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Questions / Answers

1.      What is AspenPointe?

AspenPointe is the new name for 12 organizations that serve residents of Colorado. Our organization was founded in 1875 (Colorado Springs Relief Society). Over the years, we’ve been known by many names. Today, we are a system that provides a continuum of care to empower clients, enrich their lives, and embrace their sense of purpose and value. We offer services to individuals and families in mental health, substance abuse, career development, education, housing, jail diversion, and telephonic-based wellness. We also provide administrative services to mental health/substance abuse providers.

*Example of program.

2.      Why did you change names?

The name change is only one of more than 30 major branding projects we’ve undertaken in the last 2 ½ years to:

§   Improve client care;

§   Improve client access and satisfaction;

§   Increase integration of services among our own organizations; and

§   Increase employee engagement.

Research we conducted in the community showed that few people knew our many organizations were part of one family. We learned of missed opportunities to assist prospective clients because of other confusion. Our new family of names will communicate that our organizations are “connected.” And we expect that one name will further increase integration of services among our organizations – engendering better, more “whole person” care for clients.

3.      What are some of the other major projects?

We consolidated more than 70 telephonic entry points into one centralized call center. We launched a nationally-recognized program to help military members and their families get all the help they need. And we launched and expanded the use of electronic health records throughout most of our clinical areas. (Visit www.AspenPointe.org for a complete list of projects.)

4.      What is your organization’s mission?

Empowering clients, enriching lives, and embracing purpose.

5.      What services do you provide?

We offer individual and family services in:

§         Mental Health

§         Substance Abuse

§         Career Development

§         Employment

§         Education

§         Housing

§         Jail Diversion/Reintegration

§         Telephonic Wellness

§         Provider Network Services

§          

6.      Why should I (a prospective client) go there?

We’ve been recognized, nationally, as one of the most-progressive and successful organizations of our kind. Our staff are among the most-credentialed. And our unique blend of services – from mental health and substance abuse, to career development, education and telephonic wellness – offer individuals and families integrated solutions to improve their lives. Lastly, our “whole person” and “strengths-based” approaches have demonstrated extraordinary successes – even among the highest-needs clients.

7.      Does this name change have any effect on services I receive?

It will not have any adverse effects. However, our goal is to provide a completely seamless integration of outstanding care with preeminent customer service. Increasingly, you’ll be offered services within our system that may benefit you.

8.      Was your company taken over? Did the organizations merge? Or is this decision, in any way, due to poor finances or the economy?

No. Virtually nothing has changed in our corporate structure or finances. No organizations “merged” – although we do expect even greater synergy among our many disciplines. And, among other benefits, this positions our organizations well for healthcare reform and greater consumer choice when seeking services like ours.

9.      How are you funded?

Much of our revenue is from state and federal government via Medicaid reimbursements. We also provide counseling services to third-party (commercially-insured) clients.

10. What other names have you had? Do you expect another change any time soon?

Since 1875, we’ve operated under 17 names: Colorado Springs Relief Society, Bemis Taylor Child Guidance Clinic, and Colorado Springs Child Guidance Clinic, to name a few. We have no plans for further name/identity changes.

11. Why did you drop “Mental Health” and “Behavioral Health” from your names? Are you getting away from these services?

Mental health and substance abuse services comprise our flagship organization, AspenPointe Health Services. We are not divesting from these services – but, in fact, expect continued growth due to increasing need. And we continue to make major investments in these areas. As to the reasons for the change in terminology:

§         Clients avoid referring to the terms because of stigma they face among family members and friends, and the community-at-large.

§         “Behavioral” – a term that was part of our former parent organizational name – applies to many, but not all, of our clients. Some of our clients have learning or physical disabilities; others have been involved with the criminal justice system; others may have lost their jobs and need career development skills. For most, the term suggests adolescent issues – which does not resonate with our adult clients.

§         With healthcare reform, more and more mental health/substance abuse services will be integrated with physical healthcare delivery. AspenPointe Health Services positions us accordingly.

12. How many clients a year do you serve? How large is your organization?

We provide direct care – and indirect services (through other providers) – to some 30,000 clients each year. We employ nearly 500 staff members and operate on a $51 million budget and are the second-largest nonprofit organization in Colorado Springs. We are overseen by a board of directors composed of community leaders representing major business, education, medical, not-for-profit, and faith organizations and constituencies.

13. What does the name mean? Is “Aspen” a carryover from Aspen Diversified Industries? What does your logo represent?

The name reflects our geography/location (the abundance of the tree in Colorado) and the symbolism of Aspen tree – notably, its resilience, its extensive root system that supports the growth of other trees, vegetation and wildlife, and its life-giving properties. It was unanimously chosen by leadership staff – and unanimously supported by our board. Its conception was largely organic during staff discussions – and it is not connected to “Aspen Diversified Industries.” The logo’s three watercolor “swashes” represent Pikes Peak (blue) and Aspen trees (yellow, green).

14. How long did it take you to come up with this? What other names did you consider?

Nearly one year – though a major initiative during that time was elucidating the “common thread” shared by all 12 of our organizations: To empower clients, enrich lives, and embrace purpose and value. We evaluated more than 200 name considerations. There was significant interest in and support for AspenPointe among our staff leadership. The name “tested” very well against six other “finalists” in ten dimensions. And the name/identity received unanimous approval from our board of directors.

Other major components of our branding initiative began in January 2008. Some even earlier.

15. How much did this cost? Wouldn’t this have been better spent on providing services?

The 30-plus major branding initiatives over the past 2 ½ years required significant investment on the part of our organization. However, they have provided exceptional improvements in client care, access and satisfaction; integration among our organizations; and employee engagement.  

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