11:28 a.m. August 4, 2013
Helen Ross McNabb Center and Child & Family Tennessee complete merger

KNOXVILLE - The Helen Ross McNabb Center and Child & Family Tennessee officially merged operations on August 1.

The intent of the merger is to strengthen services traditionally provided by Child & Family Tennessee and the Helen Ross McNabb Center. Merging operations will allow the organizations to make a greater impact in the community by advancing efficiency in its operational structure and filling service gaps both geographically and programmatically. Consumers will have access to a full range of services that will meet their unique and individual needs under the umbrella of one organization.

“We are excited and anticipate that the merger will perpetuate the organizations’ shared purpose and will result in expanded care for East Tennessee,” states Chip Finn, Child & Family Tennessee Board Chair. “The merger will enable the combined organizations to provide a comprehensive continuum of care which will enhance Child & Family’s mission of providing services to support families and children through prevention, training, treatment and advocacy.”

Historically both organizations have served as a safety net for our community’s most vulnerable citizens, providing services that strengthen and improve lives.

HRMC’s Board Chair, Joel Connell, states, “Our main concern is and will always be to provide care to those in our community who have the greatest needs and the least resources. We are excited to continue this tradition through the merger of these organizations.”

“Between 70 percent and 90 percent of individuals with mental health problems have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of therapy, medical help, and continued support.” mentalhealth.gov

Child & Family Tennessee’s primary services of emergency shelters, supportive housing and residential treatment will dovetail nicely into the Helen Ross McNabb Center’s continuum of care which includes mental health, addiction treatment and social services. Child & Family’s social services and shelter care components will expand the Helen Ross McNabb Center’s smallest service area, and Child & Family’s treatment components will strengthen the Helen Ross McNabb Center’s most prolific service area.

Adding Child & Family’s services to the Helen Ross McNabb Center’s continuum of care will enhance a “no wrong door” philosophy of care and alleviate stress and anxiety often felt by clients. Individuals living with mental health issues or addiction can face several barriers when it comes to receiving quality care. One of those barriers is facing stigma associated with mental illness and/or addiction. The U.S. Surgeon General Report on Mental Health indicates that almost two-thirds of people with diagnosable disorders do not seek treatment in part because of the associated stigma. A person in need of behavioral health care can often feel shame or fear and experience anxiety in reaching out for help.

In accordance with the Helen Ross McNabb Center’s core values of mutual dignity and respect, all individuals are welcome regardless of the challenges they face. The Center’s goal is to provide an integrated system of care for behavioral health and social issues. The Center adheres to a “no wrong door” approach, striving to remove any barriers to accessing quality care and aid all individuals in navigating systems of care to address each person’s needs completely. Essentially, a “no wrong door” approach means that every door is the right door when it comes to receiving care. By merging with Child & Family Tennessee, the Helen Ross McNabb Center will strengthen its continuum of care to serve individuals in our community in a timely and compassionate manner.

Nurturing East Tennesseans since 1929, Child & Family Tennessee, a private nonprofit, reaches more than 44,000 women, children and families annually. CFT helps families and individuals rebuild their lives and achieve self-sufficiency through its five core areas of service – Encourage Wellness and Recovery; End the Cycle of Abuse; Promote Successful Adulthood; Provide Education and Prevention; and Shape Healthy Young Lives.

The Helen Ross McNabb Center is a premier not‐for‐profit provider of behavioral health services in East Tennessee. Since 1948, the Center has provided quality and compassionate care to children, adults and families experiencing mental illness, addiction and social challenges. As the Center begins its 65th year of providing services to communities in East Tennessee, its mission remains clear and simple; “Improving the lives of the people we serve.” For more information, visit www.mcnabbcenter.org or call 865‐637‐9711.

Published August 4, 2013