Don't Forget These Holiday Giving Opportunities

Toys for Tots

The FunD Committee has launched its Annual Toys for Tots Drive and is collecting donations until December 18. Drop off your donations to a box on the east end of the MHC, by Gordon Peterman's office. You will receive one entry into a drawing for each unwrapped item you donate. Two names will be drawn for two $25 prizes.

To make this campaign even more successful and convenient, the HUB also has a Toys for Tots box. Help us fill the boxes!

Club Interactions Angel Tree

Winter Clothes Drive

Help keep our community warm this winter season by donating new or gently used winter apparel to be given out to individuals in need. The items will be distributed by worker request and through the intake process. Please drop off donations or request items by contacting the IHC or Danna Beam.

2023 HealthWest Holiday Market

Mark your calendars for the HealthWest Staff Holiday Market this Friday, December 15. Stop by the Board Rooms at MHC between 10 am and 1 pm, to shop from twelve HealthWest staff members selling a variety of hand-made goods. 

Crafters and Artists:

Lizette Castaneda – Soy and beeswax candles

Angela Smith – Original paintings

Susan Plotts – Crocheted wares, jewelry, and bath bombs

Chelsea Kirksey- Ceramic housewares and jewelry

Danna Beam – Soaps, lotions, and candles

Sara Zwart – Jewelry and stained-glass decor

Katie Lipski – Woodworking signs and decor

Marjory Erdman – Original acrylic paintings

AnnMarie Russo – Baked goods

Sabrah Visconti – Crocheted and knitted festive kitchen accessories

Callie McDonough – Ornaments and household décor

Lori Shepard – Home-roasted coffee beans 

HealthWest Holidays Spirit Week – December 18-22

December 18 - Holiday Workshop Imposter Monday

Dress like a Holiday character from your favorite holiday movie or TV show (Santa, Mrs. Claus, Frosty, Reindeer, Grinch, Elf, Toy, Dreidel, etc.)

December 19 - Festive Hat Tuesday

Bust out your best seasonal or holiday themed hat and take part in team photos.

December 20 - Wacky Wednesday

Wear your funniest or most outrageous holiday sweater or socks.

December 21 - Throwback Thursday

Feeling a little nostalgic? It is time to wear your favorite holiday gear inspired by past decades.

December 22 - The Night Before…

Wear a seasonal shirt with word(s). Then challenge your team to create their very own holiday story. Start off with “The night before…” and then each team member takes a turn adding on to the story . Their added part must contain the words on their shirt. By the end, your team will have a hilarious and unique tale.

Other Ideas to help spread cheer:

• White elephant with a twist – Draw names and instead of gifts share your appreciation. Everyone writes a heartfelt note of appreciation for their recipient. Reading anonymous positive feedback can be a warm experience for everyone.
• Team Potluck – Share the gift of food and time with your team.
• Flannel Day – Stay nice and cozy in your favorite flannel.
• Colors of the Season - wear greens, reds, silver, white, blue, &/or gold
• Recipe Relay - Everyone writes down their favorite recipe on a card. The cards are then collected, shuffled, and re-distributed. Next try to cook or bake the recipe at your convenience and bring it in during the month of December for everyone to try. Additionally, your team can choose to combine the recipes into team “cookbooks.”

Welcome to New CIO Kristi Chittenden

HealthWest PPE and Staff Safety Requirements

As we are about to enter our fourth year of living in a world with COVID-19, it’s important to know that COVID-19 is still around. People can still get severely sick from this virus, and it can even be fatal to others. With the arrival of colder weather, we are beginning to see COVID-19 infection rates increase again.

It is critical we continue to take steps to protect our coworkers and the individuals we serve.

With that in mind, HealthWest has recently updated its procedures regarding COVID-19. All staff have been assigned a module through Relias, which is due by December 22, to attest that they have read this updated procedure.

Please contact your supervisor if you have questions about our agency’s COVID-19 response or our policies or procedures.

Thank you for your continued efforts to keep our community safe and healthy. 

New Caregiver Education

Veterans Cultural Competency Training Now Available

Rachel Harden is now serving as HealthWest's Veteran Service Navigator. Her new role means improved services for veterans in our community and a return of our Veterans Cultural Competency training.

This course is intended to assist anyone in understanding the military/veteran culture and mindset. Topics include information about the training involved for a service member, some basic military terminology, and an overview of the “VA”. The goal of this course it to provide a better understanding of the differences between military/veteran culture and civilian culture.

