Center for Multicultrual Human Services (CMHS) provides mental health, educational, legal, and social services in 32 languages to residents of the Washington metropolitan region. CMHS also offers training and consultation nationally and internationally.

Synopsis:

CMHS is a stronger organization than it was in 2001, better serving its children and families. Its effectiveness and sustainability have increased as well.

Key Accomplishments:

Increased staff and structural capacity resulted in an almost 300% increase in the number of children served over four years, growing from 582 to 1,559; new coverage in the District of Columbia through a partnership with Covenant House; and the training of 9,411 individuals to provide more effective services to culturally diverse children and families, a substantial increase over the goal. Other noteworthy accomplishments that contributed to improved capacity and increased effectiveness include:

• Planning and Focus: In 2002 completed a strategic plan outlining the expansion of services throughout the Washington region based on emerging community needs and the readiness and capacity of local jurisdictions and other funding entities to support new services. The plan also focused on building the internal capacity to deliver effective, high quality, culturally appropriate services.

• Human Capital—Board and Management

  • Strengthened Board, adding six new members and consultant-facilitated training. Created strong middle management by adding six highly skilled Program Managers. Fully integrated a COO with extensive clinical and administrative experience in human services. Contracted with major accounting firm to oversee finance department through an on-site CPA.

• Information Management: A state-of-the-art information management system was installed to track client billing, demographics, services, and outcome measures. All insurance billing is done electronically. New state-of-the art donor database showed number of gifts tripled since 2001.

• Program Effectiveness: Ph.D.-level research staff develop, refine, and track outcome measures for all clients. Evidence-based treatment models are being implemented in school and agency services for children.

• Model Certification: With support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, CMHS is codifying its effective multicultural mental health service model to help other nonprofit sites locally, regionally, and nationally respond more effectively to the human service needs of refugees and immigrants.

Key Information

Date, years, and stage of VPP Investment:	December 2001; 4 years (later-stage; partially funded)
Capital committed and disbursed by VPP:	$2,984,830 committed; $2,461,000 disbursed
Estimated children to be served in 2010:	8,559
Revenue increase & % budget growth:	$2.6 to $4.5 million - 73% in four years
Leveraged funding:	$1.6 million
Expansion to new places and coverage:	Three new school-based programs and new coverage in DC