NCAA Brackets Are Starting Soon!

Who's ready for college basketball? The FunD Committee has organized some March Madness for staff! Follow the links below to fill out a bracket for only $2.

Each bracket winner will have a donation made to the charity of their choice.

Selection Sunday is this weekend, so get registered and plan to submit your bracket early next week.

If you have any questions, contact Gordon Peterman.

Muskegon County Employee Appreciation Day 2024

Save the date for Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Muskegon County Airport. The event includes tickets to the 2024 Wings Over Muskegon Air Show for each Muskegon County employee and immediate family members. Tickets are limited and an RSVP will be sent out soon.

The planning process is still in the works, so more details are to follow. The information is being sent out via email from the county, but we will publish updates in the newsletter as they are available. Keep an eye out for more information to come!  

Where to Find Executive Director's Updates

During a recent All-Staff Meeting, Rich mentioned that some staff have asked him where they could find his updates on what is going on at HealthWest. We will walk you through that right now.

1. Visit www.healthwest.net/about/
2. Click "Board Info & Packets" toward the bottom of the page (below our board photos)
3. Here, you can download upcoming meeting packets and previous meeting minutes
4. Each packet includes updates Rich has presented to the board (as well as other important board info)

Staff are encouraged to attend our Board meetings to learn more about our agency's operations. You can participate in person or via the virtual option listed. There are plenty of opportunities to ask questions and raise concerns. By attending board meetings, you will learn what is happening at HealthWest and get insight into what is coming soon.

Call for DAISY Award Nominations

If you haven't heard of the DAISY Foundation or would like to know more about them, below are some helpful links:

• DAISY Web Video 2018 on Vimeo
• New Homepage | DAISY Foundation      

You can also submit your nomination by clicking on the image above.

If you have any questions, contact Holly Brink.

The Westies Are Back!

It is time again to celebrate those staff members who embody our agency values. The 4^th Annual Westies will be held virtually on Thursday, May 16, and will recognize 20 HealthWest staff members in the categories of Diversity, Development, Excellence, and Integrity. Nominations will begin on April 1. 

A FunD raffle will be hosted directly following the event. Stay tuned for more information on this year's prizes and how to participate. 

Mileage Reimbursement

In the case that an agency vehicle is not available when travel is required to perform work duties, staff may elect to use a personal vehicle and are eligible for mileage reimbursement. To submit for mileage reimbursement, simply complete the online Mileage Reimbursement Form. All mileage requests are due to Accounts Payable by the 15th of each month in order to process. Submissions after the 15th won't be processed until the following month. 

The payment will be issued as a separate check. However, you now have the opportunity to have your mileage requests direct deposited instead! Fill out the ACH form which can be found on the County Intranet or attached here. Forward the completed form to [email protected].

Email the Accounts Payable team with any questions.

LAT43 Updates

Crisis Residential Shift Notes 

Staff will now have the ability to view all crisis residential shift notes for all individuals. This feature is now embedded in the Residential menu as a new item. 

LAT43 Help 

Need assistance navigating our EHR system or just have general questions? Help is readily available to ensure smooth operations and maximize efficiency within LAT43. Contact Deangelo Williams to schedule a time for support. 

BH-TEDS Tips

Please ask consumers all questions at Service Start, Update(s) and Service End so we can capture any changes that have occurred during treatment. This allows us to submit the most accurate data and provide a complete picture of the treatment episode.

The following questions located in the EHR workflows require special attention.

Number of Arrests in the past 30 days

On Update/End records, enter the number of arrests the individual had in the past 30 days or since the service start/most recent update, whichever is shorter. Therefore, if the arrest is reported on admission, the same arrest should not be counted on the Update or Discharge.

Type of treatment service setting

For most MH records, choose MH Community-Based Program on the Admission/Service Start record. MH Individual - Assessment Only cannot be updated and should not be used for consumers who will receive ongoing services. Preadmission Screenings for hospitalization should also use MH Community-Based Program as individuals are often referred to HealthWest at discharge. MH Assessment only should only be used if the individual will not receive any HealthWest services after assessment.

If you have any BH-TEDS questions or need assistance, please email [email protected]. Your email will be routed to the BH-TEDS Team if needed. 

Positive Affirmations Coming Your Way

The Staff Support Committee is sending you positive affirmations and good vibes! The claw machine is currently at the MHC until March 15. MCA is up next and will host the machine through the end of the month. Then it is off to Marquette on Monday, April 1.

Human Trafficking Training

HealthWest is offering a Human Trafficking course with CEUs free of charge to assist individuals in meeting their licensure requirements.

This training will discuss what human trafficking is, how to recognize potential victims, address barriers around reporting and legalities, and share best practices for providing support and restoration to victims and survivors. This presentation will also discuss the role of trauma and the impact it has on victims and survivors in their journey of restoration.  

We currently have a class set for this Friday, March 15 from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm with 14 people registered. We can have up to 50 people attend, so don't hesitate and register today!

Do You Kata?

Toyota Kata is a structured way to create a culture of continuous learning and improvement at all levels. The practice is grounded in two fundamental routines: the Improvement Kata and the Coaching Kata. Attendees will learn how to set a challenge and engage in a scientific way of thinking to meet that challenge. This way of thinking will empower staff to take on challenges, develop solutions, and to grow themselves, their program, and the organization. This training is in-person and designed to be an interactive workshop where the group will engage in discussion and in the practice of Kata. Attendees will be provided with both online and hard copy resources for continued learning and to use in their own Kata practice. 

We have a Kata training session coming up soon:

• Thursday, March 21
• 8:30 am - 11:30 am
• MHC Board Room B & C

We currently have 12 people registered and can have up to 25 participants, so register soon and save your seat!

2024 Caregiver Summit and Resource Fair

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VHA) Caregiver Support Program (CSP) provides support and services for family caregivers of Veterans. The focus is to improve the quality of life for caregivers by providing respect and service excellence through a wide range of support, education, and tools that empower them to care for themselves and the veterans. This can be accomplished by helping caregivers to navigate the VA healthcare system and to access needed resources at the VA and in the community.

With the help of trusted partners, they are able to provide wrap-around support to caregivers of Veterans and their families. The Caregiver Summit is an opportunity to build coalitions with VHA staff and the community, increasing awareness about the many services and support available to caregivers. The Caregiver Summit will consist of two presentations and a round table discussion. The presentations will offer information to better assist when interacting and collaborating with Veterans and caregivers. Additionally, they are working to be able to provide CEUs to those attending the Caregiver Summit!

The purpose of the Annual Caregiver & Family Resource Fair is to increase awareness about the many services and supports available to caregivers and families with the goal of connecting them with VA and community resources available in the local community. This is an opportunity for community partners to meet and provide information to caregivers and Veterans on the services they offer. The Resource Fair will be held in one location, a one-stop shop for caregivers to obtain information from various community partners.

The Caregiver Summit is scheduled for May 9, beginning promptly at 9 am and ending at 12 pm, both in person and virtually. A break will be held from 12 pm - 1 pm. The Caregiver & Family Resource Fair will promptly begin at 1:30 pm and end at 3:30 pm. For those participating in the Caregiver & Family Resource Fair set up will be held from 1-1:30 pm.

RSVP to Suzanne Council at [email protected].

If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact the CSP Office at 269-223-6517.