Better Person-Centered Care Through Partnerships

Blue Technologies and Legal Works might not come to mind when talking about behavioral health, but it was through the generosity of both that OhioGuidestone was able to offer our better person-centered care for one of our clients who was facing obstacles beyond his control and outside of his workforce training or his mental health care.

25-year-old Isaiah Campbell has had more than his share of hard knocks. Born into poverty, and too many times on the receiving end of crime, the single parent of an 8-year-old is determined to raise his daughter without the struggles he has had to face.

Isaiah came to an OhioGuidestone Workforce 360° class to learn about construction and work toward a high school diploma. But he was also hoping to find someone who could give him some direction with a legal problem that had loomed over him his entire life.

He told Jennifer Cholley, an outreach specialist with OhioGuidestone, how someone had used his identity to commit a crime, and despite a letter from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor stating his innocence, Isaiah was still facing criminal charges.

The Bureau of Motor Vehicles denied him a driver’s license because the State of Ohio showed he had outstanding warrants involving three open court cases. He also showed up as a defendant in 15 other court cases including housing and traffic violations that occurred before Isaiah was even six years old.

As a former paralegal Jennifer knew Isaiah would need a lawyer to sort out such a frustratingly tangled case. Isaiah’s identity had been used for years by more than one person, and despite many calls and emails Jennifer could not find a lawyer who would help. “One attorney wanted a $2,000 retainer. Clearly, we were unable to fund that,” she said.

That’s when the Legal Works organization and Attorney James Levin stepped in and partnered with OhioGuidestone to take Isaiah’s case. In just two months James was able to clear Isaiah’s name, allowing Isaiah to pursue meaningful employment.

Then, just as Isaiah was on a productive track, crime hit him again. As he was riding his bike an attacker grabbed Isaiah, beat him, and stole the bike, which is his means of transportation.

When Isaiah’s story reached the staff of Blue Technologies, the longtime OhioGuidestone partner responded with their usual kindness and generosity. Blue Technologies added Isaiah to their yearly holiday gift list.

When Isaiah came to the OhioGuidestone campus to receive his high school diploma, Jennifer Cholley and her team presented him with his diploma and a new bike, courtesy of Blue Technologies.

Isaiah said he is beyond grateful to OhioGuidestone, Legal Works, and Blue Technologies for getting him the help he needed. He said “I don’t know where I would be without them. I am so glad I asked for legal advice, even though it was a class on construction. James is an amazing lawyer, and I am incredibly grateful for his expertise. I also owe a big thank you to Blue Technologies for replacing my bike.”

Isaiah says he is teaching his daughter that it is ok to ask for help, even when you aren’t sure who to ask. “Just ask SOMEONE,” he said.

“Isaiah is doing phenomenally well,” Jennifer said. “We are all so proud of him at OhioGuidestone, and we appreciate the incredible organizations that allow us to help people like Isaiah navigate the most difficult times in life.”

OhioGuidestone to Provide Peer Recovery Support Services at Southwest General

When an individual who has overdosed presents at Southwest General’s Emergency Room, they are medically stabilized, then immediately offered a second life-saving measure—a meeting with a Peer Recovery Support Specialist from OhioGuidestone.

Starting in March 2023, Southwest General, along with OhioGuidestone, are providing community members with the new Peer Recovery Support Program as a recovery resource for both the insured and uninsured patient populations. The collaboration comes in response to rising numbers of fatal drug overdoses as well as a generous grant from a longtime Southwest General donor.

Michael Waggoner, RN, MSN, director, Oakview Behavioral Health Services, Southwest General, said, “We are grateful to bring this exceptional collaboration with Ohio Guidestone to our patients. The Peer Recovery Support Specialists are a critical link between the treatment system and the larger communities where those struggling with addiction live.”

A certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist is someone who has direct experience with substance and behavioral health challenges and is trained to use their own experiences to help others impacted by substance use disorders. They help people engage in the recovery process, which, in return, reduces the likelihood of a relapse and the overall cost of services.

