MHAAO is an inclusive peer-run organization dedicated to self-direction
honoring the voice of lived experience
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We have a lot to celebrate here at MHAAO!
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Thanks to everyone on our team who came out to support the
Oregon Recovers Walk for Recovery on September 28th!
The Oregonian named us as one of the
Top Workplaces in Oregon and presented Janie and Sunny with the "Meaningful Work" award on September 25th!
Congrats to
Melinda Hicks for celebrating 27 years in recovery on 9/19!
Congrats to
Kim Kerkstra for celebrating 13 years in recovery on 9/24!
Happy Un-Un-birthday to
Janie Gullickson on 10/2!
Congrats to
Marianne O'Neill-Tutor for celebrating 13 years in recovery on 10/1!
Congrats to
Brenda Mitchell for celebrating 7 years in recovery on 10/3!
Congrats to our 2 newest team members,
Monica Alexander and
Adrienne Burrows! Learn more about them below.
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Indigenous Peoples Day:
- The Board approved updates to the employee handbook. These will be published later this fall. One update that will go into effect immediately is additional holiday: Indigenous Peoples' Day (October 14th).
- Indigenous Peoples Day is a day to celebrate all Indigenous People’s of the Americas. This includes all of the People Indigenous to this land, including people from Mexico, Central, and South America. It is to replace Columbus Day (which we as an organization DID NOT recognize as a holiday).
Listening Session:
- MHAAO will be hosting a Listening Session for all staff to voice their truth and experience from the two-day training in January of 2019. An email from Janie went out regarding the purpose and invitation.
- The listening session is scheduled for October 16th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The session will be facilitated by Michael Hulshof-Schmidt and Kenya Budd.
Office Yoga Class:
- Our Administrative Assistant, Kasey Perdue, is a certified yoga instructor, and is so happy to be able to offer this to you all during the work day.
- These classes are beginner level, and are mainly focused on breathing and finding a moment of quiet amidst your busy weeks! If you have any questions about the class, please reach out to Kasey!
- Your peers are more than welcome to attend with you if they are interested!
- October 22nd at 10 am is our next yoga class!
Mad Hatter Tea Party Fundraiser:
- Our first annual fundraiser will be on October 27th, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Lagunitas Community Room!
- If you want to help us sell tickets, please talk to Kaity McCraw, or email her at kmccraw@mhaoforegon.org.
Hearing Voices Training:
- The Hearing Voices Simulation Facilitator Training is scheduled for November 8, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
- This training will be facilitated by Oryx Cohen of the National Empowerment Center. If a team member is interested, please connect with your supervisor first for approval, and then email Sunny. Sunny will send you a calendar invite.
Merger Exploration with Bridges to Change:
- In case you missed it, watch the video here!
- Staff surveys will be sent out to all MHAAO staff to gather info regarding lived experiences as well as interest in participating on merger exploration task forces/ad hoc committees after the new year.
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Peerpocalypse
Peerpocalypse is amping up! The
deadline for workshop proposals is October 31st
and we encourage staff to submit proposals! The planning committee will be meeting this month and kick-off the keynote nominations.
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Evolve program director Sean Syrek will be stepping down from the director role on October 11th to pursue work outside the agency. He will stay connected to MHAAO as a part time PWS for the TC 911 program.
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- TC 911: Our full time provider, Traci Lundy, has moved to a new position as a PWS for the OHSU impact team. Rather than hire a new dedicated provider for the 1.0 FTE contract, MHAAO has made the decision to use a 0.5 FTE PWS for the role and have a small group of TC911 providers from other MHAAO positions to support peers as needed.
- WACO Juvenile Drug court: MHAAO is currently hiring for this 1.0 FTE position. Interviews will be conducted in the following weeks and ideally, the candidate selected will start within a month.
- Providence Project Nurture: The agency wishes to thank Kasey Edwards, our PSS and Doula for Providence Project Nurture for her nearly 4 years of work with the agency.
- OHSU-HRBR: The program continues in development with provider Amy Stocker, CRM as a 1.0 FTE peer support specialist and recovery mentor.
- OHSU Impact welcomes provider Tracy Lundy, PWS back to the impact team as a full time PSS/CRM.
- OHSU: Program expansion is coming in the near future. OHSU will expand its partnership with MHAAO through the creation of a new 0.75 FTE peer support position for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). The program is in its initial stage of development. OHSU is in the process of hiring a dedicated program manager that will supervise OHSU peer providers across the three OHSU programs. Interviews are being held in the coming weeks.
- Clackamas BHU: The program will now be supervised by Program Manager Reina Bower.
