The Talmud makes it clear that as Jews we are responsible for one another. This is the foundation of our families, our communities and the underlying strength of our programs that serve the Jewish and general community. We are united in partnership with the people we serve in a spirit of Tzedakah - helping those in need.

Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) community-based, nonsectarian agency, providing critical help to Floridians since 1960. Each year Gulf Coast serves more than 40,000 children, adults, families and elders who have catastrophic medical, psychiatric, physical, developmental and emotional needs. The agency is known nationally and internationally as a leader in innovative programming.

Gulf Coast's mission is to provide adults, children, families and elders with quality, cost-effective, community-based services to enhance their independence, economic self-sufficiency, and emotional and physical well-being.

Nationally Accredited by the Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF), Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services has a $30 million annual budget, with 700 full and part-time employees providing services in thirty-two counties. Offices are maintained in Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, Polk, Sarasota, Lee, Alachua, Volusia, Orange, Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. Publicly supported programs are organized under the agency's Gulf Coast Community Care division, while services to Pinellas County's Jewish population are under the agency's Jewish Family Services division.

Since 1978 Michael Bernstein has been President/CEO of Gulf Coast Community Care. Under his leadership, starting with a staff of two, the organization has grown to a staff of 700 serving more than 40,000 clients annually in the Tampa Bay, central and south Florida regions.

Michael is responsible for both the planning and implementation of internationally recognized models of community-based care that have served hundreds of thousands of seriously and persistently mentally ill adults and elders, and others who have major medical, physical, psychiatric, developmental, economic and other needs. These unique programs have received commendations from government and academic leaders throughout the world.

Michael has published extensively in professional journals in areas including model mental health delivery systems and special needs of disabled populations, including victims of torture. He has been invited to present at numerous international conferences in Hong Kong, Singapore, Paris, Jerusalem, Vancouver to name a few, at the invitation of the United Nations and other world bodies. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, received a B.A. degree in psychology from Brooklyn College and an M.S.S.W. degree in psychiatric social work from the University of Louisville. He also received the Licentiate of Social Sciences from the University of Helsinki in Finland.

A few examples of Mr. Bernstein's nationally and internationally acclaimed accomplishments include:
	Developing a nationally and internationally recognized treatment center for survivors of torture and genocide, which is funded directly by the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture in Geneva, as well as special funding from the Office of Refugee Resettlement in Washington, DC for the psychological and medical needs of victims of torture and state-sponsored genocide.
	Being invited to present at numerous international conferences in Hong Kong, Singapore, Paris, Jerusalem and Vancouver to name a few, at the invitation of the United Nations and other world bodies, on model programs that have been replicated in many countries.
	Developing a national and international reputation for state-of-the-arts programming for seriously and persistently mentally ill elders and adults, with visits from policy makers and researchers from Asia and the Far East, Europe, and North and South America.
	Developing one of the largest specialized employment services for noncustodial parents in the nation that has received praise from Florida Governors Chiles and Bush, as well as recognition by the National Governors Association and the White House, including President Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Senator Evan Bayh.
	At the invitation of the Reagan administration he was formally requested by former Surgeon General Koop to participate in a special national planning conference to review policies on mental health as related to aging and the promotion of health through the year 2000. Findings were presented to Congress and other national planning groups by the Surgeon General.
	Numerous Congressional testimony before committees of the United States Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and the Florida Legislature presenting on vital subjects including the Ombudsman and Reconciliation Act of 1987, the needs of seriously mentally ill elderly, mentorship programs for children with serious medical and behavioral problems, psychiatric and medical needs of survivors of torture, and others.
	Under the Reagan administration served as a paid consultant of the National Institute of Mental Health division to provide formal training in seven southwestern states.
	His leadership is further demonstrated by Appointment to the Washington Advocacy Working Group on Employment and Training Gubernatorial appointment by Florida Governor Jeb Bush to the Governor's Ex-Offender Task Force Previous appointments as Chairman of the Florida Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Mental Health Needs of the Elderly Appointment by the late Governor Chiles to the State Advisory Council to Study Government Reorganization Appointment to the Florida Task Force on Persons with Disabilities Being elected President of the Florida Chapter of the International Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services Elected President of Florida Families First, and many other appointments.

• Rescuing more than 2,000 elders from locked state mental hospitals by providing safe and caring community-based treatment at one-tenth to one-half the cost of a state institution.
  
  
• Three 16 bed long-term residential treatment programs for seriously mentally ill elders, where long-term care is provided in a supportive and humane community setting.
  
  
• More than 100 family homes where up to 225 mentally ill elders reside in security and comfort with caring, substitute family members.
  
  
• Coordinating treatment planning and community placement for more than 450 non-violent mentally ill inmates in the Pinellas County Jail.
  
  
• Therapeutic day programs for 90 mentally ill adults, teaching and strengthening the skills needed for independent living.
  
  
• Psychiatric and mental health care for over 650 mentally ill adults and elders in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, helping them remain out of locked institutions.
  
  
• A 14 bed group home for acutely mentally ill adults ages 18-45, as an alternative to homelessness, jail and locked state mental hospitals.
  
  
• A round-the-clock, in-home crisis intervention team to help prevent suicide among despondent elders.
  
  
• Mental health services for refugees who have been victims of torture and trauma.
  
  
• Counseling for families in conflict, marital problems, children with behavioral problems or in crisis or trouble, and individuals coping with loss, depression or emotional problems.
  
  
• Preventing alcohol abuse and medication mismanagement among the elderly through community education.