degrees School Outreach Delivers Opportunities for Wanda Wang & Paul Cole

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1 degrees School Outreach Delivers Opportunities for Wanda Wang & Paul Cole Programa de extensión en las escuelas brinda oportunidades indican Wanda Wang y Paul Cole A quarterly publication from network180 Summer Issue

2 A Note from Paul Ippel The mission of network180: Inspiring hope, improving mental health, supporting self-determined lives, and encouraging recovery. Executive Director Paul Ippel Board Members Comm. Nadine Klein, Chair Roselynn Letzmann, Vice Chair William VerHulst, Treasurer John Walker, Secretary Comm. Jack Boelema Charles Brown Ralph Honderd Barb Koetsier Deborah Parker Jay Roberts-Eveland Felicia Shabazz Comm. Harold Voorhees Dear friends of network180, The summer months are here and so are times of outdoor picnics, trips to the beach, and extended vacations. For many of us, this also means spending more time with our families and children, creating joyful memories to be cherished for years. Regrettably, there are many in our community who don t experience such joyful occasions and continue to face challenges everyday that threaten the stability of their families and loved ones. With this issue of 180degrees, we focus on those who work to help combat these challenges and make better lives for children, schools, and community. Inside you will meet Wanda Wang and Paul Cole of Arbor Circle, two individuals whose passion and determination drive them to seek out opportunities for the most at risk, yet most valuable members of society our children. We hope you will be inspired by their stories as much as we have been. Also in this issue, we recognize additional individuals within our organization and network who have and continue to work towards making our community a better place to live. We honor their commitment, value our relationships with them, and hope to continue our work together into the future. In addition, we begin a new series of articles that will give updates on the progress of our new building addition and Access Center construction. Please find the first article inside about the ground breaking ceremony we held on June 5th. If you wish to help us with our ongoing capital campaign, please feel free to contact us. We hope you are having a great summer, and we look forward to hearing from you about how we can develop new opportunities as community partners. Thank you for your continued support. Sincerely, Paul Ippel Executive Director 2 Finance Committee Member Brian Chisholm Editor / Writer Jonathan Mikulich jonathanm@network180.org Contributing Writer Steve Harrington Cover Photography John Corriveau Estimados amigos de 180degrees: Los meses de verano están aquí y con ellos, el tiempo de picnic, los viajes a la playa y las vacaciones prolongadas. Para muchos de nosotros, los meses de verano también significan pasar más tiempo con nuestras familias e hijos, forjar memorias placenteras para celebrar en años postreros. Lamentablemente, hay muchas personas en nuestra comunidad que no tienen esas vivencias placenteras y siguen afrontando diariamente, desafíos que amenazan la estabilidad de sus familias y seres queridos. Esta edición de 180degrees la dedicamos a aquellos que trabajan para combatir estos retos logrando una vida mejor para nuestros niños, en las escuelas y para la comunidad. En las próximas páginas conocerán a Wanda Wang y Paul Cole de Arbor Circle, dos personas que guiadas por su pasión y determinación, buscan oportunidades para los más vulnerables y a la vez más preciados miembros de nuestra sociedad, nuestros niños. Deseamos sean de inspiración sus historias, tanto como son para nosotros. En esta edición, también reconocemos a otras personas en nuestra organización que trabajaron y siguen trabajando para hacer de nuestra comunidad un mejor lugar donde vivir. Honramos su compromiso, valoramos nuestra relación con ellos y esperamos seguir trabajando juntos en el futuro. Además, iniciamos una nueva serie de artículos que les ofrecerá información actualizada sobre el progreso de nuestro nuevo edificio y la construcción del Centro de Acceso. Por favor lean a continuación el primer artículo sobre la ceremonia de inicio de obra que tuvimos el día 5 de junio. Si desean apoyarnos con nuestra campaña de captación de fondos, comuníquense con nosotros. Deseamos estén pasando un verano formidable y esperamos atender sus sugerencias para poder desarrollar nuevas oportunidades como socios en la comunidad. Gracias por su constante apoyo. Atentamente Paul Ippel Director General

