2014 ANNUAL REPORT
OUR MISSION To provide the highest quality of compassionate, comprehensive, evidence-based healthcare and social services. To educate the public concerning maintenance of healthy lifestyles. Also, to provide cutting-edge behavioral, biomedical and healthcare services research.
www.startny.org
CONTENTS Welcome Letter 04 Our Profile 07 Elevated Focus 09 Adolescent Mental Health 11 Advancing Research & Services 13 Celebrating Our Partners 15 Thanks to Our Donors 17 Financials 18
I’m a patient at START Treatment & Recovery Centers. I began dabbling in all sorts of things. I was trying to be accepted. This led to me gettting into a lot of trouble and even not being able to take care of my child for a while. This program has really helped me change my life. I am now proud to be a father to my child. —RON
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Welcome from the Chair and CEO
Joyce Y. Hall, MPH Chairperson
DEAR FRIENDS,
START’s strengths continue to shine through
feedback and continual improvement is
periods of substantial transitions. Similar to
very important at START. Throughout
START Treatment & Recovery Centers’
the patients we serve, START is focused on
the year we sought input from program
continued growth and success is due to our
growing from our past experiences.
participants via patient satisfaction
commitment to staying true to our mission and continually striving for excellence.
The 2014 annual report is a culmination
Since its inception in 1969, START has
of our efforts to maintain and exceed our
stood as a testament to transformation
performance standards. This report details
and evidence-based innovation. START has
a number of fundamental developments;
expanded from providing services from a
specifically our significant strides in
single site location into one of the nation’s
research, renewed focus on community
leading organizations for adult medication-
outreach, a burgeoning philanthropic
assisted treatment; providing exceptional
culture and another year of consistent
primary medical care, behavioral health,
financial growth.
HIV case management, Hepatitis C testing and substance abuse counseling, and adolescent mental health services to over 4,000 patients annually.
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Lawrence S. Brown, Jr. MD, MPH, FASAM Chief Executive Officer
surveys. Our results continue to improve, which demonstrate our ongoing commitment to improving outcomes. We successfully implemented a medical care model that provides on-site Hepatitis C screening, education and treatment to our patients at the Beny J. Primm Center for Healthy Lifestyles in central Harlem. Additionally, we secured a grant from Gilead Pharmaceuticals to establish a
The health care industry is continually
patient navigator program that will provide
changing, but one thing that has remained
additional support to ongoing efforts in
the same is our passion for serving our
linking and retaining patients in Hepatitis C
patients battling opioid addiction. Patient
treatment across all programs.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Joyce Y. Hall, MPH Chairperson Caroline A. Wamsler, PhD Vice Chair Regina Suki Moran, Secretary Juan Bailey, MD Gerald Pierre Hoke, MD, MPH Debra A. McDowell Lisa K. Meadowcroft Shaun Smith, Esq. Lisa R. Smoots, MS, ED Julie-Ann Tathem
Elena O. Ayot, Esq. Bevan K. Baker, FACHE Maxine Dotson Michael J. Hickson, MD Hon. Judith D. Mitchell, Esq. Francis J. Mullady, CLU Doug Rabbino Randy M. Seewald, MD Peter Stein David Szerlip
We recognize that our patients’ needs
great accomplishment that can be credited
number of START’s funding sources and
change and that the provision of care
to the hard work by our outstanding team
increase community awareness.
should never be static. Accordingly,
of medical, behavioral, administrative and
we are constantly seeking to improve
leadership staff at START Treatment &
ourselves by embracing new ideas. In
Recovery Centers.
2014, we realigned our focus on our
We believe that there is a right way to treat people; by bringing inspiration, cuttingedge treatment and care to every patient.
The big vision is always long term. Our
We are often the resource that pulls our
targets are ambitious and the conditions
patients from the edge of their destructive
before us are challenging. Thus, we have
addictions and gives them courage to soar
reinvigorated our fundraising and fund
into sobriety; by developing individualized
development efforts. START received
treatment services that help them live
capital funding from both the Manhattan
stable lives at every stage of their recovery.
