C.H.I.P. Memorandum of Understanding

[RCCAtl]

 

Community Health Interfaith Partnership (C.H.I.P.)

Memorandum of Understanding

 

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) constitutes an agreement among the entities

comprising the Community Health Interfaith Partnership (C.H.I.P.) listed below for the

following purposes:

 

•    To begin formalizing C.H.I.P. as a coordinating body with a purpose, scope, and set of strategies common to its members aimed at identifying unmet needs for services and support to people affected by mental and addictive illnesses within the state of Georgia.

•    To declare officially that the signatories are actively cooperating in ongoing efforts (1) to speak with one unified voice for those with mental and addictive illnesses, (2) publicize these needs in order to mobilize a compassionate and highly-effective response within the community, (3) promote and facilitate cooperative action to generate holistic, multi-strategy, multi-sector solutions and (4) advocate for their implementation.

•    To provide documentation of the mission, vision, and goals of C.H.I.P. for all to see.

•    To clarify and emphasize that each of the signatories is autonomous and operates according to its own respective rules and procedures and with this MOU each agrees to work toward C.H.I.P.’s common goals.

 

ARTICLE I. HISTORY OF C.H.I.P.

In the spring of 2010, SAMHSA convened the Community Leaders and Interfaith Partnership Summit. The purpose was to share a vision for responding to the needs of those affected by substance abuse and mental health disorders through community-level collaborations. The Atlanta team consisted of fifteen participants representing a wide variety of faith and community-based organizations, both public and private. Discussions focused on the particular challenges facing our community, as well as Atlanta’s unique assets and resources.

 

Following the summit, the Atlanta team sought a diverse group of partners, including clinicians, service providers, faith-based non-profits, public agencies, and concerned citizens. As the group’s numbers increased, so did its capacity to undertake significant work in the community. In September 2010, the group adopted the name Community Health Interfaith Partnership to communicate its role in the community clearly.

 

 

ARTICLE II. C.H.I.P. VISION

A place in the community for everyone.

 

 

ARTICLE III. C.H.I.P. MISSION

We operate as an interfaith, community-based coalition to enhance the behavioral health of our neighbors and promote the well-being of our community.

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV. C.H.I.P. GOALS

1.  Create a sustainable structure for coalition with core group of 60% of its     members participating in advocacy, events, and affinity groups.

2.  Develop a strategic plan including specific areas of focus (e.g., identifying and galvanizing our strengths/organizations, advocacy, toolkit for clergy and nonprofit leaders, needs analysis of metro Atlanta area).

3.  Work with a wide range of partners to create informational events with clear objectives; measurable outcomes will be specific to every event.

4.  Provide specific opportunities for C.H.I.P. service providers to collaborate with a Federally Qualified Health Center to plan and implement integration of mental health services into primary care.

5. Enhance working relationships with Federal agencies, i.e., SAMHSA, HRSA, SBA, to promote and build up C.H.I.P. partner organizations.

 

ARTICLE V. THE ROLE OF THE SIGNATORIES

Responsibilities and activities undertaken by each signatory to this MOU in order to accomplish common goals will include but not be limited to the following:

• Promote and participate in planning processes necessary to develop C.H.I.P. as an organization that identifies unmet needs for services and support to people affected by mental and addictive illnesses within the state of Georgia.

• Foster cooperation and partnerships among members of C.H.I.P. in order to achieve common and individual goals.

• Provide letters of support and oral testimony for projects that address mental and addictive illnesses.

• Meet periodically to coordinate and integrate the work of each member’s group into unified and meaningful strategies that advance the goals of C.H.I.P.

• Support ongoing public-awareness, advocacy and education components around mental and addictive illnesses.

• Join with agencies focusing on solutions around the issues of mental and addictive illnesses.

 

ARTICLE VI. THE ROLE OF C.H.I.P.

Responsibilities and activities undertaken by the C.H.I.P. in order to accomplish common goals will include but not be limited to the following:

• C.H.I.P. will serve as the coordinating body in identifying unmet needs for services and support to people affected by mental and addictive illnesses.

• C.H.I.P. will publicize these needs in order to mobilize a compassionate and highly-effective response within the community.

• C.H.I.P. will promote and facilitate cooperative action to generate holistic, multi-strategy, multi-sector solutions and we advocate for their implementation.

• C.H.I.P. will develop strategies for funding consistent with its goals and priorities.

• Coordinate educational and public awareness activities around the issues of mental and addictive illnesses with a focus on prevention and recovery.

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII. TERMS OF THE MOU

The Community Health Interfaith Partnership is an organization comprising autonomous entities with common goals and who agree to work together for the benefit of all. The memorandum will become effective when signed by two or more organizations. Any signatory may terminate its participation by written notification to Community Health Interfaith Partnership. P.O. Box 55369, Atlanta, GA 30308

 

 

 

________________________  _______________________________________

Organization                                Address (city, state, zip)

 

 

 

__________________           ____________________         ______________________

Phone  (office)                 (fax)                                                    (cell)

 

 

_______________________________________                   ______________________

Signature of authorized organizational signatory      Date

 

 

______________________________________                     ______________________

Printed name of authorized organizational signatory Title

 

 

 

____________________________________                         ______________________

Signature of C.H.I.P. authorized organizational signatory Date

 

 

 

________________________________________________ ______________________

Printed name of C.H.I.P. authorized organizational signatory Title

 

 

 

Please mail to C.H.I.P., P.O. Box 55369, Atlanta, GA 30308