3 Staff Focus: Kevin Oosterhouse, Recipient Rights Fairness is the one word Kevin Oosterhouse, Director of the Office of Recipient Rights, uses to describe his work. And that fairness extends beyond those who receive services from network180 providers; it includes the providers as well. There is a misperception that we have the power to discipline, even terminate, staff. And some believe we want to use that power as often as possible. But that is not the case, Oosterhouse says. Instead, the office is most concerned with receiving complaints, investigating issues raised and then reporting facts accurately, he says. We don t have the power to take corrective action. That is up to the agency. Fairness is fundamental to the office s mission, according to Oosterhouse. It is important for us to listen to everyone involved. It doesn t matter if a person has made a hundred unsubstantiated complaints in the past or has been the subject of a hundred complaints. We treat each complaint with fresh eyes. It is the only way we can be fair, he says. Oosterhouse s commitment to fairness is derived from his upbringing in the Kalamazoo area. We were taught to respect every person, he says. But that is not the only value Oosterhouse brings to his job. It sounds cliché but I was also raised to help others improve their lives. I m wired There is much empathy in this office. Your really have to put yourself in other people s shoes to be objective and find the truth, says Oosterhouse to making a difference. My position gives me the opportunity to use both those values, he says. By helping to ensure the provider system works as it is supposed to, Oosterhouse says he is helping people pursue recovery regardless of what that term means to them. Fundamental to quality services are being treated with dignity and respect, access to personal property and absence of abuse and neglect. There is much empathy in this office, Oosterhouse says. You really have to put yourself in other people s shoes to be objective and find the truth. That objectivity is vital to the Office of Recipient rights, according to Oosterhouse. He says it is critical that every-one involved in network180 s network of care clinicians, family and those served must believe they are going to be treated fairly if problems are to be identified early. Clearly, the vast majority of (provider) staff are dedicated and do quality work, he says. But if a problem exists, we work with agencies to be certain it doesn t happen again. Oosterhouse brings a varied background to the Office of Recipient Rights. In college, he wanted to be a journalist but decided he wanted to create change instead of just writing about it. He changed his major to social Kevin Oosterhouse teaches a class about recipient rights. His office teaches 1,300 people about their rights each year. work and quickly grew to love the field, Oosterhouse says. He worked in a jail diversion program for a year and then moved to Kansas City, Missouri where he worked in home family therapy for a year. About 10 years ago, he moved back to West Michigan to become a case manager for three years. He has been Director of the Office of Recipient Rights for seven years. When I started, I was immediately impressed by network180 because the people care about their jobs and the people they serve, he says. Oosterhouse admits his job is sometimes difficult. He interviews those making complaints and is moved by their stories. I can really appreciate their situations. So many have had really difficult times and suffered great losses. But so many continue to work to improve their lives. It makes me appreciate my own situation. Did You Know the Office of Recipient Rights Receives about 300 complaints a year? Trains about 1,300 staff in rights issues each year? Trains those served about their rights? Has a staff of three? Has an advisory committee with consumer representatives? Visits as many as 175 service sites a year including foster care homes? For more information about the Office of Recipient Rights, call Sabía usted que la Oficina de Derechos del Beneficiario recibe aproximadamente 300 quejas al año? capacita a 1,300 empleados aproximadamente, en temas de derecho del beneficiario cada año? capacita a los beneficiarios sobre sus derechos? cuenta con tres empleados? visita hasta 175 centros de servicio al año, incluyendo hogares de adopción temporal? cuenta con un comité de consejo conformado por representantes de los beneficiarios? para obtener mas información sobre la Oficina de Derechos del Beneficiario, llama

4 Arbor Circle s Paul Cole and Wanda Wang The school outreach counselors from Arbor Circle love their jobs because, as they say, it provides opportunities It is an opportunity to learn and grow, says Wanda Wang. Learning and growing is always ongoing and this job allows me to do that in a meaningful way. I am a better parent as a result. For Paul Cole, it is about making a difference in the lives of youth. I ve always gravitated to youth to encourage change, he says. Early intervention gives us the opportunity to deal with issues before they become more serious later. While both appreciate the opportunities the Kent School Outreach program offers, another clear reward is gratitude from the children they serve, families and school personnel. We constantly hear Thank you. Cole Paul Cole and Wanda Wang of Arbor Circle. says. It lets us know we