Borough President, Gale A. Brewer and
Undoubtedly, it is extraordinary to consider
In addition, two of our Manhattan clinics –
Brooklyn Borough President, Eric L. Adams.
what we have accomplished together, and
Highbridge and Third Horizon successfully
This marks the first time that START has
all that is yet to come.
attained the highest level of recertification
ever applied for and received this type of
by the New York State Office of Alcoholism
financial backing and is in line with our
and Substance Abuse Services. This is a
strategic plan to diversify and increase the
adolescent mental health program. Under new leadership, our program has restored or strengthened our collaborative efforts with the Administration for Children’s Services and the New York State Office of Mental Health.
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I am 53 years old. I was going through a traumatic process and everything was everyone else’s fault except mine. It took me quite a while to trust people or even the Counselors at START. I have accomplished so much with this program, things that I never thought I would accomplish. I use to think that because of my age, I would never be able to achieve the things that I always wanted to do. I got my GED in my mid 30s. I finished College in my middle 40s and now I’m in school to become a Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor. The sky is the limit for me! —MICHELLE
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Our Profile START Treatment & Recovery Centers was founded in 1969 as a 501(c)3 non-profit by
Our Services
a dedicated group of attorneys, physicians,
— Adolescent Mental Health
public-policy makers and community
— Primary Medical Care
activists. The organization provided medically-assisted treatment and behavioral health services from a single location in Brooklyn, NY. START has realized tremendous patientcentered growth over the years. Featuring
— Outpatient Detoxification — Hepatitis C Treatment — Psychiatry — Chemical Dependency Services — HIV/AIDS Care
evidence driven treatment, with a unique
— Vocational Rehabilitation
integrative approach of healing the whole
— Individual & Group Counseling
patient, START now operates ten clinical programs, two of which are specifically
— Family Counseling
designed to meet the mental health needs
— Medication-Assisted Treatment
of adolescents. START is certified by the
— Care Coordination & Referrals
New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services and is licensed as an Article 28 clinic by the New York State Department of Health.
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I’m 29 years old, and it began with me smoking weed, drinking and then it progressed to me using heavier drugs, let’s say at 14-15 years old. I then began using acid, pain killers and stuff like that. Then I graduated to using even harder drugs like heroin. START helped me stop feeling worthless and want to get myself together. —SEAN
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Elevated Focus With the added capabilities of our electronic medical record, we have shifted our focus
DISEASE CONTROL RATES FOR HIV, DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION 2012
61%
from process measures of quality to an outcomes focus. In healthcare, outcome
2013
69%
measures most closely track the overall assess both addiction-related effectiveness
HIV
and efficiency measures as well as co-
68%
occurring causes of excess morbidity and
72%
mortality among our patients. Because of a
77%
disproportionately higher prevalence of HIV disease, diabetes, and hypertension among
DIABETES
START patients, clinical interventions focus
55%
National control average for
on these diseases. 58%
Clinical data for the period 2012 to 2014 demonstrate a steady increase in the
2014
75%
health status of the patients. At START, we
76%
HYPERTENSION
HIV= 30%* Diabetes= 52%* Hypertension= 49%* *2012 CDC data
success of START’s clinicians in achieving desirable clinical outcomes. Reducing HIV viral loads of patients translates into reducing the progression of HIV disease in the individual and reducing the risk of HIV transmission to others in the community. For diabetes and hypertension, improved
clinical indicators means a decreased risk
START clinicians exceeded the national
of complications such as stroke and heart
averages for HIV disease, diabetes, and
disease and a reduction in healthcare costs
hypertension control, despite having a
experienced by community healthcare
more economically disenfranchised patient
agencies. It is important to note that
population than the nation as a whole.
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Nothing On Me I’m so glad I got my own So glad I can see my life’s a natural high The man can’t put nothing on me! It’s something kind of funny how the man takes our money! As shrewd as he can be, in such a way you’ll never see! It’s a terrible thing inside when your natural high has died. The weaker turn to dope, and put aside their hope. I’m so glad I got my own, so glad I can see. My life’s a natural high tickling my brains; they do all sorts of things. While your inner mind is at peace, your conscience is teased More and more you crave, until you grow another need Playing fantasy you forget reality I’m so glad I got my own, so glad I can see. My life’s a natural high. The man can’t put nothing on me! So darling take a heed and listen, it may be something that you’re missing. I know in your mind, you want to party, but you don’t have to be no junkie!
