45 th Annual Banquet This year’s banquet was a tremendous success, thanks to all of our AWESOME volunteers! Six hundred thirty one attendees enjoyed our traditional chicken parmesan dinner, silent auction and raffle activities, a well-known and affable speaker, and each other’s company!

In the interest of both space and anonymity, names are not included. All those photographed gave verbal consent to have their photograph in the Powell Newsletter.  Batman , obviously, needs no identification.

Sober Safari at the Blank Park Zoo On Saturday June 9, about 260 intrepid, hardy adventurers went on Safari at the Blank Park Zoo! The Zoo was ours for the evening, which helped tame the crowds and gave those in attendance the chance to drink all the water provided on this nearly 100 degree night. Free train and carousel rides and a cupcake capped off a lovely summer evening. Thanks to all those who came out and we will do it again!

Earlier this summer, Program Manager Kim Brangoccio fielded a phone call from someone wanting to donate a magazine subscription to recognize and honor the sobriety birthday of someone important in that person's life. What a wonderful way to give back and mark a life-changing accomplishment! We at Powell are so grateful for all of you who donate their time and money to make extra things--like magazines and movies--that help make life more palatable for our patients during their inpatient stays. If you'd like to help, we'd love to have you attend an Alumni Council meeting or contact Laura at Powell. Volunteers on the committees that support each of our events are always welcome and so very appreciated.

Dollars from Heaven?

Office Manager Cheryl Tharp may have recently celebrated a milestone birthday! As you can see in the photo to the right, she had a windfall of sorts! Possible explanations: 1) Miracles really do happen at Powell 2) Her thoughtful co-workers ( led by Lynne Rittler ) really appreciate her 3) Both of the above

Staff Changes

Gary Erion,  BSW, IAADC

Becky Seabrooke, LMHCt, CADC

Laura Sturdy, BS, RN, CADC

After 17 years at Powell, Gary retired on June 21, packing up his family and heading west to Colorado. He will be missed by the thousands of patients he has worked with in his tenure here at Powell, and he is already dearly missed by the staff who got to work alongside him for so many years.

Becky began here at Powell in 2015 as an intern, completed her practicum, and was hired as a full time mental health therapist. She is leaving at the end of the month to take a case management job with the state. Becky will be missed for her positivity and her care and concern for clients and staff.

In June, Laura moved within ILH and is now working as a nurse with adolescent mental health patients, allowing her to use both her nursing degree and her stellar counseling skills. Laura graduated from the Powell counselor training program, and we are so glad she is still working nearby, so staff and former patients can stop and say say hi.

All of us at Powell wish all of you the best in the next phase of your lives! We appreciate all you've done and will miss you. Powell is better because of your contributions. Thank you!

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)   Powell now offers Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for patients diagnosed with addiction to prescribed and non-prescribed opiates including heroin. Providers can refer patients for evaluation by calling Powell (515-263-2424). Patients are evaluated for eligibility for MAT by masters-prepared mental health therapists with alcohol and drug counseling certification. Jen Blume, ARNP, provides evaluation and medication management services and initiates the patient’s induction to the medication buprenorphine.   Once patients are stable on buprenorphine, they participate in the Powell CDC treatment program while being maintained on the medication. Buprenorphine relieves withdrawal symptoms and allows the patients to better focus on rehabilitation counseling and be more successful in their addiction recovery. After completing the Powell CDC treatment program, the patient continues the withdrawal taper and participates in the Powell CDC aftercare program.     MAT is not designed for patients who take pain medications as prescribed and don’t display the thought and behavior symptoms of addiction disorders. These patients can be successfully managed in the outpatient provider office when they are ready to stop taking the medication. Ms. Blume is available for providers seeking guidance to manage tapering this group of patients off their medication.    Neil Fagan Behavioral Health Project Manager

Warren County, Iowa, July 30, 2018, PC Aaron Miller

Wed Aug 22 Alumni Council Meeting ILH, 1st Flr Conf Rm 1, 5:30pm Fri Aug 24 CoDependency Seminar ILH, B Lvl,   Conf Rm A/B, 9am-3pm Fri Aug 24 Facilitator Training ILH, B Lvl, Private Dining Room, 12-4pm Fri Aug 24 Alumni Presentation ILH, 1st Flr Patient Unit, 1:05pm  Mon Sep 3 Happy Labor Day No Aftercare Groups this day Thu Sep 6  Recovery Celebration ILH, B Lvl, Conf Rm A/B, 5:30pm  Sun Sep 9 Annual Picnic Waterworks Park, South Shelter Wed Sep 26 Alumni Council Meeting ILH, 1st Flr Conf Rm 1 , 5:30pm Thu Oct 4  Recovery Celebration ILH, B Lvl, Conf Room A/B, 5:30pm Fri Oct 5  Alumni Presentation ILH, 1st Flr Patient Unit, 1:05pm  Tue, Wed, Thu     Oct 16,17,18 Phone-A-Thon ILH, Rm 462 Wed Oct 24 Alumni Council Meeting ILH, 1st Flr Conf Rm 1 , 5:30pm   Thu Nov 1 Recovery Celebration ILH, B Lvl, Conf Room A/B, 5:30pm Fri Oct 5   Alumni Presentation ILH, 1st Flr Patient Unit, 1:05pm Mon Dec 3 Aftercare Potlucks Begin Look for your Fourth Quarter Newsletter in early November Mon Dec 31        Sober Under                           the Stars      Sat Apr 27     Annual Banquet

Please submit people for accolades or events to add to our calendar.  If we missed mentioning someone we should acknowledge, please let us know.  Contact Laura Wright at [email protected] or 515-263-2561

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Happy Recovery Month! https://www.recoverymonth.gov/