JFCS Winter Newsletter 2011

ConnectionsProviding care, help and healing to those in need

Jewish Family & Children’s Service

Winter 2012 • Volume 3 • Issue 2

Jewish Family & Children’s Service • 4747 N. 7th Street • Suite 100 • Phoenix, Arizona 85014 • (602) 279-7655 • www.jfcsaz.org 1

IN THIS ISSUELetter from the President & CEO ...... 2Spotlight .......................................... 3Cover Story Continued ..................... 4Donors ............................................. 6News Briefs ...................................... 7Events .............................................. 8

At JFCS, Technology and Behavioral Health and Social Services Go Hand in Hand

Knowledge is power. And few things empower the clinicians and

staff of Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS) like technology.

Consider this:

When an upset client called after hours, the on-call clinician

reviewed his chart. The client shared that he was upset

and had eaten a quart of ice cream. After reviewing the

client’s electronic health record (EHR), the clinician

noticed something the client didn’t share -- that he’s a

fragile diabetic.

As a result of the EHR and the ability to quickly

reference information electronically, the on-call clinician

knew he wasn’t just dealing with an upset

client who needed counseling. Rather, he had

a life-threatening situation on his hands.

Electronic health records are just

one way JFCS is innovating the way

technology can be used to better

serve the community.

“Our agency is a leader on the

cutting edge of technology -- the

cutting edge of how to use

technology,” says Michael R.

Zent, Ph.D., President and

CEO of JFCS. “For us to stay

in this business, we have to

stay up on trends. Drivers behind

technology include the need for

greater efficiencies and

enhanced coordination of

care as well as a desire to get

services closer to the individual

rather than in a traditional

office setting.”

Over the years, JFCS

has invested in information

technology and sought

innovative ways to

incorporate technology into

behavioral health and social

services -- putting JFCS at the

forefront of its field.

Planning for the Future

The Value of EHRs Twelve years ago -- long before the healthcare laws

that are mandating eventual electronic medical usage --

JFCS already had seen the benefits. In fact, at the

time, behavioral health wasn’t even incorporated into

EHR systems.

“We saw what was coming,” says Linda Scott,

MSW, Vice President of Child & Family Solutions at

JFCS. “Our leadership said we were going to

need an electronic health system.”

The organization ultimately found a

system it could customize to include behavioral

health and social services, and today,

JFCS uses this system to track all of its

behavioral and social services clients.

“The entire record of a person is

in this system,” Scott says. “It can

be sent to other providers. It has

the advantage of being legible by

everyone who touches it, unlike

handwritten medical records. And

we’re about to embark on

electronic prescription and lab

orders, so those exchanges will happen

electronically as well.”

JFCS also sees a benefit in using EHRs

to bring together a person’s medical history

with his or her behavioral health history.

Yesmina Puckett, JFCS Youth in Transition Facilitator

Planning for the Future continued on page 4

JFCS Connections • Winter 2012 • Volume 3 • Issue 2 2

JFCS Leadership and Governance BoardRick Naimark, ChairmanRobert Carr, Vice ChairmanLeesa Berens Weisz, SecretarySteven FriedmanJerome GutkinMichael E. JohnsonAndrew PachecoArmando RomanCarol SeidbergPaul Stander, M.D.

Immediate Past ChairmanRichard Gottlieb

Emeritus Board MemberLenore Schupak

Executive Leadership TeamMichael R. Zent, Ph.D., President and CEOMark Callesen, MD, Chief Medical OfficerJavier Favela, Chief Financial OfficerCarol Felton, Executive Director of Human ResourcesFrank Jacobson, Vice President of Marketing & DevelopmentMartha Miller, Director of ComplianceKevin Rhode, Director of Information TechnologyEllie Schwartzberg, MC, Vice President of Older Adult Services & Jewish Community ServicesLinda Scott, MSW, Vice President of Child & Family SolutionsMary Jo Whitfield, MSW, Vice President of Behavioral Health

JFCS Connections is published three times a year by the Jewish Family & Children’s Service, 4747 N. 7th St., Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85014.

