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IN THE NEWS |
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Autism in the Classroom Presentation (July 1, 2008) -
“Autism in the Classroom” will be the topic of a presentation by Teresa
McVey, Tri-County Special Education Cooperative, Monday, July 14 at 6:00
– 8:00 PM. McVey is a Tact-Team Member, (Team Assistance of Classroom
Teachers), for Tri-County, is the Autism Specialist for the Autism
Waiver and has been appointed as the Regional Autism Consultant for the
State of Kansas. Autism is a
brain development
disorder that impairs social interaction and communication,
and causes restricted and repetitive behavior. Parents usually notice
signs in the first two years of their child's life. Early behavioral or
cognitive intervention can help children gain self-care, social, and
communication skills.
This series is sponsored by Four County Mental Health
Center and will be held at the Coffeyville Public Library, 311 W.10th.
Activities for children, three years old and older, will be provided by
the Coffeyville Public Library. Children must be registered to
participate in the library activities. Certificates of attendance will
be made available for this two-hour presentation. To register for the
class and activities you may call Susan Hill (620) 332-1912. |
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Four County
Staff assist in Chapman Disaster Relief (June 2008)
Staff of Four County Mental Health Center’s Quest-Foundations
program volunteered their time and efforts in Chapman, KS for disaster
relief from the tornado that hit on June 11th. Brian
Murrison, Coordinator of the Quest-Foundations program of Four County,
requested volunteers to assist in the disaster that hit his home city.
Upon hearing of the disaster, Brian Murrison, originally from
Chapman, drove to the disaster site to check on his family. In speaking
with his father Jim, who serves as the Superintendent of Light, Water,
and Street Department for the City of Chapman, Murrison learned of the
magnitude of the needs of the residents of Chapman.
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Four County Quest-Foundations Staff
Assist in Chapman Disaster Relief |
The team from
Four County spent time cleaning up debris in the city cemetery and then
assisted an individual in tearing down and moving the remaining walls of
their home to the curb for pick up by the debris removers.
Four County provided transportation for the
volunteers. Junction City Church of the Nazarene, in Junction
City, KS allowed the team to stay overnight in their church and also
cooked breakfast.
The team consisted of: Murrison and staff members Seth
Oldweiler, Seth Wills, Brad Waggoner, Riley Hall, Dave Vanderhofe, Aiko
Sharp, Ashley Roper, Julie Dumler, Clancy Milligan, Laura Kendrick,
Jeremy Bruington and a community volunteer Lindsey Roper.
These
individuals through their volunteer efforts and strong leadership
qualities exemplified Four County’s vision and values of
Commitment to wellness and quality
of life for individuals, families and communities and by providing leadership within the communities Four County serves at the
statewide level. The Quest-Foundations program employs many
young adults and college students throughout the summer to work with
children and youth at Four County. |
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Employee of the Year and Service
Awards Given to Staff
(April
2008)
Four County Mental Health Center staff were honored at the
annual Spring Retreat held at the 4-H Building at Riverside Park in
Independence on Thursday, April 24th. Ron Denney,
Executive Director, led the group in recognizing outstanding leadership and
service to the agency. Lacy
King, Interim Director of Human Resources, was honored with the Four County
Employee of the Year Award. Judy Wilkins, Director of Grants received
recognition for 35 years of service to the agency.
Departmental Employee of
the Year Award recipients were selected through peer nominations. Those receiving
recognition were Karen Bone, ARNP, Medical |
Lacy King
Employee of the Year
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Judy
Wilkins
35 Years of Service |
Services, Joe Reich, Clinical
Services, Brent Thompson, Community Support Services, Brian Murrison,
Community Based Services, and Wanda Farris, Administrative Services.
Star of Excellence award recipients were Wanda Daugherty, Wanda
Farris, Angie Hammack, Tonja McCollam, Trina McIntosh,
Cherylene Pope, Chrystal Ritter, Toshio Sharp, Dorcas Sutton, Michele
VanWinkle, and Eric Valle. The Star of Excellence award is given to staff
who exemplified the agency based on one or more of the Values of Four
County.
