welcome from joe yancey

Dear Friends:

Welcome to Places for People! I thank you for your interest in our agency and your support of innovative and effective mental health services for people with the greatest needs but the fewest resources.

This website provides a comprehensive and evolving introduction to our agency following our merger with Community Alternatives. We are very proud that this was the first voluntary merger in Missouri of two behavioral health providers, and even more proud of how this merger provides a foundation of endless possibilities for a stronger and more effective organization—Places for People: Community Alternatives for Hope, Health and Recovery.

This merger is our response to the many challenges our clients face and that an uncertain future poses. Due to the enormity of need and the lack of resources, many people in our community are not currently receiving needed mental and behavioral health services. Healthcare reform offers great possibilities but equally significant challenges. Public funding continues to dwindle.

Innovation and efficiency will be essential for success and sustainability, as will the continued support of our many friends who recognize the value of identifying and assisting people with the greatest needs, including:

• Families who have young children and would benefit from parenting education and support
• Young adults who experience behavioral health problems
• Refugees who are survivors of torture and trauma
• Adults with serious mental health disorders, including co-occurring addiction disorders
• People who are HIV positive with co-occurring mental health and/or addiction disorders

The merger will promote sustainable recovery by offering enhanced, expanded and complementary services. Places for People, for example, brings expertise in housing advocacy and offers an array of housing alternatives, including emergency housing for people joining the agency directly from homelessness. Community Alternatives' evidence-based mental health treatment includes early interventions for children and youths.

We have expanded our mission statement: "To provide innovative and effective mental health services to people in need while creating a system of care that promotes personal recovery." Our revised "look," which includes this website, our logo, and newsletter, also emphasizes our commitment and belief in the possibility and importance of recovery.

We thank you again for visiting us and hope you will learn more about our agency and join us on this important journey forward, as one organization dedicated to providing a place for everyone and community alternatives for hope, health and recovery.

Sincerely,

Executive Director, Places for People