are involved in important work. In addition to personal expressions of gratitude, Wang was recently awarded the Humanitarian Award from the West Michigan Counselors Association. The Arbor Circle program serves 33 schools in Kent County. Students from all grade levels in those schools have access to the program. Students are referred to the School Outreach Program by school personnel, including teachers, nurses and administrators. Absenteeism or behavior problems are often clues that services are needed. Our most common functions are screening and referrals, Cole says. We make it as easy as possible for school staff to make referrals and we follow up with interviews with students and their parents. Parents always have the option to decline involvement, Wang says. But the majority do not because they are aware help is needed. So often, when we talk to students they say they were just waiting for someone to ask (about their problems). Once needs are identified, Wang and Cole connect students and their families to services. They facilitate service access by providing specific contacts in agencies and encouragement to those in need. It just makes sense to work in the schools to identify needs early and direct people to the services they need and want, Cole says. Kent County is very progressive and the earlier we address problems, the more effective the services. Wang and Cole say the service system can be overwhelming for some families and the pair often acts as barrier busters to ensure access by children and their families who may be reluctant to seek help otherwise. Cole says school staff are especially appreciative of the services because school counselors, social workers and other support staff have increased workload due to tight budgets. Teachers are often the first to recognize potential problems, Cole says. Sometimes it isn t the child who is acting out. Sometimes it is the child who seems a little too quiet or distant. Sometimes it is poor grades. There are often signs that a child is in need. 4

5 The School Outreach Program handled 350 referrals last year a number that shows a clear need for the program, which is funded directly by network180. In addition to the student referred to the program, Wang and Cole say siblings and parents may also be in distress. A referral for a single student may mean service for an entire family, Wang says. Wang joined the program soon after it was started five years ago and Cole has been working with the program for about two years. Since the program s inception, there have been important developments that have helped the pair identify and serve children in need. Depression is one of the most common problems and we use a 15 minute, teen screen that is very effective because it is non-confrontational, Cole says. It is a natural fit with health classes. Mental health and substance use disorders are the most common issues involved in referrals but other problems, such as homelessness, poverty and abuse also arise. The pair also collaborates with the anti-stigma efforts of the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan. The foundation offers mental health education curricula to several schools and the School Outreach program helps students in need who disclose those needs as a result of the education endeavor. For Wang and Cole, the School Outreach Program is about opportunities. They see opportunities both personally and professionally, but most important, for the children they serve. Los asesores del programa de extensión en las escuelas de Arbor Circle aman su trabajo porque, como ellos dicen, brinda oportunidades. Para Paul Cole, se trata de marcar la diferencia en las vidas de los jóvenes. Siempre he gravitado hacia ellos con el fin de motivar cambio dijo. La intervención temprana nos da la oportunidad de tratar problemas antes de que se vuelvan mas serios. En tanto que Cole y su colega, Wanda Wang, aprecian las oportunidades que brinda el programa de extensión en las escuelas de Kent (Kent School Outreach Program), otra clara recompensa es la gratitud de los niños que reciben sus servicios, de las familias y del personal en las escuelas. El programa de Arbor Circle atiende a 33 escuelas en el Condado de Kent. Alumnos de todos los grados escolares tienen acceso al programa. Ellos son referidos por el personal en las escuelas, incluyendo maestros, enfermeras y administradores. El absentismo o los problemas de comportamiento son con frecuencia señal de que los servicios son necesarios. Nuestras funciones mas comunes son de detección y remisión de clientes. Dijo Cole. Logramos que las referencias sean lo mas fácil posible para el personal en las escuelas, después nosotros les damos seguimiento entrevistando a los alumnos y sus familias. Los padres siempre tienen la opción de no participar dijo Wang. Pero la mayoría no lo hace porque saben que la ayuda es necesaria. Wang y Cole conectan a los alumnos y sus familias con los servicios una vez que las necesidades son identificadas. Ellos