- Clackamas County: The program will be supervised by a new program manager who we are in the process of hiring now. Interviews are being conducted in the next few weeks. There are several other programs in Clackamas County that the agency has responded to RFPs for. If awarded these contracts, this new Program Manager will provide supervision and support for those programs as well.
- Legacy Project Nurture: WACO program manager Kristin Griffey is now providing peer supervision to the two Legacy Project Nurture PSS/Birth Doula providers. The legacy providers are employed by Legacy and thus Kristin is providing coaching, mentoring and peer supervision outside of an administrative role.
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- It was a great team effort to close out our fiscal year and prepare for the current year with the following activities:
- Lead Project Coordinator, Jessica Carroll, facilitated Peer Support Specialist Trainings in Guam and Palau, as well as trained three peers so they can go on to facilitate the training in their own communities.
- Adrienne Scavera and Marianne O’Neill-Tutor represented Peerlink by facilitating a two-day Peer Employment Specialist Training in our MHAAO office meeting room.
- Project Coordinators, Teana Edwards and Emily Privatsky, are preparing to go to Tucson, Arizona next month, where they will facilitate a two-day Money Basics Facilitator Training for veterans and people who work with veterans.
- Director, Donita Diamata, is preparing to go to American Samoa with Sean Syreck to facilitate a Peer Support Specialist Training and to train peers to facilitate their own future trainings.
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- Look out for emails from Adrienne about upcoming community of practice series. We will be scheduling them soon! If you aren’t on the community of practice list already, let Adrienne (ascavera@mhaoforegon.org) know if you’d like to be added.
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- Emily Privatsky is our new training coordinator, and has been handling logistics and coordination. Welcome, Emily! She also will be co-facilitating with Jessica.
- Jessica and Emily will facilitate a Washington County PWS cohort beginning October 3rd.
- Peer Wellness Specialist training (adult mental health and addictions) is now approved by Mental Health America as a National Certified Peer Support training!
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- Adrienne facilitated a PeerZone Facilitator Training two weeks ago with 9 participants. Congratulations to all newly licensed PeerZone Facilitators!
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Monica Alexander,
Peer Support Specialist for Multnomah County Jail
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1. What inspired you to become a Peer Support Specialist?
I was inspired to be a peer support specialist because I enjoy inspiring, motivating and helping others. I also believe being supportive and helping others to reach the their full potential reflects on me being a healthy peer support specialist with a purpose while on this journey.
2. What are you most excited about for your new role on the Multnomah County Jail team?
To watch myself grow as I help others climb this mountain of recovery. I have always wanted to be able to go back and help others in the system.
3. What do you like to do for self-care?
Beach trips and long walks
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1. What inspired you to become a Peer Support Specialist?
So, my initial inspiration for becoming a Peer Support Specialist happened during the interview I had for my very first Peer position on an ACT crisis team in Arizona in 2006. I'd been trying to get into social services, but had no work experience in that field, and my BA is in Education. I saw a job opportunity for a Peer Support Specialist and sent my resume over. I got called immediately and was asked if I could come in for an interview that day. I was at home with my then 6 year old who was under the weather. I didn't have childcare, so I told the interviewer and he said to come on in anyway. During my interview, I was asked about my own mental health history, which I'd struggled with since childhood. He explained the position, the team, and what my role would be for our peers and the team. That position was the toughest position as a peer I've ever held. It was like an episode of cops every day. Crisis calls at all hours were very difficult with a little one at home. I ended up leaving due to my own mental health issues and not being able to balance those two things. But I keep coming back to being a peer. That first interview, and the lives I touched were my inspiration. It's still there!
2. What are you most excited about for your role on the Clackamas County Housing team?
i am super excited to get to know my peers and spend time with them. In my previous roles in housing, most of my time was spent chasing housing options, speaking to landlords, helping arrange movers, filling out applications etc. I didn't get much one on one time with my peers to just talk, get coffee, or take a walk. In this role I'll get to do those things and more!
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Adrienne Burrows,
Peer Support Specialist for Clackamas County Housing
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3. What do you like to do for self-care?
I have so many things! I listen to an app on my phone called insight timer for all sorts of meditations. I love listening to audiobooks of all sorts. Right now I'm into John Grisham novels. I have lost 190 pounds so I have fallen in love with trying everything I could never do for so many years. This makes me so happy! I very much enjoy hanging out with my witty and loving 19 year old kiddo. They're the kindest person I know. I also love our 12 year old lab, who is a momma's boy and a lap dog despite his size. He's very therapeutic! I enjoy so many things that there are too many to list!
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Shout Out for the Money Basics Training!
"After taking the money basics training at MHAAO and learning a gentle approach to finical freedom, I was able to bring this to my peers. Three peers that I am working with decided they wanted to be financially empowered. Using the tools provided by Donita and Teana’s Money Basics Training, I was able to work with each peer as they created a person-directed plan to meet their financial one-year goal.
