2269 Saw Mill River Road Building 1A Elmsford, New York 10523 Phone: (914) 345-5900 Fax: (914) 347-8859 www.mhawestchester.org Fall 2009 Board of Directors Officers Norman J. Michaels, Jr. President MHA on the move: Run, Walk, Dance! Raises $250,000 Jeffrey H. Becker, Esq. Patrice Ingrassia Mary Beth Morrissey, Esq. Hon. Vincent R. Rippa Vice Presidents John J. Ryan Treasurer Michael J. Lombardi Secretary Board of Directors Donna Esposito Clarfeld Nora Liss Contract Shelley M. Greenwald, Esq. Geoffrey Kent, Esq. Marion Lynton Tanya D. Norris Hon. Suzi Oppenheimer Bobbi Rebisz Donna M. Renella Jill H. Shore Hon. Nicholas A. Spano Richard T. Suarez Yvonne D. Tropp Mike Wilson CEO/Executive Director Dr. Amy Kohn Runners on the move at the start of the 5K Run/Walk. CNN’s Gerri Willis, Stone Phillips, and CBS’s Lou Young joined MHA in fighting the stigma of mental health issues, helping the organization to raise funds for programs. More than 500 friends and supporters raised $250,000 through MHA on the move: Run, Walk, Dance! a twopart event that included a Gala Dance Celebration held on Thursday, September 24, at The Atrium in White Plains, and MHA’s fifth annual Run/Walk held Saturday, September 26 at Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park. At the Gala Dance Celebration, MHA honored Joe Pantoliano, actor and mental health advocate; Janet Z. Segal, Executive Vice President, Four Winds Hospital; Strategies for MHA Staff…on the move! Amy Kohn, CEO, Doris Schwartz, Associate Executive Director, and Barbara Bernstein, Director of Education and Training, conducted a workshop, It’s All About You: One Agency’s Person-Centered Transformation Journey, at the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services 27th Annual Conference. MHA was featured as an exemplary model of agency transformation to personcentered planning. Please support MHA’s work by making a donation online at www.mhawestchester.org or consider MHA in your will or trust. Wealth, a financial planning and wealth management firm with a strong commitment to helping children; and Dino Venuto, MHA volunteer. Donna Esposito Clarfeld chaired the event, and Stephen J. Jones and Susan C. Christenson served as Honorary Co-Chairs. CNN’s Gerri Willis and MHA Board President, Norman J. Michaels, Jr. hosted the Gala Dance Celebration. Proceeds from MHA on the move: Run, Walk, Dance! will support MHA’s advocacy, education and direct services. “These events help us to address the stigma that too often accompanies having a mental health problem and prevents people from getting the help they need,” said Dr. Amy Kohn, MHA’s CEO and Executive Director. She noted that “these amazing community events bring people together to raise awareness of what we do, and how we help.” continued on page 3 MHA Board Members (left to right) Patrice Ingrassia, Norman Michaels and Hon. Suzi Oppenheimer Doris Schwartz, MHA Associate Executive Director (far left) and Donna Esposito Clarfeld, MHA Board member and event Chair (far right) with Gala Dance Celebration honorees (left to right) Dino Venuto, MHA volunteer; Joe Pantoliano, actor and mental health advocate; Janet Z. Segal, Executive Vice President, Four Winds Hospital; Jerry Harnick, Strategies for Wealth, a financial planning and wealth management firm. Run/Walk host Stone Phillips, CBS’s Lou Young and CNN’s Gerri Willis cheer on the runners as they cross the finish line. Ira S. Stevens Conference: Embracing Transformation “I came with a ‘ho-hum’ attitude, another conference to get through. A pleasant, enriching surprise. Thank you. I’m leaving determined to rock the boat in ‘patient’s’ lives and my professional way of functioning.” Nearly 400 mental health professionals – a record number of participants – joined MHA at the 29th annual Ira S. Stevens Conference, which focused on Person-Centered Mental Health Care. Held at the Westchester County Center in May, the conference highlighted MHA’s transformation initiative which embraces a recovery-based model of practice, utilizing a person-centered approach to service delivery. The Keynote Speaker was Dr. Mark Ragins, a nationally prominent psychiatrist who has promoted and implemented effective means of preparing individuals with psychiatric diagnoses for life in the community. MHA CEO/Executive Director, Dr. Amy Kohn, hosted the event and New York State Commissioner of Mental Health Dr. Michael F. Hogan, and Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Grant Mitchell, addressed how the County and State are implementing personcentered planning and service delivery. Mathew Mathai, Deputy Director, New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, and Joshua Koerner, Executive Director of CHOICE, each spoke of his own recovery and of serving as leaders of recovery organizations. Afternoon breakout sessions provided a variety of opportunities for discussion and further examination of the principles of person-centered planning. MHA’s transformation initiative is inspired by the 2003 report of the New Freedom Commission, Achieving the Promise: Transforming Mental Health in America, which calls for drastic reform of the U.S. mental health system. ❧ Dr. Grant Mitchell (left), Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health Commissioner; Dr. Amy Kohn, MHA CEO/Executive Director; Dr. Michael Hogan, New York State Commissioner of Mental Health, at MHA’s 2009 Ira S. Stevens Conference. MHA Welcomes New Board Members MHA would like to extend a warm welcome to Donna Esposito Clarfeld and Shelley M. Greenwald, Esq., the newest members of MHA’s Board of Directors. Donna Esposito Clarfeld, a resident of Tarrytown, NY, most recently served as Assistant Vice President at M&T Bank, where she was responsible for deposit relationships with major businesses, specifically with the