Hamilton Center, Inc., a Healthy Families America Site, Accredited for Quality Service by Prevent Child Abuse America

Leading National Child Abuse Prevention Organization Accredits Healthy Families America site in Terre Haute, IN to Serve Families

Terre Haute, IN– Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America) announced today that the Healthy Families America (HFA) affiliate, Hamilton Center, Inc., has been accredited as a provider of high quality home visiting services to families who want to improve their child’s health, nutrition and developmental outcomes.

HFA is a signature program of PCA America that has been providing home visiting services for more than 20 years. Expectant and new parents have common questions about their child’s development. HFA connects with families through community partners like hospitals and pediatricians to find the answers to their questions, meeting within the familiarity and convenience of the family’s own home. HFA is an accessible, voluntary and well received service.

“The American Dream starts with a happy, healthy childhood,” said Dan Duffy, President and CEO of PCA America. “As parents, we all have questions from time to time. Our HFA professionals offer evidence-based best practices to provide answers to questions, individualized support when needed most, and linkages to community services. As we congratulate Hamilton Center we also recognize the state and community leadership that has contributed to success in Vigo, Vermillion, Sullivan, and Greene Counties.”

The accreditation process is based upon a stringent set of 12 critical elements grounded in more than 30 years of research. The process involves an in-depth examination of the site’s operation, as well as, the quality of the visits made by HFA home visitors.

“We commend Hamilton Center, Inc. for opening itself up to such an intensive review process,” said Kathleen Strader, National Director of HFA. “We believe that all families and all communities deserve access to quality home visiting services.”

The HFA main site in Terre Haute, IN, is located at 500 8th Ave., 47804, with satellite locations in Vermillion, Greene, and Sullivan counties.

“A new baby can be both a welcome addition and a stressful time of family transition,” said Margie Grayless, Program Manager of Healthy Families at Hamilton Center, Inc. “Healthy Families of Hamilton Center, with the support of Healthy Families America and local organizations, works with passion, dignity and respect to support and strengthen the families of our communities.”

Home visitors in each community receive extensive training in a wide range of areas that can cause stress and worry to just about every new parent: caring for a new baby, ensuring the baby is receiving the nutrition needed, promoting healthy child development and coping with a myriad of other potential stresses, such as financial, housing, partner relationship, etc., that may become heightened with an addition to the family.

Healthy Families of Hamilton Center, Inc., for the contract year of 2018, reports completing 3,172 home visits for 272 families across its four county service area. The program received 84% of its referrals from WIC and 13% from hospital sources, while making 1,147 referrals to other community agencies. 100% of enrolled families received training on safe sleeping, car seat safety, and other common safety concerns of new parents. Of the 272 families enrolled 75% were single parents and 58% were first time parents indicating the continued need for the unique education and support services Healthy Families offers.

Healthy Families America is an effective and proven evidence-based home visiting program according the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. PCA America is proud to support HFA and to be part of a national coalition of organizations dedicated to improving the home visiting field.

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.

QPR Training Offered in Sullivan County

Wabash Valley Community Foundation Awards Grant to Hamilton Center, Inc.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is proud to announce it has received a grant from the Sullivan County affiliate of the Wabash Valley Community Foundation to fund the training and certification of two instructors for QPR Training (Question, Persuade, and Refer), an emergency mental health intervention system. The grant was awarded in support of the Zero Suicide Initiative at Hamilton Center in Sullivan County.

Hamilton Center’s Sullivan County Program Manager, Matt Hayes, and Consumer Representative Specialist, Shannon Jackson, will complete the instructor’s training. Once certified both instructors will work to train at least 150 Sullivan community members. Hamilton Center is currently reaching out to local organizations, referral sources, and community leaders to connect with those interested in QPR Training. The training will be offered to any community member who might be in the position to use this system of intervention to save a life. The training lasts about 2 hours and can be completed at an organization’s site.

QPR consists of three simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Like CPR, the universally recognized emergency medical intervention, QPR is an emergency mental health intervention that works to identify and interrupt a crisis with the intent of leading the person to the proper care. Working off the “Chain of Survival” model, much like CPR, the QPR system recognizes that a well-executed, strong and positive response to the early warning signs of suicide can save lives. It is important to understand most people thinking about suicide are suffering from an undiagnosed and/or untreated mental illness or substance abuse disorder for which excellent treatments exist. With early recognition of the warning signs of suicide, opening a supporting dialogue with those contemplating suicide and securing consultation from a professional may prevent the need for an emergency room visit or psychiatric hospitalization.

