NATICK, MA – Mental Health and Substance Abuse Corporations of Massachusetts, Inc. (MHSACM), a statewide organization representing over 100 community-based behavioral healthcare provider organizations, announced its 2006 Recognition Awards at its annual Provider Celebration on October 10, 2006. Each year, MHSACM recognizes human service employees, consumer and family advocates and others who have made outstanding contributions to the fields of mental health and substance abuse.

Joel Kershner, Vice President for Administration and Finance at Justice Resource Institute (JRI), was presented with the Excellence in Quality and Innovation Award for Administration and Finance Management for his exceptional management of JRI’s finances and operations. Sound financial management enables community organizations like JRI to serve individuals and families with behavioral healthcare needs efficiently and effectively.

"At this Celebration, we honor individuals like Joel Kershner whose important work enables community organizations to better serve individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders and their families," said Elizabeth Funk, MHSACM President/CEO. "By modernizing accounting functions and implementing financial integrity measures, Joel has ensured that not only vulnerable individuals receive the care necessary to live independently in our communities but that taxpayers get good value for their investment in families."

"I am deeply honored to receive the Excellence in Quality and Innovation Award for Administration and Finance Management," said Kershner. "I am extremely proud to have been part of a team at JRI that has developed a continuum of quality services for children and adults with mental health and substance abuse needs."

MHSACM honored the awardees at a ceremony in Natick. MHSACM members are the primary providers of mental health and substance abuse services in Massachusetts. Member providers and their 20,000 dedicated employees provide clinically effective and cost-sensitive care to 117,000 individuals on any given day in communities throughout the state.