11/21/08
DICKINSON WELCOMES
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
 RIDGWAY
– Dickinson Mental Health Center Inc. is pleased to announce the
appointment of Dawn M. Burkett of Luthersburg as a physician
assistant. DMHC recently entered into an agreement with DuBois
Regional Medical Center for the services of Ms. Burkett, who
will see patients at Dickinson’s outpatient clinic at 110
Lincoln Street in Ridgway. She is credentialed by most major
health insurance plans, including Highmark, Medical Assistance
and Medicare.
Burkett has been working with DMHC Medical Director Peter
Coffman, MD for several months and is now ready to begin
providing direct services.
“I
am very excited to have Dawn join our clinical staff here at
Dickinson,” said Dr. Coffman. “Dawn demonstrates the knowledge,
skills and compassion that will make her a great clinician and a
valuable member of our treatment team.”
Burkett completed both her Master of Physician Assistant
Sciences in May 2008 and her Bachelor of Health Science in May
2007 from St. Francis University in Loretto. She has over 1,900
hours of clinical experience, including work in family practice
at Primary Care Associates in DuBois, as well as in pediatrics,
obstetrics and gynecology, and emergency medicine at DRMC. She
also worked in internal medicine at Elk Regional Medical Center
in St. Marys.
In
addition to her work at Dickinson, Burkett also gained
experience in behavioral medicine at Warren General Hospital in
Warren, PA, seeing patients with a variety of psychiatric
disorders and chemical dependancy issues.
Among her academic honors, Burkett was the recipient of the
Glattfelder Educational Fund Scholarship from 2003-2007, the
UbiquiTel Diamond 45 Scholarship from the Tug McGraw Foundation
in 2007 and the Clara Hall Scholarship from DRMC in 2003. She
was also a 2007 member of both the National Honor Society and
the Delta Epsilon Sigma National Catholic Honor Society.
Dickinson Mental Health Center,
celebrating its 50th
year of service, is dedicated to
advancing and providing quality behavioral health care services
in the most accessible and effective manner possible.
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11/20/08
DMHC Children’s Prevention
Services Awarded Grant from PA Children’s Trust Fund to Benefit
Early Childhood Development
 ST.
MARYS – Dickinson Mental Health Center’s Children’s Prevention
Services was one of only six recipients statewide recently
awarded this year’s Pennsylvania Children’s Trust Fund grant
through the Department of Public Welfare.
The grant will fund the Elk County Cares initiative, a
collaborative project involving local child care providers, the
Elk County Family Resource Network and the Community Engagement
for Early Care and Education Program. The project will
strengthen families by increasing understanding of the
social/emotional needs of young children, thereby reducing
incidences of child abuse and neglect, promoting healthy child
development, and decreasing the need for behavior modification
for children enrolled in early care and education settings.
“Child care providers play a critical role in the healthy
development of children,” states Linda White, program
supervisor. “Parents often depend on care providers for reports
and observations about how their children are progressing. This
training opportunity will offer care providers the skills to
help strengthen children’s social competence.”
The project will involve implementing The Incredible Years®
model curriculum for child care providers participating in the
state’s Keystone STARS child development and early learning
rating process, as well as for Head Start and preschool staff,
and the parents of children enrolled in these programs.
Elk County currently has 25 regulated child care programs. Nine
of these programs are participating in Keystone STARS with four
at STAR 2 classification. Ongoing training is critical to the
completion of the accreditation process. Staff from several
child care programs have expressed interest in receiving
training in The Incredible Years® program to strengthen their
understanding of child development. Once trained in The
Incredible Years®, staff will become advocates for the program,
encouraging parents to participate.
The Pennsylvania Children's Trust Fund (CTF) is dedicated to
funding community-based programs to prevent child abuse and
neglect. The CTF was established by the Children's Trust Fund
Act in December 1988. Funds are generated from a $10 surcharge
on all applications for marriage licenses and divorce
complaints.
A
15-member Board of Directors administers the fund. The Deputy
Secretary for Office of Child Development and Early Learning
serves as the executive director of the CTF. Staff members
within the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL)
carry out the duties and responsibilities of the CTF board.
In Photo:
Partners
in the Elk County Cares initiative, a collaborative project
involving local child care providers, the Family Resource
Network and the Community Engagement for Early Care and
Education program, gather prior to a committee meeting at the
courthouse annex. Dickinson Mental Health Center’s Children’s
Prevention Services recently received a Children’s Trust Fund
grant from the PA Department of Public Welfare to fund the
project. Front (l-r) are: Jen Dippold, dir. of DMHC Children’s
Prevention Services; Amy Dippold and Heather Novak, co-owners of
ABC Daycare; and Linda White, program supervisor, DMHC
Children’s Prevention Services. Back (l-r) are: County
Commissioners June Sorg and Dan Freeburg; Mimi Smith, early care
and education coord., Northern Tier Community Action; Heidi
Thomas, DMHC chief financial officer; Lisa Brouse, counselor,
Catholic Charities Counseling & Adoption Services; Bonnie
Salvatore, food & nutrition coord., Northern Tier Community
Action; and John Pozza, DMHC dir. of grants & outreach.
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11/10/08
DMHC WELCOMES NEW PHYSICIAN TO COUDERSPORT
 COUDERSPORT
– Dickinson Mental Health Center Inc. is pleased to announce the
appointment of Jon Richard Grigg, M.D. of Wellsboro as its new
adult, child and adolescent psychiatrist in Potter County. Dr.
Grigg will serve Dickinson’s outpatient clinic and partial
hospitalization program now based on the third floor of the
Gunzburger Annex Building at 1 North Main Street in Coudersport.
Since August 2007, Dr. Grigg has served as the medical director
of Tioga County Clinical Services in Mansfield, and, since
August 1999 has been the medical director/consulting
psychiatrist for Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital in
Wellsboro. He has also been a consulting psychiatrist for The
Rehabilitation Center in Olean, N.Y. since February 1990.
In addition to previously serving as a staff psychiatrist at
DMHC for three years and as a consulting psychiatrist for
Northern Tier Children’s Home in Harrison Valley, Dr. Grigg was
the medical director at the Charles Cole Memorial Hospital’s
Department of Community Mental Health in Coudersport and at
Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services, Inc. in Port Allegany.
Dr. Grigg is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, where he was a
commander serving in both active duty and in the Navy Reserves.
From July 1982 to June 1989, he was a resident in psychiatry at
the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Va. Grigg supervised
approximately 20 medical students on month long psychiatry
clerkships and lectured medical students, interns and physician
assistant students. He provided similar teaching services at
both the Naval Hospital and the Eastern Virginia Medical School
psychiatry residency training programs. From July 1985 to June
1989, Dr. Grigg served as medical director of the Naval Alcohol
Rehabilitation Center and as head of the Department of
Psychiatry at Sewells Point Branch Medical Clinic, both in
Norfolk, Va.
Dr. Grigg received his Medical Degree from the University of
Virginia in 1981 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry
from Washington & Lee University in 1977, where he graduated Phi
Beta Kappa, was Class Salutatorian and was a Phi Eta Sigma R.E.
Lee Research Scholar.
