Following several recent traumatic incidents, both locally and nationally, the Psychological First Aid Team will be hosting a PFA response for members of the HealthWest staff.

The PFA team will partner with the Sound Bathing group to offer a joint PFA Response-Sound Bathing session from 12-1 pm, on Wednesday, May 10, at the CRU Gym (1364 Terrace St. – Please enter off the Catawba Ave. entrance). The team will also provide information on grounding techniques to assist staff affected by these traumatic situations.

Staff participating in the session are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and bring their own yoga mat, blanket and/or pillow.

Please reach out to Kara Jaekel if you have any questions.

Thanks for all you do!

What: PFA Response – Sound Bathing Session

Time: 12-1pm

Date: Wednesday, May 10

Place: CRU Gym (1364 Terrace St. – Please enter off the Catawba Ave. entrance)

Get ready to impress your neighbors and wow your friends at your next summer party!

The spring FunD raffle is packed with summer goods and gift cards that you could use to spruce up and prepare your space for summer festivities.

Medicaid and grant funding don’t allow us the flexibility to invest in our staff the way we want to. That’s where the FunD Committee comes in! The FunD Committee is funded by staff to reinvest in staff and the community. They coordinate fun events that raise money that often goes right back to support staff via giveaways, food and events.

SUPPORT FUND ... SUPPORT EACH OTHER!

You can follow the link below to sign up for items you're interested in winning. Once you have saved your spot, you can finalize it by donating to the FunD committee by giving cash/check directly to Gordon Peterman or using one of the following platforms:

Venmo: Send a donation to @HealthWest

Cash App: Send a donation to $HealthWest

Tune into the live raffle party following the Westies on Thursday, May 18, at 4 pm to hear the winners announced live.

Support our staff and claim your spots today!

https://volunteersignup.org/KAH4E

FunD Luncheon - May 24

You are all invited to participate in the FunD Committee’s walking taco luncheon! On Wednesday, May 24, from 11:30 am to 1 pm, the committee will have everything you need to make your own walking taco. Stop by the MHC lunchroom to pick up your lunch.

Do you work outside of MHC? Get together with your coworkers to place an order by emailing Gordon Peterman. Your order will be ready for pickup on the day of the luncheon. 

There is no firm cost to participate in the lunch, but donations are certainly appreciated to support the FunD Committee. You can bring cash to the lunch or donate using one of our electronic payment platforms:

Venmo: Send a donation to @HealthWest

Cashapp: Send a donation to $HealthWest

PayPal: Send a donation to @HealthWest or [email protected] (remember to send via "friends and family")

HealthWest and the Lakeshore Regional Entity are working to collect feedback from the individuals we serve, and we need your help.

Starting this week, a new digital satisfaction survey is available for individuals receiving services at HealthWest and our contracted providers. This survey asks a variety of questions about their experience, and the feedback will be used to guide future decision-making.

This survey is for anyone who receives Medicaid-funded medical services, adult/youth case management, mental health outpatient services, long-term support services, substance use disorder residential treatment, substance use disorder outpatient services, detox, or methadone services through HealthWest or one of our contracted providers.

It is extremely important that we obtain as much feedback as possible: both positive and negative.

Over the next month, we ask that you encourage any individuals in services you encounter (or their guardians) to complete the survey.



Individuals can access the survey by scanning the QR code or by visiting https://bit.ly/LREsurvey. Laptop computers will be available at HealthWest locations for individuals to complete digital surveys. Signage and handouts containing the link and QR code will also be available throughout our facilities and with our providers.

Paper surveys will be available at the front desk of each HealthWest location and at our contracted providers. They can also be requested by contacting Customer Services at [email protected]. However, we should strive to use the digital survey when possible.

We ask that you encourage the individuals you work with to complete these surveys. This feedback will be used to guide services in our region, so it is critical that we receive honest, comprehensive feedback. To help you spread the word, we've created a flyer that you can print and give to individuals in services or display in your work area.

The LRE will complete a “snapshot” analysis of surveys conducted through June 9. However, the survey will remain live beyond June 9 for individuals to continue providing feedback.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Kelly Betts at [email protected] or 231-260-2590. 

MI Peers is hosting the 2023 Michigan Peer Conference, "Walking Together With Resilience: The Vital Role of Peers" in Lansing June 6th through 8th. CEUs are available. This event is the largest peer conference in Michigan.

click image to see conference program