Hamilton Center, Inc. News Archives | Page 10 of 21

Hamilton Center Announces New Team For Health Clinic

Grace Clinic Health Professional

Hamilton Center, Inc. would like to announce the additions of the following staff of Grace Clinic Health Professional, Hamilton Center Inc.’s new health clinic.

DJ Rhodes, PhD., Chief Officer of Health Clinics and Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs), comes to Hamilton Center with a variety of healthcare experience including hospice, home health, hospital administration as well as OTPs and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Before making the career shift to healthcare, Dr. Rhodes spent over 15 years in military intelligence, including serving as the Technical Director of Air Force Space Command and Missile Defense System Command overseeing two weapon portfolios. In addition, he works as an adjunct professor at various universities teaching healthcare administration, leadership and critical thinking courses.

Nichelle Washington, B.S., Executive Director of Health Clinics, has been employed at Hamilton Center, Inc. for 12 years. Ms. Washington obtained her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Human Services in 2018. Previously, she has held management positions as a Program Manager of Employment Solutions and Project SEARCH. Through her work at Employment Solutions, she led a team of employment specialists who assisted individuals with barriers to employment seek and obtain jobs.

Russel Coutinho, MD, has served the Terre Haute community for nearly 15 years. Graduating from Pune University, in India, as a pediatrics physician, he has held several leadership positions across a variety of hospital settings. Prior to joining Hamilton Center, Dr. Coutinho was a neonatologist at Terre Haute Regional Hospital and Union Hospital, Terre Haute. He has worked as an educator at local colleges including Indiana State University and Indiana University – School of Medicine (Terre Haute), in the field of neonatology, nursing, and medicine. In addition, Dr. Coutinho is the Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Pediatrics at Regional Hospital, and in 2009 was locally honored as a March of Dimes Medical Honoree.

Robin Smiddy, NP, has 16 years of experience in acute care nursing and nursing leadership. She graduated in 2019 from Indiana State University with a master of science in Advanced Practice Nursing, and soon after became board certified. As a family nurse practitioner she focuses on preventative health, education, and women’s health.

Joy Whitt, NP, is a family nurse practitioner who has served Hamilton Center consumers’ primary healthcare needs since 2017. Her practice emphasis includes preventative health, education, and managing complications specific to behavioral health conditions.

Grace Clinic Health Professional, a primary and behavioral health clinic and community wellness provider, serves Vigo and Putnam Counties. Located at 620 8^th Ave. in Terre Haute, IN, the Vigo County clinic is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, while the Putnam County clinic, located at 239 Hillsdale Ave. in Greencastle, IN, is currently opened Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

A focus of the clinic is to provide compressive health services to Hamilton Center consumers currently receiving behavioral health and addiction services. The clinic offers medical and dental care to all ages through a sliding fee scale based on federal poverty guidelines. No one will be turned away for inability to pay. Patients who do not have insurance can access a clinic navigator who are available on-sight to assist in finding a health plan that best meets the patients’ needs.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute, IN. Services are provided to children, youth and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

For information on Hamilton Center services call (800) 742-0787.

Hamilton Center, Inc. Expands Primary Care Services

Opens Grace Clinic Health Professional

Hamilton Center, Inc. – Hamilton Center is proud to announce the opening of Grace Clinic Health Professional, a primary and behavioral health clinic and community wellness provider serving Vigo and Putnam Counties. Located at 620 8^th Ave. in Terre Haute, IN, the Vigo County clinic is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, while the Putnam County clinic, located at 239 Hillsdale Ave. in Greencastle, IN, is currently opened Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

A focus of the clinic is to provide comprehensive health services to Hamilton Center consumers currently receiving behavioral health and addiction services. The clinic offers medical and dental care to all ages through a sliding fee scale based on federal poverty guidelines. No one will be turned away for inability to pay. Patients who do not have insurance can access a clinic navigator who are available on-sight to assist in finding a health plan that best meets the patients’ needs.

Grace Clinic Health Professional will be overseen by DJ Rhodes, PhD., Chief of Opioid Treatment Programs and Health Clinics. In addition, the day to day operations will be managed by Hamilton Center’s Executive Director of Health Clinics, Nichelle Washington. A team of physicians, nurse practitioners and others will offer services that include health screenings, immunizations, treatment for minor illnesses, management of chronic conditions, laboratory and pharmacy services, and referrals to outside specialists including dental.

Hamilton Center has offered primary care services since 2017 through a grant through the Indiana Department of Mental Health and Addiction. The development of Grace Clinic Health Professional aligns with Hamilton Center’s strategic initiative to expand integrated health and wellness services.

