Vol5 | June | View Archive

The Kim Foundation, in collaboration with individuals, organizations, and healthcare providers throughout Nebraska, is pleased to bring you a monthly e-newsletter addressing mental health care.

We will provide you with access to valuable resources, connections to individuals and agencies working toward behavioral health reform, insight into successful programs offered in Nebraska, and updates on the latest news and events.

If you have comments, questions, or information you would like to share through the electronic newsletter, please email us at info@thekimfoundation.org.

For more information on mental health issues in Nebraska please visit www.thekimfoundation.org.

Forward the Kim Foundation Newsletter to a Friend!

CMHS Offers Free Webcast Focused on Recovery

Kerry Winterer Appointed CEO of Health & Human Services

Region 1 Activities: From Judie Moorehouse, Consumer Initiatives Coordinator

Don’t Forget, Alternatives 2009

The Kim Foundation recognizes the growing number of young people in Nebraska who either experience themselves or know someone who has a chronic mental illness. Statistics show that this same population is often less likely to seek support and treatment for their illness and as a result, their ability to achieve recovery is prolonged. The Kim Foundation encourages young adults and their families to access a free Webcast offered through SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) focused on young adults and mental health recovery.

The Webcast provides a personal perspective from two young adults living with mental illness and further gives resources and tips on seeking recovery and ways to assist friends and family affected by mental illness. Lloyd Hale and Ashley Panaggio share their experiences as a college student and young adult battling diseases including depression and anxiety and the importance friends, family, and their community played in their recovery process.

The Webcast coincides with the Campaign for Mental Health Recovery, a national public education campaign aimed to educate young adults about mental illness and encourage them to support their friends experiencing mental health problems. Lloyd and Ashley have served as spokespersons for the Campaign for Mental Health Recovery State Implementation project in their home states of South Carolina and Florida respectively.

Click here to access the CMHS Webcast. For additional information on the Campaign for Mental Health Recovery visit www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov.

On Monday, June 29th, Govenor Dave Heineman announced that Kerry Winterer of Omaha would be appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The Kim Foundation welcomes Mr. Winterer into his new role which he will officially begin on July 13th.

As CEO, Mr. Winterer will oversee the six divisions of DHHS including Behavioral Health, Children and Family Services, Developmental Disabilities, Medicaid and Long-Term Care, Public Health, and Veterans’ Homes. Mr. Winterer acknowledges the challenging task ahead of him but further shares, “The fact that it is large and provides important and many times life sustaining services to citizens of the state is invigorating. The department’s mission provides all the more motivation to find ways to effectively provide those services and make a difference in the lives of so many people.”

The Kim Foundation encourages the Nebraska community to become acquainted with Mr. Winterer and share with him our passion for improving the lives of individuals with mental illness.

Click here to access the full press release announcing Mr. Winterer’s appointment.

From Judie Moorehouse, Consumer Initiatives Coordinator

Region I Behavioral Health Authority has been busy preparing for the new fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2009. Serving eleven counties in western Nebraska, much of the current activity in Region I has been centered on the Peer Support movement.

The recent addition of three, part-time Peer Partner positions have proved to be a wonderful resource. The Peer Partners are employed through Western Community Health Resources and Region 1 Behavioral Health Authority. The Partners receive referrals from the areas Community Support program, therapists, and other sources and provide support to individuals no longer in need of the community support level of care but who desire limited additional support. Region 1 already foresees a waiting list as the need for such services is so great. The Region hopes to continue to expand the program to area hospitals and other agencies in the future.

Multiple training opportunities in the Region 1 area have also been taking place. Kim Carpenter with Trauma Informed Nebraska presented in May and the Region looks forward to doing more work together with Kim in the future. In addition, Judie Moorehouse, Region 1 Consumer Initiatives Coordinator, and Ken Timmerman, Manager of Consumer Affairs for Region 6, co-facilitated Shery Mead’s model of Intentional Peer Support training in the Region 1 and Region 6 service areas. A third training is currently anticipated for the Region 5 area. WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) training has also been provided.

For additional information on these or other happenings in the Region 1 area, please contact Judie Moorehouse, Region 1 Consumer Initiatives Coordinator at (308) 635-3171 or via email at jmoorehouse@pmhc.net.

The 23rd Annual Alternatives Conference, the only national mental health conference organized by and for people diagnosed with mental illnesses, is coming to Omaha! Alternatives will be held October 28th through November 1st at the Hilton Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. Each conference offers in-depth technical assistance on peer-delivered services and self-help/recovery methods.

For additional information on the Alternatives Conference, please visit www.alternatives2009.org. To inquire about scholarship opportunities available, please contact the Mental Health Association of Nebraska at (888) 902-2822 or NAMI-Nebraska at (877) 463-6264.