Changing Healthcare in Iowa
Real life. Real possibilities.
Changing Healthcare in Iowa
By Carol Mau
Vice President of Operations, Iowa
Mosaic’s vision statement begins: “We are the changing face of healthcare…”
Until recently, Mosaic never identified itself as a healthcare organization. But in truth, we are. We provide services and supports that are focused on people having the best possible health. We’ve never looked at health as simply numbers on a chart.
Traditional healthcare is now starting to realize what we’ve known for decades – if you want someone to be happy and healthy, you have to support the whole person. We do that well at Mosaic in Iowa!
One way is through our variety of living options for people. We offer group homes, apartments, duplexes, and Mosaic at Home. By far, our Mosaic at Home service is the most often requested service by people served, families, case managers and managed care organizations. But, Mosaic at Home is not for everyone, so we are happy that we can provide options that best serve each individual.
I’m amazed at our growth in Mosaic at Home. We began this service in Iowa in 2009 with two host homes. We now serve 210 people through Mosaic at Home; that is an incredible increase in 10 years! Our goal across Iowa is to be at 234 host homes by June 30 of this year. (I think we’re likely to surpass that goal, which results in people having bold and great lives!)
All of our services are centered around and directed by the person receiving the services. We have an organization-wide strategic them of “Make It Personal,” and this exemplifies our commitment to our services being about the person.
I am excited about many things coming in 2020.
- We plan to spread intermittent mental health services using independent contractors to all agencies across the state. Last year, we successfully piloted the service here in Iowa.
- We are hoping to begin providing more services to people with mental illness, and people with brain injury across the state. All Iowa agencies will begin to provide these services in 2020.
- We’re pushing hard in the legislature this year, with a significant focus on state wage investments for direct support professionals across the state.
- Finally, I’m excited about Mosaic’s new Mosaic mission, vision and values statements and our emphasis on opportunities that empower all people.
I’m glad you’re a partner with Mosaic in our mission. Using the whole person model, we know that Mosaic cannot fill all of a person’s social, psychological, economic, environmental, spiritual and financial needs.
It takes a community of people to build a fulfilling life. It takes connection. And it’s often little connections that make a big difference in the lives of the people we support – which is why we champion collaboration and partnership at Mosaic.
We cannot do what we say we’re going to do without you: our partners, our caring community.
Some of you are receiving this bi-annual newsletter for the first time. You’ll find it is a great source of information to know what’s happening both at Mosaic in Iowa and across the Mosaic network. Please make sure to read about our mental health program and the upcoming Mosaic celebration of National Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
About the Author
Carol has served with Mosaic for more than 21 years, including more than two decades with one of Mosaic’s largest agencies, Mosaic in Central Iowa. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Mental Health Services Expanding
With an 18-year history of providing mental health services, Mosaic in Western Iowa has expanded its mental health offerings to support more people.
For many years, Mosaic in Western Iowa served people with mental health needs in a 24-hour residential care facility. Five years ago, they transitioned that service to a group home setting, with three or four roommates living together with 24-hour staff support.
Over the years, services have expanded to include mental health supports in the Mosaic at Home setting and intermittent mental health service using independent contractors for people who live independently.
According to Alicia Makey, Associate Director at Mosaic in Western Iowa, referrals come through a number of sources.
“Typically, when referrals are made for individuals in need of mental health services, the individual is in jail, the hospital, a temporary placement, or homeless shelter,” Makey said. “The individuals are in need of services because they are in psychosis and unstable with their mental health. Most of the individuals have not been treated by a psychiatrist, or medicated for mental health diagnosis. Some individuals are recovering from substance abuse and do not have the skills to live independently, or may be suicidal.”
Mosaic ensures the person gets the best possible mental and physical mental health care, starting with a safe and clean environment that offers consistency and stability. The program helps people learn independent living skills as well as provides behavior support and coping skills. Makey said the program supervisors work with community partners to get people into group and individual therapies, volunteer service, school and vocational or skills training.
More than 40 people are currently served through the program.
“Our Mosaic in Western Iowa agency has demonstrated a successful model of mental health service delivery that other Mosaic in Iowa agencies can now replicate,” said Carol Mau, Vice President of Operations for Iowa. “We are grateful to have their expertise available and expand our services to meet the needs of people with mental illness in all areas of the state.”
Further Reading
Mosaic is Called to be Bold
In its pursuit of ever-higher quality, Mosaic conducts fundraising across the organization to support high standards of service that ensure people have the supports and items they need for a meaningful life.
Last year, the organization publicly announced a $63 million Called to be Bold comprehensive campaign. It is a five-year campaign that began in 2016, which during the first three years quietly built momentum through major and planned gifts.
Called to be Bold seeks bold leaders, partners and friends to help Mosaic expand its offerings of personalized services to people with diverse needs; create additional partnerships with churches and others to create new opportunities for people; and gain the resources necessary to meet people’s immediate, everyday needs.
Being A Part Of, Not Apart From
March is National Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness (NIDDA) Month. Mosaic’s 2020 theme is: “Belonging: Being a Part Of, Not Apart From.”
Belonging is important to people’s overall health. By some estimates, medical care accounts for only 10-20% of what contributes to a person’s health. The other 80-90%, often called the social determinants of health, are things like friendships, a safe home and resources for everyday needs.
Mosaic is a whole-person healthcare provider, meaning we look at all of those other things in a person’s life. We work to help people build satisfying relationships through social activities, church and work. Follow us on social media to learn more throughout the month of March.