“We often hear of the mind body connection and that one’s mental health can affect other parts of their body, and vice versa,” said Rhodes. “By offering a community wellness center focused on delivering primary care and behavioral health services all under the same roof, we simplify the process of seeking treatment for any condition, mental or physical,” he added.

“Those with serious mental illnesses die many years prior to those without these illnesses,” said Melvin L. Burks, Hamilton Center’s CEO. “It is our hope to address that statistic by helping make primary care easily accessible and integrated with behavioral health services,” he added.

For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.

2019 Hamilton Awards Recognize Leaders in Mental Health

“Enhancing Community, Enhancing Lives”

Terre Haute, IN- Hamilton Center hosted the annual Hamilton Awards Dinner Tuesday, October 22 at 5:30 pm in the Sycamore Banquet Center, on the campus of Indiana State University. The event featured a presentation from Gov. Eric Holcomb, whose 2019 Next Level Agenda includes plans to attack the drug epidemic, take care of the children and families, and increase workforces through early education with high school students.

2019 marks 48 years of Hamilton Center’s commitment to serving the community’s behavioral health and substance abuse needs. The theme of “Enhancing Lives, Enhancing Community” represents the life and work of Katherine Hamilton who fought for the inclusion, acceptance and support of those struggling with mental illness in the early 1960’s. In this spirit, Hamilton Center recognized individuals and organizations of the community who have significantly contributed to the cause of mental health and addiction while furthering the mission of Hamilton Center, Inc. Nominees for Hamilton Awards were recognized in the categories of outstanding volunteer, community service, and Hamilton Center staff.

Hamilton Award, Hamilton Center Staff

Dana Guthrie – Nominated for her 33 years of service and unwavering dedication through years of change and evolution in the field of Mental Health. Ms. Guthrie began as a job coach in 1986 and worked her way up in the corporation to her current position of Director of Quality Improvement and Managed Care, where she exemplifies honesty and integrity in insuring Hamilton Center meets all standards of care.

Hamilton Award, Community Service

Parke County Drug Court – Nominated for their public service and commitment to the residents of Parke County struggling with addiction. The team that makes of this program includes the Parke County Circuit Court, the Parke County Probation, the Parke County Persecutor’s office and various other community members who come together to help participants restore their lives and often the lives of their families.

Hamilton Award, Outstanding Volunteer Service

Keshia Buskirk – Nominated for her work in creating a peer addictions group in Linton, IN, and for her service of others struggling with addiction. After a recovery journey of her own, Keshia completed training through the Indiana Counselor’s Association on Alcohol and Drug Abuse to become a peer counselor, and later went on to establish the “Peer 2 Peer” group that enlists peers to assist those struggling with addiction with navigating life’s obstacles when working toward recovery.

In addition to the Hamilton Awards, two individuals were recognized with the Frank W. Jerse awards. This award named in memory of Frank W. Jerse, is given to a community member who is a veteran or supported military families OR who has significantly contributed to the community. Dr. Jerse served during World War II, fought in the Battle of the Bulge and received a purple heart. In addition, Dr. Jerse dedicated much of his career furthering post-secondary education at Indiana State University. Lastly, he was a major contributor to the establishment of Hamilton Center.

This year, two individuals received Jerse Awards. The first Jerse award went to a successful clinical psychologist and businessman, Shelvy Haywood Keglar. Dr. Keglar is a veteran, author, entrepreneur and founder of the Midwest Psychological Center in Indianapolis.

The second Jerse award went to Greg Gibson, of Terre Haute. Gibson was recognized for his time, talent and financial contribution to the local community and the State of Indiana. He is the President of Retech Corporation and has extensive experience in the development and operation of waste management in multi states. Through various other appointments, he has championed many economic development projects throughout the State.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana. Services are provided to adolescents and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people with drug and alcohol problems. Counseling services are provided for people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.

Hamilton Center, Inc. Focuses on Veterans Issues for Suicide Prevention Month

22 Push up Challenge Brings Message Home

In 2016, it was reported that 22 veterans and service members were dying by suicide every day in the US.

Three years later, a 2018 report shows that number is now at 20.6.

For Bill Little, LCSW, local veteran and Program Coordinator of the Military Veteran Program (MVP) at Hamilton Center, Inc., “one is too many; zero is the goal.”

On Monday September 30, 2019, coinciding with Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Little hosted the culmination to the 22 Push-up Facebook Challenge, in recognition of the 22 veterans and services members that complete suicide every day in the US.

