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Comal Cares: Connecting residents with local resources

The McKenna Foundation is excited to introduce a significant addition to the New Braunfels and Comal County community: Comal Cares (comalcares.org).

The innovative online directory is designed to enhance the lives of our neighbors by connecting them with local resources and organizations that can assist them quickly and seamlessly.

Whether you are seeking assistance or helping someone who is, the free and user-friendly site provides a growing list of over 600 local programs to help you find the support you need.

The invaluable tool is a collaborative effort between the McKenna Foundation, TIPHER, and the San Antonio Community Resource Directory (SACRD), along with various community groups, nonprofits, and businesses dedicated to making supportive services easier to find and access.

“Comal Cares is the result of several months of development and the collaborative efforts of the McKenna Foundation, TIPHER, SACRD, and our dedicated community partners,” said McKenna CEO Alice Jewell. “It is not just a directory; it is a resource designed to foster a community of support and compassion. With this tool, we can build a stronger and more connected community, ensuring that everyone in New Braunfels and Comal County has access to the assistance they need.”

The comprehensive platform is essential not only for the general public but it also revolutionizes the numerous resource directories used by local organizations.

“Comal Cares is an invaluable resource for my work. I use this site weekly as I work with many individuals and families in the community. I have told so many people about the site and encourage them to check it regularly since it is constantly being updated. No more multiple resource lists on my desk that I was constantly having to update. This site is all I need!” said Holley Digby, Director of Mental Health and Wellness for Communities in Schools of South Central Texas.

Ashley Cammack, Mobile Integrated Health Specialist for New Braunfels Fire Department, also emphasized the significance of Comal Cares for the community.

“The user-friendly access to local resources with up-to-date information is incredible,” she said. “We run into patients who just aren’t familiar with the resources available to them. Once the need is identified, firefighters can also utilize the ‘share” button to text resource information to their patients, so that it is even more readily available to them. As a department, we are looking into ways to integrate Comal Cares into a QR code available on each of our ambulances.”

With over 600 programs available in the greater Comal County area, Comal Cares also features three specialized portals to help you find exactly what you need.

“The Housing Services, Mental Healthcare, and Love Should Not Hurt portals are designed to guide you to the right service or program, making your search more efficient and straightforward,” said Albert Ruiz of TIPHER.

Check out Comal Cares by visiting comalcares.org. 

Need help navigating the site? Please click here.

You can also contact cares@mckenna.org for additional help.

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McKenna Foundation awards education and health grants

The McKenna Foundation’s Board of Trustees has approved $564,000 of grant funding across 18 partner organizations within the Education and Health Portfolios.

In the second grantmaking session of the year, trustees voted to distribute $70,000 among two local education organizations, Canine Classmates and the New Braunfels Youth Collaborative. Additionally, $494,000 was distributed between 16 organizations under the Health Portfolio.

With a focus on an integrated health model, the Acacia Medical Mission in the Bulverde area is set to receive $17,500 to support its mobile mental and physical health care and outreach initiatives. Over the past year, Acacia has seen a significant increase in demand for mobile medical care in rural Comal County, which now represents 37% of its clientele. This funding is aimed at assisting Acacia reach our rural neighbors who are uninsured, face long commutes for medical care, or are experiencing homelessness.

Trustees also approved a $45,000 grant for recovery-oriented partner RecoveryWerks!, which has reported a significant increase in young adults and their families seeking services. Between January and May 2024, they assisted nearly 50 additional community members and provided 499 more services compared to the same timeframe in 2023. Given the ties between substance use disorder and mental and physical well-being, this funding is anticipated to enhance their group meeting, individual counseling, and sober social activity programs.

Three additional nonprofit partners dedicated to mental and physical health care for local individuals, families, and children are set to receive funding to support their initiatives. Hill Country MHDD Centers will receive $100,000, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Comal County will be granted $35,000, and River City Advocacy and Counseling is set to receive $40,000.

All 18 of the McKenna partners approved for grant funding are committed to providing valuable services to our neighbors and continue to work together as needs in our community grow.

This second round of grantmaking for the year focused on the Foundation’s Education Portfolio, aimed at improving the quality of life through quality education and social support. It also covered the Health Portfolio which supports mental and physical health, health care support, and access to care.

The application window for the Family Relationships Portfolio is now open. Applications are to be submitted by September 9.

The Foundation accepts applications from verified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Comal County residents. In 2024, the Foundation is accepting applications from previously funded grantees. For more information please contact us at 830-606-9500, email grants@mckenna.org, or visit our apply for a grant page.

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Mobile Integrated Health program graduates first frequent 911 caller

Six months into the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program, the New Braunfels Fire Department celebrated a significant achievement by transitioning their first 911 super-utilizer to a life of self-sufficiency.

Fire Chief Ruy Lozano announced on August 15 that this milestone signifies six months without the need for 911 assistance from the individual, who had previously used the service over 20 times in 2023. Now, thanks to the MIH program’s support and guidance, this individual is living independently without official assistance.

The program, which was launched in January 2024, is housed out of Fire Station No. 2 in New Braunfels and is in collaboration with the McKenna Foundation. The program aims to alleviate the burden of 911 emergency services by addressing high volumes of non-emergency calls.

In 2023, officials received approximately 1,300 emergency calls from residents who frequently call, some dialing 20-30 times a year. These calls often involve non-emergency situations such as requests for transportation, healthcare access, or insurance issues.

The MIH program allows specialists to visit these callers regularly to address their healthcare needs. Through analyzing incoming calls, the MIH program intervenes when necessary to not only aid these individuals, but also avoid excessive use of emergency services, reduce costs, and provide resources that might not otherwise be available to them.