goal of building a presence in Westchester County. Prior to this, Ms. Clarfeld worked at The Bank of New York in various capacities. She is a New York State Life and Health Insurance Agent and is a Series 6 Registered Representative. Shelley M. Greenwald, Esq., a resident of Scarsdale, NY, is an attorney who specializes in employment practices. She advises, consults, trains and handles all aspects of equal employment and diversity issues, including the development and implementation of diversity programs, human resources polices and affirmative action plans. Ms. Greenwald is also an adjunct instructor at Cornell University and the New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations in New York City. Ms. Greenwald received her B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from Lehigh University and a J.D. degree Shelley M. Greenwald, Esq. Donna Esposito Clarfeld from the New York University School of Law. ❧ Success Story: Julia Valles MHA is known for striving toward eradicating the stigma associated with mental illness and providing quality care for those who need it. It is through success stories like that of Julia Valles that the impact of MHA’s programs and services is best understood. Julia, 44, was introduced to MHA through another non-profit organization, Search for Change. The organization, which felt that Julia needed to improve her socialization skills, recommended that she join the Sterling Club, an MHA program based in White Plains, that provides adults with serious mental illnesses opportunities to access volunteer activities, paid employment and the opportunity to make friends. “I didn’t really know anyone and I wasn’t the best person to get along with,” said Julia. At the Sterling Club, case managers told Julia that if 2 By Lyndsay C. Luff Development and Communications Intern she could improve her communication skills, they would give her a job. Soon after taking their advice, Julia began working at Borders in Scarsdale. That was eight years ago, and Julia has been with the company ever since. Having recently transferred to a Borders in Mt. Kisco, she is happy with her decision to join the Sterling Club. “I made the right choice,” she said. MHA has helped Julia in many ways. As an employee of a nationwide corporation and a growing individual, she has learned to strengthen her social skills on her own and in the environments provided to her through MHA. She began volunteering at MHA in the Finance and Billing departments doing filing and helping out with various department tasks. She has also played a role in the fundraising efforts for MHA’s primary annual fundraising event, MHA on the move: Run, Walk, Dance! In addition to helping with logistics for MHA on the move, Julia collects pledges and recruits participants for the Run/Walk. “They’ve given me a great opportunity to be able to volunteer. I’m now getting along with people a lot better and I’ve gotten to interact with different people with different personalities,” said Julia. Though it seems inconvenient for someone without a driver’s license to commute by bus and train from Mount Vernon to Elmsford and Mt. Kisco, she is appreciative of her opportunities and is driven in a less literal sense. “If you want a job that badly, you find a way to get there,” said Julia. Julia continues to take advantage of MHA’s events and activities. At Mt. Kisco Athletic Club’s continued on page 4 Caroline Turner (left), MHA’s Director of Development, and Julia Valles enjoy lunch at The Sterling Clubs’s Annual Transitional Employment Luncheon at Uno’s Chicago Grill. continued from page 1 Thanks to our MHA on the move Sponsors Gold MasterCard Worldwide and Strategies for Wealth Silver Aetna Foundation, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Caspi Development Company, Entergy and Michaels & Associates, Inc. Bronze AstraZeneca, CNN, Eastview Realty Advisors LLC, Janssen LP, MetLife, The Law Offices of Vincent R. Rippa and Streeter Phillips Photography Media Sponsors News12 Westchester, Optimum, Westchester County Business Journal and WFAS Radio With special thanks to Clarfeld Financial Advisors, Inc. Margaret Hadad, Program Director, Long Term Care Ombudsman Program and Dino Venuto, MHA Spirit Award honoree Runners and walkers enjoy entertainment by Hijinx. Volunteers Speak-up for Residents at Long Term Care Facilities Volunteers in MHA’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) advocate for residents’ rights, dignity and quality care. The Program was created in the 1970s as a direct response to the nursing home scandals of that era. MHA has been the designated program for Westchester since 1978. There is no other such program in the County and using volunteers to carry out the mission makes it both unique and cost efficient. The Program’s belief is that residents in long term care facilities will receive better care when trained volunteer Ombudsmen (and women) visit on a regular basis. LTCOP volunteers assist in mediation, negotiation and problem solving, and attend Resident Council and Family Council meetings. LTCOP’s 55 volunteers provide an unparalleled and vital service: In 2008, they visited 8,186 long-term care facility residents (67,212 total visits) at 67 licensed long term care facilities throughout Westchester, including nursing and adult homes, assisted living facilities and enriched housing. The Ombudsmen provided oversight and advocacy for residents, monitored dignity and quality of care, and resolved 1,600 complaints, with 98% satisfaction from those receiving help. Volunteer training occurs each spring and fall and includes a total of 36 hours of instruction through weekly sessions over six weeks. At the end of the training, volunteers receive certification as Ombudsmen by the New York State Office for the Aging and are assigned