Category: Community

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Community

Profiles in Success: James

Avita Community Partners

James struggled with drug addiction since age 13. He has a criminal history and has had difficulty finding and retaining a job all of his adult life. Last year, he began working with a supported employment specialist at Avita Community Partners.

The specialist helped him obtain a job as an assembler even though he had no prior related experience. James worked hard and learned to manage symptoms of worry and the feeling of being treated differently from others who worked around him. He performed well in this job for three months but was let go in a round of layoffs at the company.

The supported employment specialist worked with a local temp agency to arrange a mock interview for James and help him improve his interview skills. Two weeks later, James was hired as a forklift operator by a local plastics company. He stayed in the supported employment program for three months after starting the new job until he felt that he no longer needed assistance. He was placed on medication maintenance through Avita at that time.

James recently sent a message to his supported employment specialist that he was doing well and loving his job. He is training in other areas with the company and works a lot of overtime, which has enabled him to buy a car and catch up on past-due rent. He is now saving money to get his own apartment, so that he can move out of the halfway house he has been in for the past two years.

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Community

Olmstead Success Story: Donnie

Submitted by Lookout Mountain Community Service Board

donnie-olmsteadDonnie grew up in rural Trion, Georgia. He lived on a small farm where he enjoyed southern cooking, especially pinto beans with onion and cornbread which he still talks about regularly. In 1984, when his parents were no longer able to care for him, he was admitted to Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital.

He spent the next 27 years in various units at the hospital. In June of 2011, Donnie moved from to the Magnolia CLA in Summerville. Little did the staff know at that time the great gift they had received when this gentleman moved into his new home. Donnie had become dependent on a feeding tube and often needs oxygen to assist with his breathing. He had learned ways to deal with stress and also how to get people not to bother him. He would curse and spit. Despite his defenses, the staff at Magnolia fell in love with him instantly.

Over time his mental status was evaluated, and as much as he tried to shut people out they wanted to help him, to love him more, and for him to be happy. He was given a new medication, which seemed to have a positive effect overnight. He seemed more at peace with himself, and he doesn’t spit anymore. He still curses sometimes, but it’s usually with a smile. He hugs and smiles more, and he seems to love himself more.

Any staff that works with him can’t help but love him. He likes to give hugs now and he has become more comfortable in his home. His room is decorated with the things that are important to him. He loves money and Coca-Cola. No one knew these things about him when he moved into Magnolia CLA, but the caring staff was able to get him to open up and share his hopes, dreams, likes and dislikes. He doesn’t talk a lot, but the staff takes the time and sits with him, and even though he speaks in short or one word sentences, he will talk about things that make him happy. He tells staff what he needs or wants.

Donnie is considered medically fragile, but he often attends community functions and attended all of one of his housemate’s baseball games this spring. Donnie needed a caring home, and he found it at Magnolia CLA, but he has given the staff so much more.

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Community

“Recovery is Good”: Savannah peer group uses music to set aside differences

“Recovery is possible in the collaborative sense if we have processes and beliefs that make people feel equal.” – Bill Carruthers

Bill Carruthers is innovating recovery at Savannah Counseling Services, where he is director of the Chatham Peer Program which serves about 20 adults with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. Carruthers, a certified peer specialist, started the outpatient recovery program with the help of Savannah Counseling director Amanda Tillman in July 2013.

“When Amanda asked me to start a peer program, she let me have free rein in its design,” Carruthers said. “So I took everything that I hated about the programs I had been in, and I turned it inside out. I call it ‘recovery on fire.’” The program is consumer-driven, an aspect that is very important to Carruthers.

In April, Carruthers had a new idea. “One day, I walked into the center, and everyone was in various states of existing separately and communicating within the construct that was most convenient for them.” Carruthers compares the discord with the Tower of Babel. “I tasked them to create a song,” he said. At first, chaos ensued, but quickly everyone came together around their primary purpose: recovery.

Carruthers’ only instruction was to be inclusive, rather than exclusive. “I wanted them to have something they could be proud of. Many of them had never had anything of value,” said Carruthers. “This song and its process allowed them to take ownership of their recovery and of how to communicate it.”

Each individual contributed to the production of the song. “We have one guy whose goal is to become a music producer. He had all of the equipment, so he created the beats and put the vocals over them.” Carruthers says that all of the recording was done at the peer center. “Everyone came together; everyone wanted to be a part of it.” They selected the title, “Recovery is Good” to express their process, both as individuals and as a group.

In June, the individuals in the Chatham Peer Program had the opportunity to present their song to DBHDD Commissioner Frank Berry. “One of the milestones in my recovery occurred when I was invited last year to share my story with Commissioner Berry and [DBHDD’s] board,” Carruthers said. “I wanted the peer group to get that same feeling that I did: validation.”

