EUGENE, Ore. – Kathy Smith, principal of KJ Smith Associates, has received a Silver Facilitation Impact Award (FIA) from the International Association of Facilitators (IAF) for her facilitation of strategic planning with the Western Lane Behavioral Health Network (WLBHN). The award recognizes excellence in facilitation and collaborative techniques that result in positive, impactful results.
The WLBHN is a network of healthcare providers and community partners working to increase access to behavioral health services and improve community health in rural western Lane County. Smith designed and facilitated a collaborative planning process that strengthened the network of partners, created collaborative norms, explored approaches to address the needs of the rural community and developed a strategic plan that was adopted on consensus.
“Central coast residents face significant barriers to access healthcare, particularly behavioral health,” said Rick Yecny, chief administrative officer and chief mission officer of PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center, a member of the network. “Kathy’s skilled planning and facilitation were integral to the development of a strategic plan and collaborative approach that will enable the Western Lane Behavioral Health Network to succeed in improving access to behavioral health care.”
FIA nominations were submitted from organizations around the world. Other Silver Award winners in the United States included the Federal Aviation Administration and US Bancorp. This is Smith’s second FIA honor; in 2015, she received a Silver Award for facilitation of the Lane Blood Center strategic affiliation decision making process.
About Kathy Smith
Kathy Smith is principal of KJ Smith Associates, a strategic planning and business development consultancy based in Eugene, Oregon that provides expert facilitation, and planning services to help leaders in business, nonprofit organizations and government tackle strategic decision making and effectively manage change. To learn more go to www.kjsmith.biz.
