A publicatio n of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health -December 2017
SEASON'S GREETINGS
On behalf of the DMH Office of Communications and Community, we wish you a wonderful holiday season. Enjoy this edition of DMH Connections and we look forward to your contributions in 2018! 
CBH RELEASES A TOOL TO BETTER DEFINE YOUNG ADULT PEER MENTORING
The CBH Center recently released a practice profile aimed at defining the activities involved in young adult peer mentoring. A method first developed by the National Implementation Research Network (NIRN), a practice profile is a tool that breaks down large concepts such as “engagement” into discreet skills and activities that can be taught, learned, and observed.

The Young Adult Peer Mentor (YAPM) Practice Profile was a co-created product that was produced by the CBH Knowledge Center. The Knowledge Center partnered with the SAMHSA funded Success for Transition Age Youth (STAY) grant,  MassHealth’s Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI) , young adult peer mentors, state agency staff, and supervisory staff from young adult peer mentoring provider agencies. Young adults played a major role in the development of the profile; 64% of the total workgroup participants were young adults. The YAPM Practice Profile can be used to engage system partners such as DMH case managers, families, youth etc. for staff selection and recruitment activities, and to support ongoing training and staff development activities.
SECRETARY SUDDERS JOINS METRO BOSTON THANKSGIVING DINNER
Over 150 volunteers joined Secretary Sudders, Commissioner Mikula and DMH staff at Florian Hall in Dorchester to provide meals to more than 500 individuals served by the Department. This year was the largest crowd to date and extra tables were needed to ensure that everyone was served. The Friends of Metro Boston Thanksgiving Dinner is a DMH tradition started 14 years ago by former Sen. Jack Hart and is currently sponsored by Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry, the Boston Firefighters Local 718, Massport, the Friends of Metro Boston, and a large cast of private citizens and members of the mental health community.
CALL FOR WORKSHOPS FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL SUCCESS-FEST
SAVE THE DATE
DMH Central MA Area
Third Annual Success-Fest!
Theme: H.O.P.E.: Healing, Opportunity, Prevention, Education
March 16, 2018, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Success-fest is a day-long event sponsored by DMH and Wayside that highlights Transition Age Youth (TAY) services and is intended for Young Adults and their families receiving services, as well as service providers. It is a day of inspiration, fun, and creativity!

CALL FOR WORKSHOPS: Six workshops will be selected for three concurrent presentation periods: a morning, noon, and afternoon session. Workshops will be 60 minutes in duration, including time for questions and answers. The selected presentations will be based on the project’s content and significance to the convention’s objectives, as well as the mix of applications.

Applications are due January 12, 2018
STAFF NEWS
CONGRATULATIONS 2017 PERFORMANCE RECOGNITION PROGRAM RECIPIENTS
Over the last several months, ceremonies were held at Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH and the Massachusetts State House to acknowledge the 2017 Performance Recognition Program (PRP) Citation for Outstanding Performance award winners.
 The PRP awards recognize state employees whose contributions display exemplary performance in public service. The awards highlight the consistent, positive achievements of both teams and individuals who demonstrate innovation and dedication to their work and speak to the quality of their performance in public service as well as within our agency.

The Boston Safe Haven Implementation Team received the Manuel Carballo Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service. The award is in honor of the late Secretary of Human Services, and given annually to employees or groups of employees who exemplify the highest standards of public service.

In addition, Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital Nurse Educator Sharyn DiLauro received the Eugene H. Rooney, Jr. Public Service Award. This award highlights human resource development as a planned, continuous effort to provide personal and professional growth opportunities.

DMH is proud of all of our 2017 Award receipients and thankful for all of the work done each day for our adults, children, young adults, and families served.
SHEILA KENNEDY AWARDED AT STEPHANIE MOULTON SYMPOSIUM
Each year the Stephanie Moulton Memorial Award is given to a direct care worker who demonstrates exemplary performance. Sheila Kennedy, a Peer Coordinator for the Peer Support Line and the Boston Resource Center received this year's award. Stephanie Mouton's mother Kim Flynn and DMH Assistant Commissioner of Mental Health Services Brooke Doyle presented the award to Sheila at the 6th Annual Symposium held on December 1 at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston.
Looking for new learning and development opportunities? Use the DMH Learning and Development Calendar to search for a variety of opportunities in your area or statewide. The learning calendar is updated on an ongoing basis with personal and professional development opportunities as well as continuing education events. Easily filter your search by clicking on any of the color-coded categories that are displayed on the calendar.
The DMH Events Calendar is the one stop location for upcoming mental health related events planned around the state. 

FEATURED UPCOMING EVENTS



DECEMBER POLL
What's your favorite thing about the holidays?
Spending time with family and friends
The food
Gift giving
Bah humbug!
NOVEMBER QUIZ ANSWER
QUESTION : Based on veterans who have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), how many have PTSD in a given year 0-10%, 11-20% or 21-30%?

ANSWER: Between 11-20% of veterans who served in OIF or OEF have PTSD in a given year. About 11-20 out of every 100 Veterans according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Kudos to the 17% of responders who answered correctly.
Tell us what you think about DMH Connections or this issue by sending feedback.
FOR NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS CONTACT:
Michelle Cormier - Communications Coordinator

To view past issues of DMH Connections visit our  Archive page

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