Category: Hamilton Center, Inc. News

On March 7, 2017 Hamilton Center held a luncheon in the Child and Adolescent Services gymnasium, Vigo County, in honor of the consumers at Hamilton Center, Inc. The luncheon, also referred to as the Consumer Connection, was established to collaborate with consumers on continuous quality improvement of treatment service and enhance overall wellness.

“The goal I envisioned when taking on the consumer luncheon was reinforcing the connection established between both consumer and staff, ultimately allowing each consumer to feel important, vital, and inclusive in all we strive to do,” said Charles Martinez, Continuum of Care Specialist, Hamilton Center.

The event was attended by over 70 consumers and 40 Hamilton Center staff. The feedback received from both consumers and staff encompassed consumer empowerment and inclusion as it related to continuity of care and services provided.

“I am glad that I came to the event. I thought it wasn’t going to be fun, but it was. I loved the energy and the music,” said one consumer who attended the event.

The luncheon takes place quarterly to allow consumers to give feedback to the organization on how to improve services.

“Our consumers’ perceptions of treatment are critical to Hamilton Center’s ability to provide the highest quality services, said Melvin L. Burks, Hamilton Center’s CEO.  “It was incredibly heartwarming to see the reception this event received.” he said.

Each consumer completed a comment card with feedback on how Hamilton Center can improve services. There was also a gratitude tree created that allowed consumers to write positive affirmations and things for which they are grateful.

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. and local community partners are working together to create a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Monday, March 6 through Friday, March 10 in the Community Room in Hamilton Center at 500 8^th Avenue. The CIT program provides training and education to law enforcement officers to assist them in more effectively managing a behavioral health crisis due to mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorders. The training will provide the necessary information to guide officers in re-directing these individuals away from the criminal justice system.

CIT is a community based partnership that includes behavioral health and human service providers and those with a lived experience who will participate in the training. Officers who choose to attend, receive 40 hours of specialized instruction from behavioral health experts. The training is designed to help officers gain understanding about mental health disorders, substance use disorders and developmental disorders in order to develop a foundation for officers to build their skills.

Police officers are often called upon to respond to crisis situations, many times involving individuals with serious mental illness. In the past, responding officers often lack any specialized training in dealing with the mentally ill. The CIT program works to bridge this gap between police response and mental health care by forming partnerships with behavioral health, human service professionals, consumers, and their families.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to come together with our community partners to provide a holistic training on mental health for our local law enforcement. It is important for those of us in the mental health field to listen to the police officers and understand their barriers and use their perspective to bridge the gap,” said Warren English-Malone, Referral Liaison, Hamilton Center. “This is just the first step of CIT. After the training they will shadow at behavioral health units in the community and the end result is creating protocol to be followed in a crisis situation.”

CIT is much broader than simply training. It is about redesigning how behavioral health services are delivered in the community.

QUOTE FROM MELVIN L.

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.

Hawkeye, a three- year- old white German Shepherd, has become an enhancement to therapy for the children in services at Hamilton Center. Hawkeye is a Certified Therapy Dog through Therapy Dogs International (TDI) and will be working with children who are diagnosed with autism, ADHD or have experienced trauma or other crisis situations.

Hawkeye is a rescue dog from the Sullivan County Humane Society. Cynthia Rotman, Care Manager Supervisor, realized that not only did he enjoy being with children, but that his presence has a calming influence on them. Rotman adopted Hawkeye when he was 10 months old and has been training with him ever since.

“My husband and I have been rescuing German Shepherds for years. I have had a real desire for some time to put my love of Shepherds into helping them become therapy dogs. Hawkeye has been challenging, but he has become a very special part of our family, and now, part of the mission of Hamilton Center,” explains Rotman.

The requirements for Hawkeye’s therapy certification are stringent through TDI. He had to meet certain requirements and be tested and evaluated by a certified TDI evaluator. There are over 24,000 dogs of all breeds and pedigrees registered through TDI, a non-profit organization supported through annual membership dues and donations. TDI provides programs such as assisted living, disaster stress relief dogs, and home visits to name a few.

“When Hawkeye is working, he is very tuned in to his surroundings — how he is feeling and how people are reacting to him,” said Rotman, “my job is to make him available and to teach people how to appropriately interact with him.”

According to a study conducted through Therapy Dogs International, people can experience psychological, physical, social and behavioral benefits from working with therapy dogs like Hawkeye.  The study strongly supports the use of dogs to enhance the quality of life of individuals in healthcare and/or restrictive settings.