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10/15/08
Dickinson Mental Health Center Begins School
HOPE Program
 RIDGWAY
– Dickinson Mental Health Center has begun offering a new child
and adolescent outpatient counseling service within Elk County
schools.
The HOPE, or Helping
Our Pupils Excel program, provides students with diagnostic,
therapeutic and consultative services in a private confidential
setting within the Ridgway, St. Marys and Johnsonburg area
school districts.
While DMHC continues
to provide outpatient counseling at its clinics in Ridgway,
Emporium and Coudersport, it realizes that school-aged children
often deal with stigma, peer pressure and transportation issues
in accessing the clinics from school. These same barriers can
also be prevalent for their parents or legal guardians.
Children eligible for
HOPE must have an identified emotional or behavioral problem
that prevents them from functioning well in school, their home
or in the community. HOPE can receive referrals from each
school’s Student Assistance Program, of which Dickinson serves
as a SAP mental health liaison, or through other family members,
primary care physicians or case managers. Parental involvement
is considered critical.
“The value of
school-based outpatient services comparative to the SAP is that
the latter is limited to a defined number of encounters, whereas
children/adolescents who need extended treatment may be able to
receive treatment under the auspices of the outpatient license
in the school setting,” said Jack Goga, DMHC coordinator of
mental health program services. “Barriers to sustained access
are thereby eliminated.”
DMHC recently
received start-up funding through the Richard L. & Janet M.
Wolfe Family Foundation in St. Marys. The HOPE program is
expected to become self supportive through medical insurance,
with a
portion
of the seed funding to be dedicated for those children in need
of services without insurance. DMHC has had a successful track
record in providing school-based outpatient services over the
past two years within four school districts in Potter County,
including Coudersport, Northern Potter, Austin and Oswayo
Valley.
“Children can have a
wide range of mental health concerns, including Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, adjustment issues, depression,
or anxiety, to name a few,” said Suzy Meyer-Page, DMHC director
of children’s services. “Therapy with children is typically
different than therapy experienced by adult clients. Younger
children may engage in play therapy or art therapy during
sessions, which allows the child to ‘act out’ and deal with
mental health issues. Older children and adolescents may engage
in more traditional talk therapy to address their mental health
issues. When serious problems associated with mental illness
occur, the child may be referred to a psychiatrist who may
consider the possibility of medications to help the child while
continuing in therapy.”
Requests for child
and adolescent outpatient services are evaluated by a mental
health professional that assists in determining the
appropriateness of the service. The referred child needs to meet
criteria for a mental health diagnosis to be able to be seen in
the outpatient setting.
For more information
on HOPE, or to talk with a mental health professional about
scheduling an intake session, call 814-776-2145.
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10/9/08
DMHC Children’s Prevention Services Awarded Grant for
Parents as Teachers Children’s
Center
 ST.
MARYS – The Elk County Community Foundation,
through the Harrison & Muriel Dauer Stackpole Family Fund
and the Elk County Development Fund, has awarded Dickinson
Mental Health Center’s Children’s Prevention Services with a
grant to support the Parents as Teachers (PAT) Children’s
Center at 4 Erie Avenue in St. Marys.
The grant will help expand the Read with Clifford
the Big Red Dog Early Literacy Project for new readers
in the Center’s Family Resource Library, covering the cost
of additional parenting resources, children’s books and
program supplies.
“We are extremely grateful to the Harrison and Muriel Dauer
Stackpole funding and the Elk County Community Foundation’s
investment in supporting the youth of Elk County,” said
Jennifer Dippold, director of DMHC Children’s Prevention
Services. “This funding will help DMHC Children’s Prevention
Services in its ongoing commitment to supporting Parents as
Teachers early literacy projects.”
The Read with Clifford the Big Red Dog series
brings home the message that reading is not only important
to children and families in Elk County, but it’s also fun.
“The success of the series is due to the talent and
enthusiasm of the PAT staff who are always willing to take
on new projects that support families,” said Linda White,
PAT program supervisor. “They truly bring Clifford to life!
The children’s reactions to Clifford are always significant.
If Clifford thinks reading is important, then the children
are eager to participate.”
When Clifford visits the children they enjoy a story with
Clifford and the children are encouraged to read every day
with their family. Using the PAT model, the series also
provides information about the developmental stages of
reading to the families of the children participating.
Clifford has interacted with 590 children in various
learning environments, including the Children’s Center, as
well as area preschools, kindergarten classes and Head Start
since the program started in 2006. The grant will make it
possible to place a book in the hands of every child who
participates in the series this year.
Resources from the Children’s Center library are available
for use at the Center or borrowed for use at home or
school. PAT staff is available to assist families in the
selection of materials. The library helps to provide a
strong foundation for children as they prepare to enter
school. It is also a resource for parents to educate
themselves on topics that will enhance their parenting
knowledge (i.e. nutrition, technology, baby development,
etc.). A total of 161 volumes were borrowed from the
library during the 2007-08 fiscal year.
More information on the Read with Clifford
the Big Red Dog series, PAT or the Family Resource
Library at the Children’s Center is available by contacting
DMHC Children’s Prevention Services at 814-834-2602.
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10/7/08
Adult Habilitation Center Awarded Grant
from PA Council on
the Arts
 RIDGWAY – Dickinson Mental Health Center’s Adult Habilitation
Center was the proud recipient of a grant from the
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts at an awards reception held
Oct. 7 at the Elk County Council on the Arts in Ridgway.
Under the PA Partners
in the Arts Project Stream Grant Program, DMHC received
funding for supplies and computer software that will assist
consumers attending the AHC in designing holiday greeting
cards that will be sold to the public. The project was
supported in part by the PA Council on the Arts, a state
agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the
National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
“Many folks who attend
the Adult Habilitation Center have a lot of unrecognized
artistic talent,” said Missy Shirey, AHC program director.
“This new venture will, first and foremost, offer a way for
the individuals involved to creatively express themselves
while enhancing other skills such as cooperation, work
ethics, computer skills, money skills, etc. It is a good
opportunity for the AHC to be more directly involved within
our local communities.”
PPA is a regionalized
funding program of the PCA. A total of 17 local PPA partners
serve all 67 counties in Pennsylvania by re-granting funds
to support a wide variety of local and community arts
activities.
ECCOTA is PPA’s
regional partner supporting the arts in Elk, Forest,
Jefferson and McKean counties. A total of $23,797 in project
stream grants were awarded this year to individual artists
or organizations. In addition to DMHC, other recipients
included Kane Area Revitalization Committee, Kane Depot
Preservation Society, NW PA Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau,
Elk Regional Health Center, Hamlin Memorial Library,
Jefferson County Historical Society, Johnsonburg Public
Library, McKean County Historical Society, Shirley Nicklas,
Allegheny Mountain Woodcarvers Association, Brockway Artists
Connection, PJ Piccirillo, Port Allegany Women’s Club,
Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, Ridgway Chainsaw Carvers
Rendevous, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Arts
Program, Village Voices of Brockway, YMCA of Bradford and
Oil Region Alliance.
Since the
implementation of the PPA in 1997, the PCA has been able to
steadily expand the availability of support to many new
communities. By providing local administration, technical
support and a streamlined application process, PPA has
created unprecedented access to state arts funding.