a facility near their home. Ombudsmen need to make a one year commitment to the program and agree to visit residents a minimum of four hours each week at the assigned facility. If you would like to become a LTCOP volunteer, please call Margaret Hadad at 914-345-5900 ext. 298 or e-mail her at [email protected]. ❧ Volunteer Recognition Luncheon Help a Family for the Holidays Nearly 40 volunteers gathered for MHA’s annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon. Held on June 23 in honor of MHA volunteers, the luncheon is a tribute to this diverse group who dedicate their time to those most in need – seniors in adult homes, troubled adolescents, families needing support – to name a few. “Without you, our dedicated volunteers, many of our programs would not exist, such as CASA, Mentoring, Family and Abuse Court Services, and Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. Other programs, such as the Sterling Club, are enriched by your work,” Dr. Amy Kohn, MHA CEO/Executive Director, said to the volunteers. “We’d also like to thank our Board members, and volunteers who help our staff with our monthly Recovery Speaker Series and quality assurance initiatives.” Dr. Kohn also announced the recipient of this year’s MHA on the move Spirit Award, presented to the volunteer who is tireless in their gift of time and talent to MHA, Long Term Care Ombudsman Program volunteer Dino Venuto. If you are interested in volunteering for MHA, please call Constance Moustakas, Senior Development Associate at (914) 345-5900 ext. 209 or visit the MHA website www.mhawestchester.org for more information. Dear MHA – I thought you would like to know what a wonderful thing it was for Annette to receive the presents for her boys and for herself. She came into my office looking tearful and complaining of stomach pains. When I gave her the gifts, and she saw all the toys and games for Sam and Frank, she burst into tears. She could not believe that someone could be so generous – and she was especially touched that they did not even put their name on the gifts. When she stopped crying she told me that her stomach ache had disappeared – that she had been so miserable at the thought of not being able to give her boys a Christmas that she had felt ill. Then when I gave her the phone card and the A&P cards, she was thrilled. She said she could call her grandmother down south on Christmas, and could get the materials to make her Christmas cookies as well as the food for Christmas dinner. Her whole face lit up. This holiday, please join us in helping our clients like Annette, who, without your support cannot celebrate the holidays. MHA can match you with a family in need of some holiday cheer– a warm jacket, toys for the kids, a holiday meal. To help a family or individual this holiday, call Janice Hansen at 914-345-5900 ext. 202 or email her at [email protected]. 3 The Mental Health Association of Westchester County, Inc. 2269 Saw Mill River Road Building 1A Elmsford, NY 10523 NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID White Plains, NY Permit #1011 Photo credits: Diane Adler Hector Martinez Kristen Moustakas Contract Agency continued from page 2 “MHA Westchester Night,” she participated in ZUMBA, a Latin-inspired dance class. “Wonderful! It was a new experience for me and I met a lot of different people there,” said Julia. Her favorite event is MHA on the Move: Run, Walk, Dance! After having to withdraw from a Peer Advocacy class in 1998 due to illness, Julia’s determination has led her back to the class which she will be taking in October 2009, followed by an internship that she looks forward to completing. She will also be a part of a Peer Network Group in White Plains with Westchester Independent Living Center in which she will be assisting hospital patients. Words of wisdom are often expected to come from parents and grandparents, philosophers and teachers. However, Julia’s experiences have given her the stories to inspire and provide some words of wisdom of her own. “I struggled through a lot growing up, but everyone should know not to give up. Set a goal. My goal was to work here (at MHA) and now I do. Believe in your dreams. My dream was to live comfortably in a nice apartment with a washing machine and a dryer and I’ve been living in a Mount Vernon apartment that has that for three years now. Don’t be afraid. Before, I was afraid to ask questions because someone might get mad at me or I’d say it the wrong way, so I didn’t say anything but being on my own and advocating for myself, I’ve learned just to ask for help,” she said. Julia thanks MHA for being there when she needed help and vows to keep in contact with them. “I’m getting people who are struggling with mental illness and need help to come to MHA by telling them what MHA has done for me. By telling people about the organization and by donating, they could be helping someone they know who needs it. You might need help one day, you never know.” ❧ In Memory MHA mourns the loss of Board member and friend, Margaretta H. Pike. Marg’s life was filled with community voluntarism. She first came to MHA as a United Way liaison volunteer in the early 1980s. Marg served on MHA’s Board for 20 years (1984 – 2004) as co-chair of the Program Committee and for a two-year term as Vice President. We will always remember her dedication, leadership and energy, and her support of MHA. ❧ MHA Staff…Making News! Congratulations to Cindy Peterson-Dana, Family Specialist for MHA’s Children’s Case Management Program, for being selected to receive the Mental Health Association in New York State’s 2009 Family Advocate of the Year Award. www.mhawestchester.org Would you like to receive this newsletter by e-mail? To switch to e-mail delivery, send an e-mail message to Constance Moustakas at [email protected].