Listen to “Recovery is Good.”

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Community

Success Story: Helen, Waycross

Easter Seals Southern Georgia, Satilla Solutions

Helen, 62, lived at Central State Hospital for 41 years before moving into a Waycross apartment in 2011. She shares the two-bedroom home with Jeannette, another Easter Seals client. Both ladies receive around-the-clock supports from their caregivers. Helen is primarily non-verbal but communicates with, “hey” and by humming. She understands most everything that is said to her even when she appears not to.

Easter Seals Southern Georgia Executive Director Beth English said that since moving into her own home, Helen’s personality has blossomed. Helen loves to get attention. She likes going out in the community and socializing with other people, and her appearance is very important to her. She always wants to look nice and have her makeup and lipstick on. Her hair has to be fixed exactly the same way each time she goes out. It is important for Helen to feel pretty, and she likes to receive compliments. She carefully selects her clothing and always accessorizes with jewelry, particularly watches and rings.

Helen loves to go to the mall and look in the shops. She values spending time with her peers and is always excited when her bus comes to pick her up for outings. At home, she likes to play games and watch TV. Her favorite channel is TVLand.

Since moving into her apartment, Helen has demonstrated to Easter Seals staff and to her peers that she really enjoys her home and that she likes spending time with those around her. Helen recently wrapped up another season with the Miracle League, where she participated in the games, laughing and yelling “hey” to others as they played ball.  Helen also attends a local church, where she has even participated as an “honorary usher.”

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Community Events

Augusta walks to support recovery

On June 21, DBHDD, the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network, the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse and the Georgia Parent Support Network hosted a recovery walk in Augusta to increase awareness about recovery and local community-based services to support individuals who are struggling with a mental health challenge or substance abuse disorder.

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“Walking Together in Recovery is a wonderful celebration of the important journey so many of us make to recovery,” said DBHDD’s director of recovery transformation, Mark Baker. “It is critical for people to know that they do not have to face this road alone.”

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More than 100 people attended, including family members of those approximately 40 participating in the mile-long walk that began at the Augusta Common and followed the Savannah River. Activities included a live band made up of individuals living in recovery, a cookout and games for children. After the walk, attendees shared recovery stories while they enjoyed lunch and music between presentations. “Through this important event, people were able to come together, share their stories and heal. That process is very empowering,” Baker said.

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DBHDD, the National Alliance on Mental Illness and other local providers of mental health and addictive disease recovery services set up tables to offer recovery information and resources. The organizers plan to make Walking Together in Recovery an annual event.

Photo credit: Mark Baker

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Community Events

DBHDD clients participate in “Artwork Extravaganza!” at Troy University

View Point Health, DBHDD’s community service board serving Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale counties, recently held an art exhibit at Troy University. The exhibit, “Artwork Extravaganza!,” featured original pieces from clients served by View Point and showcased creative ways in which art can assist recovery for people struggling with behavioral health challenges.

vph_troy_artwork1 vph_troy_artwork2 vph_troy_artwork3

Art is often used to educate people about mental illness and to reduce the stigma surrounding it. Both are key components to improving and strengthening our mental health care system. One of the biggest barriers to effective mental health treatment is the tendency for affected individuals to avoid expressing themselves. This prevents them from addressing the concerns and can even exacerbate the illness. Creative approaches like artwork are beneficial because visual expression is less likely to be judged critically. It allows people to feel a sense of safety in expressing themselves. DBHDD salutes View Point Health for seizing this opportunity to transform creativity into therapy, bring awareness to mental health and shed light on the art of recovery.

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Community

Aspire engages first responders to better serve people with behavioral health challenges

aspire

Aspire Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Services recently hosted a luncheon for law enforcement and other first responders in appreciation of their service to the community. Aspire staff provided information on dealing with individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

“Aspire’s goal is to work closely with first responders, improve accessibility of behavioral health support services in the communities, improve response time to crisis intervention in the community, and decrease ER visits,” said executive director Kay Brooks.

Staff gave a brief update on community behavioral health services in the eight southwest Georgia counties the agency serves and provided information about Aspire’s 24/7 walk-in crisis center in Albany. The first responders also had the opportunity to share some of the challenges they face when handling crisis situations.

“Law enforcement and other first responders are invaluable in behavioral health crisis situations,” Brooks said. “Aspire staff are committed to assisting our first responders to quick accessibility to behavioral health services, whether crisis intervention in the community, or at our walk-in crisis center.”

Aspire has scheduled follow-up visits with first responder staff to continue the dialog started during the luncheon. A strong partnership with local law enforcement and emergency personnel will help ensure that people needing crisis and other behavioral health services receive fast and effective care to meet their immediate and long-term needs.