Anyone interested in
learning more about the PPA funded program at the AHC can
contact Missy Shirey at 814-772-0091, 814-776-2174, or via
e-mail at
missy.shirey@dmhc.org.
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New Wellness
Nurse for DMHC Children’s Prevention Services
 ST.
MARYS – Dickinson Mental Health Center is pleased to announce
the appointment of Adair Rohr, RN as coordinator of the new
Wellness Program at DMHC’s Children’s Prevention Services.
The wellness program
will support the families enrolled in Children’s Prevention
Services, provide educational services to the community and
support local school systems’ wellness needs. The Wellness
Program is a response to the most recent Stackpole Hall
Foundation’s Community Assessment, where 49 percent of the
participants identified wellness as a priority with Elk County
youth.
Rohr said wellness
services will encompass social, emotional and physical health.
She said that being a nurse for the past 15 years and
specializing in cardiac services has enabled her to recognize
the value of this wellness initiative.
In addition, Rohr
said she is excited about this new and innovative program with
DMHC and how it supports a holistic approach to all facets of
health. She said she is pleased to help pilot a program that
merges mental health and physical health and preventative
services in Elk County.
“Adair’s experience
and enthusiasm for the program made her an excellent choice to
become the Wellness Nurse for the program,” said Michael
Galluzzi, DMHC chief executive officer, adding that the program
will help fill the gaps that currently exist in the community
services offered by the agency.
Jennifer Dippold,
DMHC director of children’s prevention services, said this
program represents a first for DMHC in implementing a children’s
program that supports physical health. It is being funded
through a generous donation from the Stackpole Hall Foundation,
along with support from many community stakeholders, including
Elk Regional Health System, area school districts, the Catholic
School System, and many other collaborative partners. Dippold
added that opportunities for the program are endless.
Dr. Bill Conrad,
executive director of the Stackpole Hall Foundation, said the
foundation is very excited about the program and very pleased
that DMHC picked up on the need and is piloting the program. He
said that working with the other agencies and schools in the
area will help make the collaborative project successful.
Dickinson Mental
Health Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. As
part of its celebration, it is compiling a series of news
features and photos profiling its numerous programs and
services.
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Signs of
Suicide Prevention Program Having Impact in Elk and Cameron County
Schools
By Amy Cherry
Daily Press
 ST.
MARYS – Signs of Suicide (SOS) is an evidence-based program
provided by Dickinson Mental Health Center’s Children’s
Prevention Services to all Elk and Cameron County middle and high
schools through the Student Assistance Program (SAP).
DMHC’s
Shelly Meier and Tana Smith serve as SOS and SAP supervisors, and
are assisted by fellow staffers Courtney Dunworth, Jill Struble and
Adrienne Williams in administering the program.
SOS
emphasizes the goal of teaching students the specific action steps
needed to respond to the signs of suicide. Program administrators
are hoping ACT - Acknowledge, respond with Care and Tell a trusted
adult - becomes a familiar acronym to students.
Now in
its second year, SOS incorporates two prominent suicide prevention
strategies into a single program. Both middle and high school
students watch a video about a number of scenarios demonstrating the
right and wrong way to deal with a depressed or suicidal friend.
“Depression can affect anyone,” Meier said. “There is help and
treatment available for it.”
The
middle school program, entitled “Get into the Act,” furnishes
students with a newsletter outlining the lessons taught in the video
and includes a game scenario to quiz students on the lessons.
The
high school program, “Friends for Life,” teaches the link between
depression and suicide, emphasizes depression is treatable and
encourages help seeking. High school students are also participating
in the Brief Screening for Adolescent Depression (BSAD).
The
screenings include a seven question form which students respond with
yes or no answers. Although Meier explained the screenings are not a
diagnostic tool, if students answer “yes” to two questions
pertaining to having suicidal thoughts, the student is paired with a
counselor to further explore the issue. This student is then
monitored by school and DMHC personnel.
Last
year the program reached 627 students, of whom 510 of them completed
the screening.
“It’s
important for students to realize that it’s not up to them to decide
if their friend needs help,” Meier said. “Friends can’t fix friends
problems for them; they need to tell an adult.”
Following each presentation students fill out a comment card by
checking if they do or do not need to talk to someone. A counselor
meets with students within 24 hours if they request so on the card.
Smith
said the program is not just for students who may be depressed but
is a tool students can use throughout their life to determine signs
and symptoms of depression and suicide, especially as they venture
off to college.
According to information presented in the program, the three factors
leading to suicide include depression, aggressive behavior and
drug/alcohol use. Often significant life changing experiences, such
as the death of a family or friend, moving away from home or a
parents divorce, can alter a person’s mental health.
“Everyone gets sad, but usually these feelings don’t last long,”
Smith said. “However these events may be more than a person can
handle.”
While
the program is designed to be a one-time only event, staffers often
have to break it into two sessions due to class scheduling.
“We’re
very grateful to the area school districts for their cooperation in
implementing the program,” Meier said. “They have worked very well
with us.”
The
SOS program came about as a result of responses from the 2005 PA
Youth Survey, which is conducted every two years, in grades 6, 8, 10
and 12. The survey reported that 37.4 percent of 10th graders and
34.5 percent of 12th graders in the northwest region reported
feeling sad or depressed most days. In addition 30 percent of 10th
graders also responded that “life is not worth it.” Meier said the
startling statistics prompted the creation of the program. Last year
a grant from the A.J. Palumbo Foundation funded the program. This
year a second grant was received to help continue the program.
All
schools receive parental permission for each student to participate.
According to the American Journal of Public Health, the SOS program
showed a reduction in suicide attempts by 40 percent in a controlled
study.
Additional information on the Signs of Suicide program can be
obtained by contacting DMHC’s Children’s Prevention Services at
834-2602.
Dickinson Mental Health Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary
this year. As part of its celebration, it is compiling a
series of news features and photos profiling its numerous programs
and services.
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9/24/08
Dickinson Mental Health Center
presents annual
Elizabeth “Sis” Simons
Memorial Award
 ST.
MARYS – Dickinson Mental Health Center’s Board of Governors has
honored Walter “Ed” Badeau III of Emporium as the recipient of this
year’s annual Elizabeth “Sis” Simons Memorial Award.
The
award, presented at the board’s Sept. 18 meeting at St. Marys
Country Club, recognizes a direct service DMHC employee who
consistently goes above and beyond in the performance of their
duties. Badeau has been employed as a professional counselor at
DMHC’s Emporium outpatient office for 15 years. He also provides
counseling services at its Helpwise office in St Marys and, when
needed, provides coverage at its Potter County outpatient program in
Coudersport.
“Ed’s
performance sets an exceptional model by which other employees can
follow,” said Michael Galluzzi, DMHC chief executive officer. “He
demonstrates above and beyond qualities, such as caring, leadership,
advocacy and service. His participation in local community and
state-wide organizations has also helped to advance the mission of
Dickinson Mental Health Center.”
For
many years, Badeau held the position of President of the
Pennsylvania Mental Health Counselors Association.