—POEM BY DAVID
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Adolescent Mental Health therapy and crisis intervention. Additionally, this year the mental health teams adopted
LOOKING AHEAD
the “milieu approach” that applies on-going communication and collaboration with all members of the Department of Youth & Family Justice environment in an effort to monitor, assess and stay informed regarding the day to day progress and/or setbacks of the residents. LEFT TO RIGHT: ANNIE JOHN, DIRECTOR OF ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH; LISA GILBERT, ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR, OMH; ROBERT MOON, DIRECTOR OF NYC FIELD OFFICE, OMH; ANN MARIE T. SULLIVAN, M.D., COMMISSIONER OF OMH; RENE SUMPTER, V.P. OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES. REAR ROW: LAWRENCE S. BROWN, JR., CEO.
Recognizing the need to explore new
The predominance of trauma and substance use indicates an ongoing need for dual services addressing both mental health and substance use challenges. START will explore creating new post-detention center service options for families.
partnerships, START actively collaborated with Bellevue Hospital’s psychiatry and psychology departments at the detention
Our dedicated adolescent mental health
centers. We successfully developed input
team provided 1,203 screenings, a
for assessments to rule out issues such In 2014, START’s Adolescent Mental Health
total of 5,720 individual psychotherapy
as youth depression, exposure to trauma,
teams at the Horizon (in the Bronx) and
sessions, 601 group sessions and 681 crisis
adjustment to detention, and skills training
Crossroads (in Brooklyn) juvenile detention
intervention sessions.
in group sessions for weekly review
centers continued to provide focused and
meetings with the Department of Youth &
compassionate mental health services
Family Justice staff.
to help youth regain a positive direction with their lives. Our services included screenings, individual psychotherapy, group
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START in the Community
TOP ROW, LEFT: TEAM START PARTICIPATING IN THE ANNUAL AIDS WALK IN CENTRAL PARK TOP ROW, RIGHT: CONDUCTING OUTREACH AT THE FULTON AREA BUSINESS ALLIANCE’S EVENT BOTTOM ROW: PARTNERING WITH NEW YORK CARE’S WINTER WISHES PROGRAM TO BRING HOLIDAY CHEER
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Advancing Research & Services For years, START has been at the forefront
Presentations and Publications
of medication-assisted substance abuse treatment programs that also provides
Our manuscript entitled “Hepatitis C Virus
primary medical care delivered by the
Related Knowledge and Willingness to
same medical and behavioral clinicians.
Receive Treatment among Patients on
There is substantial evidence showing that
Methadone Maintenance,� was published
when substance abuse treatment is co-
in the July/August 2014 issue of the
located with other healthcare services, both
Journal of Addiction Medicine. We
conditions improve to a greater degree.
also received acceptance of abstracts
This effort is exemplified by our effort
for presentation at the 2015 American
to combine substance abuse treatment
Association for the Treatment of Opioid
with specialist support for Hepatitis C via
Dependence and American Telemedicine
telemedicine.
Association meetings. START continues to be on the cutting edge when it comes
Using Technology to Treat
to the use of electronic medical records.
Through our work with State University of
START continues to be on the cutting edge
New York at Buffalo Medical Center, the
when it comes to the use of electronic
staff and patients at our Central Harlem
medical records. We presented a poster
clinics are able to meet with doctors in
at the American Public Health Association
Buffalo via teleconference/video chat
meeting and have been accepted for poster
to increase Hepatitis C treatment using
presentation at the American Society of
approved anti-viral medication and
Addiction Medicine meetings. With these
evaluation.
presentations, which have data covering
several years, we demonstrate how the electronic system can aid our clinicians to improve patient outcomes. We are looking to have these findings published in a peer reviewed journal.
