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Interfaith Movement Promoting Action by Congregations Together

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2011 Listening Process

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During the months of September and October, IMPACT focuses on its grassroots listening process. This fall, over 500 community members will gather in peoples’ homes and fellowship halls all across the City and County to listen to individual and community concerns. This is how IMPACT will choose the next problem to address for the upcoming year. The concerns brought up in discussion groups will be brought to a vote at our Annual Assembly on Monday, October 24th.

Nehemiah Action Results

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We had over 1,500 people in attendance at the 2011 Nehemiah Action from IMPACT’s 31 member congregations and guests from the community.
 
We secured committments from Charlottesville City Councilors Satyendra Huja and Kristin Szakos, Albemarle County Supervisor Lindsay Dorrier, and Region Ten Executive Director Robert Johnson.
These officials committed to funding Healthy Transitions, a program to serve ex-offenders with mental illness upon their re-entry into the community; as well as developing plans to provide supportive housing for those with a diagnosed or diagnosable mental illness.
Because of their commitments, we are making a positive IMPACT on our community for those with mental illness!


IMPACT will continue to follow-up with these officials through the next budget cycle and beyond to make sure that they follow through with their commitments. 

Questions IMPACT asked Robert Johnson (Executive Director of Region Ten):
1. “Will you utilize the funds allocated by the City and County in 2012 and subsequent years for the implementation of the Healthy Transitions Program?”
2. “Will you provide IMPACT, the City and the County with a written report on the Healthy Transitions Program by November 30th, 2011?”
3. Will you attend IMPACT’s Annual Assembly in the fall of 2011 to give an update on the development of the Healthy Transitions Program?”
Question 1
Question 2
Question 3
Robert Johnson
Yes
Yes
Yes
Questions IMPACT asked the City and County officials:
 
1.“Will you support funding for the Healthy Transitions Program in the amount of ½ of the $85,000 program cost, up to a maximum of $50,000, on an annual basis starting in the 2012-2013 fiscal year?” 
 
2.“Will you designate a staff member to develop a proposal to use a percentage of new affordable housing proffers specifically for supportive housing for people with mental illness and present it during the upcoming comprehensive planning process?”
 
3. “Will you direct your staff person to meet with IMPACT leaders periodically throughout the development of this proposal?” 
 
4.“Will you attend the IMPACT Annual Assembly in the fall of 2011 to give an update on the development of Supportive Housing for People with Mental Illness Proposal and the funding for the Healthy Transitions Program?”
 
City Council Member
Attended Nehemiah Action?
Question1
Question 2
Question 3
Question 4
Kristin Szakos
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Satyendra Huja
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Dave Norris
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Holly Edwards
No
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Dave Brown
No
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
    *n/a-official was not present, nor sent a response to IMPACT leadership
Result: The City officials have committed to fund their portion of the Healthy Transitions program between Region Ten and District Nine Probation and Parole.  IMPACT did not receive enough commitments at the Nehemiah Action to have the city develop a proffer policy that would include housing for people with a mental illness.
 
County Supervisor
Attended Nehemiah Action?
Question 1
Question 2
Question 3
Question 4
Lindsey Dorrier
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Ann Mallek
No
Yes
No
No
n/a
Duane Snow
No
Yes
No
Yes
n/a
Dennis Rooker
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Ken Boyd
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
Rodney Thomas
No
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
 
Results: In the County there is enough support for the Healthy Transitions program if the proposal goes through the funding review process and is supported by the Commission on Children and Families.  The proposal for proffers to be used for supportive housing for people with mental illness does not currently have enough support to pass in the county.
 

Pre-K Education Report

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IMPACT Follow-Up Report
Pre-K Commitments in 2010 and Update for Nehemiah Action in 2011

Albemarle County Schools

  1. Improve access to publicly funded Pre-K for low-income children; target of 85 to 90%.
From 2005 to 2009, on average, 83.5% of children funded through the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) were designated as low-income.  In 2010-2011, Albemarle has 135 4-year-olds funded through this initiative; 90% are eligible for Free/Reduced Lunch, and designated as low-income. Since 2007, Albemarle has increased the numbers of Pre-K children being served by publicly funded preschool programs by almost 16%.
  1. Regularly report results of publicly funded Pre-K programs to the community.
In 2009-2010, all entering Kindergarten children (N=1000) were assessed on the KPALS Language and Literacy Test. About 40% of them had been in a public Pre-K program the year before according to information given by parents on the kindergarten registration form. In the fall 68% of low-income children passed, compared to 94% of other students. In the spring 77% of low-income students passed, compared to 96% of other students. The low-income achievement gap for kindergarteners decreased from 26 to 19 percentage points from Fall to Spring.
According to state SOL test data, for Grade 3 Reading the achievement gap for low-income children decreased from 19 to 15 percentage points from 2006 to 2010. For Grade 3 Math the achievement gap decreased from 17 to 12 percentage points from 2006 to 2010.  
  1. Plan for expansion of Pre-K services.
Dr. Moran is beginning to meet with Dr. Atkins and Smart Beginnings  Leadership Council to plan collaboratively for expansion of Pre-K programs.

