Annual Report 2005

Another year has gone by, and it is once again our pleasure to provide you with an overview of our focus and accomplishments. We also want to thank you for your relationship with us and for your desire to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Newaygo County .

 If you have any questions about the annual report, please contact Greg Snyder, Executive Director.

 Those we serve…..

 People with Developmental Disabilities

Developmental disabilities occur when the brain doesn’t develop or is injured.

 Mental impairments associated with developmental disabilities may make it very difficult to learn things most of us think of as simple – like tying a shoe or counting to ten. Physical impairments associated with developmental disabilities may prevent people from being able to control their movements or to speak clearly.

 There is no cure for developmental disabilities, but NCMH (Newaygo County Mental Health) has a full system of supports and services that can help. Last year alone, 176 people with developmental disabilities participated in services and supports ranging from community living and residential services to skills learning and supported employment.  

No more than ever, people with developmental disabilities are living, working, participating, and enriching our community.

 Adults with Mental Illness

Anger over little things… The blues that just won’t go away… Sleeplessness, or sleeping all the time… Mood swings for no apparent reason… Strange or inappropriate behavior.

 These symptoms can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, or income. In fact, more than 54 million Americans currently experience some form of mental illness. Much like physical health problems such as epilepsy or diabetes, mental illness has specific symptoms and biological causes. And further, they can be treated.

 In FY2005, 1,355 adults with mental illness were treated through Newaygo County Mental Health. With community-based treatment options ranging from case management, outpatient therapy, and inpatient hospitalization to residential and employment services, adults with mental illness served through CMH remain valuable and contributing members of our local community.

Children with Emotional Disturbances

Anger over little things… ability to sleep…Behavioral problems at school…Behavioral problems in the community involving the police…

 Growing up is not easy to do. There are so many stressors in school, at home, and peer pressure that it is not unusual for children to appear too emotional or in too much trouble. Sometimes it is hard to know if the problems are normal parts of growing up or if your child needs professional help. Help is available for the child and family and it does make a difference.

 Last year Newaygo County Mental Health served 300 children and families. Services offered included outpatient therapy, Synergy school- and community-based services, home-based services, targeted case management, skill-building assistance, psychiatric services, community living supports, and coordination with the schools. Through these interventions, children and families found growing up just a little easier to do.

 NCMH Accomplishments

·        Received the highest score in the state when the Department of Community Health (DCH) prepared the report card of all CMH centers in Michigan

·        Maintained substance abuse services for youth and adults after transfer to a new coordinating agency (Mid-South Substance Abuse Commission).

·        Hired full-time nurse practitioner

·        Equity and benefit stabilization to Medicaid population

·        Expanded nursing services to consumers

·        Improved web site services and links

·        Enhanced physician services to consumers (increased psychiatric time)

·        Expanded clinical expertise in DBT, group Tx methodology, court assessments/evaluations.

·        Established new employee performance compensation system.

·        Increased employment opportunities for those who have developmental disabilities and severe and persistent mental illness

·        Reduction and standardization of paperwork system

·        Continued to provide over 50 community benefit programs or activities. These pro bono or “free” services are provided to the community above and beyond those required by the DCH contract.

·        Developed full teleconferencing abilities

·        Developed CARF accreditation transition plan

·        Conducted staff cultural diversity training

·        Developed plan for Hispanic outreach for 2005-06

·        Improved resources to those with developmental disabilities, severe and persistent mental illness, and severe emotional disturbance.

·        Established integrated electronic record system

·        Trained the youth services team in trauma treatment

·        Expansion of drop-in center—full-time director and secured funding grants

·        Instituted self-determination process

·        Moved the Clozaril clinic on site providing better coordination of care

·        Staff participation in Leadership in Newaygo County

·        Staff participation in county-wide Medical Reserve Corps

·        Participation in Disability Connections – transportation voucher grant

 2005 Highlights

·        On October 14, 2004, Newaygo County Mental Health was presented with two awards at the Recipient Rights Conference held at the Amway Grand Plaza . This award was issued in recognition of recipient rights systems which exhibit excellent performance in meeting the standards established by the Department of Community Health and those who go above and beyond those established standards.

 On behalf of Newaygo County Mental Health, Cheryl Parker , Officer of Recipient Rights, received the Full Compliance Award for achieving a perfect score during the 2003 site visit conducted by the Department of Community Health – Office of Recipient Rights. 

 “This is an outstanding achievement. We are very proud of our Recipient Rights Office,” said Greg Snyder , Executive Director. Cheryl has been with Newaygo CMH for 20 years; 13 of which have been in the provision of services as the Officer of Recipient Rights.

 In addition, Beatrice Stevens, Customer Service Representative, and Cheryl shared the 2004 Director’s Award for Innovation in Rights Protection, presented by the Department of Community Health. Bea, who has been with Newaygo CMH for 2 ½ years, has developed an extensive training program based on the “Dare to Dream” series which she presents to persons in Newaygo County who have developmental disabilities and/or mental illness. The topics covered include person-centered planning, self advocacy, crisis planning, McGill Action Planning, independent facilitation, and self determination. She also includes a recipient rights element throughout the series. In addition, Bea works with Cheryl conducting on-site audits of contracted adult foster care home and inpatient/crisis home settings to assure the state-established recipient rights protection standards in these facilities are met. As a result of Bea’s activities, there has been an increased awareness for consumers and insight for staff from the perspective of consumers.  

 Dr. Brooker Masters, Chair of Newaygo CMH Board of Directors, states, “It is evident that Recipient Rights is not a stand-alone activity in the agency. Recipient Rights is an integral part of service provision for our consumers which requires the participation of consumers in order to be successful.”

 ·        Walk a Mile in My Shoes rally – May 26, 2005 – Over 500 people from every county in Michigan met on the front steps of the state Capitol in Lansing . Their aim: to promote a higher awareness of mental health issues among the public, media, and legislators, and to fight stigma about mental health disorders. Advocates, mental health consumers, families, and friends teamed up to send a clear message: mental health matters!

       A representative from each county told something about mental health disorders such as “one person in five has a mental health disorder.”

       The goal was to focus attention on the many Michigan people who are affected by mental illness and the problems caused by stigma. The rally also urged people to let their voices be heard in their communities, and addressed other issues like the budget and insurance parity. Newaygo CMH helped plan and staff the event and accompanied two consumers to the rally.

 ·        In June, Newaygo County Mental Health introduced a new online program with helpful information about behavioral and physical health, including interactive wellness features.

       Health Education Answers uses national clinical practice guidelines. Its content has been certified by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Health Education Answers does not store personal data such as user names or passwords, and it meets all privacy guidelines.

       All the areas of Health Education Answers can be found in easy-to-read English and Spanish by using the drop-down menu in the upper-right side of the screen. Health Education Answers begins with the wellness health area. This area looks at ways people can stay healthy at home. You’ll also learn ways to keep your home safer, stop smoking, eat healthy foods, and set wellness goals. In addition to wellness, the following health areas are available:  

·        Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

·        Bipolar Disorder

·        Depression

·        Diabetes

·        Schizophrenia

·        Women’s health

·        Men’s health.

      Health Education Answers was created as a tool for education and prevention. It is not meant to provide a diagnosis, but will help determine in what areas, if any, you may need to seek professional assistance. The more you know about health and wellness, the better you can feel. To access the site, go to www.newaygocmh.org. Plans to expand the health areas are also in the works.      

Funding sources:  Newaygo County , Michigan Department of Community Health, Department of Human Services, the Fremont Area Community Foundation, insurance, and fees.

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