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Sandy
Shire was recognized for 20 years of service, Cammy Ruch for 15 years of
service, and Pam Dotson and Virginia King for 10 years of service.
Five year service awards were received by Jerry
Bennett, Larry Cretcher, Wanda Daugherty, Kenny Farmer, Jennifer Foraker,
John Gray, Yolanda Hutchinson, Danny Kinnamon, Carrie Kukovich, Blair
Millemon, Brian Murrison, Nancy Nipper, Frank Peterman,
Yehoshua Othniel, Kelly Smallwood, Michele VanWinkle,
and Penny Webber.
Ron completed the honors with the announcement that the
Four County North public meeting room will be named the Wesley Room
distinguishing the service of Bob and Eloise Wesley. |
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2008 Social Work Month
(March 2008)
Each year social workers across the country celebrate the
profession during March – National Professional Social Work
Month. We reflect on the history of the profession,
celebrate the important work that is currently being done and
look toward a future of promise for the individuals, families
and communities we serve.
Our focus for Social Work Month is a central tenet of social work –
building on strengths. The foundation for growth and
change in an individual, a family and a community are their
strengths. More than 600,000 social workers are educated
in the “strengths perspective” which emphasizes working with
client or community resources, capabilities, support systems,
and motivations to meet current challenges.
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All individuals,
families and communities have strengths. Understanding and
utilizing these strengths are essential to improving emotional
health and well-being.
The Social Work Month 2008 logo signifies the
connections that social workers provide between the areas from
which people draw their strength – home, health, family,
friends, and communities. |
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National Counseling Awareness Month
(April 2008)
Counseling Awareness Month is an annual observance that is
celebrated in April to educate the public about the role of counselors
in helping individuals to live healthier, happier, and more productive
lives. It is sponsored by the American Counseling Association (ACA). The
theme for this year's observance is "Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence.
Thank you to all our counselors at Four County. The
role the counselors have in providing assistance to the patients on a
day-to-day basis is recognized through the National Counseling Awareness
Month. The staff at Four County is what makes our agency the
quality agency we are.
Why is counseling so important? Every day, some form of
counseling makes a difference in the lives of individuals around the
world. Counseling can be beneficial in many instances. For example,
counseling can help when a person is making a life-changing decision and
needs assistance with putting things in perspective, or when a person
needs help with improving or developing life skills. In addition to
mental health counseling, other types of counseling include pastoral or
spiritual counseling, marriage counseling, job and business counseling,
education counseling, and genetic counseling. |
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Joining Together in Topeka to Promote Mental Health Care
(March 2008)
Four County Mental Health Center
staff, Jeff Carnes and Kristy Lenington, of the Clubhouse Program and
Marilynn Gonzales, Parent Support Coordinator were in Topeka to support mental
health services and the need to continue with funding for quality
community-based mental health programs . Both groups advocated to help
reduce the sigma of mental illness. Clubhouse members incorporated "masks"
into their theme "Removing the Veil". Clubhouse members compiled responses
to the question "How does Four County help me make a difference in my
life? as handouts to legislators. |
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The Parent Support
efforts were highlighted by the theme "Break Down the Wall of Stigma!"
with a wall of legos built showing the The Impact due to Stigma!! (fear, discrimination,
mistrust, ignorance, embarrassment, judgment, shame and misconceptions and
intrusiveness). Their focus was on helping to remove these feelings by
looking at mental illness with understanding and acceptance. As with any
illness, family and community support and acceptance is utmost in enhancing
recovery.
Gail Norton, Parent Education
Coordinator joined with other agencies in Topeka to highlight the programs
partially funded by the Kansas Children's
Service League. Grant recipients are required to attend the one day event in
the State House to promote children's services and promote the various
components of their program. Gail highlighted aspects of the Parent
Education Program that is offered throughout the Four County catchment area of
Chautauqua, Elk, Montgomery and Wilson counties. "Together We Can" was the theme
used at this event, focusing on the many relationships that encourage the
children to thrive, parents, family members, teachers, and friends.
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Preventing Elder Abuse: A Community Responsibility
(January 2008)
Preventing Elder Abuse: A Community
Responsibility is a conference sponsored by the Southeast Kansas Elder Abuse
Prevention Coalition. This conference will be a one day educational opportunity
aimed at enhancing the knowledge and prevention of elder abuse in the Southeast
Kansas communities.
