Running head: AGENCY REPORT: OAKS INTEGRATED CARE 1

AGENCY REPORT: OAKS INTEGRATED CARE

Colby Kissi

Wilmington University
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Abstract

This paper is aimed at introducing my internship placement agency. This paper will also explore

the mission, organizational structure, governance, policies and procedures, new trends, and

funding sources of Oaks Integrated Care.

Keyword: internship, administration, agency

Agency Report: Oaks Integrated Care (OIC)

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Mission and Vision

I am currently completing my internship with Oaks Integrated Care in Cherry Hill, New

Jersey. OIC is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for

vulnerable adults, children and families throughout New Jersey. The organization’s mission is to

empower and support individuals and families to achieve emotional and physical wellness by

providing quality health and social services. The vision is to build healthy, strong communities.

Demographics

The organization offers over 150 health and social service programs designed to meet the

needs of the community with compassion. OIC provides health and social services to multiple

areas of services including adult services, children and family services, foster home program,

food pantry, and housing development. It is a privileged to work/intern in the mental health

residential services which is under the adult services program. The mental health residential

program provides counseling services, crisis stabilization services, adult support services,

outpatient services, partial care services, developmental disabilities services, mental health

residential services, and veteran’s services.

Policies and Procedure

People are Oaks Integrated Care most valued asset and Oaks Integrated Care employees

are the key to the fulfillment of the mission. Oaks Integrated Care have several policies and

procedures in place. This include Human Resources policy manual, Compliance Manual,

Cultural competency Manual, Privacy Manual, Medical Policy Manual, Environment of Care

Manual, Fiscal Policy Manual, Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Manual etc.
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The Human Resources Manual is designed to provide a clear statement of the Human

Resources policies. These policies are used to inform and guide day-to-day human resources

decisions. The policy manual is published and maintained for the guidance of supervisors and

managers so that human resources matters can be handled consistently and equitably throughout

Oaks Integrated Care. The policy manual is intended to be the primary reference document for

communicating and interpreting human resources policies, programs and procedures for

employees of Oaks Integrated Care. Additionally, the manual is updated at least annually to

reflect changes in Oaks Integrated Care policies and changes in the law.

Every employee at Oaks Integrated Care is responsible for protecting the health and

welfare of the consumer with whom they come into contact during their employment. The abuse

and neglect policy apply to all Oaks Integrated Care employees. Oaks Integrated Care is

concerned with the physical and mental well-being of the consumers and cooperates in the

identification and reporting of cases of child abuse or neglect in accordance with the law. Abuse

of consumers, verbal, physical or sexual, or by exploitation or neglect, is not tolerated and is

considered grounds for disciplinary action up to and including termination. Retaliation,

discrimination, or coercion against consumers, employees, or others who report abuse or neglect

is also not tolerated and is considered grounds for disciplinary action up to and including

termination.

Employees are responsible to accurately report the incident within the workday in which

the incident occurred. Employees who has actual knowledge or who has reasonable cause to

suspect any incident of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect of a consumer shall comply with

all applicable reporting requirements of Oaks Integrated Care policy, state laws and all
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applicable local and federal laws. Failure to report a witnessed or suspected act of abuse is also

considered to be an act of abuse.

Organizational Structure & Governance

The organizational leadership is made up of Chief Executive Officer, Derry Holland,

Qindi Shi, Chief Financial Officer, Karen Tanger, Chief Operating Officer, Sheri Bell, Chief

Human Resources Officer, Pamela Collins, Chief Development Officer, Leslie Karpf, Chief of

Quality and Health Integration, and Mary Pat Angelini, Chief of External Affairs. Derry

officially took on the role of Chief Executive Officer in January 2017. As CEO, she leads a team

of over 2,700 employees who are responsible for the continued development and integrity of 150

diverse health and social service programs. Derry focuses on building a strong financial

foundation, maintaining the highest possible clinical standards, and most importantly, fulfilling

our mission to serve the most vulnerable members of our community.

Under Derry’s leadership in January 2017, Oaks proudly welcomed Preferred Behavioral

Health Group as an affiliate. Now serving over 34,000 individuals in 19 counties throughout NJ,

with a combined budget of 124 million dollars, Oaks is one of New Jersey’s most comprehensive

human service providers.

Funding

OIC is a nonprofit organization which falls under the return of organization tax

exemption also known as the IRS form 990. The main revenues of the organization include

government grants, fundraising events, donations & gifts, related organizations and affiliates,

investment income and other miscellaneous funds that are recorded. OIC financial statement as

well as the auditing report is also available on the website of the accounting firm Bowman &
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Company LLP. Recently, as part of former Gov. Chris Christie’s efforts to combat the ongoing

opioid epidemic in New Jersey, Oaks Integrated Care was awarded a $9.7 million grant to

provide enhanced care management to those working towards recovery. Oaks Integrated Care

will utilize the grant to provide enhanced care management to people battling addiction in South

Jersey.

