Category: Hamilton Center, Inc. News

April 6, 2018, Terre Haute IN – Governor Holcomb and State Legislators met at St. Francis Hospital in Indianapolis today to sign three mental health bills into law : HB1007 – Mental Health Access, SB 139 – Investigation of Overdose Deaths, and SB 221 – INSPECT Program.

HB1007 – Mental Health Access, authored by Representative Cindy Kirchhofer, requires the office of Medicaid policy and planning to implement a centralized credentials verification organization and credentialing process. It allows the division of mental health and addiction (division) to grant approval for nine additional opioid treatment programs that: (1) are operated by a hospital; and (2) meet other specified requirements; if the division determines that there is a need for the program in the proposed location.

SB 139 – Investigation of Overdose Deaths, authored by Senator James Merritt, Senator Ed Charbonneau, and Senator John Ruckelshaus, requires the county coroner to meet specified requirements if he or she reasonably suspects the cause of a person’s death to be accidental or intentional overdose of a controlled substance.

SB 221 – INSPECT Program, authored by Senator Erin Houchin, Senator Ed Charbonneau, and Senator Joseph Zakas, allows a dispenser of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or a controlled substance to transmit certain information to the INSPECT program by any electronic method that meets specifications prescribed by the state board of pharmacy (board).

The signings of the aforementioned bills were attended by Hamilton Center representatives, CEO, Melvin L. Burks, Executive Director of Government Affairs, Hans Eilbracht, and Acting Chief of Addictions Services, Dr. Jennifer Hutchens.

To read more about these bills, visit iga.in.gov.

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.

For more information, please contact Travis Coffman at 812-231-8115 or tcoffman@hamiltoncenter.org.

“On my twenty-fifth birthday, I was called upon to sign my twenty-seven year old sister over to the custodial care of those appointed by the State of Massachusetts to care for its people with mental illness.  Burnt deeply into my heart is that frightening experience when that heavy door, which shut my sister in, also shut me out.  I was terrified.  What would those people do to her?  Would they be kind to her?  I was soon to learn they could not.  They could neither help, nor did they have the least idea why she had become ill.  In the end the summation was simple:

diagnosis, schizophrenia.  Recommendations, none.  Prognosis, steady downhill course’.”

Following that experience, Katherine Hamilton began a quest to improve conditions and services for people with mental illnesses. Entering the field of mental health on the professional level, Hamilton devoted six years of her life as a medical social worker at the University of Chicago Clinic. For three years, she served on the staff of Union Hospital School of Nursing, teaching psychiatry, psychology, and sociology. In 1950, after several years of professional psychiatric service and many years of organizational experience in the health and welfare field, she accepted the challenge to help create a band of interested citizens who would stand up and speak on behalf of those with mental illnesses.  Before the end of the year, the Vigo County Association for Mental Health was created.

During her tenure as president of the Vigo County Association for Mental Health, she served the mentally ill in many ways, serving the Indiana Association for Mental Health for 10 years as a board member, secretary, and delegate to the National Association for Mental Health. She eliminated the practice of patient jailing in Vigo County. She provided transportation for patients and families to state hospitals. She helped develop the Adopt-A-Patient program in which people assume the role of a relative of a patient. She lobbied for increased appropriations for the Department of Mental Health so that patients could be provided better care and treatment. She helped expand the National Association for Mental Health so that there was equitable representation throughout the United Stated on the Board of Directors.   She also contributed tremendously to the growth of the Indiana Association for Mental Health from a struggling handful of interested citizens to a statewide organization of 30,000 people. In total, Katherine Hamilton dedicated 33 years of her life to serving those with mental illnesses.

In May of 1961, Katherine Hamilton had passed away after battle with a lingering illness, but her service to those in need continued after her death.  The development of Hamilton Center Inc. is a story of citizens, volunteers and professionals in a six county area, over a period of years, organizing, planning, and working together for the establishment of a Mental Health Center in west central Indiana.  It is a story of people infused with the belief that mental illness was a major illness in the community and that the dire lack of facilities for treatment need to be addressed.   It was believed that people could best be treated in their home communities rather than having to travel long distances and perhaps being institutionalized.

