September 2019 Newsletter
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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!
Thanks to everyone on our team who came out to support Hands Across The Bridge, including
Janie Gullickson, Reina Bower, and
Sean Syrek!
Congrats to
Traci Lundy for celebrating 5 years in recovery!
Congrats to
Roman Becerra for celebrating 5 years in recovery!
Congrats to our 2 newest team members,
Nichole Young and
Sadie Campbell! Learn more about them below.
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Admin:
- The all-staff retreat is on September 27th at 4th Dimension Recovery Center. Lunch will be provided!
- Train-the-trainer Money Basics is scheduled for October 10th and 11th.
- Mad Hatter Tea Party Fundraiser is scheduled for October 27th.
- Changes in health benefits packages occurred this month. Kaiser is still our health insurance provider and we added Willamette Dental to our dental coverage options.
Merger Exploration:
- The announcement went out last week, September 3rd, regarding the formal merger exploration with Bridges to Change via email and video to all staff of both organizations and all social media. Both BtC and MHAAO are notifying funders/contractors of the process.
- 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.
- A link to sign up for the Merger Exploration sub-committee is coming soon!
Office Yoga Classes:
- 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!
- September 18th at 10 am is our next yoga class!
Peerpocalypse:
- Peerpocalypse 2020 planning has begun!
- Applications for planning committee and workshop proposals currently open.
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Compassion fatigue is characterized by physical and emotional exhaustion and a profound decrease in the ability to empathize, and occurs as a result of helping those who are in need.
Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue Include:
- Less ability to function
- More stress than usual
- Caregiver feels traumatized
- Working harder, getting less done
- Irritability, trouble sleeping
- Feeling bored
- More sickness, aches, and pains
Compassion fatigue is treatable and EAP counselors are available 24/7 to support you through it.
Looking for additional resources on compassion fatigue? Access help now:
- Go to: www.cascadecenters.com
- Click 'Member Log In'
- Register as a new user
- Click the 'Compassion Fatigue' tile
- Or call 800-433-2320
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Basic Color, Cut, & Style Scholarship!
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Janie's hair-stylist,
Allie Martinez,
will be offering 5 women's basic color, cut and styles for our peers to help boost their self esteem and move them forward in their recovery!
We are asking each applicant to write a paragraph essay with the support of their Peer Support Specialist answering the following question:
How this would help them move forward in their recovery?
The event will be held on
Sunday, September 29th.
More information to come!
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The EVOLVE program has been restructured and all programs have been consolidated under a single Department Director, Sean Syrek.
Our agency is in the process of reorganizing the staff who manage the various programs and we are adding one additional Program Manager, for OHSU programs. The Clackamas County/BHU Program Manager Position has recently been vacated, and MHAAO will be hiring a Program Manager for this position as well.
The new Manager positions will post this week MHAAO will make an internal hire for both positions if possible.
Evolve staff also saw an increase in the wage range last month. This was the first wage range increase for peer support staff in almost 5 years (from $16-18/hour to $17-19/hour).
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- WACO Juvenile: Jessica Cardinal will be moving on to a position with The 4th Dimension Recovery Center. Her last day with MHAAO will be September 15th, 2019. We have just begun the process of hiring a new PSS/CRM to fill this vacant position. The position is now posted online.
- Legacy: Contract completed to provide peer supervision to two Doula/Peer Supports for their Project Nurture program. Budgets completed for FY 2019-20. Kristen Griffey will be providing supervision and support, but not management to the 2 full-time Legacy Project Nurture PSS/CRM/Birth Doula Peers.
- Providence Project Nurture: Doula/Peer position is being absorbed by Providence Health in January of 2020.
- HACC: Our new Peer Wellness Specialist Adrienne Burrows started with MHAAO on September 9th, 2019. She will be working with the Clackamas Housing Authority to provide community-based Peer Support for residents at several public housing sites in Clackamas County.
- Clackamas Older Adult: Under our new structure for EVOLVE, the two 0.5 FTE PSS positions will be supervised by Program Manager Elmer Morris.
- TC-911: Under our new structure, this 1.0 FTE PWS position will be supervised by Program Manager Kristin Griffy.
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- OHSU HRBR (Harm Reduction Bridge to Care) - Amy Stocker was hired to fill the new 1.0 FTE PSS/CRM Position with HRBR. Amy brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge in providing peer support to individuals who engage in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Services. Amy will be moving to HRBR from our other OHSU Program (OHSU-IMPACT). The program was expected to launch in early August, but because of some programmatic delays, we have pushed the start date out until mid-September.
