May 7, 2014
Presented by
May - Mental Health Month
Journey to Recovery TODAY’S PROGRAM 11:00 am Registration 11:30 am Lunch Service Begins 11:35 am Welcome Angela Comsa, LCSW, MBA 11:40 am Presentation Pillar in the Community Award Mary Beth Bonaventura Director, Indiana Department of Child Services Introduction by Don Levinson, President, Regional Mental Health Board Of Directors 12:00 noon Keynote Presentation Gayathri Ramprasad, MBA, CPS 1:00 pm Book Signing
WELCOME
On behalf of Regional Mental Health Center and Geminus Community Partners, we would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to today’s luncheon to celebrate May - Mental Health Month and the many Journeys to Recovery that occur, and many more that are possible. We are grateful for so many of you that contribute to making mental health a priority in the lives of others, for those of you that tirelessly serve our communities to make them more open to treatment and less open to stigma, and for those of you willing to share your stories of recovery. We now recognize how essential mental health is to overall health and well-being; and we know how events and life changes can affect us. It could be a veteran struggling with the invisible wounds of war, or someone coping with tireless caregiving, stressful divorce, or extreme grief from loss of a loved one, loss of a job, addiction to drugs, or alcoholism.. All of these circumstances of life contribute not only to the mental health, but also to the physical well-being of the individual affected and many times their families as well. May has been Mental Health Month for the past 65 years. It is our opportunity to spread the word regarding the importance of seeking treatment. We now have so much more knowledge and information regarding identifying, treating and even preventing mental health conditions. We know that Journeys to Recovery are possible. That’s something to celebrate!
WELCOME
PILLAR IN THE COMMUNITY AWARD
PILLAR IN THE COMMUNITY AWARD Mary Beth Bonaventura Director of the Indiana Department of Child Services Judge Mary Beth Bonaventura was appointed as the Director of the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) by Governor Mike Pence, in January 2013. Bonaventura hit the ground running, developing DCS’ 2013-2014 strategic plan, establishing Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for the agency and presenting the plan to Governor Pence. The DCS strategic plan focuses on three broad areas: an improved child support system, improved trauma informed care, and staff recruitment and retention. As the Director of DCS, Bonaventura serves on the newly Mary Beth Bonaventura
created Commission on Improving the Status of Children In Indiana, where her insight and experience as a Lake County Juvenile Court Judge has been valuable. In addition to the commission, Bonaventura serves on the Child Services Oversight Committee.
Governor Pence stated, “Judge Bonaventura is uniquely qualified to lead the state’s Department of Child Services and help to protect Hoosier children from abuse and neglect. She is a strong leader who has an impeccable reputation of integrity and compassion for children.” Just prior to being appointed to lead DCS, Director Bonaventura served as Senior Judge
of the Lake Superior Court, Juvenile Division - one of the toughest juvenile court systems in the state. She was appointed Senior Judge in 1993 by then-Governor Evan Bayh after having served more than a decade as Magistrate in the Juvenile Court. Since the state of her career in the Juvenile Court, Director Bonaventura has been recognized for her dedication and outstanding service to children. In 2008.Governor Mitch Daniels appointed her a member of the Indiana Commission on
Dispropor onality in Youth Services. In 2009, she was named Chair of the Civil Rights of Children commi ee for the
Indiana State Bar Associa on and the Chief Justice appointed her as Chair of the Child Welfare Improvement Commi ee. A lifelong Lake County resident, Director Bonaventura was born in East Chicago. She received her undergraduate degree from Marian University in Indianapolis, and her Juris Doctorate degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb Illinois.
Celebrate Mental Health PILLAR IN THE COMMUNITY AWARD
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Gayathri Ramprasad, MBA, CPS Mental Health Advocate, Author, and Speaker Gayathri Ramprasad is the Founder and President of ASHA International a nonpro it organization promoting personal, organizational, and community wellness. And, the author of Shadows in the S un: Healing from Depression and Finding the Light Within. Her successful battle in overcoming life‐threatening mental illness and her amazing recovery taught her the power of hope and holistic wellness. Now, she shares that message with others. Since the launch of ASHA International’s well‐ ness campaign, Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives in 2006, Gayathri’s keynotes, wellness workshops, and cultural competence trainings have reached more than 30,000 people nationally and internationally, with a resounding message of hope and healing. Individuals and organizations alike applaud Gayathri as an agent of hope and transformational change. Gayathri received her irst undergraduate degree in science from Bangalore University in India. At George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon, she earned a second undergraduate degree in manage‐ ment and information systems and a master’s in business administration. Gayathri is also a Certi ied Peer Specialist (CPS). Gayathri is a member of the Global Speakers Federation and winner of the prestigious Eli Lilly Welcome Back Award for Lifetime Achievement and the Voice Award for Consumer Leadership sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. She is also the winner of the 2008 Outstanding Alumna Award from her alma mater George Fox University.
Celebrate Mental Health