My Visit to Washington, DC (SAMSA)

November 4, 2009

Greetings,
I have struggled to put words to my most recent experiences. Touched Twice United was invited to send a representative to the Faith-Based Cluster for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMSA) in Maryland last week. I want to share some highlights from my experience. For the first time in a long time I felt like God had perfectly equipped and educated me for this meeting. I was one of many licensed clinical social workers, pastoral counselors, hospital mental health administrators and community mental health directors from all over the country. I asked for your prayers, and felt at home immediately when I walked into the room. The “peace” that passes understanding what granted to me by God and through your petitions and prayers for me. Thank you!
In a nut shell, the goal of the two day meeting was to increase partnerships between community organizations and faith-based organizations. The facts indicate that most people in need of mental health and substance abuse treatment do not seek mental health providers first - instead they seek the help of their pastors or church members. SAMSA has created and tested some quick assessment tools which can be used to equip pastors and lay people to deal with the front door needs of community members. All the conference participants were asked to serve on a cluster work group for the next year. I agreed to represent TTU in this way for a minimum of one calendar year.
The entire experience was orchestrated by God in an incredible way. Milagro Grullon (our TTU partner from Lawrence, MA) was asked to present what she was doing within city government. She presented the TTU model and shared how it was instrumental in the success of reaching her citizens. Following her presentation I was approached by a many conference participants who asked for marketing packets and expressed interest in doing clinics through their churches or ministries. On Wednesday night, Milagro and I attended a dinner with 15 of the conference participants. The Senior Advisor on Children, Youth and Families for SAMSA, Larke, sat across from us. She asked us to share about Touched Twice United. For the next 45 minutes she listened, asked questions and was amazed by the work we are doing across the country. At the conclusion of our dinner she asked for a marketing packet and suggested an interest in funding our organization.

The two day conference ended with an unusual and amazing opportunity. When I arrived at Reagan National Airport I was informed that our plane was delayed for 2 hours. As God would have it the woman who facilitated our meetings, Suganya, was on my flight. We shared luggage watching responsibilities for one another and then finally settled down to chat. She began the conversation: “I was wondering, how do you wake up and decide to transform health care through the church.” I began to share about stumbling on the need after we hosted our first “health fair” in Louisville. Then she asked about the name. After sharing the divine origins of Touched Twice (Mark 8) she had tears in her eyes and said: “Thank you so much for sharing that with me.” Suganya had recently moved to Eagle River, Minnesota. She and her husband live there for the summer and snowbird in Nevada. She shared that she was looking for a way to serve in her community. She reminded me that we would be in touch all year - as she would continue to facilitate my work group. She wondered if TTU might be a way she could connect and give-back to her community next spring.
Sometimes I wonder if what we do makes a difference when I plod along - sending newsletters, supporting new clinic coordinators and training church members. Last week, I was reminded and encouraged that the work TTU is doing to equip church members to serve and satisfy the needs of our communities is making national ripples. TTU was hailed as one of the most creative models for ministry and community impact on the nation. The grassroots, viral movement allows it to spread without great infrastructure or funds. Surprise - the Federal Government is out of money. TTU allows needs to be met, Christ to be exalted and it takes time rather than millions of dollars. I believe you will hear more from me in the coming months as this cluster forms and completes its tasks.
Thank you for your prayer support.