Aspire is part of DBHDD’s statewide network of community service boards and provides behavioral health and developmental disability services in Baker, Calhoun, Dougherty, Early, Lee, Miller, Terrell and Worth counties.

See the press coverage of the luncheon from WALB and Fox 31.

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Community

Groundbreaking on new Behavioral Health Crisis Center in Cobb

BHCC Groundbreaking

On May 6, the Cobb Community Service Board (CSB) broke ground on a new behavioral health crisis center in Marietta. The center is expected to open by spring of 2015 and will provide easier access to high-quality services for Cobb and Douglas county residents. The center will offer 24/7 walk-in treatment and will house 24 stabilization beds, 4 transition-level beds and a 23-hour observation program.

The new center is part of Georgia’s increased focus on community-based behavioral health services. The addition of the Cobb crisis center and others across the state reflects the department’s commitment to serving people close to their homes and in the least restrictive setting possible. The facility will be supported by a $5.2 million annual investment from DBHDD.

“Thanks to funding provided for by Georgia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, the Cobb CSB’s new center will serve thousands of citizens in immediate need of mental health and/or addiction treatment services,” said Cobb CSB executive director Tod Citron.

Governor Nathan Deal and Cobb Commission Chairman Tim Lee joined DBHDD Commissioner Berry at the groundbreaking ceremony held at 1775 County Services Parkway in Marietta.

The Cobb and Douglas Community Service Boards provide mental health, developmental disability and substance abuse services to approximately 10,000 residents of Cobb and Douglas counties annually. For services call the Access Center at 770-422-0202.

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Community

Substance abuse treatment facility planned for Jasper

Highland Recovery Center press conference
(L-R) Highland Rivers Health CEO Jason Bearden, DBHDD Commissioner Frank Berry, Rep. Katie Dempsey, and Rep. Rick Jasperse.

On May 5, Commissioner Frank Berry, flanked by State Representatives Katie Dempsey (R-Rome) and Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper) and Highland Rivers Health CEO Jason Bearden, announced a new substance abuse treatment facility to open in Jasper on Aug. 1. The program will serve people across 31 counties in north Georgia.

“DBHDD and our partners at Highland Rivers are focused on building community-based services that provide easy access to high-quality care across north Georgia,” said Berry. “The department is grateful for the continued support of the Georgia General Assembly, which makes it possible for us to meet the needs of the people we serve.”

The Highland Recovery Center will open at Highland Rivers’ outpatient clinic in Pickens County, which is being renovated to accommodate the new program. Highland Recovery will feature a 20-bed residential program for men—the first of its kind in north Georgia—and an outpatient treatment facility for both men and women. The new center will serve as a companion program to Highland Rivers’ Women’s Outreach in Rome.

“Highland Rivers Health is grateful for the vision, leadership and partnership of DBHDD and their recognition of the significant need for long term addiction treatment services in north Georgia,” said Bearden. “The new Highland Recovery Center will add to the growing continuum of comprehensive recovery services and supports for citizens with addictive disease.”

Nearly $350,000 in new investments will be used to remodel the current facility. The center has been given a $1.5 million budget for its first year of operations. Highland Rivers expects to staff Highland Recovery with approximately 25 new hires.

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Community

Dougherty Leadership Development Institute integrates individuals with disabilities into community leadership roles

DLDI Class of 2014

The Dougherty Leadership Development Institute (DLDI) brings together individuals with disabilities and community leaders. The institute focuses on educating participants about Dougherty County and raising awareness of community organizations and agencies serving people of disabilities. The program is a collaborative effort of the Albany Advocacy Resource Center (Albany ARC), the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency and alumni of Leadership Albany. Since its creation in 1991, DLDI has produced over 400 graduates.

“In our community, we have individuals with disabilities who have the ability to be leaders but have never had the opportunity. DLDI integrates individuals with disabilities and community leaders in a leadership training program, opening doors for individuals with disabilities to become leaders and involved in our community by serving and volunteering,” says Annette Bowling, retired executive director, Albany ARC.

The program is modeled after Leadership Albany with the added goal of integrating persons with disabilities and non-disabled persons into the leadership community.

The DLDI has a threefold purpose:

    1. To allow individuals with diverse disabilities and non-disabled individuals to become more knowledgeable about common issues, needs, concerns, resources and opportunities which “cut across” disability lines;
    2. To provide the opportunity for leadership skills development aimed at empowering participants to have even more influence over decisions which affect their lives; and
    3. To establish a network for better communication and relationships between individuals with differing disabilities, as well as with organizations/agencies working for and with people of disabilities.

The institute’s class sessions include: diversity training; health and human services; education and communication; healthcare facilities/hospitals; courts and public safety; business and economic development; and arts and cultural activities.

For more information about DLDI, contact the Albany ARC at (229) 888-6852.