For 22 days in September local groups and organizations took part in the challenge by completing 22 push-ups and challenging others to do the same. The purpose of the campaign was to not only to use local businesses and organizations to bring awareness to suicide prevention but to target conversation around the specific issues that veterans and service members face.

“We know that veterans and service members are more likely to experience trauma related disorders, struggle with reintegration into their communities, and isolate themselves from others due to overwhelming fear of stigma,” said Bill Little. “All of these factors and more lead to a higher risk of suicidal ideations, suicide attempts, and suicide completion,” he added.

With over 7,500 veterans, and over 45,000 US adults dying by suicide every year, its evident this issue is affecting everyone in some way. It is estimated that for every suicide there are 135 individuals affected by the event, often leading to trauma and trauma related disorders. For veterans it can be said that this contributes to a vicious cycle of trauma, isolation, and suicidal ideations. Whatever the circumstances of one’s struggle, Melvin L Burks, CEO of Hamilton Center, Inc. has a straight forward message, “Your life has great value; you are not alone; recovery is possible.”

If you or a loved one are struggling with trauma related issues, thoughts of suicide, or experiencing a crisis, Hamilton Center, Inc. can help. For more information on MVP and other services call 1-800-742-0787 for crisis support.

Hamilton Center also offers community mental health trainings including Mental Health First Aid, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR), and Trauma-informed Care (TIC). Each of these courses offer individuals, groups, and organizations certified skills and tools that can assist them in helping someone that might be experiencing a crisis or suicidal ideations. To learn more about these courses go to www.trianingourcommunity.org.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit regional health system in central and west central Indiana. The Organization is building hop and changing lives through a broad array of health service for people during their entire lifecycle, birth through older adulthood. Services are individualized, trauma informed, and evidence based.

For more information contact 812-231-8323 or visit www.hamiltoncenter.org.

Hamilton Center Expands Vigo County Addictions Services

Now Certified in Gambling Addictions through DMHA

Hamilton Center, Inc. is pleased to announce its State certification through the Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) to provide problem gambling services. These services will be offered by designated providers through two programs – Vigo County Outpatient, located at 620 8^th Ave. in Terre Haute, IN, and Vigo County Addictions, located at 66 Wabash Court, in Terre Haute, IN.

While this certification is specific to Vigo County, the organization continues to provide counseling for gambling addiction, and all other forms of addiction, throughout its 10-county regional footprint.

Gambling services in the Vigo County programs will be reimbursed by DMHA, should the consumer have no insurance coverage. This would include those without any insurance coverage at all or those whose plans do not include gambling addiction or services offered by DMHA. The DMHA covered services include individual counseling, case management, skills training, financial counseling, transportation and other support services.

DMHA identifies problem gambling as gambling behavior which causes disruptions in any major area of life: psychological, physical, social or vocational. The term “problem gambling” includes, but is not limited to, the condition known as pathological, or “compulsive” gambling, a progressive addiction characterized by increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, “chasing” losses, and loss of control manifested by continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of mounting, serious, negative consequences.

For more information contact 812-231-8323 or visit www.hamiltoncenter.org.

WIN Recovery Offers Help, Hope, and Healing

Terre Haute – “One hundred and ninety; that’s the number of lives lost to overdose every day in the United States,” said Natasha Newcomb, Executive Director of Addictions Services, Hamilton Center, Inc. “WIN Recovery works every day to lower that number, and we are here to show our support to those families most affected by it,” she added.

On August 30th, 2019, WIN Recovery, Hamilton Center’s certified opioid treatment program, gave community members an opportunity to recognize struggles of addiction and the many lives lost to overdose in our community. The event featured the release of 190 butterflies, symbolic of the 190 lives lost, in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, set for August 31, 2019. The organization also celebrated the kickoff to September as Recovery Month with a testimony of recovery and a message of hope from community members who have previously struggled with addiction.

In 2017 it was reported the U.S. experiences one of every four overdose deaths in the world, with an estimated 20 million people, five percent of the global adult population, in need of some form or substance use treatment. With opioids playing a huge role accounting for 70 percent of all global drug use disorders, WIN Recovery is doing its part to serve the local needs of community members and their loved ones struggling with addiction.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with an opioid use disorder, contact WIN Recovery at (812)-231-8484. Regain Something Lost.

Hamilton Center Awarded DMHA Systems of Care Grant

Sets date for next SOC meeting.