facilitan el acceso, brindando contactos específicos Wanda Wang en otras dependencias y alientan a quienes lo necesitan. Wanda y Paul dicen que el sistema de servicios puede ser abrumador para algunas familias, el par actúa como removedor de barreras para garantizar acceso a niños y a sus familias. El Programa de Extensión en las Escuelas gestionó 350 remisiones de clientes el año pasado (numero que indica una evidente necesidad por el programa, mismo que es subsidiado por network180). El mas común de los problemas es la depresión y usamos una prueba de detección de 15 minutos muy efectiva sin confrontar al adolescente. Dijo Cole. Es de compatibilidad natural con las clases de salud. La salud mental y trastornos Paul Cole por uso de sustancias son los asuntos más comunes en la remisión de clientes, pero también surgen otros problemas como la indigencia y el maltrato a menores. 5

6 News and Events High Spirits Characterize May Events A series of events marked May as the National Mental Illness Awareness Month this year with celebrations of recovery and wellness, as well as educational efforts against stigma. Spearheaded by the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, these events provided unique opportunities for individuals to learn about the different services and offerings of Kent County s mental health providers. The Live, Laugh, Love Rally for Mental Health on May 1 featured informational booths and speakers including in-line skating world record holder Corey Gahan who spoke about his personal experiences with steroid abuse. The rally took place in downtown Grand Rapids and was co-sponsored by network180. A few weeks later, walkers converged on the Grand Rapids (Pew) campus of Grand Valley State University for the annual Stomp Out Stigma Walk for Mental Health. This year, $42,000 was raised by over 600 walkers, a record in the event s six year history. We had an unbelievable number of registered participants, confirmed event organizer Carmel Loftis. It takes a lot of dedication, hard work, and loyalty to aggressively fight the disease of stigma. Also in May was the Walk a Mile in My Shoes Rally on the Capitol steps in Lansing, an annual event that brings individuals in from all of Michigan s counties. Despite the rainy weather, Kent County was represented by over twenty participants. network180 provided transportation to Lansing and back, as well as lunch and refreshments. Helen Hillman and Belinda Helen Hillman (left) and Belinda McGregor at the Walk a Mile in My Shoes Rally in Lansing. McGregor proudly represented their county by carrying the Kent County flag to the top of the Capitol steps and announcing a statement in support of mental health and recovery. Belated Glory Places Third in the Triple-Crown Belated Glory team members Aben Orellana, Deb Taylor, Dana Souter, & Chuck Spleit. What is Belated Glory? A race horse sensation? Another tribute rock band on tour? For three years now, several staff members of network180 have joined together to participate in a series of three 5-kilometer running races known as the Triple-Crown team challenge. Last year we set some goals as a team that, unfortunately, were not met, recalled network180 clinician and team member Aben Orellana. We thought the name would be appropriate because we were determined to meet them this year. The Triple-Crown calls upon local businesses and organizations to form teams made of staff members. Belated Glory qualified in the second division of teams made up of organizations with fewer than 500 employees. Starting in March, teams competed in the Spectrum Health Irish Jig in East Grand Rapids, the first of the 5-kilometer races. Next was the Brian Diemer Amerikam race in Cutlerville, followed by the Bank of America Reeds Lake Run to round out the series in late June. The fine athletes of Belated Glory placed third among the Triple Crown participants, earning a trophy that was presented after the Reeds Lake Run. Points for the competition were awarded based upon race times and age group placement, taking both into consideration for the final tally. It was really a group effort, observed network180 clinician and team coordinator Deb Taylor. Both our older and younger team members ran very well in their respective age groups. This year s Belated Glory team members were Frank Florido, Kevin Krum, Stacey Lamper-McFall, Tim Leonard, J.J. Lewis, Jonathan Mikulich, Aben Orellana, Bill Phelps, Susan Smith, Dana Souter, Chuck Spleidt, Deb Taylor, and Therese VandenAkker. Anyone interested in representing network180 in next year s Triple Crown can contact Deb Taylor at debt@network180.org 6

