Vision
Life in recovery from substance use and mental health disorders, and healing from trauma are causes for celebration! IHR’s vision is to transform the behavioral health treatment delivery system in the Commonwealth, focusing on strength-based, trauma-informed services that support long term recovery.
Action Statement
IHR addresses mental health, substance use, and trauma in families and individuals throughout Massachusetts, while working towards health equity and social justice, both within and outside our agency. We provide counseling and behavioral health treatment and support; we train and coach providers of these services, and we develop programs that incorporate best practices for working with individuals of all genders including trans and non-binary, pregnant and parenting people, youth and young adults, homeless families, and families in need of support.
Post-pandemic planning requires attention to both internal and external factors as we continue to support our community. In 2024 and 2025, we plan to:
[1]
Actively Support our workforce, providing assistance for ongoing professional growth. Recognizing that people are the most important component of any human services program, target any increased funds to foster equity in staff compensation. To reduce costs and turnover, focus on retention of staff. To increase retention, provide reflective, trauma-informed support and supervision.
Expand opportunities for those with lived experience. Continue to diversify our workforce by recruiting for staff from networks serving BIPOC individuals (for example, Association of Black Social Workers, Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness). Support IHR’s Equity Committee in the ongoing development of our plan to fully incorporate a lens of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in all of our activities. Continue to invoke our Principles of Relationship as a measure of the values we endorse as an agency and the ways we work together.
Goals/Objectives 2024/2025:
- Completed 12/31/2023, Analyze recruitment avenues, with the goal of increasing funding allocated to recruitment for new and existing positions.
- Calendar Year 2024: IHR Leadership will engage in a detailed review of disparities in current compensation with the goal of being able to clearly articulate how salaries are set. Review to include equivalency of experience/education, lived experience, longevity of employment at IHR, and support for professional growth of staff with goal of retention.
- 2024 and Ongoing: IHR Leadership will demonstrate transparency, as measured by staff survey, in communication around turnover and retention rates, based on quarterly analysis.
- IHR will explore completing an analysis of workforce culture across behavioral health programs of similar budget and staff size (in MA? NPO vs for-profit? More specifics?)
[2]
Improve and Expand our visibility, marketing of services, web and social media presence, external communication, using print and other materials to distribute to all stakeholders. Develop a robust online presence and continue to hone our skills in new areas of communication.
Goals/Objectives 2024/2025:
Completed 12/31/2023, update website content to reflect program/agency structure.
- Update program chart
- Develop content and system for updates under 3 categories of work at IHR (1. Behavioral Health Clinical and Case Management Services; 2.Training, Technical Assistance, Capacity Building, and Consultation; 3. Program Development)
Calendar Year 2024 and ongoing: Increase visibility and online presence through social media exposure
- Include #IHRisHiring
- Giving Tuesday and annual appeal
- Explore others: YouTube, LinkedIn, etc.
[3]
Identify payer sources beyond existing ones that support our services and mission. Engage with local foundations within our community and throughout the state where we provide services. Substance use and trauma are public health issues; reach out to hospital funders and healthcare foundations for support. Foster efficient internal communication to optimize our response to emerging opportunities.
Goals/Objectives 2024/2025:
- Grow donor list, engaging staff, Board, and IHR stakeholders. Highlight people in recovery, in the community, former clients.
- Research foundations –start w/ cities where our offices are located. Emphasize local and statewide work
- Explore hosting a summit highlighting our work
[4]
Research and Utilize updated best practices in the areas of training, coaching, and technical assistance as well as direct service, including evidence-based tools such as reflective practice. Collect feedback from participants in direct service programs using surveys and interview tools, and incorporate quarterly review processes to ensure we are refining and updating our approach. Support our internal Training Committee and Quality Assurance Committee by actively participating in their work.
Goals/Objectives 2024/2025:
- Examine current trends in evidence-based research to assess for missing perspectives (particularly perspectives from historically or intentionally marginalized populations),areas of potential bias, and lack of inclusivity.
- Leverage research and adult learning theory to enhance IHR presentation and communication skills—in person and via online platforms.
- Develop standards for trainings presented by IHR