OhioGuidestone’s, Rebecca Emery, who will serve as the Peer Recovery Support Specialist at Southwest General, said, “We’ve had remarkable success with peer recovery at OhioGuidestone. Together we’ll be able to help more people take steps towards a healthier future.”

In addition to providing support to patients in Southwest General’s ER after an overdose, OhioGuidestone will provide support in the following hospital areas:

• BreakThru (medically assisted drug/alcohol withdrawal inpatient treatment program)

• Oakview Behavioral Health Services Inpatient Unit

• Oakview Behavioral Health Services Outpatient Program (IOP/PHP – Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization Programs)

OhioGuidestone President and CEO, Brant Russell, who also is an RN, said, “I am especially excited about this partnership. Much of my professional life has been in a hospital setting. I know how behavioral health is interwoven with physical health, and Southwest General offering OhioGuidestone services fits in perfectly with our better person-centered care approach. I look forward to more collaboration in the future.”

William A. Young Jr., president and CEO, Southwest General, said, “We are proud to partner with OhioGuidestone, a long-standing community partner, to provide this greatly needed service to our patients and community members.”

CCBHCs Ready to Launch

When OhioGuidestone was awarded nearly $8,000,000 in federal grants last year to develop Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHC) in Cuyahoga County and the Four County region of Defiance, Henry, Fulton and Williams Counties, a dedicated team led by Larraine Stehlik hit the ground running. As we approach spring, this model of better person-centered care and improved access is ready to launch.

“Our new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics are uniquely positioned to serve as the cornerstone of Ohio’s push to integrate mental and physical health into a person-centered approach and to remove the stigma

Core services of the centers include:

• Targeted case management and care coordination

• Screening, assessment, diagnosis, and risk assessment

• Patient-centered treatment planning

• Outpatient mental health and substance use disorder services

• Outpatient primary care screening and monitoring

• Psychiatric rehabilitation services

• Peer and family supports

• Crisis mental health services

• Community based mental health care for veterans and increase the availability surrounding mental health services,” says Stehlik, Director of Adult, Recovery, and Information Services.

Care coordination is an important piece as OhioGuidestone’s CCBHCs will help clients mitigate the negative impacts of identified social determinants of health and wellness. Our clinics will offer crisis services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are required to serve anyone who requests care for behavioral health or substance use, regardless of their ability to pay, place of residence, or ageincluding developmentally appropriate care for children and youth.

Simply put, our new clinics will enhance access and quality of better person-centered care.

“These services provide OhioGuidestone an opportunity to be an agent of change, decreasing the burden on first responders and emergency medical services while cultivating a sense of vitality and stability in our clients and in the communities with service,” says Stehlik.

As the state’s leader in community behavioral health, OhioGuidestone is dedicated to making CCBHCs a foundational step for permanent change.

Remembering Reverend Caddey

OhioGuidestone has lost one of our pioneers. Reverend Dr. John W. Caddey, former President and CEO, began his service to our organization in 1963, known then as The United Methodist Children’s Home. At the beginning of his tenure, our organization was a residential treatment center, with no other services in place. During his tenure, foster care was added, followed by many of the community-based behavioral health services we continue to provide to this day.

Through his leadership and vision, the organization grew from serving 100 children and families to over 9,000 each year, and he increased the annual organizational budget and staff to meet the increased community needs. A budget of $5,000,000 and a staff of 50 grew to more than $21,000,000 and more than 700 employees when he retired in 2004.

Dr. Caddey shepherded the agency into the 21st century with strength and ease and set the foundation and endowment that allowed us to grow as Ohio’s leader in behavioral health care.

Memorial contributions may be made to the John and Rochelle Caddey Endowment Fund at OhioGuidestone or to the Berea Arts Festival. To view a full obituary and express condolences to the family at www.bakerfuneralberea.com.