Contact InformationJessica GreenMarketing & Development Coordinator(602) [email protected]

Accredited by the National Council on Accreditation of Services for Family and Children

Primary partner of the Valley of the Sun United Way

Technology Puts JFCS on Leading Edge

When you think about behavioral health and social services, you

probably do not envision technology being important. But at JFCS,

we have found that using technology in this high-touch sector is

essential to our success.

You may also be surprised to learn that JFCS is on the leading edge of technology. Twelve

years ago -- long before the healthcare bill mandated electronic health records (EHRs) -- the

leadership of JFCS saw the tremendous benefit that an EHR system could have on our agency.

At the time we invested in our system, we could not find a suitable software company that had

a product for behavioral health. We thought outside the box and purchased a system that could

be easily customized to work for behavioral health, health and social services.

Today, this electronic system is central to our efficiency -- helping clinicians communicate

with one another, reducing administrative time, improving the coordination of care and

ultimately, leading to a better experience for our clients. As behavioral health and medical

services are increasingly integrated, JFCS is well-positioned to continue to be a leader.

The way we customized this system was so innovative that over the years, we have become

a resource for other nonprofit behavioral health and social services agencies -- both in a

consulting role to answer questions about the system and as an authorized seller of the

product. Not only are we working to make this kind of software affordable for nonprofit

agencies that do important community work, but we also are creating a revenue stream to

help JFCS continue to serve its mission.

While our EHR system is central to the work we do, we also use technology in other ways --

enabling clinicians to work remotely, providing opportunities for video-conferencing to minimize

our clients’ drive time, and using text messaging as a valuable communication tool.

Our agency’s use of technology puts us on the leading edge, but more than that, we see a

return on our technology investment. From reduced administrative time to literally saving lives,

technology enables our staff to do what they do best -- serve our community. I invite you to

read on to learn more about the ways JFCS is utilizing technology and the benefits we are

reaping as a result, and as always, I thank you for your continued support of JFCS.

Michael R. Zent, Ph.D., President & CEO

Rick Naimark (left),newly elected Governance Board Chair and Dick Gottlieb, immediate past Governance Board Chair, share a moment at therecent JFCS Family Friends of Distinction Holiday Reception.


Youth in Transition Staff Members Save Teen from Suicide

Saves a Life Just over a year ago, Mary Schraven, director of the Youth in Transition program at JFCS,

received a text message she will never forget. It was a Friday night around 8:30 p.m. and she

was on a date. The text that came in was from Brian*, an 18-year-old young man who had

recently aged out of the foster care system and had been referred to Youth in Transition, a

program that helps teens and young adults transition to independence from group home

environments.

Brian appeared to be doing very well, and he had just moved into a new place of his own.

He had some ongoing issues with substance abuse, but none of his actions indicated a red flag

for suicide.

“The text he sent was very specific,” Schraven said. “It said, ‘I can’t go on any more.

I have enough medication to take and soon I’ll be sleeping with

the angels.’ At that point, I went into panic mode.”

Schraven may think she panicked, but her quick thinking

saved a young man’s life. She quickly mobilized her team

and was able to find out the team member that was closest to

Brian’s home at the time. That person was immediately sent

to his house because he had not responded to any of their

phone calls or texts. She also pulled up his Electronic Medical

Record on her computer and was able to see the type of

medication and quantity he had.

When the JFCS staff member arrived, Brian was unconscious.

Emergency responders transported him to the hospital, where he

spent several days in Intensive Care. Schraven was there when he

first woke up. He immediately started crying and felt guilty about

what he had done.

“I stayed there because I wanted him to know that there was

someone who loved him,” Schraven said.

Today, while he still battles substance abuse issues, Brian is thankful

to be alive. He has participated in a peer mentoring program and

has worked within the foster care system to serve others.

