February 2021 Newsletter
Volume 25| February 5th, 2021
Our Mission Statement: MHAAO is an inclusive peer-run organization dedicated to self-direction honoring the voice of lived experience
Staff Highlights!
Huge shout-out Rick Schiffner for getting married on 2/1! Wishing you and your beautiful bride all the best!!!
Congrats to Morgan Simon for celebrating 5 years in recovery on 2/22!

Congrats to Amber Hatkoff for celebrating 3 years in recovery on 2/12!

Congrats to Brenda Mitchell for celebrating 5 years at MHAAO on 2/8!

Congrats to LaRae Miller for celebrating 1 year at MHAAO on 2/10!

Shout-out to Kristina Teasley, who beautifully modeled motivational interviewing and the fidelity of peer support- much appreciated!

Shout-outs from: Kristin Griffey!
  • Shout-out to Kristina Teasley, who beautifully modeled motivational interviewing and the fidelity of peer support- much appreciated!
  • PS4PSS has taken on a life of its own- we have new people from the peer workforce, statewide, who join our meetings each week. SO MUCH GRATITUDE FOR THIS GROUP!
New Staff Spotlights
Gionni Gambino
Peer Support Specialist for Clackamas County BHU
What drew you to the peer movement?
I think it’s amazing to meet people where they are and grow from there, that’s what drew me in. 

Why are peer services so crucial, especially right now?
I think due to the COVID-19 epidemic people isolate more than ever so being able to reach out to someone is just another resource truly crucial at this time

What do you do for self-care?
I teach at-risk youth boxing, and I paint landscapes.
Alton Harvey Jr.
Pathway Home Case Manager
What drew you to the peer movement?
What drew me to the peer movement oddly enough, I was asked to speak to the State legislature, as a successful drug court graduate. The director of treatment services heard me speak, and offered me the opportunity, if I wanted, to become a Mentor.

What about our organization most excites you and/or is there anything you are looking forward to in your new role?
I'm really excited for the opportunity to work with a new program, more importantly, the opportunity to continue my career growth.

What do you do for self-care?
For self-care, I joined a gym, and really enjoy it, but my favorite go-to, hanging out with my family, all the self-care I need!
Melissa Cook
Peer Support Specialist for Pathway Home
What drew you to the peer movement?
Taking the PWS training and PEERPOCALYPSE!!

Why are peer services so crucial, especially right now?
Because no matter what we're going through we all need support, and especially right now in the pandemic where so many people are feeling isolated and disconnected... life is a "WE" thing.

What do you do for self-care?
So many things but here are a few:
  • Spending time with loved ones
  • music, road trips & adventures
  • pedicures 
  • nature walks
  • all in no particular order ;)
Jennifer Coon
Peer Support Specialist for Blanchet House
What drew you to the peer movement?
I remember desperately needing to talk to someone, I mean really confide and relate with someone early in my recovery and the counselor I had at the time had the certificate, the education, and the book knowledge but she didn't have the "lived experience". She was very nice and I thanked her for making herself available to me. I explained to her how important it was to have a counselor that truly knew and understood what it was like to have walked in my shoes. And that is when I knew I needed to share my story, compassion, and understanding with others.

Why are peer services so crucial, especially right now?
Peer Support is more important now than ever. Just yesterday I was working the lunch line at Blanchet House of Hospitality and a Peer (who I did not recognize) arrived soaking wet. He was trembling, his hands were so white they were grey and he could barely talk. I knew he needed more than what I was able to provide. With his permission, I called 911 and the paramedics said I made the right choice by calling. I hope to see him again someday but for now, I know I was able to provide support, and help him get his medical needs met.

What do you do for self-care?
K.I.S.S. Keep it Simple Silly! I like to read, I enjoy going to church, I am always looking to spruce up my cute little apartment with new stuff. But most of all, I love hanging out with my 2 beautiful kids. (daughter is 25 and son is almost 21)
Hope Grows
Sadie Campbell, Peer Support Specialist for Prime+, shared this story from one of her peers:
"I brought this plant to a peer while he was in the hospital almost a year ago and he has been taking care of it since.

He moved into the Quest House this summer with support from our team and just moved out on his own yesterday! He is working full time and living a beautiful sober life!

It makes me so happy. I picked out the plant and didn't even realize it was called "Hope" until I was leaving the plant shop!"
Hairstyle Makeovers: Peer Edition!
Part 1 of a 4-Part Series
featuring Morgan Simon, Peer Support Specialist for Kaiser Project Nurture

Beginning in 2019, award-winning Portland hairstylist, Allie Martinez, was moved to donate her time and talents to give mental health & addiction peers a fresh new look deserving of the hard work they’ve put into their recovery! Again, on October 21st of 2020, Allie gave four peers a new lease on life! This is their story.
Organization-Wide Updates
Admin 
  • MHAAO will be receiving consultation from OSHA to review its procedures in response to COVID-19. This is purely a proactive step in ensuring that MHAAO is doing all it can to keep staff safe and healthy.
  • MHAAO will be installing air purifiers rated to clean the air of the COVID-19 virus. Two will be placed in the Hancock office and one in the Hillsboro office.
  • Friendly reminder, Art Mind Set is scheduled for every Monday and Friday at 2:30 PM for all staff. If you need art supplies, please connect with Rene. This opportunity does end February 26th.
  • Congratulations to Aniel Yates! He has been promoted to HR Director.