“Hamilton Center is excited to see how well-received Hawkeye is by the children receiving treatment through child and adolescent services”, said Melvin L. Burks, CEO of Hamilton Center. “We want to do anything we can to enhance treatment and assist children in feeling comfortable,” he said

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 is initiating the Youth Mental Health First Aid Program at Sullivan County Public Library, 100 S. Crowder Street, Monday January 9, 2017 from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.  Certified instructors will train members of the public involved with youth to improve mental health literacy – helping them identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness. Seats are available for up to 30 registrants including community youth workers, agency youth workers, bus drivers, Librarians, parents, or anyone who works with the youth population.

“Suicide is the 3^rd leading cause of death for young people in the United States. Indiana ranks #10. Our youth population is counting on us to bring light to these issues. Community members are invited to attend trainings to increase the ability to begin addressing issues/providing knowledge or resources for youth in crisis,” said Janet Rose, Program Coordinator of Youth Mental Health First Aid, Hamilton Center, Inc.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour training certification course which teaches participants a five-step action plan to assess a situation, select and implement interventions, and secure appropriate care for the individual. The certification program introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds an understanding of their impact, and overviews common treatments. Evaluations in randomized controlled trials and a quantitative study have proved the CPR-like program effective in improving trainees’ knowledge of mental health disorders, reducing stigma, and increasing the amount of help provided to the youth population.

Those completing the training will be certified as Youth Mental Health First Aiders for three years. Re-certification can be obtained by attending another workshop. Completion of training may count as 8 hours towards professional growth points.

Mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, psychosis and substance use are common in the United States; estimating prevalence is 22% annually for ages 13-18. In fact, suicide is the 3^rd leading cause of death for young people in the United States. The National Council for Behavioral Health certifies individuals throughout the nation to provide Youth Mental Health First Aid courses to prepare their communities with the knowledge and skills to help individuals who are developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Identified on SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices, the training helps the public better identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses.

For more information on Youth Mental Health First Aid, visit www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org.

For more information on this training or future trainings, please contact Janet Rose at 812-231-8129 or email jrose@hamiltoncenter.org to request a workshop at your school, church, agency, foundation, or community organization.

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.

Jennifer Tickle, Start Family Mentor, Hamilton Center, Inc. is being honored at the Heroes for Recovery Luncheon at the Columbia Club in Indianapolis Thursday, December 15 at 11:45am. Heroes for Recovery is a recognition program created by Mental Health America of Indiana in partnership with Choices. The program celebrates those in the recovery community that show dedication and commitment to individuals in their ongoing treatment of serious and persistent mental illness.

Tickle has been an employee of Hamilton Center for nearly one year and is grateful to advocate for families in need of assistance for recovery of mental illness and addictions. She uses her lived experience to assist in removing barriers to treatment and acting as a mentor for families with parents gripped by the throes of addiction. Tickle has been on the road to recovery for five years this month.

Mental illness and substance use disorders show no prejudice for those who are affected. An estimated 43.6 million Americans experience some form of mental illness and over 20 million have a substance use disorder. This number is staggering when compared to those who actually seek and receive treatment.

Tickle is being recognized for her award in the category of mental health and addiction professional. She is grateful for the award and to be a part of the recovery community.

“After having a life full of negative experiences dealing with mental illness and addiction that affected not only me, but my family as well. I am beyond excited to be in recovery. I want to help others find the hope in recovery that I have found. Living as an example is my ultimate goal. I am a grateful recovering addict, and I strongly believe in the saying, It is not how you start life, it is how you finish,” said Tickle.

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.

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 25, 2016 at 6:30 pm.  Those receiving recognition for the awards included:

Community award (individual) – Honorable John T. Roach, Judge Superior Court #1 for bringing the veteran’s court to Vigo County

Community award (business) – Save A Lot for the store’s friendliness, patience and helpfulness to clients shopping in the store

Volunteer award – Cindy Martin for her philanthropy and her courage to combat stigma by

sharing her personal story of recovery

Hamilton Center Staff Award – Jamie Totten, RN for her positive attitude and willingness to address client needs -days, nights, and weekends

The event was held in Hulman Center with over 400 guests attending.  Also included was Hamilton Center’s 3^rd annual art exhibition with the theme “Life is for Real. You are not Alone.” Close to 100 entries were received from all 10 counties served by Hamilton Center. All submissions were on display at the event and winners were invited to attend.

The prize art winners included:

Adult Poetry – Marcia Cheatham, Vigo County

Middle/High School Poetry – Blaine Krantz, Mclean High School, Vigo County

Adult Photography – Teresa Dwyer, Vigo County

Middle/High School Photography – Lauren Barnette, North Vermillion High School, Vermillion County

Adult Artwork – Larry Jones, Vigo County

Middle/High School Artwork – Najah Britton, Warren Central High School, Marion County

Lastly, keynote speaker, Kevin Hines, suicide survivor and mental health advocate, spoke about his journey to recovery from mental illness. Hines currently uses his story to help individuals foster a “bridge of hope” between life and death for those who are caught in the pain of living with serious mental illness. Hines spreads the message of living mentally healthy around the world. He is the recipient of the Clifford W. Beers Award for improving the lives of and attitudes toward people with mental illness, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Council of Behavioral Health. In 2013, Hines released a best-selling memoir, Cracked not Broken, Surviving and Thriving After a Suicide Attempt, and he is currently producing a documentary entitled Suicide: The Ripple Effect.