LOOKING AHEAD We will seek to expand co-located treatment of substance abuse and Hepatitis C, while continuing to exploit the capabilities of our electronic information system. Consistent with our Mission, we will also explore new opportunities in our effort to bring clinical research to our patient population, which has generally been excluded from participation in these types of studies.
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Count Count your blessings instead of you crosses. Count your gains instead of your losses. Count your joys instead of your woes. Count your friends instead of your foes. Count your smiles instead of your tears. Count your courage instead of your fears. Count your health instead of your wealth. Count on God instead of yourself. —ALICIA
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Celebrating Our Partners On Tuesday, October 28th, START hosted its 2014 Signature Recognition
LOOKING AHEAD
Event and Reception. With the theme “Celebrating Our Partners”, the event was held at MetLife in midtown Manhattan. Overlooking Bryant Park and the New York City skyline, guests enjoyed a variety of hors d’oeuvres during the event, which was hosted by On-Air Personality Liz Black of 107.5 WBLS FM. Special highlights included an appearance
The 2015 Signature Event will be held on Wednesday, September 30th in midtown Manhattan. For more information, including sponsorship opportunities, please contact the development office at 718.260.2984 or fundraising@startny.org.
and dynamic speech by NFL Hall of Famer and ESPN analyst, Cris Carter. Bill Haas, Senior Vice President, Northeast Division of LabCorp received the inaugural Dr. Beny J. Primm Humanitarian Award.
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START Signature Event October 28, 2014 at MetLife 1
1 LEFT TO RIGHT: DR. BROWN WITH 2013 DR. BENY J. PRIMM HUMANITARIAN AWARD RECIPIENT BILL HAAS OF LABCORP
2
2 LEFT TO RIGHT: FRANK MULLADY, SR.
(2ND FROM LEFT) AND FAMILY WITH NFL HALL OF FAMER CRIS CARTER 3 LEFT TO RIGHT: RON ROVNER, METLIFE; JOYCE HALL, BOARD CHAIR; KAREN CREEL, METLIFE; CRIS CARTER; AND DR. BROWN 4 LEFT TO RIGHT: CRIS CARTER; REGINA PHILLIPS-TABON, COO; WBLSFM ON-AIR PERSONALITY LIZ BLACK; AND DR. BROWN 3
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Thanks to Our Donors We are deeply grateful to each of our donors for enabling our work
$200 - $499
to continue. Contributions of all sizes are critical to revitalizing our
Henry Asemota Bridging Access to Care Inc. Brian & Julia Brode Dennis Curran Dave Daniels Roosevelt J. Dulaurier Kevin B. Frankel Garry A. Graham Hillary Green & Kevin Lerman Insight Enterprises Dr. Mark & Regina Kraus Melissa Lin & Dr. Robert Sage Nena McDonald Diane L. Pajer James & Lynnae Pickens Dr. John Rotrosen Samaritan Village Alexandra R. Shwarzstein Michael R. Slater Julie Smoot Gwendolyn J. Towns Patricia G. Williams
programs and facilities, as well as supporting unreimbursed patient care. For more information, please contact the development office at 718.260.2984 or fundraising@startny.org. This list reflects all gifts received between January 1 and December 31, 2014. $5,000 & Above Gilead Sciences Heritage Administrative Services LLC Chris & Laura Labbate LabCorp MetLife Frank Mullady, Sr. Thermo Fisher Scientific Dr. Caroline A. Wamsler Chris Yegen
Dr. Gerald P. Hoke Ben Louie Manacraft Precision Madeleine Miller Hon. Judith D. Mitchell Suki Moran Arlene & Ronald Perry Pohl, LLP Hayley A. Stein Stetwin Consulting