Other
employees recognized for their contribution to DMHC and nominated
for this year’s Sis Simons Memorial Award included Darlene Cassels
(Group Homes/Ridgway), Shelly Meier (Children’s Prevention
Services/St Marys), Larry Reed (Adult Day Treatment/Coudersport) and
Rhenda Wolfe (Recovery/Ridgway). Each nominee was recognized for
having displayed the qualities of exceptional employees.
“I
congratulate Ed and all the nominees for the work they do,” Galluzzi
added. “They have consistently proven to be valuable members of the
DMHC team.”
Badeau
received a $100 monetary gift and will have his name engraved on the
Elizabeth “Sis” Simons Memorial Award plaque displayed at DMHC’s
main office at 110 Lincoln St. in Ridgway. Previous award recipients
have included Barb Cole, Michael DeStefano, Jennifer Dippold, Dawn
Dovensky, Tana Smith and Pat Work.
Elizabeth “Sis” Simons, the former human resources director at
Stackpole Carbon Co., was a founding member of the original DMHC
Board of Governors and served for over four decades demonstrating
exemplary leadership, public relations, caring and dedication to the
service mission. She achieved an honorary “life” membership on the
Board of Governors until her death on July 18, 2001. The board
established the Elizabeth “Sis” Simons Memorial Award to honor her
memory and to recognize her significant dedication to Dickinson
Mental Health Center.
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9/15/08
Empowering Families Toward
Reunification
RIDGWAY-
Solutions to families in crisis can often be found when families
themselves take a lead role in planning the outcome.
Family Group
Decision Making (FGDM), a new voluntary program offered by
Dickinson Mental Health Center, in coordination with Elk County
Children and Youth Services and Systems of Care committee,
is
unique in that all plans are developed by family, extended
family and community members.
 “The
family takes the lead in deciding who will be invited to the
planning conference,” said program coordinator Stephanie
Rosenhoover, who assists in facilitating this process. “The
family meets privately during the conference without service
providers to address the problems occurring in their home. The
family then develops a plan of their own and presents it to the
referral source and service providers, who act as supports and
assist them in making sure that the plan is successful.”
Upon
completing FGDM, studies show that families report increased
connection, unity, and problem solving capabilities. Families
work towards a common goal, hold family members accountable and
improve their communication.
FGDM
serves families in Elk County who are in crisis but believe that
with input and support from family, extended family, close
friends, and supporting agencies they can work together to come
up with a plan that that will ensure the safety and well being
of their children.
The program is primarily based on
aspects of the Family Unity Model and the Family Group
Conferencing process established in New Zealand. FGDM
conferences in Pennsylvania generally include extensive
preparation; an opening and sharing of strengths, concerns, and
resources; private family time; family presentation of the plan
and plan acceptance by the referring agency; and plan
implementation and monitoring.
Pennsylvania’s first exposure to
FGDM occurred in 1999 and in 2008 now includes over 40 of the 67
counties actively exploring meaningful ways to engage families
in planning and service delivery. The PA FGDM process is a
strengths-based empowerment model that signals a significant
shift in how families are engaged in decision making to resolve
concerns. Many counties report the infusion of strength-based,
family centered practice across their communities.
More information on Family Group Decision Making
in Elk County is available by contacting its office located in
the Courthouse Annex Building in Ridgway at 772-2807.
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8/15/08
Dickinson Celebrates 50
Years of Success
Nearly 500 turn out for event on Elk County Courthouse
lawn
RIDGWAY – Friday Aug. 15,
2008 was a day to remember for employees, consumers and the greater
community we call Dickinson Mental Health Center.
Nearly 500 attended the
agency’s golden anniversary celebration for an afternoon of music,
children’s activities and refreshments mixed with proclamation readings and
historical retrospectives honoring Dr. Robert Dickinson and the vision he
began 50 years ago of creating Pennsylvania’s first rural psychiatric
outpatient facility in Ridgway.
"We're here to celebrate
the past, but also to focus on the future," Chief
Executive Officer Michael Galluzzi said in his opening remarks.
“Dickinson's success is due to the
support of many people and community agencies,” Galluzzi said. “If it can
continue to develop those relationships and build on that foundation in the
future, the future will be bright.”
There were many important
members of the community and of the organization’s past that participated in
the celebration. Liz Hall, one of the original members of the Board of
Governors, traveled from her home in Woodstock, Vt. to congratulate the
organization on its many years of success. Hall said Dr. Dickinson was a
very proud and zealous man. During her speech, she remembered the beginning
and the goals that he had in mind, indicating that a lot happened in those
early years and that she always saw it as "Bob's Dream."
"He was very proud that we
were first," Hall said. She also described the similarities of the staff,
which she said was strong, supportive and well-rounded.
Dr. Bill Conrad, Chairman
of DMHC’s Board of Governors, served as master of ceremonies during the
proclamation ceremony. He congratulated the organization and its staff on a
job well done, saying its staff are the backbone of the organization.
"You think about Dickinson
and you think about the people," Conrad said. "We are so fortunate to have a
team of great, dedicated individuals."
He also recognized former
Director John Yates who followed in Dr. Dickinson's footsteps. Conrad said
Yates built the 240-employee company to what it is today, noting that the
organization is one of the largest employers in Elk County.
“We have always had great
leadership,” Conrad added. “All of you who work with or for DMHC or as an
affiliate over the years are what makes DMHC."
Government at all levels
was represented honoring Dickinson on its success, hard work and dedication.
A proclamation from Gov. Ed Rendell was read during the celebration by DMHC
board treasurer Joan Hzizdzak, which cited DMHC’s dedication, unwavering
compassion and commitment to its fellow citizens.
“Dickinson has worked
tirelessly to provide comprehensive care in communities and to release the
stigma that seems to be the biggest factor in people getting the help they
need,” the proclamation read. “Dickinson has helped countless citizens get
the treatment they need to live happier, healthier lives.”
U.S. Rep. John Peterson
sent a letter of recognition to Dickinson read by John Crawford, Director of
Behavioral Services at DuBois Regional Medical Center. The letter commended
DMHC on the high quality of its staff and for providing vital services to
the community and its clients.
Mark Adams, a field
representative for Sen. Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway, said the anniversary
speaks highly of the accomplishments of Dickinson in the past and in the
present.
Rep. Dan Surra, D-Kersey,
provided DMHC with a letter of citation from the PA House of
Representatives.
“The region is very
fortunate to have an agency like Dickinson,” Surra said. “Dr. Dickinson had
a vision and saw a need to help. If society is judged by how it takes care
of the most needy in its community then Elk County should be judged in a
very positive light for having Dickinson in it.”
Elk County Commissioner
June Sorg said DMHC has improved so many lives that thank yous can’t be said
enough to the peop
le who work at Dickinson. The commissioners previously
signed a proclamation in honor of the anniversary.
Ridgway Mayor Jim Martin
provided DMHC with a certificate of appreciation. He commended Dr. Dickinson
for his vision to have mental health needs taken care of.
Dickinson Mental Health
Center opened in 1958 under the name the Ridgway Area Psychiatric Center.
