From one of the good pecusa dioceses

I am writing to notify you with deep regret that the Counseling Service will be closing its clinical program and administrative office as of June 30, 2013. After decades of service to the community and to the church we are no longer able to remain fiscally solvent. Over the last several years we have had to close outreach offices and limit staff, and can no longer provide an adequate coverage of clinical care throughout the Diocese. The economic recession of 2007 irreversibly lessened our endowment and decreased our donor-base, resulting in staff cuts and outreach office closings. Even with the in-kind support of the Diocese and the financial support of Episcopal Charities, we have not been able to remain solvent. Thus, I have recommended that the Board consider closing the agency as of June 30, and they have voted to do so. In addition to the financial challenges, we have had to overcome healthcare challenges beyond the control of the agency and the Diocese. To function effectively within the current managed healthcare environment has become too burdensome for small social service agencies. I have listed below some of the primary obstacles:

1. The growth of managed-care has led to a steady erosion of service fees and billed clinical time. Clinical counseling is very labor intensive and expensive to provide, especially if you consider all the additional administrative time required for record keeping, office management and ongoing communication regards treatment reports and billing with insurance companies.
2. In order to utilize a client's insurance, the therapist must be a provider of a managed-care health insurance panel. Thus, we have great difficulty finding qualified therapists. In addition, when they leave our employ they take their provider-ship with them and we have to start from the beginning.
3. Training and utilizing graduate students to service clients through our sliding fee scale is no longer cost effective given the increasing pressure to maximize fees.
4. A large part of our budget was dependent on the Employee Assistance Programs we offered to local businesses. Shortly after the 2007 recession these corporations cut that benefit for their employees. The current trend is to utilize national healthcare managed companies for these services. We cannot compete with this trend.
5. The number of public grants available became increasingly more difficult to find. Because we are a ministry of the Episcopal Church, finding public grants is especially challenging.

During my tenure we have aided thousands of families, clergy included. We were able to accomplish this through the generosity and support of the church and our donors. Though the Board and I are very saddened regarding closing, we do believe we have served God, the church and the community diligently. I am going to miss working closely with my clergy friends and colleagues, and consider my tenure as Executive Director a personal spiritual journey.