Cape Counseling Newsletter • Spring 2010
Cape Connections
Spring 2010
Cape Counseling Behavioral Health Services • 128 Crest Haven Road, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 • 609-465-4100
Ribbon Cutting, 1129 Route 9 South - Justin Kenyon, Greg Speed, Jeff Gott
Greg Speed, CEO, at Staff Appreciation Day.
A New Beginning Starts With an Appreciation of the Past
Open House & Ribbon Cutting After several years of planning, Cape Counseling’s CEO proudly cut the ribbon at its November 18th, 2009 Open House heralding its new quarters at 1129 Route 9 South, Cape May Court House. In his opening comments, Speed said “Today is a celebration of dreams, a celebration of planning for the future, a celebration of the values that have brought us together; values of partnership, of persistence, tenacity and commitment to mission.”
By Greg Speed CEO
Amidst the challenges of decreasing funding and State Budget deficits, ‘Mission –driven’ organizations do well to maintain perspective and a commitment to the influences that brought us into the field of providing compassionate and quality care. With that in mind, as Cape Counseling enters into a new Calendar Year, with an updated community newsletter (Quality Care in the Community) and enhanced, interactive website at www.capecounseling.org, it is important to reflect upon the many accomplishments that the organization has achieved in calendar year 2009.
Speed thanked community partners, specifically Crest Savings Bank and Board President and CEO, Jay Ford. He also thanked the Development Team of Jeff Gott, Senior Vice President at Crest Savings, Key Commercial Loan Officer, Gary Hoffman, Justin Kenyon from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and Steve Marchiano, CCS, VP of Finance & Administrative Services, all of whom worked together tirelessly to complete the funding package.
In January 2009, Cape Counseling was pleased to initiate its first Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program. The mission of the MHIOP program was clearly defined as “Reducing the dependency on Screening and the Acute Care System.” One year later, not only have we achieved that esteemed goal, but we have witnessed the greater majority of consumers reporting that the problems which brought them into treatment, are now resolved. In reviewing the total number of Continued on page 2
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Cape Counseling Newsletter • Spring 2010 Continued from page 1
consumers served (approximately 55) during the past year, only 2 have needed to rely up the Acute Care System. The WRAP Recovery model employed in the MHIOP Program has clearly met with much success. In February 2009, Cape Counseling’s Integrated Clinical Case Management Program received Mental Health Corporations of America’s (MHCA’s) Best Practice Customer Satisfaction Award for Case Management Services. Similarly, Cape Counseling presented its Suicide Risk Management project at the February MHCA meeting which was part of the Institute of Medicine, SAMSHA Funded Quality Improvement process. Cape Counseling’s goal was to enhance compliance with the organization’s Risk Management policy by 20% within a 12 month period. In fact, Cape Counseling achieved a 41% improvement within that period. As we welcomed Ila Keiner, Director of Outpatient Services in the latter part of December 2008, Cape Counseling set a goal to establish an Outpatient Mental Health, Recovery Services and Psychiatric Services treatment modality that was responsive to community needs and that was established on the principals of providing “professional, accessible and timely” behavioral health care to the community. After a careful review by CCS’s Leadership Committee, a decision was made in the spring of 2009 to go on “limited access.” In so doing, Cape Counseling established a model for outpatient treatment where clients could be guaranteed a 6 week consecutive session model where their presenting problems would take top priority. Caseloads were reduced to more manageable levels and policies regarding admission, discharge and transfer to other clinical services were developed in the spirit of en-
hancing the overall treatment experience at Cape Counseling. Outpatient services is now open for regular access. On an Administrative level, 2009 led to significant enhancements in Cape Counseling’s Human Resource Department. Sandra Donley assumed responsibility as the HR Program Manager, centralizing all HR personnel activities within one department. At the same time, CCS developed the position of Program Manager for Administrative Services in the person of Cathy Leahy. Both of these infrastructure enhancements have been well received by the staff and led to much efficiency in helping the organization serve its mission. On June 16, 2009 after many years of planning for the development of a new building, Cape Counseling entered into a Sale of Agreement to purchase 1129 Route 9 South, the present site of its Administrative Services, Human Resources, Business Department, Adult Transitional Services and Performance Improvement Departments. With Cape Counseling’s partnership with the Division of Mental Health Services and Crest Savings Bank, the 16800 sq ft building was purchased and modified to serve the needs of the community. With a strong showing of community support, Cape Counseling celebrated its Open House for its new facility on November 18th, 2009 Similarly, with strong financial support of the Nugent Foundation in Ocean City, NJ and in particular with the support of Carol Nugent, Cape Counseling purchased a property in Rio Grande on Route 47 on October 5, 2009 which will serve as the Cape Counseling Family Nugent Center. With the purchase of this property, Cape Counseling intends to move the majority of its programs serving families and children to the Rio Grande site. In working with families, CCS will 2