Initially, he center did outpatient clinical assessments and provided
treatment for psychiatric disorders. Today, it provides services to
residents in Elk, Cameron, Potter and McKean counties, with the number of
program offerings having increased dramatically from the early years. In
1982, the center was renamed Dickinson Mental Health Center in honor of its
founder.
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8/11/08
Dickinson Finds Unique Way to Raise Money for Food Bank
 EMPORIUM – In a
unique way of raising money for the Cameron County Food Bank, Dickinson
Mental Health Center’s Emporium office staff will be permitted to wear jeans
on Fridays for a $1 donation to the Cameron County Food Bank.
The employees’ accumulated
donations will be collected and distributed in October as part of Make a
Difference Day. During the last week prior to Make A Difference Day,
Dickinson staff will also accept canned food donations at its new office at
27 East Fourth Street in Emporium which will also be turned over to the food
bank.
For more information on
Make a Difference Day or donations through Dickinson to the food bank,
contact Robin Overturf or Ed Badeau at the Emporium office at 486-0554.
Dickinson Mental Health
Center is celebrating its golden anniversary this year, having provided
quality mental health, mental retardation and children’s prevention services
to families, children and adults in Cameron, Elk, Potter, McKean and
Jefferson counties for the past 50 years. To recognize the occasion, a
community event will be held Friday, Aug. 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on
the Elk County Courthouse lawn in Ridgway.
Special proclamations will
be delivered on the steps of the courthouse at 1 p.m. with several local
dignitaries attending. William “Bill” Conrad, Chairman of DMHC’s Board, will
be the master of ceremonies for the affair. Free hot dogs, and other
assorted food and refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon,
along with entertainment for adults, and games and activities for children.
Local radio stations will also provide live remote broadcasts from the
event.
Following the proclamation
ceremony The Singing Dutchmen and the “Plain & Simple” music duo will
perform. Steamer and Diesel Dawg from the Altoona Curve will also be on
hand, along with Clifford the Big Red Dog, Dorothy the Dinosaur from “The
Wiggles,” and Gene the Clown.
The event is open to the
public.
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7/25/08
Dickinson to Begin Services for Children with Autism
RIDGWAY - Dickinson Mental
Health Center is pleased to announce the availability of Sensory Integration
Services to children diagnosed on the autism spectrum, as well as support
services for their families.
The program is made
possible through funding provided by the George A. and Margaret Mee
Charitable Foundation, along with additional support from the Elk County
Community Foundation’s Harrison and Muriel Dauer Stackpole Family Fund.
Services are available at
no cost for children diagnosed on the autism spectrum and their families.
Participants must reside in Elk or Cameron counties.
To access services, the
child’s parent/guardian may contact DMHC’s main office at 110 Lincoln Street
in Ridgway to schedule an intake appointment. The next step will be to
complete an initial evaluation for their child with the program’s Licensed
Occupational Therapist. The Occupational Therapist will evaluate the child
using a formal assessment and clinical observation. Results from this
assessment will be shared and reviewed with the parent and will serve as an
outline for the child’s goals in the program. In addition, the Occupational
Therapist will provide recommendations which parents will be able to
institute within the family’s home. In the last step of the program, the
child and family will move to a group setting with other referred children
and their families.
The program will be held at
the Children’s Center, located in the Marienstadt Center at 4 Erie Ave. in
St Marys, with appointments to be scheduled for Mondays and Saturdays.
To learn more about this
exciting new program or to schedule an intake for your child, please contact
Dickinson Mental Health Center at 814-776-2145.
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7/9/08
Dickinson Mental Health Center Awarded Grant from
Stackpole-Hall
Foundation
Funding to Benefit Children’s Prevention
Services for Wellness Project
ST. MARYS (July 9, 2008) –
Dickinson Mental Health Center’s Children’s Prevention Services is pleased
to announce that they will be piloting a Wellness Program as a result of
funding from the Stackpole-Hall Foundation.
Wellness is a growing
concern among educators, health care providers and parents. It was
identified in the most recent Stackpole-Hall Community Needs Assessment as a
number one priority with youth and families in Elk County. The program will
not only support physical wellness, but social, emotional, behavioral and
academic wellness.
The program will involve
the hiring of a Registered Nurse who will work with other local community
partners in providing wellness education, consultation and support to
children and their parents. It will be administered through DMHC’s
Children’s Prevention Services, based at the Marienstadt Center at 4 Erie
Ave. in St. Marys, and coordinate with DMHC’s existing prevention services,
including Parents as Teachers, the PAT Children’s Center, the Student
Assistance Program, the LIFE (Living In a Family Environment) Program,
Staying Connected with Your Teen, The Incredible Years and the Signs of
Suicide Prevention Program. It will also work closely with each local
school’s wellness plan. Additionally, Elk Regional Health System has
endorsed the project and will be an in-kind partner assisting in the
project.
“The future possibilities
are endless,” said Jennifer Dippold, DMHC’s director of Children’s
Prevention Services. “We will continue to be a collaborative partner with
all organizations, groups and entities involving childhood wellness
concerns.”
The problem of childhood
obesity in the United States has grown considerably in recent years. Between
16 and 33% of children and adolescents are obese. Obesity is among the
easiest medical conditions to recognize but most difficult to treat.
According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry,
unhealthy weight gain due to poor diet and lack of exercise is responsible
for over 300,000 deaths each year and the annual cost to society for obesity
is estimated at nearly $100 billion. Overweight children are much more
likely to become overweight adults unless they adopt and maintain healthier
patterns of eating and exercise.
The results show that
parents understand the importance of physical education; however they do not
fully understand the health risk that obesity presents.
The wellness nurse will
provide education on the effects that obesity has on a person’s emotional
health - body image issues being the most significant which can decrease a
person’s self-esteem. There is also the issue of children seeking to lose
weight for acceptance amongst peers or significant others. In some cases,
this weight loss is accomplished in ways that are not healthy such as taking
laxatives or purging after meals.
In the Stackpole-Hall
Community Needs Assessment, school representatives reported that children
are also lacking the coping skills needed to be successful both academically
and mentally. Several members of the assessment’s education committee felt
that children were experiencing significant social-emotional issues and
these issues were interfering with a child’s academic success. As part of
the wellness program, the coordinator will educate students about depression
to increase awareness and provide students with the signs and steps to seek
help.
Another wellness issue
identified is the ability for children to cope effectively following a
death, divorce or other event that is interfering with a child’s academic or
personal success. Some children just have the ability to cope and are
resilient, while others may require education and support. For example, when
a child faces the loss of a loved one as a result of a tragic event like a
fatal car accident, there are stages a child will go through while trying to
cope. Unfortunately, the first time a child hears the stages of bereavement
or goes through the process of diffusion or debriefing is during the time of
crisis. The goal of the wellness coordinator would be to reach out to
children before the crisis or incident affecting the child occurs. This
could involve teaching relaxation techniques a child could use before an
exam or during the time of crisis.
Under the grant, data will
be collected for a quantitative assessment to be done over a three-year
period to examine the program’s overall effectiveness.
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6/3/08
Dickinson Mental
Health Center to Host
Ribbon Cutting/Open House
RIDGWAY- Dickinson Mental
Health Center will be hosting a ribbon cutting and open house from 11 a.m.
to 2 p.m. on Fri., June 13 at its new Annex Building located at 111 West
Main St. in Ridgway.