This training is a CCBHC requirement and has been assigned in Relias to staff who have not previously completed the course.

If you are currently assigned this course, log into Relias and select which session you would like to attend.

How to Request Marketing Materials

If you have a need for flyers, brochures, posters, etc. you can request on The Compass by clicking the Marketing Request Form button on the right side of your screen.

All you have to do is answer a few brief questions and give our Community Relations Team a description of what you are looking for and any other important information.

We have also recently added the option to upload supporting documents, image or other files to the request.

If you have any questions, email us at [email protected].

Ethics Training Dates

Community Mental Health Association of Michigan Presents: Virtual Navigating Ethical Challenges: An Interactive Virtual Training for Social Workers, SUD Professionals, and Recipient Rights Experts.

Join us for a comprehensive virtual training, "Navigating Ethical Challenges," where social workers, substance use disorder professionals, and recipient rights experts come together to explore the intricate landscape of ethics. This seminar offers a deep exploration of ethical considerations in the field, covering essential topics such as autonomy and competence, ethical codes and standards, informed consent, boundary management, dual relationships, ethics surrounding telehealth, conflicts of interest, and common ethical challenges and pitfalls. Ethical problem-solving models will be presented, discussed, and utilized through interactive case studies. Engage in in-depth discussions, learn from expert lectures, participate in interactive breakout sessions, and develop practical strategies for ethical problem-solving. This multi-media seminar aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to navigate ethical dilemmas effectively, enhancing your ethical practice and professional growth.

This course qualifies for 6 CEs and fulfills:

• The Michigan Social Work Licensing Board’s requirement for licensure renewal for ethics.
• The MCBAP approved treatment ethics code education – specific.

Pain Management Training Dates

Community Mental Health Association of Michigan Presents: Virtual Cultivating Compassion: A Multidimensional Approach to Pain Management in Mental Health Practice

Chronic pain is a complex and often debilitating condition that can have profound impacts on an individual's mental and emotional well-being. As mental health professionals, we play a critical role in the holistic care of individuals experiencing pain. Join us in this 2-hour virtual training, "Transforming Pain into Resilience," which is tailored to empower mental health professionals with holistic insights into chronic pain management. Pain, with its intricate sensory and emotional facets, will be unraveled, clarifying the multifaceted nature of pain. Participants will delve into comprehensive pain assessment tools, appreciating the physical, psychological, and social factors contributing to suffering, all while fostering an empathetic and collaborative approach within multidisciplinary teams. This seminar offers psychotherapeutic approaches to pain management, including CBT strategies, Motivational Interviewing tools and Mindfulness exercises. Attendees will gain essential knowledge and practical skills to better support individuals in treatment who are dealing with chronic pain issues. This seminar will feature interactive and engaging elements, including lectures, discussions, Q&A sessions, and multimedia components.

This course qualifies for 2 CEs and fulfills the Michigan Social Work Licensing Board’s requirement for licensure renewal for pain management. 

DBT Foundational training is a comprehensive program of study designed specifically for individual therapists or skills trainers who are members of an intensively trained DBT Consultation Team and have not completed DBT Intensive Training themselves. It is meant to assist teams who have hired new staff or experienced turnover by providing newer team members with training in the standard content of DBT. Foundational training includes 4 hours of content specific to risk assessment, management, and treatment of suicidal behaviors. Lecture, video, demonstration, and practice will be used to teach DBT theory and strategies in depth. This live, remote, instructor-led course consists of twenty 90-minute modules delivered via video conference for a total of 30 instructor-led hours. Each module includes reading and homework tasks.

Prerequisites: This training requires that participants work in an active DBT program, currently participate in a consultation team, and will continue learning DBT with a mentor/team leader. (If you are a new team/in process of developing a team, please reach out so that we can explore ways to support your team with mentor/team leader). Only people who have attended an approved comprehensive training in DBT (e.g., Intensive or Foundational) may serve as mentors for team members attending Foundational Training. The following specific requirements must be documented in your application:

• Membership in a comprehensively trained DBT Consultation team that has been functioning for at least 1 year past completion of comprehensive training.
• A member of the same consultation team as you must serve as your mentor/team leader during the training and for 1 year after completion of your training.
• Mentors/team leaders must meet the following qualifications: 
• Be an active member of a functioning DBT consultation team for at least 2 years post their own comprehensive DBT training, and
• Must have received comprehensive training.

More Information & Registration Coming Soon!

Anniversaries

New Staff Members

Transfers & Promotions

Name Changes

Separations