Becton Healthcare Resources Opens 5th Clinic, Expands Services, Set to Launch Foundation

By Nicole Zaro Stahl, Hacienda Network Staff Writer

A swarm of initiatives is keeping the professionals and staff at Becton Healthcare Resources (BHR) busy establishing new outreach vehicles to fill the region's burgeoning need for mental health services.

As a national practice management group with a strong local focus, BHR designs, manages, and assists providers with partial, emergency, inpatient, and outpatient psychiatric services. "We provide healthcare organizations with innovative mental health systems that enhance patient care, quickly identify client needs, and utilize resources more efficiently," says CEO Neisha Becton. It also manages five Pathways to Wellness mental health clinics, in Oakland, Union City, Pleasanton, Martinez, and, open since last fall, Antioch.

In addition to the new clinic, in 2011 Pathways to Wellness signed an agreement to provide Medication Support and Case Management services for HealthPAC (Health Plan Alameda County) consumers, an indigent population that typically has no insurance. Becton is also crafting another solution to address the needs of the underserved through the upcoming launch of the Becton Foundation. The foundation, designed "to assist the less fortunate in obtaining various mental health and medical services," will formalize the previous ad hoc philanthropy of the for-profit BHR.

"Every now and then we would provide a scholarship for a child to attend a special program, but then I found out that the need is much larger, and that many other individuals and groups are interested in supporting this mission," Becton explains.

One source of invaluable advice is the Tri-Valley Community Foundation, which is helping with organizational tasks like incorporation and "networking to identify people committed to the cause," Becton says. "There are many organizations and individuals who realize that children represent the future of this country and want to put their money into making a difference. We are very pleased to work with the Tri-Valley Community Foundation, knowing we have been vetted for our core values, mission, etc., and using their infrastructure to make it easy to accept donations once the foundation is open."

Also on the horizon is the start of mobile services, bringing mental health care to remote areas where there are no providers or public transportation is limited or even too expensive for recipients. "For us, this will be exactly what we normally do, but on wheels, with a doctor or nurse providing psychiatric evaluations/assessments or medication checks, to help keep clients healthy and stabilized," Becton relates.

"This population has seen so many cuts already," she continues. The foundation will be able to lend a helping hand. "We can help these folks get dental care, medical care, housing vouchers, tutorial services to help to keep the kids in their schools, or whatever it is they need to help them remain in the community."

To accommodate these new projects, in July 2011 BHR moved upstairs to a larger suite at 5674 Stoneridge Drive, the corporate home since 2005. Now there is enough room for a new billing services product line and expansion of the Employee Assistance Program product line. Becton is also seeking to add a few members to the foundation's board of directors. "We are looking for people who are active out in the community. I would like a diverse, powerful board to direct our efforts and help bring in as many resources as possible," she notes. For more information, visit www.bhrcorp.org.

Photo: Neisha Becton, CEO of Becton Healthcare Resources.

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