collaborate with Caring for Kids and other community providers. Finally, CCS was pleased to renovate the Outpatient services, Crest Haven facility. New windows, new paint, new carpeting, and a new waiting room were part of the enhancements to provide our consumers with a pleasant and professional facility. On a personnel level, Cape Counseling was pleased to welcome Dr. Charles Dick to the organization on August 1, 2009. Dr. Dick currently provides psychiatric services to adults and has become an integral member of our psychiatric team. In addition, after almost 10 months of the position being vacant, Cape Counseling welcomed Dr. Melissa Arnott as the Vice President of Clinical Services on August 17, 2009. Dr. Arnott came to Cape Counseling Services from Rowan University where she was employed as the Director of the Academic Success Center. Dr. Arnott is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds a LCADC. Since joining the Cape Counseling staff, Dr. Arnott has continued to do an exceptional job providing Leadership for the clinical services of the organization. In closing, CCS welcomes 2 additional Board members in the person of Angela Daniels, Executive Director of the Children’s Fresh Air Home in Wildwood, NJ and Dr. James Farrell, local Chiropractor in Cape May Court House. In May 2009, Cape Counseling celebrated its first “Annual Ambassador of the Year” event when we honored Board member, Linda Williams. As we move forward into 2010, we must always remember that our achievements and success are always the result of many dedicated professionals working together on behalf of our consumers and our community. For that, I am deeply appreciative.
Cape Counseling Newsletter • Spring 2010
LCI Cape Counseling Managers and Leadership Team participated in the Learning Connections Inventory (LCI). The LCI postulates that each person owns a unique combination of naturally occurring Learning Patterns. These patterns are the foundation of how we internalize information and externalize our communication and operations. The Learning Connections Inventory© (LCI) is a statistically valid
School Based Youth Program They are at it again! They keep those kids busy with therapeutic, educational and recreational activities. They have a community Liaison Board, skiing and snowboarding trip including teachers and parents, Photography group, jam sessions, movie night and the Game of Life activity. The volunteer club is collecting donations for the Atlantic City Rescue and are visiting the Oceana Nursing
when they entered in September of their freshman year. To mark the occasion, SBYS will be holding an anniversary celebration and recognition luncheon in April where we will be highlighting key student successes and announcing the winner of our scholarship essay contest.
Ski & Snow Board Trip
Nancy’s Angels Strikes Again Yes, that is Greg & Sam playing with Legos and enjoying it!
Jessica Volunteering with students at the Veterans Home in Vineland
and reliable instrument that measures the degree to which a person uses four interactive patterns of learning and operation. It is the awareness of learning patterns that starts the process of:
Home every month. They have a new Focus on fitness with Dance, Dance Revolution, Rumba Fitness Group, and a Smoking Cessation Group.
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Making connections with our own and others learning experiences Developing insights into strategizing, problem solving, and overcoming challenges Enhancing relations with family, colleagues, supervisors, & community Helps build the team Provides a common language
FPS had a 100% Level of Service for 2009! They are all very excited and truly proud to have achieved such an accomplishment! It is hard to believe that they did this with moving offices, the loss of our State Tech Support and with someone out on maternity leave at the end of the year!
School-Based Youth Program Essay Contest-Scholarship School Based Youth Services is proud to be celebrating its fouryear anniversary in the spring. The graduating class of 2010 is the first group of students at the Cape May County Technical High School that came to know SBYS
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Nancy’s Angels
Cape Counseling Newsletter • Spring 2010
Clinical Update Motivational Interviewing an Evidence Based Practice Motivational interviewing is a directive, client-centered counseling style for eliciting behavior change by helping clients to explore and resolve ambivalence. The examination and resolution of ambivalence is its central purpose, and the counselor is intentionally directive in pursuing this goal. MI has proven effective in helping clients clarify goals and make commitment to change (CSAT 1999b; Miller 1996; Miller and Rollnick 2002; Rollnick and Miller 1995). It is “a way of Recovery staff meeting-celebrating Halloween being with a client, more then a set of techniques for doing counseling” (Miller and Rollnick 1991, p. 62). This approach involves accepting a client’s level of motivation, whatever it is, as the only possible starting point for change. The guidingprinciples of Motivational Interviewing include: 1) Expressing empathy, 2) Developing discrepancies, 3) Rolling with resistance 4) Supporting self-efficacy. The outcomes are well documented to be extremely positive in just about all populations. MI can be effectively used in many areas of counseling and is particularly effective when counseling diverse populations. Using MI as the practice in our recovery programs is expected to result in better outcomes for our clients, and a reduction in burnout or compassion fatigue of our clinicians.