Terre Haute, IN- Hamilton Center has been awarded the School Based Systems of Care grant by the Department of Mental Health and Addictions (DMHA). The grant provides $7,672 to strengthen the relationship between the SOC, the community, and local schools. Funds will be used to purchase marketing items specific to Vigo County’s Systems of Care and create a SOC website open to the public, giving children and families additional access to available resources.

This month’s SOC meeting took place on August, 20 2019 at Sarah Scott Middle School. As always community members, specifically those involved in the “system of care”, were invited to attend and share their thoughts and experiences. This communication promotes cultural competency and affords the members of the SOC an opportunity to assess the system for gaps in services.

The next meeting will be held on September 17 at 3:30 p.m. at Valley Health Professionals, located at 1530 N 7th St. in Terre Haute, IN.

“Hamilton Center’s primary goals in seeking this grant were to decrease mental health stigma within the schools, strengthen referral pathways from schools to the SOC, and cultivate linkages between schools and mental health providers in the community” said Dwight Weaver, Grant Coordinator, and Wraparound Coordinator at Hamilton Center, Inc. “By attacking these three areas we can begin to address the gaps in services some families experience,” he added.

Systems of Care (SOC) is a network of community resources for youth and their families. Organizations, agencies, and groups meet once a month at varying locations with the purpose of collaborating on the issues of familial, social, economic, and behavioral health needs in the community. Organizations involved in an SOC work together to connect those in need to service providers, decrease barriers to treatment, and help families navigate the “system of care”., By incorporating a broad array of services and supports into a coordinated effort, the SOC creates meaningful community partnerships, promotes the highest standards of care, and seeks to improve the lives of youth and families.
If you are interested in attending the monthly meetings you can find more information about times and locations on Facebook at @Vigo Co System of Care or call Dwight Weaver, Wraparound Coordinator, Hamilton Center, Inc., at 812-231-8194.

Opioid Addiction & Pregnancy

Contributed by: Jessica Nevil, LMHC, Clinical Director at WIN Recovery, and Zach Jenkins, Public Relations Specialist at Hamilton Center, Inc.

Here’s what you need to know.

Opioid addiction during pregnancy is treatable and here’s what you need to know.

First, addiction to opioids can happen to anyone at any point in life. The fact is addiction of any kind is a physical and behavioral disorder and should be recognized as such. The act of seeking help takes great courage, and is one that requires fostering support; without a strong system of support the likelihood of treatment and recovery dramatically decreases.

Opioid drug use, and certainly drug abuse, can cause significant health risks to an unborn child, however, abruptly stopping the use of opioids can also be dangerous, even life threatening.

When a pregnant women uses an opioid her baby is exposed to the drug as well as the “highs and lows” of chronic use, including dependency and withdrawal. There is a common misconception that babies are born addicted to a substance, which is incorrect and misleading. Addiction is a physical, mental, and emotional cycle of behaviors that effects an individual often times over the span of a lifetime. Babies born during addiction are not guaranteed to experience addiction later in life; other environmental variables lead to this.

When consuming high doses of opioids the risks of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) greatly increases. NAS is a condition that requires medical attention for the symptoms of withdrawal and often appears as rapid shaking or sucking of the fists. These symptoms are managed through breast feeding, strengthening of the mother-child bond, and medical treatment.

With the opioid epidemic sweeping the country many federal, state, and local funds have been granted to community health centers across the state to develop opioid treatment programs (OTP). Indiana has opened nearly 20 opioid treatment programs in areas of the state hardest hit by the opioid issue. These programs offer medication assisted treatment (MAT) in several forms including buprenorphine, vivitrol, and methadone, some of which are coupled with comprehensive behavioral health services. Many programs are working closely with local hospitals to connect pregnant women to treatment. The collaboration of medical and behavioral health services found in opioid treatment programs is recognized as the most effective form of treatment when compared to abstinence or other programming options.

So what is the best drug option?

Today methadone is used as the gold standard for treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) for most populations, including pregnant women. Used only for the treatment of opioid related addictions methadone is administered in daily dosing with mandatory addiction counseling. With the primary goal of harm reduction pregnant mothers will experience decreased risk of transmittable diseases including HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis-C, decreased risk of overdose, and increased employability and social engagement.

If you are struggling with opioid use disorder during or after pregnancy it is important for you to seek medical help and have open and honest communication with your provider about past, current, and future drug use. Continued use will increase health risks for both you and your baby. WIN Recovery, the first OTP of its kind in the area, offers medication assisted treatment in the form of methadone, coupled with individual and group counseling, and case management. For more information about opioid use disorder, treatment, and recovery please contact 1-812-231-8484 or visit www.winrecovery.org.

www.drugabuse.gov
www.samhsa.org

“The opioid epidemic is impacting more than just the lives of those struggling with addiction”

Co-authored by: Anastasia Godsey, M.S. LMHC, Director of Child and Adolescent Services and HCI West at Hamilton Center, Inc. and Zach Jenkins, Public Relation Specialist, Hamilton Center, Inc.