*Name changed to protect privacy.

text message

Pictured here: Guests at It’s A Wrap! holiday luncheon at Ancala Country Club, in support of the annual JFCS Holiday Program.

Approximately 100 JFCS families in need were sponsored this year

for Christmas and Chanukah, as well as nearly 200 foster care

teens! The generosity and thoughtfulness of our sponsors were

overwhelming, as they brought loads of gifts for the families in

need. Thank you to all of our holiday sponsors!

Holiday Program a Success


As a nonprofit, JFCS relies heavily on

donations -- and it’s essential that we

maximize every dollar our donors gener-

ously give us. That’s why we make sure

our technology investment brings us a

return. We see three key areas of return:

1 Staff efficiency. By managing refer-

rals and prescriptions electronically,

administrative resources are used

more effectively. And for clinicians,

nothing takes longer in the EHR

system than it would on paper --

and some things are even faster.

2 Smarter decision-making. Using

technology allows objective reporting

and data collection to drive decisions

around budgets and program

planning.

3 Improved client service. The EHR

allows staff to look up charts quickly

and efficiently without wasting time

hunting for paper documents. And

when clinicians don’t have to read

each other’s handwriting, time is

saved -- and better service to our

clients is provided.

“JFCS’s leadership was visionary at the time -- recognizing that there was a need for a

connection between medical and behavioral. That is a relatively new standard in healthcare,”

Scott says. “One advantage is that if a client is receiving both behavioral health services and

medical services, the primary care physician knows what behavioral health medications have

been prescribed, for example. It enhances safety for the client, and that will get better and

better as more pharmacies and doctors’ offices go electronic.”

Technology on the Front Lines For a behavioral health and social services agency like JFCS, technology can improve

efficiency of clinicians in the field.

Using laptop computers, Scott explains, JFCS social workers and counselors can

visit clients in their homes and take notes as needed. Then, they can log in

to the JFCS system from anywhere and securely update a client’s

electronic medical record.

One interesting side benefit that Scott and her

team are noticing is honesty from their clients.

“There’s a perception among some people that it’s

safer to tell the truth about their behaviors if

they’re communicating over a computer screen

from the Mesa office to someone in the Glendale

office,” she says.

She also notes there’s an opportunity to

include key family members or even a probation

officer in a family group session even if they

can’t physically be in the office.

“The possibilities are endless,” she says.

And while some providers haven’t

embraced text messaging, JFCS has seen

its value.

“There are some clients who wouldn’t

communicate with us any other way,” she

says. “And communication is at the heart

of the service we provide.”

Return on Investment

Learn More!For more news and happeningsgo to www.jfcsaz.org

Cover Story • Planning for the Future

Youth in Transition staff working in the office


Getting Creative About Revenue

On the Horizon Currently, clients can come into the Mesa office to videoconference with a clinician, nurse or

psychiatrist in the Glendale office. But that still means coming into an office. Some clients are a

long drive from even their closest JFCS location.

“That’s why we are asking: How can we use technology to deliver care and services to a

person in their home or elsewhere?” Zent says.

A good example, Scott says, is a wellness check. This is a simple check-in -- and doesn’t

always have to require an in-person office visit.

“We’re asking, ‘Do you feel better than yesterday?’” she explains.

She adds that for people who are elderly or have disabilities, or those who have no car and

aren’t near public transportation, the ability to provide services remotely will be useful.

“We are changing the way people are thinking about our services,” Zent adds. “JFCS is a

human service agency that is using technology smartly to increase the quality of service and

care we provide in our community.”

When JFCS was ready to purchase its licenses

for an electronic health records (EHR) system,

its leaders found that most systems did not

include behavioral health. But it did find

that one -- NextGen -- could be extensively

customized.

“One of the biggest deciding factors was

that it gave us the tools to let us customize

and tailor the EHR system to include behav-

ioral health and social services,” says Javier

Favela, BS, Chief Financial Officer at JFCS.

“We were NextGen’s first behavioral health

client.”