- MC-HB 4143: Nichole Young, PSS, CRM, and Sade Campbell, PSS, CRM, joined the MHAAO team in mid-August under the Multnomah County HB-4143 program. HB-4143 provides funding for peer services who work with individuals who experience opioid addiction, including those at risk for opioid overdose. Managed by Reina Bower, The HB-4143 program is based out of Legacy Emanuel Hospital and may eventually expand to other hospitals in Multnomah County.
- OHSU-IMPACT: We will be posting for the 1.0 FTE PSS/CRM position that Amy stocker will be vacating as she moves to the new OHSU-HRBR program. In addition, we will be expanding the IMPACT program using funding from OHA to add an additional 0.75 FTE PSS/CRM position to work with individuals who have received care from the IMPACT team while in the hospital and are currently receiving care from a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF). As previously mentioned, we will hire a program manager to supervise and support the 5 OHSU positions (IMPACT and HRBR).
- Clackamas County: Under our new structure fr EVOLVE, the 4 PSS/CRM positions will be supervised by one of the new Program Managers. In addition to providing supervision and support, the Program Manager will carry a small caseload.
- Clackamas BHU: Under our new structure for EVOLVE, the 2 PSS/CRM positions will be supervised by one of the new Program Managers. In addition to providing supervision and support, the Program Manager will carry a small caseload. In collaboration with our funders, new referral pathways are in development, to provide support to Criminal Justice involved individuals in Clackamas County.
- Clackamas OOSP: In collaboration with our funders, new referral pathways are in development, to provide support to Criminal Justice involved individuals in Clackamas County who are struggling with opioid addiction, including those who are at risk for overdose.
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- Lead Project Coordinator, Jessica Carroll co-facilitated a Peer Support Specialist Training with Emily Privatsky in Juneau, Alaska.
- Peerlink Director, Donita Diamata, co-facilitated a one-day Supervising Peers Training with Sean Syrek for supervisors and managers at Columbia Mental Health in St. Helens, Oregon.
- Jessica Carroll is travelling to Guam and Palau in September to facilitate Peer Support Specialist Trainings in both locations. She will also be training three local peers on how to facilitate this training.
- Donita Diamata, and Project Coordinator, Teana Edwards, will facilitate a two-day Money Basics Facilitator Training at the MHAAO office, September 11th & 12th.
- Emily Privatsky will be moving to the Peerlink team as a Project Coordinator starting 9/16.
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- Two community of practices (one for supervisors, and one for peer workers) continue to be held monthly. Contact Adrienne if you'd like to join us! Schedule will be updated in September.
- Two 2-hour trainings were held in August, with presentations by Kristin (trauma-informed approaches) and Cee (building peer programs). Thank you to Cee and Kristin for being such great speakers!
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- Adrienne and Emily facilitated a PWS Training of 14 in mid-August.
- Jessica facilitated a cohort of 18 in July.
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- Adrienne will facilitate a PeerZone Facilitator Training from September 16 - 19th. Let Adrienne know if you can think of interested Washington County peer facilitators!
- Training will be sponsored through Washington County - 10 spots available at no cost to peers connected to Washington County!
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Nichole Young,
Peer Support Specialist for Multnomah County HB-4143
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1. What inspired you to become a Peer Support Specialist?
I was inspired to become a peer support because I was currently working in the field as a mentor. I wanted to be more involved with a self-directed plan rather than a mandatory plan made by someone other than the peer.
2. What are you most excited about for your new role?
I'm most excited for my new role because it's a brand new program that is being built as we learn what works and what does not. I'm also excited about being able to have no hidden agendas with the work we are doing with the peers.
3. What do you like to do for self-care?
Family time is self-care for me. I also take me time at the end of each day to unwind and relax. Another important self-care for me is getting out and spending time with my recovery supports/family.
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1. What inspired you to become a Peer Support Specialist?
I grew up in addiction. I didn’t have the coping skills necessary to heal from my childhood, which led me to following that path. It took a lot of pain and struggles to get to where I am at, but I’m here. It is absolutely possible and I am continuously inspired to be a peer support specialist because I want to show that truth to the person still suffering in their addiction.
2. What are you most excited about for your role on the Clackamas Behavioral Health Unit team?
I am excited to meet people exactly where they are at. I am looking forward to honoring my peers in the direction that they are looking for. I am excited to aid in opening the minds of the clinical staff that I am working with.
3. What do you like to do for self-care?
My self care looks like softball and naps. I love staying home with my boyfriend and our dog, cuddled up and watching movies. Food.. food is good.
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Sadie Campbell,
Peer Support Specialist for Multnomah County HB-4143
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