Motivational Interviewing Training Cape Counseling along with Cape May County will host a Motivational Interviewing Training facilitated by Dr. Deborah Van Horn, a certified Motivational Interviewing Trainer. She is a clinical psychologist specializing in addictive behavior, health behavior, motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy. She has over 10 years experience helping clinicians learn innovative and empirically supported treatment approaches and has been an MI trainer since 1998. She is an adjunct professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. The training will be held on April 9th and 23rd at Cape Atlantic County College from 8:30am-4:00pm.
Mental Health IOP Research Project The Mental Health IOP program is conducting an action research project looking at depressive symptoms and problem-solving skills for those who participate in the program. The hypothesis is that those clients who participate in the MHIOP will have a reduction in depressive symptoms, will gain problem-solving skills and have less visits to the hospital for psychiatric screening. Involved in the study are: Elaine Kunigonis, Carlos Martinez, Janna Beth Cobb, Ila Keiner, Melissa Arnott, Karen Kaschak, Dr. Momodu and Rowan Intern Stephanie Kerrigan. Stay tuned for the results!
Cultural Competency Culturally competent organizations integrate diversity throughout the organization. In all that they do, in program development, in choosing therapeutic techniques, in hiring staff and in community outreach. The benefits of a culturally competent organization are numerous. It allows for the development of a wider and more diverse talent pool and an opportunity to develop overlooked talent, improves customer service, invites staff to contribute to their full potential, allows for innovative service delivery from divergent points of view, and promotes strong and high quality teams. Cape Counseling has begun a cultural competency initiative. 4
Cape Counseling Newsletter • Spring 2010
Self Care Promotes Effective Care Giving Melissa Arnott, EdD, LPC, LCADC
Cape Counseling’s staff provides an impressive and diverse range of quality services to fragile members of our community. Clients often present with acute mental illness, addiction, loss, and trauma requiring not only highly developed professional skills to address, but almost hero strength and patience with an abundance of compassion. Sharing empathy with clients at this extreme level can result in chronic stress and symptomology called Compassion Fatigue. Leading traumatologist Eric Gentry suggests that those of us who are attracted to the social service professions often enter the care-taking field already compassion fatigued. A strong identification with helpless, suffering, or traumatized people or animals are possible motives. Many of us have come from a tradition of what Gentry labels other-directed care giving. Simply put, we were taught at an early age to care for the needs of others before caring for our own needs. Empathy is a necessary attribute in offering effective care to our clients, but unmanaged empathy can overwhelm us with another’s distress and leave us fatigued, angry, and even unable to care anymore. We tend to overlook our own needs. No one likes to talk about these feelings; they seem selfish, shameful, or defeated. If compassion fatigue is ignored and appropriate, ongoing, self-care practices are absent from our lives, we will soon be the one requiring care. If we sense that we are suffering from compassion fatigue, chances are excellent that we are. Our path to wellness begins with one small step: Awareness. Each counselor must develop an individualized approach and commitment to self-care. The areas of self-care include, mind, body, emotion, and spirit. A heightened awareness can lead us to helpful insights. With the appropriate information and support, we can embark on a journey of discovery, even healing past trauma and pain that may currently serve as obstacles to a healthy, happier lifestyle. It is also important for us to practice ongoing self-compassion and self-forgiveness. While aiming for our best, we must realize our limitations personally and professionally, then let go of what we cannot have an impact on. We can rejuvenate our sense of life and hope with simple practices including enjoyable social activities, regular exercise, healthy eating habits, journaling, and restful sleep which all contribute to reduced compassion fatigue. Our increased experience of compassion satisfaction will help us derive the pleasure we want from being able to do our work well. Be kind to yourself with these Self-Care Awareness Tips Be mindful of where you are on your physical, emotional, and spiritual path. Enhance your awareness with education. Identify and use a support system. Focus on what you do well. Clarify your personal boundaries. What works for you? Know what doesn't. Express your needs assertively. Exchange information and feelings with people who can validate you. Identify leisure and creative activities where you can experience harmony and self-integration. Take positive action to change your environment when needed. Meditation and relaxation. Take the Self-Test Complete the self-scoring Professional Quality of Life Scale and Scale Scores to help you assess your degree of compassion fatigue and satisfaction. Its available online at www.capecounseling.org . 5
Cape Counseling Newsletter • Spring 2010
Rainbow of Hope I think that we would all agree! Rainbow of Hope (ROH) does Rock! The staff at Rainbow of Hope are caring, professional folks who provide superior services to their children. The children at Rainbow are involved in a myriad of therapeutic services, recreational and educational activities, as well as volunteer work. Parents and family members are encouraged to participate and often do. Family members report that they are confident in the ROH staff, appreciate and commend them. ROH uses the evidenced-based practice of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to accomplish their positive therapeutic outcomes. ROH changes lives-they Rock!