The conference will be held Friday, March 7th,
2008 at Memorial Hall in Independence, KS with registration beginning at 8:00.
Chayo Reyes, a retired detective from Los Angeles and a national instructor on
financial abuse investigations will be the featured speaker beginning at 8:30
AM. Brad Bryant, from the Wichita Police Department, Ruth Ritthaler, Attorney,
and Dr. Lauren Lee, M.D. from Coffeyville Regional Medical Center will also be
presenting on elder abuse topics from 1:00 – 5:00 PM.
Continuing education opportunities will be available for law
enforcement personnel, mental health professionals, nurses, attorneys, and
healthcare administrators with seven (7) hours given for the entire conference,
no partial credit will be given. This conference will be provided free of
charge through a grant funded by the Kansas Department on Aging. Anyone is
welcome to attend the conference. Pre-registration is not mandatory but would
be appreciated by contacting Steve Denny at 620-331-1748. |
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Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program
(July 2007)
Judy Wilkins, Director of
Grants, reports that Four County Mental Health Center received notification in
June of a $50,000 grant award from the Mental Health Division of the Kansas
Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services for an Early Childhood Mental
Health Consultation Program.
Through this grant a licensed mental health
professional, with special training in early childhood mental health, will be
available to provide consultation to early childhood service agencies. This
service will be open to any licensed preschool or daycare facility as well as
other early childhood service agencies in Montgomery, Wilson, Elk, and
Chautauqua counties. Consultation will be provided for children ages five or
younger who are exhibiting behaviors indicating possible mental health or
adjustment problems. The consultant will come to the agency and assess the
child without cost to the referring agency. Consultation will be available to
the parents and family as well.
Tammy Blaich, a Qualified Mental Health Professional,
will provide the consultation services and Jan West, Director of Children’s
Services, will oversee the project. To obtain more information or request
services contact Tammy Blaich at Four County Mental Health Center at
620-251-8180.
The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitations
Services Division of Mental Health approved renewal of funding of $9,500 for an
Interim Housing Program in Coffeyville, Kansas. The Shared Living Program of
Four County Mental Health Center provides temporary housing to adults with
mental illness to prevent homelessness and provides assistance in obtaining
permanent housing. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMSHA), 20 to 25 percent of homeless individuals have serious
mental illness and few resources exist in our area for temporary housing. The
Shared Living Program provides both a resource for temporary housing and also
connects individuals with treatment services and the community support necessary
for finding permanent housing. |
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Project Core Receives Grant for Fourth Consecutive Year
(August
2007)
Funding has been awarded to Four County
Mental Health Center through an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance (JAG)
Grant for continuation for a fourth year of Project CORE, an intensive
outpatient treatment program for offenders. According to Project CORE
Coordinator, Brenda Richardson, the program provides treatment for individuals
who have substance abuse and mental health issues who are involved with the
criminal justice system or are at risk of involvement. Referrals often come
from the Court, but can be made by calling Four County. Project CORE was cited
this year in the Governor’s S.A.F.E. Communities Program Fact Sheet for
successful outcomes for participants in preventing further legal involvement,
reducing substance abuse, and increasing employment rates. |
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Southeast
Kansas Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition to Provide Community Programs
(August
2007)
Four County Mental Health Center,
in partnership with the Southeast Kansas Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition,
received a grant for $7,000 from the Kansas Department on Aging. Susan Hill,
Director of Prevention and Outreach at Four County, will direct the project that
will provide community programs to increase awareness of elder abuse, neglect,
and exploitation in Southeast Kansas. Steve Denny, Four County Coordinator of
Senior Outreach Services, and Ruth Ritthaler, Attorney, will chair the planning
committee. A Healthy Aging Fair will be held in September and an all-day
conference featuring a nationally known speaker on exploitation and abuse is
planned for March of 2008.