If you are interested in QPR training contact Matt Hayes or Shannon Jackson at 812-268-6376.

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.

WESTERN INDIANA RECOVERY SERVICES ACHIEVES BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE

Terre Haute, IN – Western Indiana Recovery Services (WIRS), an opioid treatment program of Hamilton Center, today announced it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective care.

Western Indiana Recovery Services underwent a rigorous onsite survey on November 15th and 16th of 2018. During the review, compliance with behavioral health care standards related to several areas, including care, treatment, and services; environment of care; leadership; and screening procedures for the early detection of imminent harm was evaluated. Onsite observations and interviews also were conducted.

Established in 1969, The Joint Commission’s Behavioral Health Care Accreditation Program currently accredits more than 2,250 organizations for a three-year period. Accredited organizations provide treatment and services within a variety of settings across the care continuum for individuals who have mental health, addiction, eating disorder, intellectual/developmental disability, and/or child-welfare related needs.

“Joint Commission accreditation provides behavioral health care organizations with the processes needed to improve in a variety of areas related to the care of individuals and their families,” said Julia Finken, RN, BSN, MBA, CSSBB, CPHQ, executive director, Behavioral Health Care Accreditation Program, The Joint Commission. “We commend Western Indiana Recovery Services for its efforts to elevate the standard of care it provides and to instill confidence in the community it serves.

“Western Indiana Recovery Services is pleased to receive Behavioral Health Care Accreditation from The Joint Commission, the premier health care quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation,” added Michelle Baker, PhD, Executive Director of Quality and Compliance at Hamilton Center, Inc. “Staff from across the organization continue to work together to develop and implement approaches and strategies that have the potential to improve care for those in our community.”

The Joint Commission’s behavioral health care standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, quality improvement measurement experts, and individuals and their families. The standards are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help organizations measure, assess and improve performance.

“Western Indiana Recovery Services and Hamilton Center are committed to delivering excellence in behavioral health services,” said Melvin L Burks, CEO of Hamilton Center, Inc. “In completing this rigorous survey and accomplishing these standards of care we demonstrate the highest quality care for our consumers.”

WIRS is a certified opioid treatment program of Hamilton Center, Inc., a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana. The program offers medication assisted treatment (MAT), group and individual therapy, and case management. Indiana Medicaid and self-pay options are available with no referral necessary. Western Indiana Recovery Services provides hope, help, and recovery for those suffering from opioid use disorder.

For information on Western Indiana Recovery Services, call (833) 232-0215 or (812) 231-8484.

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, nonprofit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

 

Knox & Hendricks Selected for OTP’s

State Awards Licenses to Hamilton Center, Inc.

On Wednesday January 23rd, at Hamilton Center, Inc. in Terre Haute, IN, CEO Melvin L Burks was joined by Kevin Moore, Director of the Department of Mental Health and Addictions (DMHA), to announce the State of Indiana has awarded Hamilton Center two additional licenses to open opioid treatment programs (OTP) in both Hendricks and Knox Counties. These programs are the first of their kind in their areas, and will offer medical and behavioral interventions to those with opioid use disorder (OUD). Community members and local media from Hendricks, Knox, and Vigo Counties attended the event. The new clinics will be modeled after Western Indiana Recovery Services, an opioid treatment program of Hamilton Center that opened in May of 2018, located in Vigo County.

Hamilton Center applied for both licenses in August of 2018 and was notified in November of 2018 of their selection by the state. These clinics will open on or before December 31st of 2019 offering medication assisted treatment (MAT) in the form of methadone, group and individual therapy, and case management services. Locations have not yet been identified, however referring organizations have been contacted for feedback and recommendations. Once a site has been selected, Hamilton Center will begin the rigorous process of achieving certification through various state and federal agencies including the State of Indiana, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and The Joint Commission (TJC).

