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2008 Global Vision Award Winners
Award Winner: MATCh (Mental Health Assistance for Teens and Children): Matching
Chippewa Valley Families with Resources Promoting Mental Health
Nominated By: Sacred Heart Hospital, Eau Claire
In both 2002 and 2005, the United Way of Greater Eau Claire Assessment Reports clearly identified that the community was experiencing a "critical lack of access to mental health services for children and adolescents." The three health care competitors in the Eau Claire community--Sacred Heart Hospital, Luther Midelfort, and the Marshfield Clinic--collaborated on a solution and funded its launch. Using the
assessments' findings, they developed a business plan for the creation of an information and assistance service to address the primary need: access to mental health services for children and adolescents. From that collaboration, the Mental Health Assistance for Teens and Children (MATCh)
program was created.
The overall vision of MATCh is to improve the emotional health and well-being of youth and families in the Chippewa Valley by providing community mental health information and assistance services. It strives to help families with teens and children find answers regarding mental health concerns, instill hope that there is help available, and empower individuals to take the necessary steps to
contact the resources available. MATCh is prevention-focused and provides a 'one-stop shopping' number to call to be directed to community mental health resources, based on the caller's needs.
Since April 2006, MATCh has helped approximately 300 families/individuals, providing them with more than 400 community referrals. Families and individuals from seven counties have received assistance. In additional to the call-in resource, MATCh provides educational opportunities through the Family Resource Center of Eau Claire County and other venues, focusing on general mental health, self-esteem
and anger.
Award Winner: Ministry Dental Center
Nominated By: Saint Michael's Hospital, Stevens Point
The Ministry Dental Center is a unique, locally-based collaboration of Saint Michael's Hospital; CAP Services, a non-profit community action agency; and Delta Dental of Wisconsin, a non-profit dental insurance company headquartered in Stevens Point. The objective of the Ministry Dental Center is to improve the oral health of area residents by providing affordable dental care and a dental
home to people enrolled in Medicaid/BadgerCare.
Separate, local needs assessments conducted by both Saint Michael's Hospital and CAP Services showed access to affordable dental care was the top priority for low income households in the community. Delta Dental was invited to participate in the development of a strategic plan to address this need, and the outcome was the Ministry Dental Center. In 2002, a medical facility was renovated to establish the dental clinic, funding was secured, a dentist and other staff were hired, and the Ministry Dental Center opened its doors. From its inception, the Center was meant to become more than a 'revolving door' for patients in pain; it was envisioned as a dental home for area residents unable to access regular dental care elsewhere, to complete treatment plans and schedule regular preventive care.
The Center has achieved that objective. In six years of operation, the number of patients returning for hygiene appointments has realized nearly a four-fold increase. In 2007, the Center served more than 2,500 patients in nearly 6,700 encounters, with almost 1,300 of the patients returning for regular hygiene care.
The Center now employs 1.6 FTE dentists, two full-time
hygienists, several dental assistants, clerical support, and a
full-time practice supervisor. In addition, a dentist, two dental
students and a Dental Fellow from Marquette University
volunteer. The Center serves residents of Portage, Wood,
southern Marathon and western Waupaca counties.
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