If you would like additional information about the project or
if you are interested in becoming a member of the Southeast Kansas Elder Abuse
Prevention Coalition, please contact Steve Denny at Four County Mental Health
Center. |
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Transportation Resources
(August
2007)
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT)
has notified Four County Mental Health Center that they will fund a
thirteen-passenger vehicle with wheelchair lift and wheelchair restraints to
transport Four County Mental Health Center patients. This vehicle will be
ordered in November 2007 with anticipated delivered in March 2008. KDOT 5310
funding provides transportation assistance to non-profit organizations for
disabled and elderly. |
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Four County Available to Assist Flood Victims (July 3, 2007)
Four County
Mental Health Center stands prepared to assist people with coping with the
aftermath of the floods. Individuals who have experienced a trauma such as a
natural disaster with the loss of property, displacement from homes and neighborhoods,
and fears about the future may need the support and assistance of mental health
workers. Four County staff will be available at our facilities, and will
be available to the shelters, as well as meeting with people in the community as they return to
their homes.
Four County will continue to provide crisis services as
always for individuals in Montgomery, Wilson, Elk and Chautauqua counties. This
includes assessing treatment needs, developing a treatment plan and crisis plan
when necessary as well as screening for hospitalization.
The residents of this area have had a common experience of
experiencing a natural disaster and have been impacted in varying levels.
Supporting each other through this by checking on neighbors, offering
assistance, and just spending time listening is very important. As more
resources develop, it will important to share information on how to access these
resources.
Members of the Four County Crisis team who volunteered
in Greensburg noted the resilience of those community members and the hopeful,
positive attitudes about rebuilding and moving on. Southeast Kansas community
members have the same potential to move on to a future which may be different
from life prior to these floods, yet very positive.
If Four County can be of assistance to you or your family or friends call
331-01748 in Independence or 251-8180 in Coffeyville. After hours call either
of the Four County numbers or (800) 499-1748 and your call will be answered.
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Virginia King Appointed to Masters in
Psychology Accreditation Council
(July 2, 2007)
Virginia King,
Director of the Coffeyville Branch office at Four County
Mental Health Center has been elected to a three-year
term with the Masters in Psychology Accreditation
Council. Virginia was nominated for the council by
Dr. Jan Smith of Pittsburg State University as a
practitioner representative. To qualify for the
nomination the nominee must be in clinical practice at
the masters level. The Council is composed of
three academic representatives of training programs,
three practitioner representatives, and one public
representative.
The Masters in Psychology Accreditation Council accredits academic
programs in psychology, which promote training in the
scientific practice of professional psychology at the
master’s level. Although programs may vary in the models
of training utilized, a commitment to science-based
training in all aspects of psychology is emphasized. \ |
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Virginia has been the director of the
Coffeyville office since 2003. Virginia is a Licensed
Masters Level Psychologist and a Li censed Clinical
Psychotherapist with 9 years experience.
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Early Childhood Comprehensive Planning
Grant (May 2007)
The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund has
notified Four County Mental Health Center of an Early Childhood Comprehensive
Planning grant award of $10,000. Funding is through the Department of Social &
Rehabilitative Services for January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007. The focus of
this project is to identify resources and areas of need for children birth to 5
years in order to ensure that children enter school prepared to learn.
Research shows that children whose needs are met during
early infancy and preschool years enter school ready to learn and have an
enhanced chance of succeeding throughout their lifetime. When children’s needs
are not met during these early critical years, a future of failure can be set in
place that leads to high personal and societal costs. It is estimated that
between one-third and one-fourth of children are at risk for early school
failure.
Four County Mental Health Center is using the grant
funds to develop a community planning team, the Montgomery County Early
Childhood Coalition. The core partners in this effort include representatives
from the Montgomery County Health Department, Birth to Three, Parents as
Teachers, Four Year Old Preschool Program, Early Head Start, Head Start,
Department of Social & Rehabilitation Services, Tri County Special Education
Cooperative, and the Montgomery County Extension Office. The coalition will
include family and community representatives in addition to child and family
service agencies.
The Montgomery County Early Childhood Coalition held
their first meeting on February 16th. Tessie Horning, a Licensed
Masters Level Psychologist, is the group facilitator and Jan West, Children’s
Services Director, is Project Director. |
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40th Anniversary Open House
Ron Denney Receives "Pathfinder's Award" |
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