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Vol. 2, No. 4
April 2011
MFS CHRONICLE
JEREMY MITCHELL, a health mentor in the InShape
program, briefs runners and walkers before the start of
the first Kids InShape Run-Walk in Wheelock Park.
THEY’RE OFF – participants in the Kids InShape Run-Walk begin the
event at the entrance to Wheelock Park.
KIDS INSHAPE HOLDS RUN-WALK EVENT
Twenty-eight program participants, their parents and siblings joined in a fun run-walk for Kids InShape Friday (April 22) at Wheelock park in Keene.
There were prizes for the kids who participated and healthy snacks available after the one-mile run and walk through the park on Keene’ s west side.
“It was a challenge to get everyone out to do this event,” said Peter Sebert, InShape program coordinator. In the future, he said, “we hope to make this a community wide event.”
MFS STAFF MAINTAIN A LIFELINE
TO PEOPLE IN NEED OF HOPE
Day in and day out, the staff at Monadnock Family Services perform minor miracles out of sight of the public and the legislature. They hold out a lifeline of hope for people who have no other means of coping. Proposed drastic cuts in New Hampshire’s mental health budget endanger those services.
Here is a sampling of what MFS staff do for people without a voice and sometimes, without hope:
--CHELSEA was 4 years old child when she was seriously sexually abused by her biological father. The abuse consisted of various forms of penetration in every part of her. She was too traumatized to disclose what her father had done to her. Soon, she began exhibiting behavior symptoms in pre-school and at home.
She began smearing feces, would not listen to anyone and refused to participate in play groups. She remained silent when asked what was the matter. Her mother brought her to treatment. At a number of treatment sessions with clinicians at Monadnock Family Services, she continued to draw but remained silent except for talking about birds flying from the nest or out of windows. Her Family Support Service (FSS) staffer from MFS began taking her out into the community.
One day, two years later at age 6, a year after her parents divorced because of serious domestic violence, she was seeing her father at ARK, the MFS supervised visitation center. Her father told her he had a new family with two young children.
Chelsea suddenly asked her father, “Are you going to do to them what you did to me?” The father was silent. Chelsea asked again. From that point the full disclosure of what the father had done unfolded with the visitation staff, Chelsea’s FSS worker and her therapist. The case was brought to court, the father was convicted and currently is in prison.
None of this would have occurred without an array of services specifically set up for traumatized children who cannot disclose because of the trauma and need a multi-faceted, community- based approach to provide the safety they need in a normalized setting to be able to be secure enough to disclose and protect other children from the same. These are some of the services that would be unavailable to these children and their families under proposed budget cuts.
--TONY came to MFS at age 5 as a wild child, in diapers and still drinking out of a bottle. Therapists worked that summer getting him ready for school and by September he was able to attend elementary school in Keene. As a result of a tremendous collaborative effort on the part of the school, MFS and the state’s Division of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), Tony was taken from his mother and placed in foster care.
Within months he even walked differently, likely the result of finally possessing some self-esteem. He learned to speak so that others could understand him, learned to eat things other than frozen peas (which we assumed his mother gave him when he was hungry), was toilet-trained and began learning social skills.
His foster parents adopted him, undeterred by a mistaken diagnosis that was the result of his stunted life with his biological mother. Today Kyle is a typical, happy, healthy teen-ager with average intelligence and age-appropriate social skills, habits, and interests.
A t14, he is a far cry from the lost little boy who first came to MFS. Proposed budget cuts would eliminate from the community some of the services that helped Tony.
--KAY was dealing with depression and found herself homeless when Melanie Diehl, her caseworker at Monadnock Family Services, entered her life. Kay was “skittish” at her first meeting with Melanie but she soon discovered she had an ally in her efforts to right her life.
After a stay in the hospital and then in a nursing home, when she felt all odds were against her, Kay got reassuring comfort from Melanie’s assistance.
Eventually, Melanie helped her find an apartment in a senior citizen complex but the unit was unsafe for her and she needed to move. With Melanie’s help, Kay will be living in an apartment in Winchester.
“Without her, I wouldn’t here today,” says Kay.
Melanie Diehl is one of the many caseworkers at Monadnock Family Services who day in and day out, help their clients confront challenges as they cope with their mental illness.
--ALFRED relies on his case manager. “If I have a crisis I can talk it over with my case manager and avoid going into the hospital. Some times I get depressed and I need support from someone. A case manager can help me feel better. A case manager can help with benefits and get you answers. I think of a case manager as a close friend.”
CHRIS SELMER, RN, left, director of the Adult Care
Center in Jaffrey, and Danielle Hull of the MFS
administrative staff, sort MFS-labeled items given to
everyone who visited the Blood Drive April 19
MAURICE BARRETT, left, of Keene, an RSVP Volunteer, talks with Chris
Selmer, RN, at the welcoming table for the blood drive.
THESE FOUR WOMEN, all RSVP Volunteers, helped at the canteen that
was part of the Blood drive on April 19. Left to right are Phinie Faux,
Ruth Barrett, Lyn Wilcox and Kathleen Kennedy Burke.