In a short period, the Katherine Hamilton Mental Health Center was incorporated and its first outpatient office opened in 1971. Named in honor of Katherine Hamilton, Hamilton Center has grown to become a regional behavioral health system. Hamilton Center serves central and west central Indiana providing the full continuum of mental health and addictions treatment to children, adolescents and adults.  Currently, the organization serves approximately 13,000 clients a year, employs 550 staff and has outpatient offices in 10 counties in Indiana. The work of Katherine Hamilton continues and will go on until the need for mental health treatment is no longer.

For additional information on services, call (800) 742-0787.

March 13, 2018, Terre Haute, IN – Since 1987, March has been designated National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. During this month, we celebrate the many contributions people with developmental disabilities make to our community as well as seek to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of life. We also want to raise awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities face in connecting to the communities in which they live.

According to the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) over 5 million Americans are estimated to have a developmental disability. The DD Act defines a developmental disability as a severe, chronic disability that occurs before an individual is 22 and is likely to continue indefinitely and results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of the following areas of major life activity: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, or economic self-sufficiency. These impairments require the individual to sustain lifelong or extended supports or assistance.

Hamilton Center offers a unique, business-led transition program designed for young adults 18-24 years of age, with barriers to employment. Project SEARCH is targeted for those whose main goal is employment and career exploration. These young adults, or interns, learn competitive employment and life skills while participating in a variety of unpaid work site rotations throughout Union Hospital, with the possibility of being hired at the hospital or in our community.

“Individualized job development and placement occurs based on the intern’s experiences, strengths and skills,” said Nichelle Washington, Program Manager of Employment Solutions at Hamilton Center. “Project SEARCH exists to provide quality training and employment services to young adults with physical, mental, and/or social limitations to foster independent living and inclusion into today’s workforce,” she said.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system serving central and west central Indiana.  Offices are located in ten Indiana counties with the Corporate Office in Terre Haute.  Hamilton Center serves people during their entire life cycle, birth through older adulthood with programs specifically designed for young children, adolescents, adults and families.

Hamilton Center, Inc. has announced several staff changes in the Addiction Program serving central and west central Indiana.

Leading Hamilton Center’s Addiction Services is Jennifer Hutchens, PsyD, HSPP, Acting Chief of Addiction Services.  Dr. Hutchens will report to Hamilton Center’s Chief Medical Officer, Ashan Mahmood, MD.  In addition, Karen Moore had been named Director, Richey Adderley, MS, Vigo County Program Manager, John Paulson, LMHC, LCAC, LPC, ACRPS, Acting Clinical Supervisor and  Jessica Nevill, LMHC,  Satellite Coordinator of Addiction Services.  Lastly, Stacey Totten has been promoted to Transitional Living Manager and will oversee two residential units for consumers recovering from a mental illness and an addiction issue.

“Our focus is to put a structure in place that will allow delivery of the highest quality services in all of the communities we serve,” said Melvin L. Burks, CEO.   “We want to be in a solid position to address the opioid crisis occurring across the nation,” he said.

“Hamilton Center is committed in providing evidence based programs to consumers suffering from mental illnesses and/or addiction issues,” said Jennifer Hutchens, PsyD, HSPP.  “The structure we have put into place will elevate the services we are able to provide,” she said.

Hamilton Center was recently the recipient of a State License to open an Opioid Treatment Program which is expected to open by July 2018.  The program will be operated by Hamilton Center Inc. and Sagamore Recovery Services, who have experience in operating a opioid treatment program.

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.

The Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) notified Hamilton Center Inc. that the Vigo County, 620 8^th Ave, Terre Haute site, has been found in compliance with the standards and requirements necessary to implement the Indiana’s Primary Care Behavioral Health Integration (PCBHI) Service Delivery System. The identified site has successfully completed the required processes and actions during the launch period from March 1, 2017 to October 31, 2017 to become an approved Integrated Care Entity (ICE).

 

The Indiana Family and Social Service Administration (FSSA) and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) established a process by which Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) may become a state certified integrated care entity (ICE). Hamilton Center staff worked for over six months to achieve this designation.

