Last month, Commissioner Berry visited the Perry Wellness Center in Americus. Peer-founded and peer-run, the center provides unique recovery opportunities for individuals with mental illness or addictive diseases.
Founder Stuart Perry and peer Rhonda Hubbard, one of the center’s guides, led Berry and his team through the grounds, which include greenhouses, a pond and Rudy’s Happy Patch Produce Market, a public open-air market staffed by peers. The market specializes in locally and seasonally grown produce, plants and herbs.
Donations from the Americus community have contributed to growth of the campus. “To have such community support for your mission is wonderful,” said Berry. “I have visited many facilities throughout Georgia, and I am thoroughly impressed by Perry Wellness’ commitment to wellness and recovery.”
Following the tour, Berry had lunch with the peers at the center and sampled some of the market’s famed pickled okra. Before his departure, Perry presented the commissioner with a copy of his book, Journey for Life.
Roger Haggerty, safety & security officer; Sandra Myers, chief personnel officer; Deneen Burnett, performance improvement coordinator and compliance officer; Elizabeth McQueen, LPC, chief clinical officer; and Dennis Addison, Jr., IT manager - Aspire BHDD
Jenny McIver, Georgia Department of Corrections; Telly Hartman, Albany probation office; and Nick Perry, Georgia Department of Corrections probation office
Albany-based Aspire Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Services, a community service board that serves eight southwest Georgia counties, is partnering with local law enforcement and stakeholders to address behavioral health crisis response in the community. The Albany Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Training is a collaborative effort between Aspire, the Albany Police Department, Albany State University (ASU) and the Georgia Department of Corrections’ Albany probation office.
Roger Haggerty, safety & security officer; Sandra Myers, chief personnel officer; Deneen Burnett, performance improvement coordinator and compliance officer; Elizabeth McQueen, LPC, chief clinical officer; and Dennis Addison, Jr., IT manager – Aspire BHDD
Fifty-six members of the law enforcement community, including emergency services personnel, probation officers, nurse managers, counselors, police officers, sheriff’s deputies and others from Dougherty, Decatur, Mitchell, Worth and surrounding counties, participated in the first training. Representatives from the ASU Police Department, ASU Counseling and Student Disability Services, Dougherty County Emergency Medical Services, Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office, Albany Police Department, Sylvester Police Department, Georgia Department of Public Health, Georgia Department of Corrections’ probation offices in Albany, Camilla and Tifton, and the State Board of Pardons and Paroles’ Albany office attended.
ASU Chief John Fields; Nick Perry, Georgia Department of Corrections probation office; Telly Hartman, Albany probation office; Sandra Myers, chief personnel officer (Aspire); Captain Michael Persley, Albany Police Department; and Chief Kimberly Persley, Albany probation office
The training session included an overview of Aspire’s mission and services, behavioral health updates, and early intervention and crisis protocols. Deneen Burnett, Aspire’s performance improvement coordinator and compliance officer, and Elizabeth McQueen, LPC, Aspire’s chief clinical officer, led the session. Captain Michael Persley with Albany Police Department, Chief Kimberly Persley, with Albany probation office, ASU Chief John Fields, were instrumental in the planning for and collaboration on this successful event. Aspire anticipates future training sessions and collaborative efforts to support behavioral health crisis intervention. For more information, contact Aspire’s chief personnel officer, Sandra Meyers, at 229.430.4433.
DBHDD’s new administrative services organization, the “Georgia Collaborative ASO,” will bring measurable improvements to coordination and efficiency across the behavioral health and developmental disability service network in Georgia. The initiative will be implemented through a partnership with ValueOptions, a national health care improvement firm, and several subcontractors.
Anna McLaughlin
The project represents DBHDD’s ongoing commitment to improve outcomes for the people we serve. “This is a great opportunity for Georgia to build an integrated service system,” said Anna McLaughlin, DBHDD’s new director of ASO coordination. McLaughlin, who previously served as the department’s Region 3 transition coordinator, will spearhead DBHDD’s efforts in the initiative. Prior to joining DBHDD in 2013, McLaughlin spent 20 years in the nonprofit mental health field. She holds a master’s in conflict management, and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
Jason Bearden
Working alongside McLaughlin is longtime partner of DBHDD Jason Bearden, who was chosen by ValueOptions as the CEO of the Georgia Collaborative. Bearden most recently served as CEO of Highland Rivers Health, one of DBHDD’s community service boards. Prior to his tenure at Highland Rivers, Bearden worked in the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget under the health and human services division.
“The new Georgia Collaborative ASO will serve as a key strategy to help accomplish DBHDD’s mission to provide easy access to high-quality care for individuals throughout Georgia receiving behavioral health and developmental disability services,” Bearden said. “It’s an honor to be a part of this new initiative that will reduce unnecessary administrative burdens for providers while facilitating system transparency through information-sharing among individuals, providers and policy makers. I look forward to continuing to work with DBHDD to promote an outcomes-driven and recovery-oriented system of care for Georgia’s behavioral health and developmental disability communities.”
