COASTAL BEND WELLNESS FOUNDATION INC

Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation's goals are to provide health and wellness initiatives in the Texas Coastal Bend: Goal 1: To provide core medical and support services to HIV positive memebers of the community. Goal 2: To provide outreach and prevention services and ot identify those who are infected with HIV/STD/Hepatitis but undiagnosed and get them into treatment as well as reduce the spread of infectious diseases through behavior management. Goal 3: To provide counseling and addiction services through evidence based interventions. Goal 4: To provide prevention education to adolescents who are at-risk of substance abuse and tobacco use and to assist families build core values leading to life long health and wellness.

Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation has a successful history of seeking and receiving funds to provide services to the Texas Coastal Bend, as well as developing new initiatives to improve the lives of those we serve. CBWF provides core and support services to HIV/AIDS clients in the communities we serve. Primary services provided are medical case management, such as medical adherence and financial assistance for ambulatory and pharmaceutical requirements; non-medical case management by providing social support services; disease education through outreach and prevention programs; substance abuse services; and housing. Currently 500 HIV positive people benefit from these services. CBWF does more than just provide services to those who are HIV positive. Our mission is to also provide outreach and prevention services to identify those who are infected but undiagnosed and get them into treatment as well as reduce the spread of HIV and other contagious diseases, such as Hepatitis, through behavior management. Yearly, CBWF provides 2,900 free HIV tests; 1,400 people receive risk reduction education; and 3,600 outreach contacts are made. The re-entry population has been identified as a high risk group in the spread of HIV and STDs, so 210 men are provided with harm reduction techniques and provided HIV testing yearly. CBWF provides substance abuse case management and treatment options at no cost to those seeking help in stopping the abuse of drugs and/or alcohol. 15.3% of HIV positive people are Intravenous Drug Users. 200 people receive no cost substance abuse treatment every year through CBWF programs. CBWF's education program, Project Turnaround, has been providing prevention services for 15 years to adolescents who are at risk for substance abuse and participate in other risky behaviors. The program promotes active participation to enhance factors that protect and bolster the resilience of vulnerable youth, as well as build core values within families. Project Turnaround educates over 15,000 children in the community on substance abuse issues through evidence-based curriculum, prevention presentations, and community events. Services are provided in 16 independent school districts throughout the Coastal Bend. 100 families receive health initiative training and parenting skills to strengthen their resolve to promote physical and emotional health.

Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation has over 30 years of experience in providing services. Based on strong relationships with community service providers, CBWF is able to leverage resources existing in the community to supplement programs rather than supplant. All staff is trained in multiple service areas, making program expansion smooth. CBWF, based on meeting program outcome expectations, has received funding consistently for over 15 years, allowing for uninterrupted services. CBWF is also the only agency providing support services in the area for HIV/AIDS clients.

Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation continues to meet programmatic goals, as set forth in contractual agreements with funders. Long-term goals for the agency is to expand services to meet the growing needs of our community and those citizens that are often disenfranchised. Currently, CBWF's strategic plan encompasses four areas: Leadership & Advocacy, Expansion of Services & Sustainability, Development, and Employee Satisfaction. Leadership & Advocacy: Continuous recruitment of board members that represent the community, including areas that are often disconnected by distance; Development of ongoing training opportunities to educate motivate and prepare current and future leaders and advocates; Increase agency recognition through involvement in community activities; Advocacy for clients, specifically those who have no voices or who are shut out by the main stream. expansion of Services & Sustainability: Substance abuse treatment programs are expanding, including fee based and contractual with state agencies to allow for self supported programs to survive during economic difficulties; Youth education programs are expanding by seeking additional grants, as it is the one area of increase in state funding; Reserve funds through ongoing fundraising and fee-for-service programs allows for continued stability. Development: Community awareness through social media is progressing to allow for greater and widespread support; Strategic grant seeking to allow for diversification of programming; Evaluation of service is ongoing, to allow for strong programs and to remain focused on outcomes. Employee Satisfaction: Continuous work towards employee retention through the development of an Employee Advisory Team, Wellness Programs, and incentive programs; Training opportunities allow for a better informed staff and allows for program development by allowing staff to move seamlessly between programs based on need.