LEADERSHIP WITH CERTIFIED RECOVERY PEER SPECIALISTS PROGRAM RECOGNIZED
LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. — Dr. Christine Cauffield, CEO of LSF Health Systems, last week accepted a national award recognizing her organization’s innovative work in the field of behavioral health. Lutheran Services in America selected the Jacksonville-based nonprofit for its 2023 Innovator Award that honors organizations pioneering new solutions and practices to solve complex issues.
In presenting the award, Lutheran Services in America (LSA) President and CEO Charlotte Haberaecker noted how Cauffield led LSF Health Systems’ expansion of an enhanced Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CPRS) training program that addresses the state’s shortage of paraprofessionals with the skills and competencies to work with people at risk for behavioral health disorders. The first of its kind in Florida, this program has trained more than 300 peer specialists to help those struggling with substance use disorders and mental health issues.
“It has always been our priority to promote a culture of innovation at LSF Health Systems and across Florida to achieve a substantial impact across our state,” Cauffield said. “We appreciate being recognized for our work by Lutheran Services in America and our social ministry peers and are truly humbled and honored to receive this award.”
The award was presented to Cauffield at LSA’s CEO Summit 2023 in Phoenix, an annual gathering of Lutheran social ministry leaders that cultivates the sharing of innovative ideas and solutions to the biggest issues facing the health and human services sector.
This year marks the third annual ceremony to honor distinguished organizations that reflect the Lutheran Services in America network’s core values of seeking innovative solutions to transform the lives of people and lifting up the diversity of people, communities and ideas.
“Our 2023 award recipients set the standard for what it means to advance innovation and address society’s greatest challenges to transform lives — our very mission as Lutheran social ministry organizations,” Haberaecker said.
LSF Health Systems is one of seven behavioral health Managing Entities contracted by the Florida Department of Children and Families to manage the state-funded system of behavioral health care for people who face poverty and are without insurance. LSF Health Systems serves a 23-county region in North Florida. For more information, visit lsfhealthsystems.org.