Over the past 12 years, JFCS has cre-

ated more than 500 different screen forms

in the electronic system. As the managing

partner of TOPAZ, a joint venture with ABC,

another community nonprofit, it became an

authorized reseller of NextGen, specializing in

behavioral health.

“One of the key mission elements was

to see how we could make software afford-

able to community-based nonprofit agen-

cies,” says JFCS CEO Michael R. Zent, Ph.D.

“That is still our vision. And to the extent that

we are able to generate revenue, any funds

we receive go back into serving our

community.”


We thank and recognize our most generous group of donors, our Family Friends of Distinction, who have made significant commitments to JFCS. Lifetime Membership is extended to individuals, corporations and foundations whose generosity over time reaches or exceeds $25,000 while Annual Membership is extended to those who make a commitment of $1,000 or more annually.

Special Thanks A Society of Special Friends of Jewish Family & Children’s Service

If we have incorrectly listed your name or if we overlooked your gift, we apologize. Please contact Jessica Green at (602) 567-8305 to request a correction. For more information on how you can become a Family Friends of Distinction member, please contact Frank Jacobson at (602) 567-8329. Contributions may be made via our website at www.jfcsaz.org.

Family PatronCumulative Gifts of $25,000 - $49,999

Acordia of ArizonaArizona Foundation for Behavioral HealthBasic Needs CollaborativeJudy and Peter BrandeisCardinals CharitiesDorothy Silverman Rev. TrustCorinne F. Ehrlich*Harriet and Richard GottliebIva and Larry HirschThe Jonathan Dreier FoundationLynn and Larry KahnHarriet A. Lakin*Leisure World Foundation of Arizona Inc.Janine and Mervyn LevinBuddie and Hank Levkoff*Betty and Newton* RosenzweigSheila SchwartzMary and Joel ShapiroPaula and Aaron ShermanEdna and Arthur SitelmanSt. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical CenterSylvia F. Greenfield TrustThunderbirds CharitiesTrends Charitable FundWomen’s Independence ScholarshipBarbara and Barry Zemel

Annual Membership Gifts given December 15, 2010 throughDecember 15, 2011

Family Visionary Gifts of $250,000+Valley of the Sun United Way

Family PhilanthropistGifts of $100,000+Jewish Community Foundation of Greater PhoenixJewish Federation of Greater Phoenix

Family ChampionGifts of $50,000+Arizona Community FoundationThe Philip and Judith Hirsch Charitable Remainder TrustEstate of Rhoda Krasno Tannenbaum

Family Friends of DistinctionLifetime MembersGifts through December 9, 2011

Family PacesetterCumulative Gifts of $500,000+

J.E. & Z.B. Butler FoundationJewish Federation of Greater PhoenixValley of the Sun United Way

Family VisionaryCumulative Gifts of $250,000+

Arizona Community Foundation Arizona Republic/12 News Season for SharingDBL DistributingJewish Community Foundation of Greater PhoenixLenore and Eugene* Schupak

Family PhilanthropistCumulative Gifts of $100,000+

AnonymousChild Abuse Prevention License Plate ProgramCindy Lubin and David LorschCypress HomeCare Solutions/Sheldon R. Roth & FamilyNina Mason Pulliam Charitable TrustAileen* and Meyer OsofskyRuth PearsonCarol and Ken Seidberg/Seidberg Law Offices Barbara and Robert SweetThe Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust

Family ChampionCumulative Gifts of $50,000+

Bank of America Charitable Foundation Daron and Ron BarnessCheryl and Robert CarrCatholic Healthcare WestCity of GlendaleEstate of E. Louise GaudetMarcia and Norman GoodmanHarold & Jean Grossman Family FoundationThe Harry and Jeanette Weinberg FoundationMeghan and Jerry HirschThe Philip and Judith Hirsch Charitable Remainder TrustFran and Al SachsEstate of Dora SovichState of Arizona - Arizona Criminal Justice CommissionEstate of Rhoda Krasno Tannenbaum

Family PatronGifts of $25,000+Child Abuse Prevention License Plate ProgramCypress HomeCare Solutions/ Sheldon R. Roth and Family Janine and Mervyn LevinCarol and Ken SeidbergTrends Charitable FundWomen’s Independence Scholarship Program, Inc.

