Fall 2013
New Programs Address Needs in Trauma Care Written by Juliana Harper
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uring the past two decades there has been growing evidence concerning the prevalence and impact of trauma in the lives of people, especially children. Increasing awareness of the pervasiveness and damaging impact of trauma has led behavioral healthcare providers to the unavoidable conclusion that if they are to be as effective as possible, their services must address the area of trauma recovery. Traumatic experiences could include physical, mental or sexual abuse. It could also be witnessing a violent act or even being placed in foster care. Whatever that experience may include, trauma in childhood changes a child’s neurological pathways in the brain. These changes impact development, emotions and behavior which may cause the child to react differently to stress and frustration than other children.
Easter Seals Michigan has introduced the innovative service of combining Senior Vice President of neuro-developmental assessments with Programs and Business targeted intervention recommendations Development that addresses the needs of children experiencing behavioral health issues as the result of traumatic events in their lives. Offered at our Waterford location, services are provided to the ssresidents of Oakland and the surrounding counties of Southeastern Michigan. Juliana Harper,
To help launch this program Easter Seals Michigan has worked closely with the Children’s Trauma Assessment Center (CTAC) at Western Michigan University. For the past 10 years CTAC has been providing trauma assessments to a growing need. CTAC has been instrumental in aiding Easter Seals Michigan in kicking off this new program. In addition, support from community partners such as the Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority (OCCMHA), the Oakland Department of Public Health, and the Oakland County 6th Circuit Court – Family Division, to name just a few, have been a catalyst in presenting this new service to the community. Moving forward, Easter Seals Michigan will continue to build a community coalition so we may all collaborate our care for children who have experienced a traumatic event.
All of this would not have been possible if it wasn’t for a $150,000 grant from the Ethel & James Flinn Foundation. This grant allowed Easter Seals Michigan to achieve the goal of establishing a trauma assessment and treatment center to serve children and their families in Southeastern Michigan. The addition of a trauma assessment and treatment center to the Easter Seals Michigan myriad of programs is a natural progression of the mission to serve and support people with disabilities or special needs and their families so they can successfully, live, learn, work and play in their communities.
Batter Up! Easter Seals Michigan welcomed a new program to our roster of services that are offered to those with disabilities and special needs. The Miracle League of Michigan was the state’s first baseball field for individuals with disabilities. The field has been adapted to make it possible for people with mobility aides or impairments to join in the game without fear of slipping and falling. The Miracle League of Michigan is currently in its 10th season of play, its first with Easter Seals Michigan. With both competitive and non-competitive leagues available, the Miracle League of Michigan offers something for the entire family. With over 400 participants and 800 volunteers each year, it has already proven itself to be quite popular and those numbers are growing fast. The program has already caught the attention of the media and many of the Detroit Tigers are frequent guests and supporters. To learn more about this program, go to www.MichiganMiracle.org.
EVENT Wrap Up!
Thank you to all of those that made these events a success. From sponsors to volunteers, we couldn’t have done it without you.
FWO 2013 – During the weekend of February 1 – 3, 39 women descended on the trails in Gaylord, MI to show them who was boss, and to raise $38,000 for Easter Seals Michigan! Plans are already underway for the 2014 ride (details on page 6).
2nd Annual Red, White and Brews - On February 19th, over 200 people came out to sample various wines and beers while raising nearly $14,000 at the 2nd Annual Red, White and Brews event in Grand Rapids.
The Miracle League of Michigan – Easter Seals Michigan caught baseball fever this summer as we added this new program to our family of services. Even Detroit Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera stopped by to teach the kids a few pointers (learn more about this program on page 1).
Walk With Me Detroit - On August 4th, 731 participants joined us at the Detroit Zoo for our annual Walk event. They raised $41,259 which will support over 759 hours of therapy! We appreciate everyone who donated, volunteered and participated in this year’s event.
9th Annual Walk With Me Grand Rapids – On June 12th, over 300 people participated in the 2013 Walk With Me Grand Rapids event at the John Ball Zoo. Over $68,000 was raised for Easter Seals Michigan.
2013: Let’s Get Started! With a number of new programs, locations and events, next year is shaping up to be monumental. 2387 Becomes 2399 Easter Seals Michigan’s Roger and Doris McCarville Family Center in Auburn Hills has changed its address from 2387 E. Walton Boulevard to 2399 E. Walton Boulevard. Please update your records to reflect this change. The physical location is remaining the same and only the address is changing. West Michigan Goes 180, Network 180 that is! The West Michigan Center has typically offered occupational therapy and speech therapy programs to children as well as programs for older adults, but has just been awarded a new contract that will expand the array of services to children and families in Grand Rapids through a new partnership with Network 180.
STRoNG Families Make Strong Communities Easter Seals Michigan recently partnered with STRoNG Families to support and enhance the resilience of military families dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and many other hurdles associated with military service. Participants provide support to each other as they learn skills to navigate the unique challenges they face post-deployment. Easter Seals Michigan Now Offers ABA Easter Seals Michigan now offers Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to children ages 0-6 with MIChild or Medicaid as an expansion to its range of services to children who are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research literature indicates that positive outcomes are more common for children with ASD who receive early and intensive intervention.