McLaughlin and Bearden bring a host of expertise and enthusiasm that will drive the Georgia Collaborative to be an effective instrument for increasing coordination and efficiencies throughout DBHDD’s service system while adding new deliverables and accountability measures, all leading to better care delivery. “I really get excited when I have the opportunity to help bring about change that will make a positive impact on people’s lives,” McLaughlin said.
The collaborative will meet with providers and stakeholders to discuss the transition and implementation beginning early next year. Look for updates and new information as this exciting project moves forward.
DBHDD is looking for interested stakeholders to become members of the DD Advisory Council.
The council advises the Division of Developmental Disabilities and DBHDD on matters relating to care and service for people with developmental disabilities. Specifically, the council:
Assists the division in assuring that the department’s services and programs for people with developmental disabilities reflect adherence to the standard of “best practice” while providing quality services in a cost-effective manner
Recommends improvements to existing programs, as well as the development and implementation of additional programs for people with developmental disabilities in Georgia
Reviews DBHDD’s policies and policy revisions, and makes recommendations regarding the adherence to the department’s mission and the cost of proposed policies and amendments
Facilitates communication among department staff, providers, service recipients, parents, guardians and advocates of people with developmental disabilities, and other public and private entities involved in delivering services to people with developmental disabilities
DD Advisory Council members serve a period of two years. Meetings are held in person at least six times a year, with subcommittee workgroups meeting at least four times a year. Conference calls and GoToMeetings may be an additional six times a year.
If you are interested in applying to become a member, please fill out the application form on the DBHDD website. Applications will be accepted until January 2, 2015.
When Bonnie moved from Wisconsin to Georgia in the early 1990s, she hoped her mom and brother, Ronnie, would follow. After a visit to the South over the winter, they did. Ronnie, who has a developmental disability, lived with their mom until she passed in 1996.
Photo credit: River Edge
Bonnie accepted the responsibility as his primary caregiver with love and compassion, but she also knew Ronnie could, and should, have the opportunity to be more independent. Ronnie participated in community access day services, but as a full-time teacher, being able to meet Ronnie’s needs often required creative scheduling on Bonnie’s part. The residential coordinator of River Edge suggested that Ronnie could live more independently. River Edge helped Bonnie navigate the application and qualifying process to find a home for Ronnie. He now lives with three other adults in a neighborhood with independence supports provided by River Edge.
Bonnie says that Ronnie living in his own home has allowed him to broaden his horizons while allowing her to take care of herself. “Family members shouldn’t be afraid to let go,” said Bonnie. “Too often, we hang on trying to provide all the care needed – more out of guilt than anything.” Bonnie is grateful for the specialized services that help Ronnie achieve independence, but most importantly, she still has a wonderful relationship with her brother. “I have been an active sister and freely express my feelings about Ronnie’s needs and the care he receives,” she said. “River Edge listens and responds.”
Jeffrey (left) succeeding in his personal recovery with myStrength
Jeffrey (left) showing his case manager Donald Holland how he’s set up myStrength to send him encouragement and supportive alerts at times of the day he’s most likely to experience depression. Photo credit: Unison.
Unison Behavioral Health in Waycross is innovating how it treats individuals with behavioral health challenges. A new partnership with myStrength, Inc. allows Unison’s clients to access treatment and supports by the click of a button. MyStrength is a mobile- and web-based application that offers a range of resources to improve mental health and overall well-being. Using their smart phones, tablets or personal computers, clients are now taking advantage of eLearning programs and personalized resources to support mental health and addictive disease recovery.
Implemented in July, myStrength is already making a big impact on the people served by Unison’s recovery programs, according to Director of Outpatient Services Tiffany Henderson. “MyStrength makes it easy for clients to get started right away. In our first month, we had 69 clients begin using the application,” she said.
Clients receive a user name, and they are able to set up their private, personalized website to access through their phone or computer. MyStrength offers a range of evidence-based interactive tools and daily inspirations tailored to their specific recovery needs. “Many of our clients use mood tracker to identify what triggers and times of day they’re most likely to have symptoms and then set up custom tools and alerts to better manage those times,” Henderson said. “We also love the fact that myStrength is completely self-directed so it’s up to each person how they wish to use it or whether they want to share their work with others.”
Jeffrey (left) succeeding in his personal recovery with myStrengthAngel (left) with Child and Family Therapist Rachel Arnold
At the age of 55, Jeffrey found himself facing debilitating depression. In March 2014, he became homeless. He struggled to find hope and the means to get through the day. In July, Jeffrey’s intensive case manager introduced him to myStrength. Jeffrey is energized by what the new resource can do. Through his smart phone, he uses the mood tracker and motivational video tools to manage his depression. “MyStrength has given me the strength to carry on and push through each day between my sessions,” said Jeffrey.