During the Point in Time homeless count on January 28^th, 2016, Katherine Korak-Hutchens, a 5^th grader at Ouabache Elementary School, decided she wanted to help others less fortunate than her.  Katherine wanted to have a clothing drive to benefit all ages of those in need.

In collaboration with her mother, Dr. Jennifer Hutchens, Clinical Supervisor, Hamilton Center, her principal, Dr. Susan Cobb, Oubache Elementary, and Melvin L. Burks, CEO, Hamilton Center, Katherine’s Drive, Spring Cleaning with Meaning, has taken the form of a competition between Ouabache Elementary School and Hamilton Center.

The two sites will have one month to collect clothing, shoes, and coats to benefit those in need.  The winner will have “bragging rights” for the next year.  Additionally, the top three classes that collect the most items will win a pizza party.

Katherine is hopeful this will be an annual drive. “These people are very humble and grateful that others care about them. They try very hard to survive during the winter season and try to keep their families warm,” she said.

Katherine requests if you have any clothes that do not fit please send them to Ouabache Elementary School or Hamilton Center. The dates of the drive are April 15^th to May 15^th.

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.

It started out as a blank wall in Hamilton Center’s Child and Adolescent Services building. Nothing much to look at except an expanse of standard neutral color not unlike any other office hallway. The children who are provided services in this building needed it to be more. With the help of Clinical Supervisor, Missy Burton, and Program Manager, Anastasia Godsey, the children were able to create “Handprints for Hope.”

The hallway is adorned with the inspirational quote “you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and more loved than you know.” In addition to the quote, are colorful handprints belonging to the children. Four children participated in placing the first official handprints displaying primary and pastel colors to brighten the space. The “Handprints for Hope” are expected to cover the entirety of the hallway as children share their hope for mental health and awareness.

Burton said she wants the children to use the wall to leave a lasting impression. “Leaving their mark, it’s their ownership. That’s what I want the project to be,” Burton said.

The meaning behind the handprints is to show the individual’s journey and travels as they move forward in their recovery.

“Each child has made a lasting impact on each of us and will have the opportunity to leave their mark on Hamilton Center,” said Godsey.

The wall is just the beginning of youth taking a stand for mental health. Hamilton Center will kick off Youth Mental Health Awareness Month with a free event in May. The event is themed with the pop hit, “Fight Song.” There will be free food and drinks as well as live entertainment.

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.

For more information about the event, or Hamilton Center please visit the website at hamiltoncenter.org. or call 800.742.0787

Hamilton Center Early Head Start Child Care has achieved a Level 3 rating in Paths to QUALITY™. Paths to QUALITY is Indiana’s quality rating and improvement system for child care programs. It is a consistent set of standards to help parents identify licensed child care centers, licensed family child care homes, and unlicensed registered ministries that have met state requirements for health and safety.

 

Anita Lascelles, Program Director of the Early Head Start, explained what this will mean for the children under her/their care. “This is one more step we are taking to show the community the quality of our Early Head Start child care.” Materials were added to the classrooms to improve the environment for the children and classroom information was organized to better share with parents and visitors.  Paths to QUALITY helped staff think about the importance of what they do every day.”

 

Paths to QUALITY is a voluntary statewide system created to improve the quality of child care and early education for children. It gives all families a tool to find the best quality program for their needs, and supports and recognizes providers on a four-level rating system. The system has been studied and validated by the Child Development and Family Studies experts at Purdue University.

 

 

Early Head Start is a federally funded program for children, birth to 3 and pregnant women who live in Vigo County.  The program is designed to provide early support to families of infants and toddlers, support which will enhance the child’s development through healthy beginnings and the continuity of responsive and caring relationships. Families seeking enrollment must meet federal guidelines and may enrolled when the mother is pregnant or the child is between birth and 30 months of age. Early Head Start services are voluntary and provided at no cost to families through funding from the Office of Head Start U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration.  Early Head Start offers a variety of activities for children and parents in both the home and community.  Hamilton Center Early Head Start has been providing services to young children in Vigo County for more than 20 years.  The program opened the child care center for the Early Head Start in August 2015.  The Early Head Start has a total enrollment of eighty, although only 24 children are served through the child care center.