-wide change, there will be gains and losses.

The good news is that many people who could not afford health insurance are now covered and, in the long run, we hope that this will be very good for these individuals who can now obtain a primary care provider, engage in preventive care services, and address other health issues, including mental illness. The state and federal government see the Affordable Care Act as a means toward a healthier society and as an opportunity to shift historical state and federal funding dollars away from their sustaining role in healthcare as Medicaid and other insurance providers pick up more of these costs.

In Kentucky, behavioral health providers who have historically received sustaining funds through the Department of Behavioral Health are feeling the pinch as state and federal funds are starting to be withdrawn with the expectation that Medicaid will cover the gap since more people and more services are covered. It makes sense, but we have not had much opportunity to put this theory to the test, so it feels a little like a sink-or-swim ultimatum to many providers. Services that do not fall neatly into the Medicaid categories are at risk for elimination.

Adding to the complexity ushered in by the ACA, all Medicaid in Kentucky is now managed through Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). The MCOs are charged with making sure that the services that their clients receive are cost effective and medically necessary. This sounds good, but MCOs exist in a complex world of competing

responsibilities, too. The state expects MCOs to deliver on their money-saving promises, clients expect quality services provided by qualified professionals, and the MCOs need to contain costs and, at the same time (for those that are publically traded), please their shareholders.

Healthcare and Mental Health Funding in Kentucky - A Message from the CEO

Wellspring: A Proud Participant in the Kosair Charities High Flyer Funds Matching Grant Program

continued on p. 2Kathy Dobbins, Wellspring CEO

The goal of the Kosair Charities High Flyer Funds is to inspire others in the community to partner with Kosair Charities to help more Kosair Kids®, and to help donors achieve their own dreams for our community’s children.

Through this extraordinary opportunity, Wellspring has the potential of raising $200,000 via gifts of $10,000 to $50,000 made to The Wellspring High Flyer Fund at Kosair Charities. Those gifts are then matched dollar-to-dollar, and distributed

by Kosair Charities to Wellspring to help us restore self-sufficiency and strengthen families who are impacted by mental illness. To date, Wellspring has raised over $90,000 – but $54,500 is still available to match any gift $10,000 or over. If you can help us complete the challenge, contact us today!Kosair Charities President, Randy Coe, presented a $50,000 check to Wellspring, which our Board Chair, Jeff Yussman, gladly accepted.

The 16th AnnualWellspring Derby Preview Party

another fundraising record surpassed - $130,000+ raised!

WAVE3 News interviewed Kathy Dobbins during the event. Thanks to renewed efforts of the

DPP Commitee, Wellspring got TV interviews on 4 stations and several print pieces, too!

Delighted auction winners included Patty Swope (in red), who went home with a

Dan Dry hand-signed giclee canvas print.

Handicapper and Wellspring friend, Bill Doolittle, called the winner of the Kentucky Derby for the THIRD year in a row!

Long-time Wellspring friend and 2014 Bid for Recovery donor, Alan MacDonald.

Mayor Greg Fischer presented a token of our appreciation to John Asher for his

many years of making our Derby Preview

Party a night to remember: a custom-

made John Asher bobble-head doll!

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and Vice President of Racing Communications at Churchill Downs, John Asher

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Your gifts are changing lives!

Make a gift today... online or via mail, it’s easy either way!

Mental Health Funding, continued

Remembrances...Triple Crown Sponsors

Breeder’s Cup Sponsors

Stakes Race Sponsors

Saluting theSe ChampionS of ReCoveRyWellspring’s 16th AnnuAl Derby previeW pArty sponsors

Friends of WellspringAesthetics in JewelryAlan MackJose C. Albovias, Jr.Melinda Allen & Steven StogelApex TheatresAuction Shake UpAnastasia AustenBaptist East / Milestone Wellness CenterBernheim Arboretum & Research ForestBistro 1860Bistro 42BluebirdheavenBluegrass Brewing CompanyBluegrass Indoor KartingBlush BoutiqueBradford Renaissance PortraitsBRAVO! Cucina ItalianaThe Brown HotelMeredith BrownCardinal Wings AviationCarmichael’s BookstoreCenter for Integrative & Age- Management Medicine

CenterStageCharity Fundraising PackagesTom & Greta Chessler Churchill DownsClay & Cotton ClodhoppersThe Comfy CowConsider BoutiqueLiz CoomesCreative Type DesignsDan Dry / Power CreativeNancy DoctorEdenside GalleryEiderdownElements Therapeutic MassageEmily’s Original ArtPeter FouldsFrances Lee JasperFrances Lee Jasper Oriental RugsThe Fresh Market Fusion PhotographyGhyslain on MarketGlitteringPhotosGRACESHIPGraeter’sThe Hat Girls

Heine Brothers’ CoffeeThe Irish RoverJ. Harrod’s Restaurant & BarJack Fry’sChef Jeff JarfiKeenelandKentucky Derby MuseumKentucky for KentuckyKentucky Horse ParkNancy LairdJennifer LawrenceDonna LillyThe Louisville BalletLouisville Metro Police Dept.Louisville School of MassageLouisville StonewareLove the Hat!Maker’s Mark Distillery, Inc.Marriott Louisville EastMassage Envy Spa St. MatthewsMasterson’s CateringMayan CaféMellow Mushroom - St. MatthewsMidland Trail Golf ClubMike Linnig’s RestaurantKrista Mills