Relationship to Other Agencies

The organization have a strategic alliance with Greater Trenton Behavioral HealthCare

(GTBHC) and Preferred Behavioral Health Group (PBHG). The organization merged with

Steininger Behavior Health Services (SBHS) to strengthen both organizations clinically and

financially. The strategic alliances have enabled the organization to expand services into Mercer,

Ocean, and Monmouth counties of New Jersey and strengthen the organizations ability to

succeed in the changing healthcare environment. The organization has an affiliation with New

Horizon Treatment Center (NHTC). At Jefferson Hospital in Cherry Hill NJ, the organization

oversee the Crisis Unit & Mobile Response Unit at the hospital. The organization have formed

great community and professional relationships with local agencies, medical facilities,

corporations, local businesses and organizations.

Strengths, Challenges & Trends

Effective leadership is an area of strength for the organization. The CEO is a level five

leader. She can utilize the three main leadership skills perfectly and she is a role model for the

many employees in the organization. The CEO engages in forums with employees to get ideas

on how to serve our consumers better and feedbacks on areas in the organization that need
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improvements. At OIC, employees with the right set of skills, education and experience are

encouraged to apply for higher level positions within the company. The company also provide

tuition reimbursement for employees who decide to go back to school.

The organization have a strategic alliance with Greater Trenton Behavioral HealthCare

(GTBHC) and Preferred Behavioral Health Group (PBHG). The organization merged with

Steininger Behavior Health Services (SBHS) to strengthen both organizations clinically and

financially. The strategic alliances have enabled the organization to expand services into

Mercer, Ocean, and Monmouth counties of New Jersey and strengthen the organizations ability

to succeed in the changing healthcare environment.

One department that need improvement is the case management department. Over the

few years, the case management program has experienced a high turnover rate. Most of the case

workers left for better-paying jobs. Some of them complain of being overworked with increased

caseloads. Another weakness is fewer participation of community events such as Special

Olympics. This event will promote community inclusion and allow consumers especially

consumers with developmental disability to enjoy sports and make friends in the community.

Participation in this event will also improve the organization’s morale in the community

A new trend in providing services for consumers who are experiencing psychosis for the

first time is the Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC). CSC provides in-home and in-community

coordinated specialty care for individuals ages 15-35 experiencing hallucinations, delusions,

unusual thoughts/behaviors for less than 2 years. The program follows Recovery After Initial

Schizophrenic Episode (RAISE), a SAMHSA endorsed evidence-based practice developed by

the National Institute of Mental Health. The overall goal is to reduce the likelihood of long-term
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disability and help individuals lead productive, independent lives. OIC recently opened a First

Episode Psychosis (FEP) Program and services include psychiatric prescribing, case

management, supported employment, peer and recovery supports, psychoeducation,

individual/family therapy, and linkage to community resources.

OIC has a new electronic incident reporting system called SafetyZone. As of May 14th,

2018, employees can go to the SafetyZone Portal to create all types of incident reports

(consumer, staff, vehicle, etc.). Safety Zone will allow OIC to analyze all types of incidents and

to make changes to reduce risk and improve the safety of the individuals served, staff and others

involved with Oaks.

Intern’s Role

Oaks Integrated Care recognizes that interns can make an appropriate and valuable

contribution to work and services of the Organization. Interns help the organization fulfill its

mission in a cost-effective manner. In return, Oaks Integrated Care seeks to help them achieve

personal goals within a non- profit organization. Currently my role as an intern with OIC is

limited to assisting my internship supervisor with organization management, staff supervision

and managing professional development of staffs at the Harvey’s Haven Crisis House (HHCH)

and Meadowyck Group Home (MGH).

In addition to organizational management, I am reviewing and creating a program

specific manual for Harvey’s Haven Crisis House Program. I am also organizing and attending

meetings with Camden County Adult Wrap Around (CCAWA), Ethics & Human Rights

Committee, and HHCH & MGH monthly staff meetings. I am also reviewing and assisting in

FY 18 spend down which is part of learning how to develop budgets and monitor expenditure. I
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am also assisting my supervisor with quarterly report for Wrap Around and I am working on

writing an article for the monthly Newsletter.

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Reference

Kiser, P. M. (2016). The Human Services Internship: Getting the Most from Your Experience.

Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

Oaks Integrated Care. (n.d). About Us. Retrieved June 07, from https://oaksintcare.org/about/