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Transformation Matters

 

Apply for Community Training Institute Scholarship

July 22,, 2008

Gather your team and apply! Your community could participate in a fully-funded three-day Community Training Institute, September 23-25 in Seattle, that will focus on strategies to provide local mental health consultation for young children. Three to six teams will be awarded travel, meal and lodging costs to participate in the MHTP sponsored event. Download full details and application form.

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Assessing the Effects of Trauma

July 09, 2008

Trauma is among the most significant factors involved in mental illness, and it must be taken into account by caregivers and providers, four prominent speakers told the Trauma-Informed Care Symposium in Yakima on June 11.

The purpose of the symposium was to present information about the impact of trauma, take stock of trauma-related activities and programs already occurring in Washington, and develop priorities for promoting trauma-informed care in Washington.

Tonier Cain, a survivor of trauma, shared her story as one of the speakers. It begins with a severely neglectful mother, a long history of childhood and adult sexual abuse, alcohol addiction from age nine, marriage at age 14, and a drug addiction that led to 66 drug-related convictions.

Read full article: Assessing the Effects of Trauma

History Of Peer Support

July 01, 2008

The idea behind Peer Support Specialists is a simple and powerful one: People who have recovered from mental illness are in a unique position to share with others the knowledge – and perhaps more importantly the hope – of recovery.

"This is not a totally new notion at all," says Phyllis Solomon, of the University of Pennsylvania, who is a widely respected authority in this area for her research on clinical services and service system issues related to adults with severe mental illness and their families. "The clubhouse Fountain House was really probably one of the first examples, and that was in the '40s. That was formulated by peers. That's part of the movement to something more professional, because Fountain House had transitional employment and other professional services."

Read full article: History of Peer Support

Congratulations to Ken Stark and Ron Jemelka

June 26, 2008

Mental Health Transformation Project Director Ken Stark recently accepted the position of Human Services Director with Snohomish County. Stark's lengthy experience in the field of substance abuse, including 18 years as Director of the Washington State Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, brought unique vision and capability to the Mental Health Transformation Project, and he will be missed.

Ron Jemelka will succeed Ken as Acting Director of the Project. Ron has been on the Project since it first won its federal funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in 2005, and worked closely with Ken on its priorities, directions, and strategies.

Congratulations to both!

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