Clients throughout Unison’s mental health and addictive disease programs are discovering new ways to use the mobile application. Twelve-year-old Angel, who is in Unison’s child and family program, struggled with self-esteem due to challenging events in her life. MyStrength has offered her new ways to cope with bullying and other difficult circumstances.
For many people, recovery means having a day-to-day awareness of personal wellness. Although recovery programs are very effective, the amount of time clients spend out-of-session working towards recovery is much greater than the time they spend in program sessions. MyStrength bridges the gap by providing Unison’s clients with easy-to-use tools they can access at any time during their daily lives. Because myStrength has become such a great resource for clients, Unison has also made it available to staff and board members.
The implementation of myStrength supports Unison’s vision of creatinghealthy, vibrant, caring communities where all persons have the opportunity to live productive, meaningful lives.Unison is one of DBHDD’s 26 community service boards and a leading provider of behavioral health and developmental disability services in southeast Georgia. For more information on about myStrength, contact Tiffany Henderson at thender@unisonbh.com or visit Unison online.
In her teens, Lasuandra was admitted to a psychiatric institution in another state because her parents were unable to support her behavioral needs. After relocating to Georgia with her family, she was admitted to a psychiatric hospital and later to Ogeechee Behavioral Health Services’ crisis support home. When she first arrived, she exhibited no spontaneous speech and had crying and screaming episodes that lasted up to four hours.
After several months of receiving supports from Ogeechee, including psychiatric care and reassurance from staff, Lasuandra’s daily outbursts decreased. During this time, Ogeechee staff also worked to obtain Medicaid for her.
Knowing that Lasuandra needed the support of a family to thrive, Ogeechee helped her find a host home. From her initial visits with the family, she was included in regular activities. She returned from these visits happy and excited, and shared this verbally with Ogeechee staff.
Soon after settling into her new home, Lasuandra realized that her new family would keep her safe. Today, she has blossomed and become more independent. She socializes with her peers at the Ogeechee Emanuel County Developmental Disabilities day program. She is involved in her community and loves going to the library, where she uses a computer and looks at books. She also enjoys helping her host family prepare meals.
Lasuandra is happy in her new home and enjoys living in the community while still being able to access the services she needs from Ogeechee.
Alby Zweig, magistrate judge, Denver County Drug Court Photo credit: The Colorado Independent
During a lunch session at the 10th annual Accountability Courts Conference, Judge Albert “Alby” Zweig shared his story from heroin addiction to law school to helping others as a magistrate judge in Denver, Colorado’s drug court.
Judge Zweig emphasized the role that community supports play in recovery. People struggling with addiction are “worthy of your compassion, not your scorn,” said Zweig. “A lot of people don’t understand the level to which addicts cannot stop using without help-and how successful they can be if we help them.”
DBHDD conducted an all-day session, Veterans Treatment Court: Mentor Boot Camp. During the workshop, which was open only to veterans, participants received mentor training, enabling them to help other veterans successfully navigate veterans’ court treatment programs. Graduates of the workshop are trained veteran mentors and are eligible to be assigned by a veterans’ court to mentor a defendant. The workshop was provided through DBHDD’s Jail Diversion Trauma Recovery grant initiative.
Currently, there are five veterans’ courts in Georgia. They operate using either drug court or mental health court models. In April, Governor Deal signed SB 320, which established the creation of a veteran’s court division in Georgia’s judicial system. The new law will allow for make it easier for jurisdictions to create veterans courts.
Gateway Behavioral Health Services of Camden recently announced the addition of new behavioral health services, including an open access program accepting walk-ins for new intake appointments and crisis/hospital discharge.
Beginning November 1, open access will be available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. and on Tuesdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Scheduled appointments may be made outside of these times. For information on this or any of the services below, please call (912) 576-4357.
The Camden center also started an intensive outpatient substance abuse group for adults who are on Medicaid or do not have insurance. The group is led by substance abuse counselor Vanessa Walker. She is also available for substance abuse assessments for adults or children.
Peer specialist Chris Baker runs a daily peer program which helps people with social skills and social support. They take weekly trips out into the community and learn skills like budgeting, shopping and socializing. Daily transportation to and from the group is available, and referrals are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Tiffany Lemery, Gateway of Camden’s case manager, meets Medicaid or uninsured patients in the community or in their homes and helps them access disability, phone, employment, housing, food stamps and Medicaid services. She also assists individuals with life skills such as cleaning, budgeting and other activities of daily living.
The center has also started new groups for both anger and pain management. For more information or to make a referral for any of these services, please call (912) 576-4357.
Gateway Behavioral Health Services is one of twenty-six community service boards in the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities’ statewide public safety network. Gateway serves individuals with mental health and addiction disorders and developmental disabilities in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long and McIntosh counties.