With the implementation of the program, there has been a notable decrease in 911 calls from the 58 identified frequent callers, and officials are optimistic about transitioning more participants towards self-reliance.

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RecoveryWerks! gearing up for National Recovery Month

September is National Recovery Month, a national observance dedicated to promoting and supporting new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, celebrating the strong and proud recovery community, and recognizing the commitment of service providers and communities that facilitate recovery in all its forms.

Comal County is home to several organizations that advocate, support, and celebrate recovery daily. RecoveryWerks!, a local nonprofit, stands out among them.

RecoveryWerks! offers recovery support services for teenagers and young adults struggling with substance use. With the aid of state-certified peer recovery support specialists, they provide counseling, peer coaching, support group meetings, sober social activities, role modeling, and accountability to help young individuals embrace a life free from the influence of mind-changing chemicals.

“Acceptance and peer groups mean everything to our young people,” said Zach Saunders, a licensed chemical dependency counselor and RecoveryWerks! youth services program director. “Being a young person and trying to live a sober life presents unique challenges these days because it’s virtually impossible to avoid contact with other kids experiencing substance abuse problems. At RecoveryWerks!, we focus a lot on putting fun into the recovery process because we want these young people to see how much fun recovery can be. It’s through this spirit of fun that we help young people find a new group of friends who prioritize recovery and authenticity.”

RecoveryWerks! extends its support to family members, ages nine and above, who are worried about a loved one’s substance use.

“Getting the entire family involved in the recovery process makes a big difference,” said Joanne Daxon, a licensed chemical dependency counselor and RecoveryWerks! program director. “We know that substance use disorder affects every member of the family in different ways. Through support group meetings and counseling, we help parents, grandparents, and guardians learn how to enable recovery versus enabling addiction. We also have support group meetings specifically designed for youth, between the ages of nine and 17, who are not using substances but are affected by a family member who does. Engaging the whole family in the process of recovery is the best way to support those we love with this disease and bring about family healing.”

The Comal County Commissioners Court has proclaimed September as National Recovery Month in Comal County, acknowledging that while mental health and substance use disorders impact communities across the nation, many local individuals have embarked on a journey of improved health and wellness.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, launched National Recovery Month in 1989 to raise awareness about mental health and addiction recovery.

RecoveryWerks! will host a Family Fun night on September 13 to honor the community’s support for those in recovery and the numerous lives transformed by it.

The free event will be held at 790 Landa St. in New Braunfels, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. It will feature music, games, prizes, food trucks, community resources tables, and an outdoor family movie at sunset. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and their families to join the celebration of National Recovery Month in the community. Click here for more information.

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Mental Health Awareness Month 2024: Get involved

With Mental Health Awareness Month underway, now is a great time to get involved and spread the word that mental illness is something everyone should care and talk about.

Throughout New Braunfels and surrounding areas, there are several ways to get involved. Whether it’s attending an event, spreading the word, volunteering, or seeking help, we can all play a part in bringing mental illness awareness to the forefront.

Mental Health Awareness Events:

 

Hill Country MHDDC will host virtual LIVE Youth Mental Health First Aid (for adults assisting youth) meetings on the following days:

  • Friday, May 10 at 8 a.m.
  • Saturday, May 11 at 8 a.m.
  • Wednesday, May 15 at 9 a.m.
  • Friday, May 17 at noon.

 

Your Best Life Festival hosted by the National Alliance of Mental Illness Guadalupe County:

  • Saturday, May 11, located at Seguin Events Complex from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

Where to Volunteer:

 

CACCC provides a child-friendly environment to the community that assists in the detection, investigation, prevention, and treatment of child abuse. You can fill out a form to volunteer here.

Communities in Schools South Central Texas empowers K-12 students through the support of basic life needs, mental health, tutoring, and college preparation. You can find volunteering information through their website here.

Aiming to provide exceptional compassionate care, Hope Hospice offers personalized end-of-life care and help through the grief and loss process. For more information and how to volunteer click here.

Dedicated to creating a caring community that embraces well-being and mental health, you can find out more information or fill out a form to volunteer for River City Advocacy, Inc. here.

 

 

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Mental Health Awareness Month 2024: What to know

First observed in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month kicked off on May 1 and is a national effort to not only provide hope but to reduce stigma and promote public education surrounding mental illnesses.

Mental illness is common

 

Much more common than one might think, mental health issues continue to rise year after year throughout the nation and the numbers of those affected may be much higher than you thought.

A 2023 survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that nearly 37% of Texas adults reported depressive disorder and or anxiety. In Comal County alone, 29,000 adults and children have a mental health need.

When looking at mental health illness, however, anxiety and depressive disorder are not the sole issues. For example, eating disorders, addictive behavior, and schizophrenia all fall under the umbrella of mental illness.

Investment and initiatives

 

Mental Health InitiativesTo identify needs in the community, understand mental health, and fill gaps in services, the McKenna Foundation established a Mental Health Task Force in 2014.

With twenty-nine provider agencies along with city and county officials, the shared vision has resulted in shared resource materials, coordinated services, and community-wide events.  Additionally, two major achievements stemming from the Task Force include the Mental Advocacy Partners (MAP) and the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT).

Some of the benefits of these collaborations include expanding existing and developing new safety services throughout the community. With this, data creation and collection across disciplines have provided the resources necessary to address critical quality-of-life needs.

Where to find help

 

The commonality and prevalence of mental illness is exactly what Mental Health Awareness Month aims to bring light to. Here at the McKenna Foundation, it is our mission to promote education and prevention, be a resource for available services, and improve access to those services throughout New Braunfels.

A few of these services in New Braunfels and surrounding areas include:

 

More resources and information can be found on our non-profit resource directory page.