One of those peers got so empowered by their plan that she overcame the fear of leaving an unhealthy living situation and texted me that weekend that she had found a new apartment!
So a Big Shout out to Donita and Teana. Your inspiring and dedicated peer work does not get unnoticed! And a Big shout out to the three peers that took steps towards major life changes!!"
-David Barrett, PSS, PWS, CRM, Clackamas County
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Peer Success Story on Clackamas HB-4143!
"I met my peer in the hospital and was able to follow him out in the community. Despite the fact he had no where to stay and was still using he reached out to me every day for support. He was so thankful that I was able to be that someone consistent in his time of struggle. He wanted to save his life and get clean but didn't know what to do to make it happen.
I would pick him up after he slept outside to get him warm clothes and some food in his stomach. I was able to give him a tent and sleeping bag as well as bus tickets so he could make it to detox everyday hoping to get in.
He and I were able to get him a intake at Hooper Detox, where he was able to get in.
This peer reached out to me everyday regardless of what he was doing. I have not heard from him in two weeks so I'm hopeful that after detox he was able to be placed somewhere safe and on his journey to a better life."
-Nichole Young, Clackamas HB-4143
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Fabulous Portland hairstylist,
Allie Martinez, donated her skills and time to do hair makeovers for three lucky peers on September 29th!
Allie says she specializes in "soft, natural, lived-in color for the everyday woman," saying, "My clients are the working women. They're not necessarily walking the runway, but I want them to feel like they could."
Stay tuned for more about each of these peers' stories and their experiences with our EVOLVE team!
Pictured below, from left to right:
- Sharon Hill, TC-911 - Adrienne Burrows and Traci Lundy's peer
- Kaitlyn Powlison, Project Nurture - Kasey Edward's peer
- Natasha Gomez, OHSU Impact - Amy Stocker's peer
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From Kristen Griffey, Program Manager for Washington County:
"Much gratitude to Sean Syrek
, who is innately one of the most trauma-informed humans that I know, for teaching me the difference between the words ameliorate and mitigate. This is a big deal and is in such alignment with my own belief system. Mitigate tells me that I can lessen the gravity of an unpleasant circumstance while ameliorate says I can make it better. And it doesn’t box me into what it is I can make better. This strengths-based, heart-centered, peer-friendly expression is a game-changer in how I will bring forth trauma-reduction to the world. Thank you for being YOU. Thank you for being an empowering and kind leader."
"Shout-out to you! Yes, you!
The one who comes in, unassumingly, day after day. The one who carries the weight of the world on your shoulders and rises-up to collect more. The one who unselfishly gives, even when there’s nothing left; shows-up, even and especially when it hurts and still manages to power through personal struggles, family struggles, financial struggles. Shout out to the weary-eyed, bleary-eyed, teary-eyed smile that you always manage to find. I am honored to know you. I am in awe of who you are. Every. Single. Day. You inspire me. You take my breath away. You lift me up. Shout-out to you. Yes. YOU!"
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From Reina Bower, Program Manager for Opioid Overdose Survivor Programs:
"I would like to acknowledge Grace
who will be 6 months on the 9th of this month. She has consistently shown up for this program, building her position from the ground up has had its ups and downs. She continues to figure out what works well and what could work better. Grace is the absolute expert in her role and brings her lived experience to the life when communicating with not only her peers but community partners as well. You Rock!"
"Want to Welcome Sadie and Nichole
to MHAAO! You both are great additions to this team! HB-4143 is a brand new program in Legacy Hospital. You both hit the ground running and have built relationships with Peers and Hospital staff since day 1! Thank you BOTH for your dedication to MHAAO and your willingness! You Rock!" - Reina Bower,
Program Manager for Opioid Overdose Survivor Programs
"Welcome Monica to the Jail Navigator program!
We are just getting started, :) Thank you Monica for jumping right in to this program and building relationships with all community partners, jail staff as well as the peers you have all ready connected with! The sky is the limit!"
"Welcome Adrienne Burrows
to the (Choice Program, Clackamas County)! In the short time you have been with us you have made such a strong in-pact on the peers that you are connecting with. Adrienne was able to take her Peer to get a "New Look "color and cut". Such an incredible experience! You Rock!"
"Welcome Tiffanie to the Housing Authority of Clackamas County!
Thank you for being patient, and building this brand new program! Looking forward to doing the work :)"
"Thank you Geoff
for being an unfailingly patient and dedicated peer support, amidst lots of change. Your go-with-the-flow attitude is greatly appreciated, as is your humor and constant source of cat memes!"
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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
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