Charlottesville City Schools

  1. Improve access to publicly funded Pre-K for low-income children; target of 90%.
Charlottesville added 2 classes for 3-year-olds. They are now serving 60 3-year-olds; 100% are low-income; 4 of the 5 classes are locally funded, 1 is funded by a 5-year grant.
They are now serving 144 4-year-olds; 93% are low-income; classes are funded by the state /Title I.
Since 2006, Charlottesville has had a 46% increase in Pre-K children being served.
  1. Regularly report results of publicly funded Pre-K programs to the community.
A study of the cohort of children from the 2007-08 class of 3-year-olds showed: for Fall 2008-09 4-year-old classes, that cohort met developmental standards on 49% of PALS subtests, while those who did not attend the 3-year-old class met the standard on 36% of subtests; for Fall of 2009-10 Kindergarten classes, 100% of the cohort from the 3-year-old 07-08 class met the PALS benchmark score. For 4-year-olds in 2009-10 the PALS pass rate increased from 26% to 93% from Fall to Spring.
For Grade 3 Reading (state SOL test data) the achievement gap for low-income children decreased from 10 to 9 percentage points from 2007 to 2010. For Grade 3 Math the achievement gap decreased from 8 to 4 percentage points from 2007 to 2010.  These relatively low achievement gaps may be related to the development of the 3-year-old Pre-K program in Charlottesville.
  1. Plan for expansion of Pre-K services.
Walker Middle School will be remodeled and become a Pre-School Center for all Pre-K classes. It will house equal numbers of 3 and 4-year-old students. They will begin with classes for low-income children, but eventually expect to be open for all pre-K children in the city.

Mental Health Survey Results

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IMPACT Congregational Survey
Brief Summary of Interim Findings
March 28, 2011

Early Research Committee interviews surfaced the belief that even as we seek to motivate action from the community for more effective provision of mental health services, we need to know more about what support is needed and is being provided through our congregations. Some members believe that communities of faith have unique opportunities to dispel stigma and increase inclusiveness for persons impacted by mental illness. We therefore provided a questionnaire to our member congregations seeking information about what is being provided and what more is desired. Seventy-one (71) individuals have submitted online or paper responses thus far to 8 questions.
Responses, edited for confidentiality, may be secured from gwilcoxs1@aol.com.
Mental health issues reported:
Depression (18) Post partum Depression (2) Obsessive-compulsive disorder (3) Anxiety (15) Bipolar Disorder (14) Borderline Personality disorder (2) Eating Disorder (2) Self injury (1) Suicide attempt (2) hospitalization (3) Anger management (3) Social anxiety in groups (1) Severe grief (1) Care Giver Syndrome (1) Substance Abuse Disorder (6) Disabling Emotional Distress (3) Gay family member adjustment (1) ADHD/ impulsive disorder (5) Work related stress due to discrimination (1) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (2) Schizophrenia (4) Schizoaffective Disorder (1) Self deprecating/retributive judgments of the Divine (1) Sleep Disorder (2) Brain Trauma (1) Elderly Dementia (4) Autism (1) Psychopathic (1)
Support received from faith community:
Loving acceptance/sense of belonging and value (5) Spiritual Direction (1) None (13) Open available clergy (2) Not church role (1) Pastoral counseling (2) Referrals to providers (1) Prayers and sermons (1) Small groups/peer support (2) Worship (3) Social activity (2) Committee Work (1) Child care (1) Volunteering opportunities (2) Private I assume (2) Openness of self-affirming others with mental illness (3) Financial assistance (1 ) Childcare (1) Teaching Assistant for special needs during Sunday School (1) Pastoral Care/support Committee (2) Prayer partners (1) Care Giver Support (1) Bible Study (1)
Support desired from faith community:
Respite care for care giver (1); Understanding of how hard it is to keep it together (2); Free/discounted counseling (5); Financial aid (3) Group insurance option  (2); Counseling/support groups (8); Education groups (4); Spiritual support counseling and group (6;) Referral information (2); Buddy program (1); Short and Longer term grief group (2); Awareness raising activities (2); Mothers’ Support Group (1); Adults reach out to other’s children (1); Family support (1); Listening individuals (1); Nothing more than prayers (1); Bible study (1); Peer or pastoral counseling (1); Complete openness by all (1)
Congregation comfort with mental health issues:
Only comfortable in safe friends/groups (4); Not at all comfortable (15); Don’t know (34); Quite Comfortable (6); Somewhat comfortable (7); Considered needy and people turn away (1);
What would make the congregation more comfortable dealing with mental illness?
Pastoral leadership (3); Education (5); Support groups with families sharing same problems (2); Open discussion/people affected share stories (4); Affirming sermons and offer of support (3); Assurance of confidentiality upon request (1); Alleviate shame (2); People needing support should make known (1); Bible study (3); Have know mental health advocates in congregation (1); Ask the congregation this question (1); Called congregational discussion (2);
Is there stigma, and what can congregations do to help overcome stigma related to mental illness?
Yes (39); Not in our congregation (1); Keep company with consumers (2); In churches, be open and recognize we are all part of the Body of Christ (1); Provide access to the church overnight (1); Support groups for families dealing with it (1); Dispel association of mental illness with violence or homelessness (1); Education re: brain research/frequency/diversity/suffering/lack of services (8) Financial support of provider organizations (1) Input from mental health professionals (2); People with mental illness “come out” (1); Broad, open discussions (1); Help in coping with actively mentally ill (3); Un-welcoming congregations seek practices of welcoming congregations (1); Sermons(2); Congregational leaders/clergy share about treatment they receive/d (1);
Other comments:
Thanks for asking (12); Worse during recession (1); Work on community-at-large, pessimistic about congregations to help (2); Congregations make long term efforts to reduce stigma (1); Not congregations job (1); IMPACT publish resources on web site and other ways (2); Understand connection with homelessness, jail, relationship loss (1);