Network 180 is the community behavioral health services program for Kent County, and while behavioral health programs are not new to Easter Seals Michigan, this will be a new endeavor for West Michigan. The initial scope will be Children’s Home Based and Case Management Services. Home Based service is an area that Easter Seals Michigan has a strong skillset, with five home based teams. Services began October 1st, making this the sixth location in the state.
The goal of this expanded level of autism services is to help each child develop skills that will enable him or her to be as independent and successful as possible. The funding for ABA services here in Michigan were made possible by years of advocacy and the recent legislation mandating services for children with autism.
Expanding Substance Abuse Services While Easter Seals Michigan has offered substance abuse treatment for quite some time it was only offered as part of an overall treatment package addressing behavioral health issues. Now it is offered to anyone struggling to live their life clean and sober. To learn more, call 1.800.75.SEALS.
In Oakland County, these services are offered through an ongoing partnership with the Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority (OCCMHA). Within the Macomb County community, through a partnership with Macomb County Community Mental Health, Easter Seals Michigan was awarded a contract to provide the ABA diagnostic screening for the Medicaid population. For more information visit www.essmichigan.org or call 248.475.6300.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Meetings
To attend Teen & Parent Council, call (248) 475-6330 To attend the Consumer Council, call (248) 372-6800 ext. 2010 Adult Behavioral Health Services
Family Behavioral Health Services
Family Behavioral Health Services
Consumer Advisory Council 2nd Friday of each month 12-2 pm Location: Adult Services 22150 building - Southfield
Teen Advisory Council Every other Tuesday 5:30-7pm Locations rotate between Auburn Hills and Southfield
Parent Advisory Council Every other Tuesday 5:30-7pm Locations rotate between Auburn Hills and Southfield
Stay connected to Easter Seals Michigan! essmichigan.org facebook.com/EasterSealsMI twitter.com/EasterSealsMI
Scan this code with your smartphone to learn more about Easter Seals Michigan.
West Michigan has done it again!
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aster Seals Michigan’s Grand Rapids location has been named one of the 2013 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For™ in West Michigan. We were also an Elite award winner for Community Involvement.
METROPOLITAN
DETROIT’S
An independent research firm evaluates each company’s entry based on key measures in various categories. They include Compensation, Benefits and Employee Solutions; Employee Enrichment, Engagement and Retention; Employee Education and Development; WINNER Recruitment, Selection and Orientation; Employee Achievement and Recognition; Communication and Shared Vision; Diversity and Inclusion; Work-Life Balance; Community Initiatives; Strategic Company Performance and the Best of the Best Small Business.
and considers multiculturalism to be a competitive advantage. Work-Life Balance: Extent to which the organization and its management recognize the need for personal balance as an employee by implementing programs to accommodate such needs.
2013
Community Initiatives: Extent to which the organization is committed to improving the local community while providing the encouragement and time for employees to participate in a meaningful way.
“It is quite an honor to work alongside such an amazing group of professionals, and I am so proud that we are once again recognized in our community for the passion, dedication and services that we provide every day.”
We stood out in three categories: Diversity and Inclusion: The extent which an organization is open and inclusive to people of differing human qualities, promotes a tolerant work environment,
Brent Wirth President and CEO, ESM
Community Recognition! Ross Gertz won the Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority’s Hero of the Month award. He was selected after his nomination was reviewed by a five-member committee. He was presented with a certificate, trophy and $50 gift card at the monthly OCCMHA Board meeting. If you would like to nominate someone for this award, please go to www.occmha.org, click on Community Outreach, and then Award Nominations.
Dawn Fox was given the “My Life” award at the recent Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority’s Recovery Conference. This award was given to Dawn for her amazing story and recovery that serve as an inspiration to others.
Raffle Winners!