J.J. PRIOR of Sullivan was among the volunteers who showed up at the
April 19 American Red Cross Blood Drive sponsored by Monadnock Family
Services. He’s being tended to here by Christina Colquitt of Bow, a member
of the American Red Cross Bloodmobile staff.
TRISH NEWTON, left, an RSVP Volunteer, and Kathy Baird, a member
of the RSVP Volunteer staff at Monadnock Family Services, greeted donors
at the Red Cross Blood Drive April 19.
MFS-SPONSORED BLOOD DRIVE
AT KEENE CHURCH SUCCESSFUL
More than 45 people showed up at St. Bernard’s Church the afternoon and evening of April 19 to give blood to the American Red Cross.
The blood drive, sponsored by Monadnock Family Services in conjunction with the American Red Cross, hit its goal of 45 pints of blood. In addition to the professional staff from the Red Cross, volunteers from the MFS staff -- Chris Selmer, RN, Danielle Hull and Kathy Baird -- and from RSVP/Monadnock Volunteer Center also participated.
Blood donors were treated to juice and snacks after their donation and also were given mementoes of the visit with the MFS logo.
The blood drive was held from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the social hall of St. Bernard’s Church in downtown Keene.
 NOTE FROM JAYME:
At a time like this with all the talk of budget cuts and diminishing services, it is hopeful for us to remember that our work is indeed effective. It helps people to make sense out of their lives, reduces symptoms, and improves the quality of one’s life. Our work should be revered, cherished and nurtured.
Our ongoing mission to inspire hope in others is alive and well and being acted upon by MFS staff, our Board and our supporters. We won’t let the hope of those we serve to be diminished by a legislature looking to balance the state budget on the backs of the people who require mental health support and services in their communities.
Most recently the U.S. Department of Justice made a legal decision to indict the State of New Hampshire for years of cuts to the state’s mental health system. These cuts have left the state unable to adequately perform its federally mandated services at the community level. It is not that we have not tried to “do more with less”; it is, in fact, that the reduced dollars can no longer be stretched far enough.
People with mental illness who are hospitalized or incarcerated in jail because their community lacked proper facilities to treat them are protected by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It was New Hampshire’s violation of the ADA that prompted the indictment. Removing people from institutions and sending them back to their communities for treatment and support is a human rights issue that was fought and won 25 years ago in America. New Hampshire’s resistance to fund those federally mandated services is unacceptable. Finally, they are being called to task for their neglect.
With that said, the fight is not over and we must continue to empower our consumers and advocate in their behalf to be sure their voices are heard. Living in an institution in this day and age is simply wrong. It is our job to sustain their endeavor and allow their beliefs to remain uncompromised.
We are dealing with a string of unknowns and it’s likely we won’t know for some time the outcome of the state budget and its funding for mental health or the future of the proposed capitation financing system or the House proposal that we serve fewer people.
As a result of all these unknowns, we are shifting some priorities within MFS. Our plan to implement a Task Force on the Future is on hold temporarily along with more middle management training.
In its place, beginning in May, I will begin holding regular information sharing and listening sessions. A representative from each department will be invited to attend an hour-long meeting during which time I will provide updates on state and community activities and answer questions that staff representatives will bring to those meetings. A summary of that information will be made available to all staff following those meetings.
In addition, May 2 marks the arrival of our new Recovery Director, Joe Forscher. The Recovery Department has experienced many changes throughout this year and this new director represents further change. Respecting how challenging that is for everyone we have asked our consultant, Phil Suter, to meet specifically with the managers of programs serving adults and help ensure the smooth transition for the new leadership.
I appreciate your dedicated focus on consumer care during these times of change and challenges. Service is our number one priority and we have not faltered.
JAYME COLLINS
CEO
EDITOR’S NOTE: Emily Marks fills dual role at Monadnock Family Services – as a legislative liaison, helping us with our relationships with the New Hampshire legislature and as a community and family services associate for MFS’s Children’s Department. She was struck by how generous many individuals and businesses in our community are in behalf of the young people we serve. We asked her to tell us about her experiences. Emily has been with us for a short time and may encounter other businesses and individuals who also assist MFS and its consumers and we’ll ask her to write later about those, too.
REFLECTIONS ON A COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIP
By Emily Marks
It is well known that those of us who work at MFS strive every day to support the wellness of our community. I would like to take a moment to reflect on some of the ways I have observed the community, in turn, supports us -- whether individuals recognize that they are supporting us or not.
The topic came up in one of our Children’s Department meetings last week. For many years the Best Western has allowed us to bring clients to their pool for free, and some of my colleagues wanted to make sure we had formally thanked them. We have a very limited amount of money to spend on each client every month. Every little perk or discount helps, especially since I end up spending most of my clients’ activities stipend on after-school snacks. I began thinking about other services various community members provide, monetary or otherwise.
Several businesses provide marketable services to MFS direct service providers at a reduced cost or for free. As noted, the Best Western allows free use of their pool. Yankee Lanes gives us coupons so that we may bowl for free, paying only for shoe rental. Wendy’s, Burger King, and McDonalds have all given me coupons for free menu items that I have used for my clients.