$2,000 - $4,999
$500 - $999
Dr. Lawrence S. Brown, Jr. Corporate Consulting Services Devington Technologies Gallagher Bollinger Bill & Denise Haas NP Consultants Inc. Optimum Lightpath Peter Stein & Nariman Mandour David Szerlip Dr. Andrew Talal Wood, Rafalsky & Wood, LLP
Dr. Juan A. Bailey Angelo Cosentini CSS Inc. eClinicalWorks Susan Kahn & Meyer Shwarzstein Andrew S. Kaplan Lisa K. Meadowcroft Douglas A. Michels Regina Y. Phillips-Tabon Shaun E. Smith Lisa Reynolds Smoots Travis T. Tygart Withum Smith & Brown
$1,000 - $1,999 Brian J. Bernstein Sam Duvoor David Ferrante Joyce Y. Hall
$100 - $199 Dr. Bruce D. Agins Dr. Sarah Carpenter & Robert Newman Cobra Sewer & Drain Cleaning Corp. CSI Construction & Security Installation Maxine Dotson Jordania Estrella Debra Garcia Fadila J. Gathers GNYHA Ventures Goldman Sonnenfeldt Foundation George V. Greer & Michelle J. Lewis Chris & Katherine Grunden Leslie R. Hirsch Richard Jaffe Annie John Karl Jones
Wanda Jones-Robinson & Michael M. Robinson Jean Jordan Sue A. Kaplan Bob Krauss Angela Letts Kimberly Mack-Leveille Kevin & Kathy Manara Dr. Manuel & Carol Morman Donovan M. Murray Alan Nisselson & Trudy L. Whitman Doug Rabbino Laura Ridge Adrian & Bridgette Roberts Dennis & Edie Rollins Ron & Stacy Rovner Tomya Ryans Paul N. Samuels Allegra A. Schorr Dora G. Shwarzstein PK Sinha & Julie-Ann Tathem Renee R. Sumpter Joan Teitelman ThinkFoward Financial Group Cheryl W. Thompson Dr. Jean B. Tropnas Karlene D. Tyson Samuel Vodoor Gene E. Zarra Colleen Ziesig Michael & Barbara Zimmerman $99 & Under Katherine Ballantyne Stas Berlyand Peter & Valerie Duda Cheryl L. Hunter-Grant Paula F. Kern Diane Krumholz Macy’s Paula McCammon Janine Vivadou C. Eric Weems
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Financials Sources of Funds*
Use of Funds*
Net Assets*
1%
0% 0%
$17,683
18000
12%
13%
16400
80%
14800
87%
$13,868
13200 11600
Program Service Revenue
Program Services
Grants and Contracts
General & Administration
Fundraising
Fundraising
10000
1/1/14
12/13/14
Misc Income
Sources of Funds* Program Service Revenue Grants and Contracts
Use of Funds* $21,136
85.4%
Program Services
$3,350
13.5%
General & Administration
Fundraising
$116
0.5%
Fundraising
Misc Income
$154
0.6%
$ 24,756
100%
Total Total
$ in Thousands—Year Ending December 2014
*
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Net Assets* $18,284
87.3%
$2,489
11.9%
$168
0.8%
$ 20,941
100%
1/1/14
$13,868
12/31/14
$17,683
Increase in net assets
$ 3,815
Locations HEADQUARTERS
MANHATTAN LOCATIONS
BROOKLYN LOCATIONS
22 Chapel Street Brooklyn, NY 11201 Tel: 718.260.2900 Fax: 718.875.2817 Web: startny.org
REACH 119 West 124th Street New York, NY 10027 Tel: 917.386.1790
Fort Greene 937 Fulton Street Brooklyn, NY 11238 Tel: 718.789.1212
Starting Point 119 West 124th Street New York, NY 10027 Tel: 212.932.2676
East New York 494 Dumont Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11207 Tel: 718.385.4000
Kaleidoscope 119 West 124th Street New York, NY 10027 Tel: 212.932.2810
Bushwick 1149-55 Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11206 Tel: 718.574.1400
ORIGINAL PAINTING BY START PATIENT, MICHELLE MCGEE
Third Horizon 2195 Third Avenue New York, NY 10035 Tel: 212.348.5650 Highbridge 500 West 180th Street New York, NY 10037 Tel: 212.543.2782
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22 Chapel Street | Brooklyn, NY 11201 718.260.2900 | startny.org | info@startny.org