7 Local Providers Adopt Tobacco-free Policies In a leading move recently, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services and Forest View Hospital, with the support of the Kent County Health Department and network180, adopted a tobacco-free patient and work environment. These policies took effect July 1, 2008, on each of the organizations respective inpatient and outpatient locations. Research has shown that individuals who have both a mental health issue and tobacco addiction make up 7.1 percent of the population, yet consume 34.2 percent of all cigarettes smoked in the United States. This makes tobacco addiction the most common cooccurring disorder for persons with a serious mental illness. Our goal is to deal with a special problem for people with mental illnesses and addictive disorders, asserts Mark Witte, population services manager for network180. The unbelievably high rate of smoking in this population, which seriously complicates both treatment and recovery, ultimately leads to other chronic illnesses and premature death. To help alleviate withdrawal symptoms for patients receiving care, Pine Rest and Forrest View are providing nicotine replacement therapies as well as information on community tobacco cessation and recovery programs. Visitors are asked to leave all tobacco related products in the car while visiting. Pine Rest and Forrest View are committed to compassionate care, to the recovery of our patients and families, and view their health and wellness as a key component of that recovery, affirms Denise Gribbin, chief medical officer for Pine Rest. We cannot ignore the issue of tobacco use on our campuses. For more information, please contact Forrest View Hospital ( Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services ( the Kent County Health Department ( or network180 ( Building Our Future: The New Access Center at network180 As part of an ongoing effort to inform our friends about the progress of the new building addition and Access Center construction, we will dedicate this space of 180degrees for regular updates and information. network180 Holds Ground Breaking Ceremony Present at the network180 ground breaking ceremony were (left to right), Deb Parker, Eric Williams, Stephanie Rienks, Kyra Edwards, and Executive Director Paul Ippel. On Thursday, June 5, 2008, network180 officially broke ground and celebrated the start of a new milestone for the organization. Soon, the community leader for connecting individuals to services for mental illness, substance use disorders, and developmental disabilities, will begin construction on a new building addition and Access Center on the Kent Community Campus at 728 Fuller. With construction hardhats and shovels in hand, consumer representatives Kyra Edwards, Deb Parker, Stephanie Rienks, and Eric Williams lead the ground breaking ceremony in front of a cheering crowd of supporters. Earlier, speeches were made by network180 Board Chairperson and Kent County Commissioner Nadine Klein, Chairman and CEO of Mercantile Bank Michael Price, Vice President of Business Development for Rockford Construction Norm Noordeloos, and network180 Executive Director Paul Ippel. Jonathan Mikulich, network180 Communication Coordinator, served as master of ceremony. Afterward, the celebration continued inside the current administration building where guests socialized and enjoyed hors d oeuvres and refreshments. If you or your organization would like more information about how to be involved in network180 s ongoing capital campaign or about making a contribution to the construction of the new Access Center, please contact the network180 Administration Office at

8 administration 728 Fuller Avenue NE Grand Rapids, MI Telephone Facsimile access center 833 Lake Drive SE Grand Rapids, MI Telephone Toll Free Facsimile Upcoming Events Mental Health Parity? Public Roundtable & Luncheon Sept. 8, :00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Women s City Club, Grand Rapids, MI Sponsored by the Kent County Mental Health Parity Discussion Group, this roundtable event will address issues surrounding unequal insurance coverage for individuals with mental health conditions. Those concerned about this important topic are encouraged to attend and voice their opinions. For more information, contact Greg Dziadosz or Paul Mayhue at Recovery Palooza 2008 Sept. 20, :00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. John Ball Park Picnic Area Grand Rapids, MI Planned by dedicated community volunteers, Recovery Palooza is West Michigan s largest celebration of recovery. Now in it s 3rd year, the event is held each September at John Ball Park in recognition of National Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery Month. Live music, family activities, food, and local resources are all part of the celebration. For more information, go to Latino Mental Health Task Force Conference Sept. 26, :00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI While focusing on behavioral health services, this conference will describe the characteristics of health and human services organizations that work effectively in culturally diverse communities. Held on the Grand Valley State University s Allendale Campus, the conference theme will address complex mental health issues that are found within the Latino community. For more information, call