Family Ambassador Gifts of $10,000+

AnonymousArizona Republic/12 News Season For SharingBank of America Charitable FoundationCheryl and Robert CarrFlex Print, Inc.Maria and Matthew GersonHarriet and Richard GottliebMeghan and Jerry HirschLynn and Larry KahnCindy Lubin and David LorschState of Arizona - Arizona Criminal Justice Commission

Family Benefactor Gifts of $5,000+Sally L. AppelbaumAPSCity of GlendaleCox CharitiesFlo and Paul EcksteinFreeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold FoundationHarold & Jean Grossman Family FoundationIva and Larry HirschIn-n-Out Burger FoundationJohn C. Lincoln Health FoundationThe Joseph & May Winston FoundationAlisa and Charles JostEsther and Robert KaratzSheri and Thomas LevinLincoln Gives, John C. Lincoln Health Quality Care NetworkDavid ResnickSheila SchwartzEnid and Michael SeidenPaula and Aaron Sherman

Susan and Paul StanderLeesa and George WeiszBarbara and Barry Zemel

Family GuardianGifts of $2,500+Sue and David AdattoAG/FP VCC, LLCAnonymousBanner Good Samaritan HospitalThe Birthday Club, ScottsdaleBlood SystemsCardinals CharitiesChris Ridge Senior Living CommunityClark Hill PLCFrancine ColesCoyotes CharitiesBernadette and Philip EvansMeri and Steve FriedmanAnita and Jerome GutkinDeana & Sheldon Katz Fund/ Deana KatzCarol and Allan KernHelen and Edgar KorrickJack LindeLovitt & Touche, Inc.Mercy Care PlanEster and Abraham OrlickPhoenix CoyotesRich Goldman Asset ManagementBarbara and Irving RoussoSalt River Project - SRPRosebell SchurzSusan and Ronald StarkmanVerizon WirelessWilliam L. and Ruth T. Pendleton Memorial Fund

Family CircleGifts of $1,000+ABLE Financial Group Judy Ackerman and Richard EpsteinAmerican Express Company Employees American Express FoundationJoe R. BallardRobert G. BegamJudith and Michael BernsteinCarmela and Michael Blank *Of blessed memory

Names in green are new to category since last listing, September 2011.


Family CircleGifts of $1,000+ continued

The Brandeis Family Charitable Fund/ Judy and Peter BrandeisFredi Brown and Howard TreshanskyBuseck Family Donor Advised Fund/Peter BuseckDavid ChassonSusan and Michael ChesinPriscilla and Louis CohenCrusaders Charity Group Inc.Judy and David EfronEllen and Lee EisinbergExplorer Middle School National Junior Honor SocietyFine Family FoundationBeverly and Steve FlaksRenee and Jonathan FoxFriedel Family Foundation/Randi J. ShermanMorris F. FriedellGan BamidbarVivian and Charles GealerAnne GelbRhona and Neville GinsbergRichard H. GoldbergLeslie and Richard GoldmanDiana and Ken GometzHeather and Michael GreenbaumJanice and Robert HartmanBeth and Sandy HoffmanStephanie and Frank JacobsonFlorence and Sidney KlitsnerSue and Neal KurnMarlene and Lanny LahrJulee LandauEvan C. Leibner and Tami D. DairikiMelissa and Frank LeonesioJudy and Sam LinhartSusan Resnik and Stanley J. MarksThe Media Foundation/Roberta AidemNorman MerlisDorie MillerPhyllis and Harold D. MorganDana and Rick NaimarkAndrew C. PachecoLori and Roger PeckRobert & Rochelle Plous Family FoundationMichelle and Gil QuintanillaChristian RainerJennifer and Armando RomanNorbert SamuelsonLinda and Sherman SapersteinBrooks T. Hozier and Alan M. SchiffmanClaire and Seymour SchonwetterTracy and Marc SchwimmerSinai Mortuary of Arizona, Inc.Edna and Arthur SitelmanValerie D. Smilovic and Yehuda WaxmanKen SmithCarol and Scott SnyderSusan and Paul StanderLaura and Richard TraulsenUnity Church of Practical ChristianityJoan and Ron YagodaYoung Jewish PhoenixMichael R. Zent