The Annex Building, which
previously housed offices for the Motion Control Corp., now includes
Dickinson’s program offices for Intensive Case Management, Resource
Coordination, Management Information Services, Recovery, Employment Support
and Peer Specialist. Dickinson formerly housed the programs at Ridgway’s
Knights of Columbus building.
For more information on the
open house, please contact John Pozza at 814-776-0234 or at
john.pozza@dmhc.org.
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5/12/08
Dickinson Mental Health
Center Awarded $50,000 from Palumbo Charitable Trust
Grant to DMHC Children’s Prevention
Services will renew Signs of Suicide Program in Elk and Cameron County
school districts
ST. MARYS - Dickinson
Mental Health Center (DMHC) has announced it is the proud recipient of a
$50,000 grant from the Sigismunda and A.J. Palumbo Charitable Trust for
renewal of the successful Signs of Suicide® prevention program for the
2008-09 school year in Elk and Cameron County schools.
The purpose of the program
is to provide middle and high school students in Elk and Cameron counties
with an educational program and resource on suicide prevention. Based on its
initial success during the 2007-08 school year, the Palumbo Trust increased
its level of funding to allow DMHC to expand the program to reach more
students.
SOS, implemented through
the Student Assistance Program, has increased each school’s ability to
identify students who are at risk for suicide. It has also provided a
mechanism for teaching students how to recognize if they or another student
could be at risk for suicide and how to react if they feel they are at risk.
The program teaches the acronym “ACT - Acknowledge, Care and Tell.
The goal of SOS is to
reduce suicidal behavior through two mechanisms: First, the education
component of the program increases students understanding and recognition of
depressive symptoms in themselves and in others and by promoting more
adaptive attitudes toward depression and suicidal behavior. Second, the self
screening component of SOS helps students assess and evaluate the depressive
symptoms and the suicidal thoughts they might be experiencing and prompts
them to seek assistance when dealing with these problems.
SOS serves secondary school
students ages 13 – 18. The program teaches students that suicide is directly
related to mental illness - typically depression. The students learn that
while it is not a normal reaction to stress or become emotionally upset,
depression is one of the most treatable illnesses.
According to the National
Center for Health Statistics, the suicide rate for youth and young adults
age 15 to 24 has tripled since 1950, and suicide is now the third leading
cause of death in this age group. Recent studies indicate that the incidence
of suicide attempts among adolescents may exceed 10% annually, although it
is difficult to obtain reliable estimates because of the accompanying stigma
associated with attempting suicide.
In the northwest region of
Pennsylvania, statistics gathered during the Pennsylvania Commission on
Crime and Delinquency 2005 Pennsylvania Youth Survey were alarming. When
children were asked in the past year if they felt sad or depressed most
days, 37.4% of high school sophomores and 34% of high school seniors
reported feeling sad or depressed most days. Even more disturbing is that
28.5% of high school sophomores and 25.95% of high school seniors reported
they feel like life is not worth it. These statistics are readily available
at
www.pccd.state.pa.us and will
reflect other risky behaviors for the northwest region.
Dickinson Mental Health
Center has trained individuals who provide effective intervention to our
children during these times of need. As a result of the PA Youth Survey,
which is given to 6th, 8th, 10th
and 12th graders, the belief is that there is a need for intervention at the
age of onset as opposed to early intervention prevention. By continuing the
SOS program in the middle and high schools, the percentage of these students
that feel like life is not worth living and the percentage of students
attempting suicide and participating in self harm will hopefully decrease.
Prior to the 2007-08 school
year there were no suicide prevention/education programs available in Elk
and Cameron County middle and high schools. The ability of DMHC to implement
this program with the cooperation of the schools has helped school and
mental health personnel get at-risk students the help they need before
something tragic happens.
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5/1/08
DMHC Welcomes New Mental Health
Coordinator
RIDGWAY/COUDERSPORT –
Dickinson Mental Health Center is pleased to announce the appointment of
Jack Goga of Coudersport as its new mental health coordinator.
Goga, a licensed
psychologist, joined the agency April 17. He will provide leadership and
supervision of DMHC program directors and supervisors, and collaborate with
other administrative staff and clinicians to deliver cost-effective, high
quality services throughout its mental health programs. He will also provide
clinical services to consumers, representing all ages and diagnostic
procedures.
Goga will oversee DMHC’s
outpatient clinics in Ridgway, Emporium and Coudersport, as well as its
school-based outpatient and partial hospitalization programs in Ridgway,
Bradford, Coudersport and St. Marys. He will also have oversight of
Intensive Case Management/Resource Coordination, the Autism Program,
Forensics, Emergency/Crisis, Family Based Services, the Potter County
Student Assistance Program, Family Group Decision Making, Recovery, Peer
Support and Mental Health Employment Support.
“Jack has extensive
experience and will prove to be a valuable asset to our team,” Michael A.
Galluzzi, DMHC chief executive officer, said. “I look forward to working
with him to improve access to quality mental health services in our region.”
Goga brings a combined 35
years in clinical psychology, research, human resources and behavioral
health administration. Since September 2006 he was Director of the Human
Resource Center at Bradford Regional Medical Center.
Goga previously served
three years, from July 2003 to Sept. 2006, as the Behavioral Health
Administrator at DMHC’s Coudersport satellite office. He had administrative
responsibility for the office’s clinical operations, and oversight of the
Outpatient Clinic, Partial Hospitalization Program, Family-Based and Student
Assistance Programs, 24-hour Crisis/Emergency Service Line and its Employee
Assistance Program.
Prior to July 2003, Goga
had 20 years of service as the Director of Behavioral Health
Services at Charles Cole
Memorial Hospital in Coudersport, where he headed a continuum of outpatient
services in a hospital-based environment. He previously served the hospital
as a licensed psychologist, providing psycho-diagnostic and treatment
services in an outpatient setting.
Goga holds an MA in
Clinical Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a BA in
Psychology from Penn State University. He is licensed by the Pennsylvania
Board of Psychologist Examiners and is certified in Divorce Mediation.
Dickinson Mental Health
Center, celebrating its 50th year of service, is dedicated to advancing and
providing quality behavioral health care services in the most accessible and
effective manner possible.
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3/20/08
Dickinson Mental Health Center
Clinical Director Earns Top Honor
RIDGWAY – Michael J. De
Stefano, of Ridgway, PA, was the recent recipient of the “Social Worker of
the Year” award in recognition of his dedication to the profession of social
work and the people it serves.
The award was presented by
Dr. Allen Turner, Associate Professor and Chair of Edinboro University of
Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Social Work, at a March 14 luncheon
meeting of the National Association of Social Workers Northwestern
Pennsylvania Division in Erie. Dr. Turner reviewed highlights from Mr. De
Stefano’s career which spans over four decades.
De Stefano is a Licensed
Clinical Social Worker and has been employed at Dickinson Mental Health
Center for the past 42 years. He currently serves as the center’s Clinical
Director. In addition to De Stefano’s contributions throughout the years on
a local and regional level, he has been a member of the Pennsylvania State
Licensing Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and
Professional Counselors, and has served
as chairman of that board for the
past three years.