Mom’s MusicNanz & Kraft FloristsNature’s Portraits By BethNancy NeillJim & Mary OppelOutback Steakhouse Papers Unique & Gifts PatscinatorsPeacock BoutiqueBarbara PefferPerfect North SlopesPlehn’s BakeryJenni PollardMary Ann PollardR & R Limousine George RappRhonda Reskin, Present PerfectSachs Investment GroupSam Swope Auto GroupMarlene Schaffer, Interior DesignerScoutSea Ray of LouisvilleShaker Village of Pleasant HillShears Salon & SpaBill SheetsThe Shop at Walnut Grove

Signarama DowntownThe Silver DollarNancy SkibinskiThe Sports & Social ClubSpeed StodghillLucy Spickard Spinelli’s PizzeriaSportClips HaircutsStained Glass & MoreStephanie Tanner PhotographySwanz GlassTaft Museum of ArtTranquility Salon & SpaTwo Chicks and CompanyUPS Flight Training CenterWalnut Grove NurseryWhole Foods Market - LouisvilleAck & Cissie Willets Diane WilsonWolter Chiropractic & WellnessHeather Wright, DMDZ Salon & SpaZa’s Pizza PubZorn Designs Jewelry

Live & Silent Auction DonorsWe thank these generous donors and encourage you to patronize the businesses that have donated auction items to the Derby Preview Party:

All of this puts pressure on providers who are hustling to adapt from a more flexible approach to meeting client needs to one that provides services that meet detailed Medicaid eligibility standards and are provided by Medicaid-eligible providers. The decision to authorize or deny services rests with the MCOs.

It is clearly important to have an accountable service system, but without some flexibility, our most vulnerable citizens still may fall through the cracks. As providers and MCOs develop mutual trust and respect for one another and collaborate in constructing services that meet client needs, perhaps the system will rise to all of our hopes and expectations, and all Kentuckians will get the services they need - the right service for the client, at the right level of intensity, at the right time - when it’s needed!

The Younger Woman’s Club of Louisville has granted us $1,200 to reupholster three wingback chairs in the family visiting room at our David J. Block Crisis Stabilization Unit. Providing an inviting, home-like environment is one of the top priorities of our CSUs. However, years of heavy use had simply worn out the chairs’ upholstery, in spite of constant cleaning. This gift from the YWC will help transform this room, which offers the only private space our clients, who are experiencing severe psychiatric distress, can use for a quiet moment with family members. The room is also frequently used for counseling sessions, for case managers to meet with their clients, and as a place for clients to be by themselves to read or write. We are grateful that the YWC could recognize the importance of this need and that they stepped up so generously to meet it!

Geraine Schuchard Geraine was a longtime resident of Wellspring’s Concord Apartments where she was a friend and men-tor to many. She slipped away peacefully with her daughter, Karin and son, Paul by her side after fighting cancer for five long years. Geraine’s psychiatric struggles persistently bombarded her with overwhelming intent, but she would not submit. Her resolve to fully live her life in the face of significant challenges was inspirational.

Whitney Overcash Whitney, one of Wellspring’s first clients in 1982, lived in Wellspring supportive housing for a total of 27 years. His shock of red hair and accompanying goatee meant he cut a figure hard to forget and he was, indeed, well known in his Phoenix Hill neighborhood. He was kind and funny, always laughing heartily at a good joke. He dealt with a myriad of challenges but persevered with stubborn resolve and quiet determination.

Shannan McKenzie Shannan’s life was frequently turbulent and chaotic as she struggled with her mental illness and the loss of family members. Shannan found some peace in the Ardery House program and showed her determination in recovery, graduating from the program in 6 months. Shannan then moved to the Baxter Apartments and continued to make positive changes in her life. Shannan passed away peacefully in her sleep in the safety and dignity of her own apartment.

WITHOUT WELLSPRINGpenned by a Wellspring Supportive Housing client

Without WellspringI’d be living in John’s tool shed

John the verbally abusive tyrantOr

I’d be sleeping in Danny’s garagesneaking in at 2 AM

so his affluent neighbors wouldn’t notice and call Housing and Inspections

Without WellspringI’d be carrying around a large plastic bowl

To catch the water as I cleaned up in public restrooms Any with a door that would lock White Castle the public library

Unless I could scrape up the money for a Y membership

Without WellspringI’d be like ‘Apocalypse Now’s Col. Kilgore

every morning smelling that “gasoline smell”from John’s lawn mower

Without WellspringI’d be worried about spiders

wood mold on the wallsfires in the shed

and the neighbors figuring out

Without WellspringI’d have to make a choice

between medication or housingwhen that temp agency

offered me the only job in townodd hourslong hours

not for thosegoing through life sedated

Without WellspringI might be like Ernie

dead from a fightbecause it’s rough out there

At the very leastI’d have my things stolen

like that time in the shelter

I’d be eating less fruits and veggiesnot having a fridge, you know

I’d be trying to get to the Greyhound station to get someplace better

I’d lose touch with therapistsas I left town

I’d well

I may not know what I’d do.

The 2014 Derby Preview Party was another

night to remember!