Human Resources: 
  • Flexible Spending Account Change. Recently, it came to our attention that the Cares Act changed the law to allow changes to flex plans for no reason, see the Mid-Year Election Change 2021 for details. In simple terms, if you want to enroll, change the amount, or disenroll in the flex plan you may do so with no questions asked. Please see meeting notes or connect with Aniel for further guidance. 
  • Vacation Accrual Update. It came to our attention that the accruals for 1.0 FTE vacation time were incorrect by a half-hour for employees who have been with MHAAO between 36-59 months (3-5 years). We have corrected this error and have recalculated any incorrect vacation time balances. Staff affected have been notified. 
Marketing:
  • #PeerSupportStrong: Are you active on social media? Use #PeerSupportStrong and tag us @mhaoforegon on Instagram and LinkedIn! Use this hashtag to share peer support moments, or use it to share how you're coping during this time! We'll spread the love and feature your post on our Instagram and Facebook Stories!
  • Follow us on social media:
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative Update: 
  • The DEI Committee is working on a resource list for those who would like to independent work towards becoming anti-racist.
  • The DEI Committee will be reviewing and selecting scholarship awardees for Peerpocalypse this next month.
  • The DEI Committee is also creating a method to measure the completion rate of initiative metrics. 
Trauma Informed Care Initiative:
  • Trauma Informed Care (TIC) is HOT right now and it is here that I reflect about what Trauma Informed Care really means: it means to not wound or re-wound whenever humanly possible. Within the TIC framework there is this concept called the parallel process and it is because of the parallel process that we offer Peer Support for Peer Support Specialists (PS4PSS).
  • And it is here, in this space where we create natural supports, build resiliency and mitigate Compassion Fatigue. It is here where we can show up and be accepted, just as we are, without fear of judgment. As peer support specialists, we are past that. We have already been judged and sometimes we have judged ourselves even more harshly from within. We are here to work and to do the work- peers get that.
  • The past four weeks have been the most attended PS4PSS groups since we began. Peer support specialists from all over Oregon are coming: PSS’s from Oregon State Hospital and CADC’s from Warm Springs are the most recent to join. Thank you, MHAAO for recognizing our abilities to lead by example. Thank you for letting us provide THIS space to ourselves and those who otherwise have none.
Program Updates
CONFERENCE
  • Nicole will be sending out a link next week for staff to register for the conference. Please note that we are opening virtual participation only. If Clatsop County moves to low risk, and we are able to meet in-person, we will let staff know as soon as possible.
  • Scholarship opportunities went live in January and the deadline to apply is February 22nd.
  • Workshops should be announced next month.
  • Peerpocalypse will feature the documentary, CURED this year. This powerful film is about a group of activists who fought to remove homosexuality as a mental illness from the DSM.
PEER SERVICES
  • Hired new staff for VIMOS Johanna Deeb, David Frye.
  • Filled Jail Navigator position with Rhiannon Miller from VIMOS program
  • Completed BJA interviews and currently in the reference process of hiring
  • Focus in a manager's meeting is continued growth and knowledge of Recovery Link to engage in the system for accurate data reporting.
  • The Safe + Strong disaster relief program is now fully staffed and is outreaching to the community to address the impact of the COVID-19
  • The Pathway Home Program was given approval for a 6-month delay in program implementation and enrollment, due to COVID-19 challenges in correctional facilities, court systems, and the reduction in eligible participants.
  • The Pathway Home Program is currently planning strategies to best meet these new challenges by planning ways to leverage other community resources in a way that fits the current environment.
TRAINING AND OUTREACH
  • Emily and Molly wrapped up our January PWS cohort. Congratulations, trainers and graduates!
  • PWS trainings are scheduled out for several months. Registration information available here: https://www.mhaoforegon.org/current-trainings
  • An April cohort will be available for no cost to Multnomah County peers. Spots are expected to fill up quickly!
OHA Peer Pain Training:
  • Have lived experience with chronic pain or opioids? Please reach out to Adrienne (ascavera@mhaoforegon.org)! We will be working on gathering a group of peers to provide valuable input on the training.
  • Thank you to Emily, Molly, and the January PWS cohort who welcomed our first launch of the online Peer Pain Training and provided very helpful feedback!
PeerZone
  • PeerZone Co-founder Sara McCook Weir and Adrienne held a PeerZone facilitator catch-up for the USA and Canada. Monthly facilitator session scheduling to be updated next month – facilitators, please look out for an update email!
  • PeerZone toolkit workshops – led by Molly – are now being offered every Wednesday from 3 – 4:30 PM online!
University of Washington Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC)
OHA Peer Workforce Needs Assessment (OPDSCo):
If you have stories about yourself or a peer that you would like to have featured in MHAAO's newsletter, blog, or social media, please email Kaity Riordan, Marketing, Communications & PR Coordinator at kriordan@mhaoforegon.org or give her a call at 509-936-3135! She's always looking forward to hearing from you!