Members of the Blue Team- Lisa Polite and Kevin Cook
2nd Annual Staff Appreciation Event Employee of the Month 2009
Members of the White Team 2009
Congratulation to our 2009 employees of the month. They include: January—Kimberley Hollingsworth; February—Helaine Blake, Support Staff; March—Marie Fasciano, Nursing; April—Meghan Murphy; May— Timothy Lovett, ROH; June—Christine Whittle, Park Place; July—Susan Baker, Support Staff; August—Nicole Groeber, ICMS; September—Dawn Renee Warner, Screening; October—Judy Dolan, SBYS; November—Molly McKeefery, FPS; December—Teri Gilroy, Data Analyst…and our manager of the year: Sandra Donley! The Winner for 2009-White Team
Celebrating Years of Service 5 Years: Lauren Cramer, Judith Dolan, Joanna Frankel, Allyn Holster, Lorraine Horner, Stephanie Langley, MaryAnn Martello, Michelle O’Hara, Allison Raisch, Edward Trockenbrod III, Gail Tweed
CCS contributions to the United Way Food Bank
10 Years: Edward Garv, Kimberly Hillman, Karen Kaschak, Glenfield Knight, Wayne Meher, Harry Milnes.
15 Years: Janice Krown 20 Years: Joseph Grottola, Kelly Magliocco, Steven Marchiano Perfect Attendance: Susan Baker, Shanna Learn, Anne Adamson, Karen Mastinger, Timothy Lovett, Barbara Allison Staff Appreciation Holiday Celebration 2009
CCS Staff Keep on Giving
At Staff Appreciation Day, 160 employees donated a van full of food, paper goods, personal items, diapers, etc. to the United Way of Cape May County Food Bank. Suzanne Nardi, Executive Director of The United Way of Cape May County was very pleased with the donations and the generosity of Cape Counseling employees. CCS has made meeting the various needs of the community a priority! 6
Cape Counseling Newsletter • Spring 2010
Adventure Comes to CCS
ture to you. However, in a recent four- day workshop provided to CCS from the Project Adventure organization, we learned that adventure is a way of doing, not just something that you do. Adventure brings an element of surprise, an opportunity to challenge yourself to take a risk – not actual physical risk, but emotional risk – to muster the courage to go beyond the limits of your fears and discover new aspects of your self. Guided adventure activities engages an individual to discover their inner strengths by giving them a choice to challenge themselves to new heights, and this can happen without ever leaving the ground!
By Sam Totora, LPC, MFT
What is adventure to you? Rock climbing, white-water rafting, parachuting, propelling- these are all adventurous activities that you can do that may define advenOn January 11th, 12th, 28th and 29th, staff from the Children’s Services Department of Cape Counseling Services gathered at the Wildwood Convention Center to learn how to integrate Adventure Based Counseling (ABC) within their own programs. With additional staff from the Outpa-
tient Department, and the Special Services School District, twentysix counselors, teachers, therapists, and managers, were trained in the model. ABC is a group counseling model that uses a carefully sequenced and processed series of experiential activities to elicit behavior change. ABC group members share in an engaging, effective counseling-oriented experience. Staff learned the core concepts of ABC including how to brief and
de-brief an adventure, the use and merits of the “Full Value Contract,” and the individualized “Challenge by Choice,” how to select appropriate challenge activities to achieve desired behavior changes, and the integration of ABC into the youth’s individual treatment plan. They also learned through participation a host of cooperative and competitive games and activities to use with their youth clients. This “learning by doing” model asked staff from diverse programs to experience the very activities that they will soon be facilitating with their own young clients. From this perspective they experience the very challenges they would ask their clients to face, along with the support and encouragement they received from peers who became a team through their shared experience. Over the course of the four-day training the Project Adventure trainer Nate Folan, engaged staff in over 80 activities, ranging from cooperative problem-solving “Connectives,” trust building 7
“Trust Leans” and “Wind in the Willows,” to the competitive “Rock, Paper.” Staff also navigated each member of their team through the “Spider Web” and the “Cube” but no person could pass through the challenge in the same way. Participants were asked to reflect upon their experience, to
share their perspectives with the group, and to extract self enhancement lessons from the challenges. Adventure Based Counseling has brought a new energy and enthusiasm to Children’s Services. Each staff member has accepted the challenge to bring this energy back to their programs and to bring adventure and learning to the youth for whom they care. Visit our new web-site at www.capecounseling.org & sign up for future newsletters via email or mail.
Cape Counseling Newsletter • Spring 2010
Staff Work Hard & Play Hard
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