 “Michael exhibits the
qualities of a true professional,” Michael A. Galluzzi, CEO of Dickinson,
said. “He has earned the respect of his peers, coworkers and clients, and is
to be congratulated for this honor.”
Dickinson Mental Health
Center is reaching a milestone this year with plans underway to celebrate
its 50th anniversary of service. DMHC was originally founded as the Ridgway
Area Psychiatric Center in 1958 by Dr. Robert Dickinson becoming the first
rural psychiatric outpatient facility in Pennsylvania. In 1981 its name was
changed to honor Dr. Dickinson.
DMHC provides a vast array
of over two dozen programs including mental health, mental retardation and
prevention services in Elk, Cameron, McKean and Potter Counties. Its mission
is dedicated to advancing and providing quality behavioral health care
services in the most accessible and effective manner possible.
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3/17/08
Dickinson Mental Health
Center Awarded Grant for Autism Project through Stackpole Family Fund
RIDGWAY – The Elk County
Community Foundation, through the Harrison & Muriel Dauer Stackpole Family
Fund, has awarded Dickinson Mental Health Center (DMHC) with a grant in the
amount of $7,630 to support its new Children’s Autism Outreach Project.
The project involves a
program of sensory development and integration for children diagnosed with
Autism and their families. Autism is a neurodevelopment disorder
characterized by a unique cognitive profile that affects social/adaptive
functioning. The grant will provide for the cost of program supplies and
sensory equipment.
“This funding will assist
us in providing support services for up to 60 children in Elk and Cameron
counties diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum,” John Pozza, DMHC director of
grants and marketing, said. “We are extremely grateful to the community
foundation and the Stackpole family for their contribution to this worthy
endeavor.”
In September 2007, DMHC
received start-up funding for the project from the Mee Charitable Foundation
to meet the growing need for Autism support services that were previously
non-existent in Elk and Cameron counties. The funding has been used to hire
a project coordinator to assist in designing a program that would involve
one-on-one consultation with autistic children and their parents, with a
special focus on sensory development and integration, as well as social
development. The program will also include a home visitation component, and
information and referrals for services.
Dickinson Mental Health
Center is reaching a milestone this year with plans underway to celebrate
its 50th anniversary of service. DMHC was originally founded as the Ridgway
Area Psychiatric Center in 1958 by Dr. Robert Dickinson becoming the first
rural psychiatric outpatient facility in Pennsylvania. In 1981 its name was
changed to honor Dr. Dickinson.
DMHC provides a vast array
of over two dozen programs including mental health, mental retardation and
prevention services in Elk, Cameron, McKean and Potter Counties. Its mission
is dedicated to advancing and providing quality behavioral health care
services in the most accessible and effective manor possible.
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2/6/08
Commissioners Recognize Business
for 50 Years of Service
 By
Heather Tressler
The Ridgway Record
The Elk County Commissioners meeting was held yesterday, and under
new business was the celebration of Dickinson Mental Health’s 50
years of success. The commissioners honored Dickinson Mental Health
for being in business for 50 years, and the service they provided to
the community.
June Sorg, Elk County Commissioner acknowledged those present for
their service.
“This is a business that can be noted for years to come,” Sorg said.
“We would really like to acknowledge you for all of the things you
have done.”
Mike Destefano, Clinical Services Director commented on his years of
service with DMHC.
“I was chosen to accept this award because I have been with
Dickinson Mental Health for 42 out of the 50 years,” he said. “I
hope to retire before I see another 50 years!”
Mike Galuzzi, CEO of Dickinson
Mental Health accompanied DeStefano with the acceptance of the
award.
Sorg noted that the former CEO should be recognized as well.
“John Yates should also be noted because he had a huge part in
helping this community before his retirement,” Sorg said.
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2/5/08
Counselors Offer Employee Assistance Program for Life’s
Stresses
ST. MARYS – We now live in
an age filled with many life stresses which can create feelings of being out
of control, over-anxious, angry, depressed and hopeless.
These stresses can produce
tension in our relationships with others. The counselors at Helpwise are
trained professionals with a combined 75 years of experience who will
listen, make an assessment, help sort things out, and share recommendations.
Services are tailored for individuals, couples, or a family. Drug and
alcohol assessment and counseling is also available.
In addition, companies and
organizations contract with Helpwise to provide services for their
employees. The Helpwise Employee Assistance Program is designed to assist
employees with personal problems that may affect job performance. This
program addresses a wide range of employee problems, including stress,
marital difficulties, alcohol/drug problems, grief and more. In addition to
counseling, the EAP may provide employee education and training.
Helpwise is a participating
provider with the Blues of Western Pennsylvania and with additional
insurances. Self- pay is available on a fee for service basis. If Helpwise
is your employee assistance program, a number of sessions with a counselor
are paid for by your employer.
If you have an employee
assistance program at your place of work, you may contact your company
representative or directly call Helpwise. If you have insurance or are
self-pay, call the office directly. For appointments in St. Marys, call
814-834-9722. For appointments in Coudersport call 814-274-3347.
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2/08
Helpwise Using Unique Eye Therapy to Help Trauma Victims
Heightened with a new sense of awareness in the
post-9/11 age, it's not uncommon for individuals suffering from
traumatic events to seek help.
Article by: John Pozza, Dir. of Grants & Outreach
Helpwise, a private, psychiatric counseling and employee assistance
service at 220 Parade Street in St. Marys, can assist individuals
suffering from anxiety, stress and trauma through a unique and
successfultherapy that helps them refocus on positive thoughts.
The treatment, called Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
(EMDR)is a form of “eye movement therapy” designed to
resolve symptoms resulting from exposure to a traumatic or
distressing event. Clinical trials have demonstrated EMDR’s efficacy
in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. In some studies
it has been shown to be more effective than cognitive behavioral and
exposure therapies, and more effective than some alternative
treatments. Although EMDR-trained clinicians Leah Dippold and Ed
Badeau at Helpwise may use the therapy for various problems, its
research support is primarily for disorders stemming from
distressing and traumatic life experiences.
At Helpwise, EMDR, according to Dippold, has primarily been used for
those suffering from post-traumatic stress. It can be used for
anyone having flashbacks or strong memories of reliving a traumafrom
their past.
“Memories of the trauma impact their day-to-day experiences, either
at home or at work, effecting concentration, communication,
sleeping, or even issues with trust,” Dippold said. “People
suffering with these issues feel stuck because often the trauma
doesn’t go away without getting the proper help.”
Trauma, said Dippold, is often broken down to “Little T” traumas and
“Large T” traumas. Little T’s can involve negative things someone
may have said to you back in grade school, either by a peer or an
authority figure. They may be Little T’s to us, Dippold added, but
they are large to the person traumatized. Large T’s tend to be major
events, ranging from war, fires, tornados, or other natural
disasters, to an unplanned event, such as a car accident, rape, or
the loss of a loved one.