Substance Abuse & Recovery Program Receives SAMHSA Award The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently recognized JFCS with a national award for an innovative treatment program that serves teens and their families who struggle with substance use or abuse. The evidence-based program utilized the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach and was implemented with the help of Magellan and other partners. Our staff is making a tremendous impact on the lives of teens struggling with addiction and this prestigious award was well deserved. SAMHSA is a federal organization that aims to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.

JFCS Aleinu and Jewish Family Home Care of Arizona have teamed up to present a conference about understanding the complex emotions of aging. Titled “Will You Still Love Me?,” the conference features three presentations and a bonus session featuring Marc Agronin, M.D., a Harvard and Yale-trained geriatric psychiatrist and author of How We Age: A Doctor’s Journey into the Heart of Growing Old. The conference will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at the Scottsdale Hilton. Cost is $60-$80 and includes a kosher lunch. Register at www.jfcsaz.org. “Many conferences discuss the physical and medical needs of older adults, but many avoid discussing emotional needs. As we know, emotional health is a critical part of wellness. As a loved one ages, the relationship changes and heightens feelings of vulnerability, loss and dis-comfort. This conference will help the community understand these complex emotions and assist families in smoothing the transitions into older adulthood,” said Dvora Entin, Aleinu Coordinator.

Spirit of Giving: Roth Family Increases Financial Commitment to JFCS

The Sheldon R. Roth Family and Cypress HomeCare Solutions (a company owned by the Roth Family) recently announced they are increasing their financial commitment to JFCS over the next four years to $200,000. Sheldon R. Roth said, “We must continue to fund and increase our gifts to great agencies like JFCS who take care of so many people in need. My family and I are very fortunate, and we’ve had a very special and close relationship with JFCS over the last several years. We see the challenges they face and other agencies like them, particularly in the Phoenix Jewish community. We challenge others to step up and give more to JFCS this year.” In recognition of the Roth family’s generosity, the JFCS community hospital chaplain, Rabbi Robert Kravitz, will now serve on behalf of JFCS as The Sheldon R. Roth Family Hospital Chaplain.

Left to Right: Behavioral Health Clinicians Paul Krauss, Jonathan Loveday and Catalina Clinic Director John Hohl

Sheldon and Bob Roth

JFCS Connections • Winter 2012 • Volume 3 • Issue 2

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Dine Out for a Cause at Tommy V’s and SauceDuring the month of February, you and your friends can enjoy a delicious Italian meal at either Tommy V’s Urban Kitchen and Bar or Sauce’s Scottsdale Waterfront location and make a positive difference in our community. Tommy V’s will donate 10% of every dining bill to JFCS each Wednesday in February (excluding Happy Hour menu and drinks). Sauce will donate 20% of food and beverage sales (excluding alcohol) to JFCS on Tuesday, February 7.

Tommy V’s Urban Kitchen and Bar 5-10 p.m. every Wednesday in February7303 E. Indian School Road, Scottsdalewww.tommyvscottsdale.com • (480) 427-2264

Sauce (Scottsdale Waterfront location) 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, February 7, 20127135 E. Camelback Road, Suite 260, Scottsdalewww.foxrc.com • (480) 321-8844

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Save the Date!

Join us for the BrighterTomorrowLuncheonFeb. 22, 2012

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JFCS Winter Newsletter 2011