The Montshire Museum of Science in Vermont gives us coupons for free admission. The Keene Public Library has a fantastic space and many resources where my clients and I can do projects together. On occasion, the Keene Public Library will clean out multiple copies of old books and give them to us, which we can then give to our clients. The Keene Library also provided lending cards for our children so they can take out and read books they would otherwise not have access to. Equally important, however removed from direct service, are our community allies who donate their time and energy to advocate for MFS politically. We are also supported substantially by donors like the United Way and individual community members.
My clients have been the recipients of non-monetary services as well. Stonewall Farm allows the public to poke around and learn about the farm animals and plants. I have had very positive experiences when taking my clients to see the animals at the Monadnock Humane Society or Petco. Even at restaurants, my clients always seem to get extra whipped cream on their hot cocoa or an unbidden kind comment from a stranger. It has an appreciable impact on my clients’ self-esteem. The personnel at each organization have always been polite and helpful when answering my clients’ questions, serving as wonderful models for appropriate community interaction.
Of course, none of the people or businesses I am talking about know that my clients are associated with MFS when we walk in the door. Unless we use a coupon with “Monadnock Family Services” printed on it, none of them will ever know.
It is very likely that my clients get the responses they do because they are super cute. When they are out in the community with me, they are usually even well-behaved. I suspect that when the barista gives them double chocolate sauce with sprinkles, or when elderly strangers stop us to tell the kids how darling they are it is because they appreciate seeing adorable, well-behaved children. It has nothing to do with any perceived affiliation with MFS.
I tremendously appreciate the businesses and people who support my clients, whether they do it consciously by donating coupons and resources or unconsciously by rewarding my clients’ good behaviors. My colleagues and I work very hard to help our clients process challenges in life while remaining integrated in the community. It is comforting to see consistent evidence that the community is worthy of having my clients among its ranks.
MFS HOSTS STATE-SPONSORED
‘IT’S ALL ABOUT SUCCESS’ SERIES
The state is sponsoring a series of workshops in Keene designed for “families helping adult loved ones with mental illness to realize their dreams.”
“It’s All About Success” weekly series began April 20 and will continue through May 11.
Kathy LaBarre, program director for Work Incentive, Planning and
Assistance for Granite State Independent Living, was the presenter for the first session held Monadnock Family Services’ 93rd Street location. LaBarre talked about how someone receiving disability benefits could ease into the work force. Meghan Girouard, representing MFS’ Supportive Employment program, also participated in the first session.
Marty Fuller of the New Hampshire Bureau of Behavioral Health was the presenter for the second and third sessions (April 27 and May 4). On April 27, she discussed how families can help loved ones with mental illness identify and achieve personal goals. On May 4, she will discuss ways to be an effective communicator.
Cindy Robertson of the Disabilities Rights Center will be the final presenter on May 11, helping families understand the laws and how loved ones can use the law to achieve their goals.
The series, hosted by MFS, was sponsored by the Office of Consumer and Family Affairs, Bureau of Behavioral Health in collaboration with the Disabilities Rights Center, Granite State Independent Living, NAMI NH, West Central Behavioral Health and the Granite State Employment Project/Medicaid Infrastructure Grant.
JAYME’S MESSAGE WIDELY CIRCULATED
Jennifer Bowler, development director at MFS, has been meeting with local police and firefighters and teacher associations to generate support for mental healthcare rights.
“I have received positive responses from many of these groups to continue with a letter-writing and call-in campaign to raise awareness within the legislature of our issues related to propose state budget cuts for mental health,” Bowler said.
The opinion piece that Jayme Collins, CEO of MFS, wrote for The Keene Sentinel, and her comments in the aftermath of the House budget approval have been well received by the associations and union leaderships and now have been circulated to 80,000 of their members statewide, Bowler said.
NEED TO KNOW FACILITATOR
ADDRESSES CROTCHED MOUNTAIN BOARD
Linda Bedell, facilitator of Need to Know, the only peer group
to publish a newsletter at a community mental health center in New Hampshire, recently addressed the Board of Directors of the Harry Gregg Foundation meeting at the Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center in Greenfield, New Hampshire.
She traced the beginning of the newsletter from its origins as a two-page edition later expanded to four and preparing to go to six pages. The Harry Gregg Foundation, named for the founder of Crotched Mountain, provided a start-up grant that Bedell has used to collaborate with others to create the Need to Know newsletter.
The consumer group that writes and edits the monthly newsletter also invite people from the region to address their group and offer advice to help them with community links. That information is shared in the newsletter.
Bedell credits Jayme Collins, chief executive officer at Monadnock Family Services, with finding space and providing support for the Need to Know staff at MFS’s 93rd Street offices.
The newsletter observed its first anniversary with a celebration at the Keene Public Library in February.
Robin Boyd, grants administrator for the Harry Gregg Foundation, said of Linda Bedell’s presentation to the Foundation Board, “She did a great job here. We were happy to have her here.”
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