Hamilton Center partnered with Sagamore Medical Recovery Services to open Western Indiana Recovery Services in 2018, the first OTP of its kind in Vigo County. The program delivers daily medical and behavioral interventions to those with opioid use disorder. Sagamore physicians and medical staff deliver medical services which include medication assisted treatment in the form of methadone, while Hamilton Center delivers behavioral interventions, including group and individual therapy, and case management. Medication assisted treatment is associated with a decrease in the spread of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C, a decrease in criminality, and an increase in employability and overall functioning.

Opioids are a class of drugs that work to block pain receptors giving the user a feeling of calmness and happiness. Use of prescribed and illegal forms of opioids can lead to opioid dependency and opioid use disorder (OUD) after just a few days of regular use. Consequently opioid overdoses are a growing trend in the United States. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that more than 130 people die every day from an opioid overdose, while the National Safety Council found opioid overdose deaths to be more common than deaths involving motor vehicles. Furthermore, the cost of prescription opioid abuse alone is over $78.5 billion in the US annually, which has led to increased health care costs across the country.

Indiana has had its own unique struggle with opioids. With roughly 1,138 opioid related overdose deaths in 2017 alone, as reported by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDOH), Indiana Business Review reports an estimated cost of economic damages related to the opioid epidemic to be $43.3 billion dollars from 2003 through 2017.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system in Central and West Central Indiana. Services are provided to children, 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.

Sagamore Medical Recovery Services, LLC, was formed in 2016 by Christian Shaw, MD, PhD, and his partners. Dr. Shaw is a leader in the field and has worked to develop the most successful, innovative and respected methadone based opioid treatment program in New Mexico.

Hamilton Center, Inc. Announces New Director of Operations

Hamilton Center, Inc. welcomes James Roetker as the Director of Operations to the corporate office located at 620 8th Ave. in Terre Haute, IN.

James served in the United States Air Force as a crew chief on B-52H and B-1B bombers, overseeing equipment inspections, repairs, and maintenance, later serving the Army as a security specialist. After his military service James started as production supervisor for Aramark Uniform Services and a year later was promoted to plant manager. For over 20 years he gained valuable experiences in leadership, workforce training, and employee relations while amassing extensive knowledge in industrial equipment, general operations, and safety.

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.

Investing in the Future

Hamilton Center, Inc. is investing in young minds and the future of Vigo County. The organization hosted a kick-off to the holiday break for students and staff at Deming Elementary School, Vigo County, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm on December 20th, 2018. Alongside Santa and his elves, representatives of the organization lead students in holiday related activities, set up teacher appreciation gatherings, and delivered presents to students and staff. This event is only the first step in a broader plan to support the students and staff of Deming Elementary School through 2019.

In the coming year Hamilton Center will collaborate with Deming Elementary School administrators and staff to discover new ways to connect with the student population. By setting up after school activities, showing support to staff with events and supplies, as well as fostering relationships with families, these young minds will have the opportunity to grow and develop into active members of our community.

“We are so excited that Hamilton Center has reached out to support Deming with a partnership this year,” said Principal McDonald of Deming Elementary School. “Business and community partnerships are so important in helping our schools to meet the various needs of students and families,” she said. “We look forward to the possibilities this partnership will provide in supporting our Deming Elementary School community.”

“Supporting youth in the community has long been a major part of Hamilton Center’s mission and vision” said Melvin L. Burks, CEO, Hamilton Center, Inc. “The fact is the youth of today grow in to the leaders of tomorrow, and we want to be there to help them realize their potential,” he said. “Our hope is this will inspire other organizations to get involved in our community by engaging our youth.”

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. Announces New Therapist to Indianapolis Office

Hamilton Center, Inc. welcomes therapist John Hirschfeld MA, MBA, to the Indianapolis satellite office located at 2160 N. Illinois.

John acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame in 1985 and went on to acquire a Master of Divinity from the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN (’92), a Master of Counseling from Saint Louis University in St. Louis, MO (’95), and a Master of Business Administration from Webster University (’08) in St. Louis, MO. John has provided services that include: crisis intervention, family counseling, and individual therapy. He has worked with foster families, students, adults, parents, and bi-lingual patients. His clinical interests are trauma, mood disorders, OCD, veterans’ mental health, and gerontology.

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.