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Thank You

Coffee Benefit 2022 HeaderWe appreciate your RSVP for the 2022 Coffee Benefit! Specific details and the option to give online ahead of the event will follow in a confirmation email. Please check your spam folder if you do not receive it within a few hours. If you have any further questions or need to adjust your RSVP, please contact Peace River Center Community Relations, CommunityRelations@PeaceRiverCenter.org or 863.519.0575
ext. 6417.

MHFA Survey

MHM May 3 Feedback

retirement celebration with Bill professional headshot

Bill’s Celebration

Mental Health Matters Series

2022 Full Moon Howl Pics

Domestic Violence Awareness

WellCare Gives Peace River Center 2017 Quality Award

Dr. Abid recently presented Peace River Center with the WellCare Health Plans 2017 Quality Award. The recognition resulted from WellCare teaming up with Peace River Center in June 2017 to form a new, value-based care agreement for a behavioral health home.

The partnership provides integrated care coordination for members with severe medical and behavioral health issues in order to improve overall health and reduce hospitalizations and readmissions. Peace River Center has shown success throughout the year and has 72 active members enrolled in this program. We provide comprehensive care management, care coordination, health promotion, comprehensive transitional care, individual and family support as well as referrals to community and social support services.

The program expectation for this behavioral health home model results in improved health outcomes, better quality of treatment, and improved cost-effectiveness. Peace River Center’s behavioral health home also aims to improve patient care experience and reduce the use of hospitals, emergency departments, and other costly inpatient care.

Donor Spotlight: Lisa and Steve Moseley

Steve and Lisa MoseleyLisa Moseley’s involvement with Peace River Center evolved throughout the years. As a teacher and guidance counselor, she referred families to the organization and was impressed with the services offered to people who otherwise could not afford it. Later, she was invited by former Chief Development Officer Margaret Parry to take books and crafts to the organization’s domestic violence shelters and work with the children living there.

“I longed to help more, but at that time I was busy with work and raising kids,” said Lisa. Then three years ago after attending Full Moon Howl (FMH), she called Margaret and the FMH Event Chair Debbie Watkins to ask how she could help with the event.

Lisa recalls discussing it with her husband Steve, telling him how this would be an opportunity to help save lives and raise awareness about mental health. In 2017, the Moseleys were asked to chair the event. “That was a scary, but easy YES!”

Lisa Moseley Mental Health Quote“Mental health directly impacts your quality of life, and we as individuals and society are affected by not taking mental health as seriously as our physical health,” said Lisa. During her career, she watched several amazing students drift into depression and develop anxiety issues based on pressure from school, society, and friends. She admits she struggles with anxiety and had to reach out for help to process difficult times in her life.

“At first, I fought getting help because I felt I should be able to conquer it on my own because I am a counselor and have a blessed life. I realized if I was asking others to get help then I better ‘walk the walk’. I now have useful tools at my disposal when anxiety tries to get the best of me,” she said. Energetic and passionate about the mission, Lisa’s goal is to make certain even more people are aware of the help Peace River Center can provide. “The organization covers such a variety of needs that are all interconnected. The amount of services offered and the number of people they help is truly astounding.” Last year the nonprofit, which was founded in 1948, assisted more than 25,000 people in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands Counties. “Peace River Center literally save lives and families daily!”

Steve and Lisa MoseleyLisa said the most rewarding part about working on behalf of Peace River Center is the people she’s had the pleasure of working with. “We work hard because we are passionate about the mission. I prayed every night for another successful FMH, not because I wanted personal glory, but for the lives that would be changed by the money we raised. God poured out his blessings on the event and provided us with a record-breaking year.” FMH grossed $286,000 and netted $208,000, which helps fund the organization’s programs.

“Chairing FMH has been humbling and so very rewarding. I truly want to thank the Polk County Community, both businesses and individuals, for their continued support of FMH and Peace River Center. Your generosity and help are remarkable! To the past and present committee members and PRC staff, you ROCK!” said Lisa. “The new friendships and fun times will keep FMH going for many years to come!”

Program Spotlight: Crisis Response Team

No matter the time of day, no matter where you are, Peace River Center’s mobile crisis team is available to help. The Crisis Response Team (CRT) members offer immediate crisis intervention by phone, mobile response, or walk-in at the Bartow and Lakeland Crisis Stabilization Units. The CRT also provides consultation for individuals’ family or key people such as school personnel, linkage to emergency services if needed, plus they can evaluate and arrange for inpatient crisis stabilization as necessary, and refer to follow-up behavioral health services.

The CRT, which began in 2002, covers Polk and Hardee counties. Director of Crisis Services Kirk Fasshauer, LCSW, FT said the team handles information referral calls to more serious calls such as someone who is suicidal. For those higher risk calls, the CRT counselor keeps the person on the line while another team member works to get law enforcement on the scene. The CRT member also checks Peace River Center’s internal records to see if the individual is a current or previous client, which provides more insight into the caller’s mental health history.

The team members talk through issues, identifying what the presenting problem is, coping skills previously used, and what about the current situation is different. The caller may be overwhelmed with something new or experiencing other symptoms such as high anxiety or depression. “We don’t wait for the crisis to come to us, we can go to the person in distress,” said Kirk. Last year the team received 4,650 calls, completed 387 mobile responses, and handled 353 walk-ins. “In a crisis, emotions run the show and sometimes bad choices are made. This team guides callers from an emotional state to a logical state,” he said. The CRT counselor helps individuals step back and look at things objectively, which often results in identifying their own solutions. The next step is to devise a crisis plan, which may include connecting the caller to additional Peace River Center services or scheduling a follow-up call.

Help Peace River Center connect even more people to the resources they need by sharing information about our 24-Hour Crisis Response Team. The number is (863) 519-3744 or toll-free (800) 627-5906.