Omaha, NE, July 25th,
2005 – Uta Halee Girls Village and Cooper Village, residential
treatment facilities in Ponca Hills, announced that Heather’s
Rage Author Leslie Byers has joined the agency in the newly
created position as Family Liaison. Byers will serve as a representative
of, and advocate for, youth and families who are clients of
Uta Halee and Cooper Village. “I
have a real heart for this kind of work,” says Byers.
“My role here will be as a voice for parents and families
who must access behavioral health services in Nebraska so
they can work more effectively with the professionals at Uta
Halee and Cooper Village and throughout their child’s
treatment.”
It is Byers’ first-hand experience
as the mother of a daughter who has dealt with mental illness
for 16 years that gives her an extraordinary understanding
of what families need, and what hopes and challenges await
parents when their children must live outside of the home.
Byers’ 2004 publication Heather’s
Rage is the result of years of navigating the mental health
‘system’ and learning how to support and advocate
for her own child. She and her family have personally experienced
the services available in Nebraska for children with mental
illness and how difficult it can be for parents who are trying
to navigate that system and speak the language necessary to
be heard and understood.
“I know that my involvement was critical
to the success of my daughter when she was at Uta Halee Girls
Village and in other treatment programs during her childhood,”
Byers added. “I’m excited to help parents build
a bridge to understanding and accessing services.”
Byers worked in Information Technology for
much of her career. She was Publishing Systems Manager and
Director of Information Technology for the Omaha World Herald
from 1994-2000. Most recently she owned and operated Byers
Consulting, a professional consulting corporation that worked
with many companies and non-profit agencies in the Omaha area.
Uta Halee Girls Village and Cooper Village are gender specific
programs providing residential treatment for adolescents (ages
12-18 years) who have mental health, behavioral or substance
use issues. Uta Halee Girls Village began in 1950 and has
grown to a 60-bed facility with more than 325 employees. Cooper
Village (for boys) is a collaborative partnership between
Uta Halee and Omaha Home for Boys.
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