 

 Indiana Primary Care Behavioral Health Integration (IPCBHI) was developed through agency partnerships, commitment to collaboration, and creating the opportunity for the promotion, development, and implementation of bi-directional integrated primary and behavioral health best practices across Indiana. Indiana’s initiative to formally state approved agencies as Integrated Care Entities (ICE) is intended to provide quality, access, and long term sustainability for integrated care across Indiana. Behavioral Health includes both mental health and substance use disorders. National research has shown that a whole person approach to integrated primary and behavioral health service delivery facilitates and supports the triple aim of health care: improving the health of our population; enhancing the individual’s experience of care (including quality, access, and reliability), and reducing the per capita cost of care. An ICE, serving its local and regional areas, will deliver best practice integrated primary and behavioral health care to meet the health needs of the individuals in the communities where they live. This model of care requires a collaboration between the ICE and its community partners.

 

“We recognize that addressing our consumers’ primary and behavioral health needs at one time and in one location significantly reduces the barriers of seeking treatment,” said Melvin L. Burks, CEO of Hamilton Center Inc.  “Not only does this provide quality care, but it is more convenient to the client,” he said.

 

“People with serious mental illnesses many more years earlier than those without mental illnesses,” said Ahsan Mahmood, MD, Hamilton Center’s Chief Medical Officer. “Our goal is to positively impact those numbers by addressing both the mental illness and chronic health conditions that many of our consumers face,” he said.

 

Hamilton Center is a regional behavioral health system in central and west central Indiana.  The organization provides the full range of behavioral health and addiction services to people through the entire lifecycle – birth through older adulthood.  The organization is certified through the State of Indiana and accredited by The Joint Commission for behavioral health.

Each year, Hamilton Center, honors the achievements of businesses and individuals in the community that have contributed significantly to the cause of mental health/addiction. The awards are named in honor of Katherine Hamilton, a woman devoted to helping the cause by improving care for those in need. Awards were given at Hamilton Center’s Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner, October 24, 2017 with over 450 people attending this uplifting event. 2017 Hamilton Award winners were:

Community award – Bill Watson, Community Corrections. 

Mr. Watson is devoted to the cause of mental health and improving the care for persons with mental illness and addiction specifically those in the criminal justice system.  He works on a daily basis to improve the quality of life for many individuals in the Terre Haute community as well as the State who are re-entering the community from incarceration.  He is giving second chances to hundreds and hundreds of people with compassion and direction.

 

Volunteer award – Andy Stoelting and Tom Sebring. 

Mr. Stoelting and Mr. Sebring have worked tirelessly to establish a new program at Hamilton Center called Infinity House.  Infinity House was established to give adults with mental illnesses the opportunity to live meaningful and productive lives by integrating into employment and their community. This service model is run by its members and can only exist and thrive through its membership. Since inception, these gentleman have worked to get the program going and continue to work with the goal of infinity house being nationally accredited.

 

Staff Award – Tatu Brown, Acting Public Relations Specialist

Mr. Brown was described in the nomination as someone possessing strong leadership skills, inspiration, character, and passion when chairing or co-chairing numerous committees in the community. He is someone with a strong work ethic, always prompt and prepared at meetings, has positive energy and attitude and always goes the extra mile to see things through. It was stated that Mr. Brown never complains or blames and always takes personally responsibility. His passion goes well beyond Hamilton Center as he works to serve the community, our children, his family and friends.  Lastly, Mr. Brown has overcome personal struggles to be a successful full time dedicated employee of Hamilton Center.

 

Also featured was keynote Misty Wallace. Ms. Wallace is the Regional Coordinator for Bridges to Life, a restorative justice program located in Indianapolis.  Ms. Wallace’s passion is to reach out to men and women that have been hurt by crime and share her personal story of power, grace and forgiveness with the hope of changing lives and giving second chances.  Joining her was Keith Blackburn who serves as chaplain of the Indianapolis Re Entry Educational Facility, a State Prison that helps Indiana inmates prepare to return to a productive life in society.  He also shared his story of crime, repentance and forgiveness.

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 will be accepting donations for the victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Collection barrels will be available at all Hamilton Center locations from Monday, September 25 through Friday, October 6.

The items needed in order of priority are as follows:

• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Kleenex
• New Socks and underwear
• Hand sanitizer
• Bleach
• Diapers
• Wipes
• Formula
• Feminine hygiene items
• Leather and canvas work gloves
• Batteries and flashlights

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, personal hygiene items are most important following natural disasters and severe weather. Good basic personal hygiene and handwashing are critical to help prevent the spread of illness and disease.