Before the eye movement therapy starts, the therapist must first
determine the negative cognition or belief the person has about
themselves. In recognizing the memories that contribute to the
negative belief, positive thoughts are then introduced to determine
what the person would rather believe about themselves. The therapist
then replicates rapid eye movements while targeting the problematic
or intrusive emotions that resulted from the trauma. Additional
positive thoughts can be introduced during the therapy that include
improving feelings of responsibility, safety and having control of
choices.
“I’ve been using this therapy for fifteen years and am amazed at how
successful and effective it has been in reducing symptoms of Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder,” Badeau added. “People seem to be able to
fully re-integrate those experiences in a way that they can look to
the future without having the
past get in the way.”
EMDR can also be used as therapy for pain management and
bereavement, with separate protocols followed for each. It is also
being used within the military, with over 500 military and
Department of Veteran’s Affairs clinicians being trained in basic
EMDR, most recently at Marine installations at Miramar in California
and Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. EMDR is listed in the new
Department of Veterans Affairs & Department of Defense Practice
Guidelines as "highly recommended" for the treatment of trauma. It
has received the highest level of recommendation by the American
Psychiatric Association and by the mental health departments of
Israel, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, France, Sweden and more.
For more information on EMDR or to schedule a private appointment,
contact Helpwise
at 220 Parade St., St. Marys, PA 15857, or at 814-834-9722.
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1/15/08
Dickinson Awarded Grant for Elkwood Arts
Vocational
Workshop Earns Perfect Compliance Rating
 RIDGWAY - The Edith L.
Trees Charitable Trust has awarded Dickinson Mental Health Center with a
grant in the amount of $20,000 to support the agency’s Elkwood Arts
vocational workshop at 324 Allenhurst Avenue in Ridgway.
Elkwood Arts is dedicated
to providing adults with developmental disabilities the skills necessary for
assisting in the preparation and marketing of wood products made from
Pennsylvania hardwoods lumber.
The grant will allow
Dickinson to continue funding a full-time woodworker/laser engraver and hire
additional individuals with disabilities, creating countless positive
opportunities for growth and self-esteem for a disadvantaged population.
With the assistance of matching funds from the Cameron-Elk Mental
Health/Mental Retardation Program, Elkwood Arts has employed up to 18 adults
with developmental disabilities since the workshop’s inception in 1994.
Licensed by the
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare’s Office of Developmental
Programs, Elkwood Arts earned a perfect 100% compliance rating in its annual
inspection conducted by ODP personnel on Jan. 15, 2008. Annual inspections
are done to ensure the facility is in compliance with PA Vocational Facility
Licensing Regulations, and can involve a site visit, record review and
interviews with staff and consumers. Inspectors look at general
requirements, staff issues, physical site, fire safety, program components,
health, admission/placement and client records. ODP offered many positive
comments on the services provided to consumers who work there, and noted the
program’s overall growth.
Increased work capacity has
allowed Elkwood Arts to expand its marketing efforts, which include selling
its products on E-Bay and through its website at
www.elkwoodarts.com,
as well as at craft fairs, arts festivals, and the like. While completing
orders for local businesses and school districts, Elkwood Arts has produced
products for vendors within the PA Wilds region, the PA Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources, the PA Hardwoods Development Council and
the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, among others.
In addition to grants from
the Trees Charitable Trust, Elkwood Arts has received funding from numerous
other sources as it works to become self-sustaining, transitioning from a
small workshop that relies on state and local dollars to
a more
entrepreneurial type of business. Donors have included the Elk County
Community Foundation, the Stackpole-Hall Foundation, the George A. &
Margaret Mee Charitable Foundation, the Hackett Foundation, the PA Dept. of
Agriculture, the PA Hardwoods Development Council, the PA Department of
Community & Economic Development and Cameron Elk MH/MR. The funding has been
used to upgrade/replace the workshop’s machinery, install a new dust
collection system, purchase computer software, accessories and supplies, and
develop marketing materials.
Elkwood Arts has become a
valued program over the past 14 years to the individuals it serves. It has
given adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to maximize
their independence, integrate into the community, and, above all, a chance
to work.
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1/24/08
St. Marys United Way Recognized
for Success by 6 Campaign
RIDGWAY (Jan. 24, 2008) -
The Elk County Family Resource Network has honored Julia Reitz, executive
director of the St. Marys Area United Way, with an award for her work on the
annual Backpack Drive involving Elk County schools.
The Backpack Drive, part of
the United Way’s Success By 6 campaign, provides every child in Elk County
entering kindergarten with a backpack filled with kindergarten readiness
tools. At its July collaborative meeting, the FRN board presented Ms. Reitz
with a $500.00 check to benefit the project, courtesy of the board’s
Communities That Care (CTC) funding it received from the Pennsylvania
Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Ms. Reitz thanked the
entire FRN board, particularly Mimi Smith of Northern Tier Community Action
Corporation and the members of the board’s Early Care and Education
Committee for all their hard work preparing for the project and the
campaign.
A component of the CTC
model endorses programming that affects the entire social environment,
develops a broad base of support for collaboration and is a program that has
long lasting results. Ms. Reitz has linked with local providers that utilize
evidence based programming under the belief that birth to age five are the
most crucial years of child development.
The Success by 6 campaign
impacts all of Elk County, and is a collaborative effort with several
agencies, organizations and schools. The Backpack Drive promotes
kindergarten readiness for those children age 5 or entering kindergarten.
The FRN donation will help fund the items provided in the backpacks.
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DMHC Welcomes New Chief Executive Officer
 Following a widespread
executive search over the past two years that drew more than 40 competitive
candidates from across the country, Dickinson Mental Health Center’s Board
of Governors ultimately found the agency’s next CEO right in its own
backyard.
In a unanimous decision,
the board at its most recent meeting announced the hiring of Michael A.
Galluzzi, who will join DMHC, effective Jan. 1, 2008. Galluzzi, a resident
of Emporium, has served on the DMHC Board of Governors since September 2006.
He will succeed John Yates, who retired Sept. 28 after more than 40 years of
service.
“This change process began
in late 2005, and we are delighted with the outcome of this search,” Deborah
Dick Pontzer, board vice chairwoman who headed DMHC’s search committee,
said. “Michael was the most qualified candidate and brings valuable local
knowledge and rural health care delivery experience.”
Galluzzi has more than 21
years of experience in health care and health care administration, serving
for the last 10 years as administrator of the Keystone Rural Health
Consortia Inc. of Emporium.
“Dickinson Mental Health
Center has an outstanding reputation for providing high quality services to
the communities in Elk, Cameron, McKean, Potter, Clearfield and Jefferson
counties,” Galluzzi said. “I am excited to be working with the Dickinson
team to continue this tradition.”
Galluzzi began his career
in 1986 as the assistant administrator with the North Central Pennsylvania
Regional Planning and Development Commission in Ridgway. In 1987, he was
promoted internally to the position of health care administrator, a job he
held for 10 years. During that time, he was also a clinic consultant for
Warren General Hospital of Warren, PA, and a health care consultant for
Community Health Management Corp. of Skokie, Ill.
In 1997, Galluzzi joined
the Keystone Rural Health Consortia, where he has played an integral part in
its expansion and growth. He holds a bachelor’s degree in health planning
and administration from Penn State University.
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