About Us
From Our CEO
As Chief Executive Officer, I am extremely proud of the work that has been accomplished not only at Birch Tree Communities, but also within the mental health community in Arkansas. I have seen many changes and challenges to the system over the past 40 years, and our leadership team at Birch continues to address the obstacles we face to improve the lives of the members we serve.
Birch Tree has grown tremendously since its conception in 1989, and our staff is constantly working to strengthen and advance our organization. Over the next year, I look forward to expanding our services across the state, growing relationships in the mental health community, increasing the commitment to our amazing employees, and improving the support of our members.
I am a clinician at heart and am extremely proud of the person-centered recovery model that provides our members the opportunity to play an active role in their individual journey. As the behavioral health system in the state continues to change, our priority will always be to improve the quality of life for those we serve. The Birch Tree mission is to support our members so they can live a satisfying life in the community, and we renew our commitment daily to this mission with the belief that recovery is possible.
Dr. Brad Holloway, Ph.D., LCSW
Our Mission
Mission
A satisfying life in the community.
Each member of Birch Tree Communities defines what a satisfying life means to them, and we support them in the discovery of their values, goals, strengths, and abilities. Our role is to do all that we can to make a full life in the community possible. Our ultimate goal is to eliminate stigma so that individuals recovering from mental illness will be free to choose where they live, socialize, and work.
Core Belief
For every person living with mental illness, there is a real expectation of recovery.
We are committed to fully supporting our members in their own unique recovery journeys. Members in Birch Tree Communities determine the pace and plan the course for recovery as we serve as guides to their recovery.
Recovery Philosophy
Members of Birch Tree Communities are central to designing the course of their recovery. Our staff serves as guides in the recovery process, and we match our efforts to support the individual’s plan.
We want all those who struggle with mental illness to:
- Experience a sense of dignity.
- Be aware of their strengths.
- Develop self-awareness and insight.
- Express and pursue their dreams.
- Enjoy the freedom of making choices.
- Be free to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them.
- Know that they are worthy members of the human community.
Intentions
Soon after the founding in 1989, leadership adopted a set of principles to serve as a foundation for relationships and behaviors with our members, as well as setting the tone of the recovery environment.
In all that we do, we intend:
- To be kind.
- To inspire hope.
- To respect and befriend men and women overwhelmed by life.
- To bring a measure of joy into every life we touch.
- To do no harm.
- To offer ourselves without discrimination.
- To be just.
- To serve with patience, persistence and forgiveness, not regarding symptoms of illness as evidence of failure.
- To create an environment in which dreams are born, encouraged, and pursued.
- To be a beginning, not an end.
Our Motto
Believing in the Power of Mental Health Recovery!
Member Executive Council
The Birch Tree Communities Member Executive Council is a group consisting of member representatives from each branch across the state. The council works together with leadership to resolve issues affecting members and improve the lives of all those receiving support in our facilities.
The mission of the council is to be a bridge of ideas between members and staff and to be an active voice in improving the lives of members through advocacy, implementing policy, promoting accountability, and empowering members to achieve their goal of recovery. The council meets monthly and discusses events, health and safety issues, policy changes, issues at branches, as well as brainstorming to solve problems and actively shaping the way we serve our members.
Some of the council’s accomplishments include:
- Defined criteria for Recovery Wall Award recipients and Birch Wall of Heroes recipients and vote on those nominated.
- Assembled a committee to write smoking policies for group and transitional housing.
- Created policies to address concerns of cleanliness in group and individual spaces.
- Nominated individuals and companies for a Birch Tree Communities Service Award, and distributed press releases to alert the media.
- Collected hundreds of box-tops for the Summer Cereal Drive.
- Discussed ways to improve food quality and satisfaction with meals at branches.
- Proposed Ticket to Work and Supportive Employment Program as advocates for member employment.
- Created committee to develop policies regarding the personal belongings of members.
- A Community Outreach Committee manages volunteerism and community integration.
- Provides feedback for special events including Summer Dance, Family Day, State Fair outing, and other events.
- Reports monthly on individual branch needs from maintenance to equipment.