Mark Z. of Jackson, MI won a Cadillac and $50,000 on February 23rd, 2013
Ronald S. of Dearborn Heights, MI won a Corvette and $50,000 on April 27th, 2013
John M. of Shelby Township, MI won a Cadillac and $50,000 on June 20th, 2013
Robert S. of Orchard Lake, MI won $100,000 on August 24, 2013
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Easter Seals Michigan
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Presidents’ Council
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October 1, 2012 – September 30, 2013
The Presidents’ Council honors the generous individuals who provide an annual gift of $1,000 or more to support our programs and services. Opportunity - $5,000 - $9,999 Mr. David Benoit ^ Dignity - $2,500 - $4,999 Donald Neill Fred Gibson Ability - $1,000 - $2,499 Richard A. Austin Diane Austin* Gail Babb* Spence Babcock Edward Baggett Mindy Biglin* David Bommarito Thomas Broders Louis Bush Raymond and Corri Card^ Vince Carpinelli Dr. Nicanor Castedo* Melissa Ciemnicki Steve Clinkenbeard Mike Covello Frances Creveling Ezra Cutler Wayne Damron Jaqueline and Bill Dangl^ Susan Davies^ Stephen Destafano William Dickens Denise Durkee* Marylynn Early Frank Ewasyshyn Ronald Fields
Norbert Froeschke Michael Graham Gerald Grimes Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Jennifer Hagedon* John Harkins Juliana Harper* August Hofweber Thomas Hogan Richard Hollis* Jacqueline Hooper* Toby L. Horner* Stacy Horton Dawn Hubbell Clarissa Hulleza Elizabeth Hurd Scott Imberman Donald Kopka Edward Kownacki Mark Kurzawa Charles E. Kvasnovsky Glen Langston Richard Leachman Larry Markland Terry and Tami McLaughlin* Norman Medford Larry Menge Frank Mervyn David Moellring Jeanne E. Mondou Melissa Moody* Peter Nagle Patricia Neigh Jerry Pelton Walter Perkins
* Easter Seals Michigan Employee
^ Easter Seals Michigan Board Member
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Easter Seals Michigan serves and supports people with disabilities or special needs and their families so they can successfully live, learn, work
Sam Pizzo Peter Psarreas Michael Rezmerski Ann Rosenthal Michele Rouleau Tamara Rubin Amy Ruth Bruce Schuman Dwayne Seals William Sklut Terry Spicer Wendy Standifer* Trison Stein John Strong Kristi Stuetzer^ Tom and Susan Styf Crystal Subotich* Leon Szlachta John R. Szlenkier John Tobin George Tohme Robert Tremblay Templer Uruejoma David Vanderhovel David Vanlangenhoven Zsolt Vicsacsan Jason Waechter Marian Ward Brent and Shana Wirth* Stephanie Wolf-Hull* Gregory S. Wronkowicz Marisa D. Youngblood* Frank Zamarelli
learn work
and play in their communities.
play
fun & camaraderie All for a good cause.
February 7-9, 2014 For more details and to register, go to www.EasterSeals.com/FWO
Join us as we kick off the holiday season and support Easter Seals Michigan
Friday December 6, 2013 at John Bowman Chevrolet Clarkston, Michigan
Second Annual
h c a e 5 3 s t Ticke $ 50 or two for $ Get your tickets at essmichigan.org Easter Seals Michigan serves and supports people with disabilities or special needs and their families so they can successfully live, learn, work and play in their communities.
SPOTLIGHT ON...
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Case Managers
ccording to the Case Management Society of America (CMSA), a case manager is a consumer advocate who serves as a liaison between consumers, families, and doctors. Easter Seals Michigan has over 75 case managers on staff that provide a variety of services to the individuals we serve. Because everyone’s situation is different, a case manager’s role is to listen to the person’s needs and wishes and provide individualized services based on their current life situation. One of the most important aspects of case management is to involve persons in their own care so they have the information to make educated decisions. Case managers also have professional working relationships with clinicians, doctors, nurses, and community resource partnerships. These relationships allow case managers to provide the right resources and referrals a person may require. Case managers provide person-centered treatment which provides comprehensive services for individuals and their families. Case Managers help people identify their goals and develop a plan that will assist in helping the person achieve those goals. Case Managers assist individuals with community referrals and resources including linking to housing, benefits, transportation, vocational services, educational services, advocacy, and medical services. Case managers provide support for people through their recovery and provide resources that will promote personal growth.
Board Members Easter Seals Michigan had some changes to their Board of Directors this past year. Four members received new positions and we welcomed a new member to our family. David Benoit has been named Chairperson. A managing director of TCE Enterprises LLC and a board member of several privately-held companies, he has been an Easter Seals Michigan board member since 2008.
Julia Swanson has been named Vice Chairperson. She is currently the director of operational analytics at Henry Ford Health System, and has been an Easter Seals Michigan board member since 2010.
Jackie Dangl has been named Treasurer. She is currently a global strategic planning manager with Amway and has been an Easter Seals Michigan board member since 2008.
EVENTS
Save the Date 2nd Annual Hightail It for Heroes Run Stony Creek Metropark Shelby Township, Michigan November 9, 2013 Century 21 Town & Country Cadillac CTS & $50,000 Raffle Suburban Cadillac Buick of Troy Troy, Michigan November 23, 2013 Second Annual Cheers to the Holidays John Bowman Chevrolet Clarkston, Michigan December 6, 2013 For Women Only Snowmobile Ride Alpine Lodge Grayling, Michigan February 7-9, 2014
Rainey Repins has been named Secretary. She works as managing council in Alticor Inc.’s Legal Division and has been an Easter Seals Michigan board member since 2012.
Paul J. Haviland is a latest addition to the board. He is the current business manager of Cadence Pharmaceuticals. He is very knowledgeable about effective marketing and brand awareness methods that will be valuable in advancing our mission, to better serve the community and the children and adults living with a disability and those that love them. Welcome, Paul!
JOIN US
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2nd Annual Hightail It for Heroes 5K and 10K Run • 10K Wheeler Division Saturday, November 9th, 2013 Stony Creek Metropark Registration opens at 8:30 am Registration is $30 and includes a finisher medal and tek shirt. To register, go to www.essmichigan.org
In order to help us conserve costs, kindly let us know if you wish to be removed from our mailing list. essmichigan.org Easter Seals Michigan 2399 E. Walton Blvd. Auburn Hills MI 48326 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Southfield, MI Permit No. 271