Volume 2| January 11th, 2019
January 2019 Newsletter
MHAAO is an inclusive peer-run organization dedicated to self-direction
honoring the voice of lived experience
Staff Highlights
We have a lot to Celebrate here at MHAAO!

Congrats to Jessica Cardinal , who is expecting a baby!!! Thanks for sharing your good news with us, Jessica!!!

Congratulations also to Jessica Carroll , who just wrapped up her Master's degree in Professional Mental Health Counseling from the Graduate Center of Education and Counseling at Lewis & Clark College in Portland Oregon. You are an inspiration to us all!

Last but certainly not least, congrats to Kim Kerkstra , who is now a Certified Recovery Mentor!

Congratulations to Marianne O’Neill-Tutor on 3 years with MHAAO!

If YOU have something to celebrate, let us know!
A Few Reminders
MANDATORY Training
When?: Monday January 14th & Tuesday January 15th
Where?: Taborspace 5441 SE Belmont St. Portland, OR 97215
What Will I Eat??: Lunch will be provided
Who?: Iden Campbell will preside over training
Why?: Find out more at the training about why diversity and inclusion are important to YOU!

Administrative Announcements
  • Overpayment on last paycheck
  • Double pay on holiday
  • Will be taken out of next paycheck
  • Check your ADP to be sure you were, in fact, overpayed
  • Connect with Sunny if you have any questions or concerns
  • Mileage Updated
  • Now reimbursed at the rate of 0.58 (previously 0.545)
  • ADP Time Management System
  • Delayed – working out some kinks
  • Look out for communication about that

Poster Campaign
Staff Story Features: Look out for an email if interested!

Office Yoga Classes
  • Kasey Perdue, MHAAO Admin Assistant, is a Certified yoga instructor and has generously offered to lead staff yoga classes at the MHAAO Hancock office!
  • Look out for an email for the first class!
Program Updates
EVOLVE
  • West – No updates
  • East –
  • Traci Lundy joined Clackamas team
  • Angelie Whinn joined Clackamas team
  • OHSU fully staffed with Justin Schumacher joining the team up there
OPTIC
  • PeerZone:
  • 1st Peerzone Facilitator Training scheduled for March
  • Have outreach leads? Send them to Ali Koch!
  • PWS Training – Next class starts 1/31!
Peerpocalypse!
  • Updates
  • Scholarship in partnership with MAAPPS announced – due 2/28
  • Scholarship in partnership with Washington County – coming up!
  • Scholarship in partnership with Chance Recovery – coming up!
  • Workshop schedule coming soon
  • Instagram Challenge to receive Peerpocalypse Registration
  • Share, like and post
  • Winner selected at end of month
Get Involved!
Employee Spotlight!

“I think we offer a lot of hope in terms of everyone that works here. There are so many different pathways to recovery. This person did it this way, that person did it that way, this is what this person had to navigate to get there.

You almost are mentally prepared for whatever happens when you meet so many different people in recovery, because there’s always another story you can latch onto.”
-Justin Schumacher
Peer Story
Fawn Hackert, MHAAO Peer Support Specialist for TC-911, explained her work with one of her peers this way: 
I have been walking alongside a female native elder, age 72. She has been without permanent shelter for the past 7 years, most recently staying in a tent at her nephew’s camp. 

I met her while she was staying at a hotel that her social worker had set up for her temporarily. She confided in me that she wanted to get sober, get into residential treatment, and find a stable place to live. We started meeting in the community to work toward building a mutual and trusting relationship. 
She decided to quit drinking on her own, against our  recommendations,  and became very shaky and visibly unwell. She then took our advice and pursued detox at Cedar Hills Hospital. She was admitted and stayed for 7 days. She was then transferred to St. Vincent’s Hospital, where she called NARA Outpatient Treatment Center. She is now actively engaged with NARA, and I attended the NARA Elders Lunch at her request. 

This peer has a loving family and a great sense of humor. We laugh a lot together! One of these days, she would like to make fry bread with me.  Despite many medical issues and other life challenges, this peer always has a smile on her face, loves to laugh, and has expressed deep appreciation for the support she has received from TC-911.
If you have stories about yourself or a peer that you would like to have featured in the newsletter, on our blog, or on our social media, please email kmccraw@mhaoforegon.org