Estimates for the damage caused by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma are upwards of $200 billion collectively. If you would like to make a monetary donation please visit the Salvation Army or American Red Cross.

For more information please contact Lonnie Sapp at lsapp@hamiltoncenter.org or 812-231-8445.

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.

By William Little, LSW, Veteran Program Coordinator/Therapist, Hamilton Center

Independence Day is a celebration of our freedom and rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. However, this day can create a feeling of terror for the brave veterans who have protected our freedom. Fireworks season can trigger PTSD and cause feelings of discomfort.

Trauma is destructive, and the impact of trauma can cause negative reactions to stressful situations. One of the most devastating symptoms of PTSD is living with hyper-vigilance or the feeling of always being on guard. The feeling that danger could be lurking around any corner or that everyone is a potential threat can be particularly destructive to interpersonal relationships.

So how is hyper-vigilance different among civilians compared to military or police?

 

A single event as a victim or a survivor compared to multiple events as a participant or a combatant can affect the level of impact on an individual and it makes a difference in their treatment approach. Both can cause significant negative problems with family, social, and work relationships but they must be treated differently.

 

Civilians who suffer prolonged exposure to abuse or incidents of significant trauma may suffer from hyper-vigilance as a symptom of PTSD. For the civilian, hyper-vigilance may feel like paranoia and can make a person feel very untrusting or on-edge around strangers. For someone who has been trained for combat in the military, hyper-vigilance takes on a whole new meaning. Imagine being in a social setting with several people around. The veteran with hyper-vigilance will probably not enjoy this environment because they will be assessing for danger and scouting potential exit points. It becomes impossible to interact socially or enjoy an event while all of this is happening in the veteran’s mind. One of the most uncomfortable feelings is knowing what is happening but simply being unable to shut the feelings down.

 

The primary difference is the levels of training and the preparedness to engage an actual or (in most cases) a perceived threat in social situations.

 

Many veterans struggle with not only the perceived threat of violence from an unknown source but the additional worry and possible anxiety associated with worrying about how others are perceiving their actions. It is difficult to hide many of the actions and reactions connected with hyper-vigilance, the individual may look around suspiciously, examine those around, place themselves in calculated safe-zones, and rarely smile or engage easily in social situations. Hyper-vigilance to someone trained in combat is a type of situational awareness, and it can have severe negative consequences on social interactions and self-confidence. Although hyper-vigilance can be very intrusive and uncomfortable it is also very treatable. Those thought processes can be diminished, managed, or corrected through mindfulness and corrective training.

Hamilton Center military veteran program offers individual and group counseling that can address the specific needs of individuals struggling with the negative effects of hyper-vigilance.

 

For more information about the MVP program contact William Little at mvp@hamiltoncenter.org or 812-231-3747.

Lakisha Johnson recently received an award for outstanding Master in Social Work Student of the Year from the Indiana Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). This award honors an Indiana student member who exemplifes the profession’s values/ethics, goals, and mission. NASW chooses a student with an overall accomplishment and commitment in an area such leadership, academic achievement, and/or community involvement.

Johnson, originally from Queens, NY, moved to Terre Haute in 2005 to create a better life for her children. Johnson will graduate this month with her Master in Social Work degree along with her daughter who will graduate with a Bachelor of Criminal Justice.

Johnson says she loves working in the mental health field and recently completed an internship with Hamilton Center, Inc.

“Social work is my second profession, but my first love,” said Johnson. “I worked in the business field for a number of years in various positions, but felt empty and decided to get my degree in social work because I wanted to do something that impacts people’s lives in a profound way.”

Johnson has made social work a priority in her life and looks at the profession as second nature. She is active in volunteering at Sarah Scott Middle School and is a Girl Scout Troop Leader. She spends her time helping others on the campus of ISU as a peer mentor.

Hamilton Center, Inc. is a regional behavioral health system serving central and west central Indiana.  Offices are located in ten Indiana counties with the Corporate Office in Terre Haute.  Hamilton Center serves people during their entire life cycle, birth through older adulthood with programs specifically designed for young children, adolescents, adults and families.