With 52 percent of children removed from a home due to parental substance abuse and 51 percent of displaced children living with a relative who may struggle to support them, issues, like the opioid epidemic, are impacting more than just the lives of those struggling with addiction.

For children and youth being separated from family and familiar surroundings can be traumatizing. Separations that are sudden, unexpected, or prolonged can interfere with a child’s ability to develop healthy coping strategies, putting them at increased risk of social and behavioral issues later in life. Unfortunately, children are impacted by both witnessing the parental substance use as well as their parent’s decreased ability to provide for their needs due to their altered state of being. Children who witness parental substance use are put at higher risk for future substance abuse which can lead to multigenerational cycles of addiction.

In the event of child displacement as a result of abuse or neglect, a child is placed with a family member, often referred to as kinship care. These types of displacements are typically categorized as informal, formal, and voluntary. Child welfare services are involved in both formal and voluntary kinship care. In these arrangements many cite more access to services but less overall flexibility. Informal kinship care is the most common form of child displacement, with grandparents most commonly receiving placement of the child without involvement of child welfare services.

Recent data suggests grandparents, as kinship care givers, may face additional emotional and financial challenges that other care givers involved with child welfare services do not. Of grandparents who are responsible for their grandchildren 41 percent are older than 60 years of age, 43 percent received Supplemental Security Income, public assistance income, or Food Stamps/SNAP Benefits, and 22 percent live in poverty. All of these factors contribute to financial burdens most commonly associated with receiving custody of a child. Furthermore, the majority of grandparents receiving placement of a child are not licensed in the foster care system and therefore may not be eligible for the same services and financial support as licensed foster parents, further complicating the issue.

The good news is that there are ways to break the cycles of multi-generational addiction. Kinship care promotes family bonds, stability, as well as a sense of belonging for children, all of which are considered risk factors when absent during a child’s earliest years of growth and development. Utilizing community resources for parental support and trauma related to parental substance use as well as seeking treatment for the child/children involved can minimize the risks associated with childhood displacement.
Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system serving central and west central Indiana. The organization is “building hope and changing lives” through a broad array of behavioral health services for adults, children, adolescents, and families. Services are individualized, trauma informed, and evidence-based. Needs and strengths are assessed and utilized to develop a person-centered treatment plan.

Hamilton Center provides Infant and Toddler Services programs especially designed for children from birth until three years of age and their families. These services include: Healthy Families and Early Head Start. Admission criteria is different for each program, but all services are free of charge to families. Infant and Toddler Services’ programs are operated by Hamilton Center, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. Both programs are offered in Vigo County; the Healthy Families program is also offered in Greene County, Sullivan County, and Vermillion County.

Hamilton Center also offers treatment services for adults and children who are impacted by trauma including: individual, crisis, family, school based therapy, and group therapy. Hamilton Center also offers skills training, case management, and wraparound services in the community and home as an opportunity to meet the needs of the consumers in multiple areas of their lives. Hamilton Center is currently a DMHA grantee for the Transition Aged Youth Grant which provides funding for ages 14-26. This grant focuses on helping individuals in being able to successfully navigate into early adulthood.

Hamilton Center, Inc. Announces New Nurse Practitioner

Hamilton Center, Inc. welcomes psychiatric nurse practitioner Kendall Coniglio, BSN, MSN, PMHNP, to the Parke and Vermillion satellite offices.
Ms. Coniglio completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1998 at Lakeview College of Nursing and went on to complete a Master of Science in Nursing at Indiana Wesleyan University. She is now a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Ms. Coniglio has experienced the nursing field from many levels, including through medical and psychiatric direct patient care, as a patient care coordinator and as director of nursing. After 20 years in the field she is experienced in direct patient care, de-escalation techniques, and consumer advocacy. She has served many populations including those with terminal illnesses as well as those who are incarcerated, while specializing in treatment for those with mental illness.
Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana with corporate offices located in Terre Haute, IN. Services are provided to children, youth and adults, with specialized programs for expectant mothers, infants, and people who may be struggling with stress, life changes, or relationship issues as well as more serious problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and serious mental illnesses.
For information on Hamilton Center Services call (800) 742-0787.