Hamilton Center, Inc. - November 2002

Hamilton Center, Inc. Announces 2002-2003 Officers of the Board of Directors - November 2002

Hamilton Center, Inc. is please to announce the new 2002-2002 Officers of the Board of Directors.

	Serving as President of the Board is James H. Clayton, Vice President and Sales Representative at Terre Haute First National Bank, Terre Haute, IN. Clayton is serving his second three-year term on the Board.
	Serving as Vice President is Louise A. Anderson, MSN, RN, Director of the Nursing Division of the Vigo County Health Department. Anderson is serving her second three-year term on the Board.
	Serving as Secretary is Doug Samuelson, Manager, Bulk Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Eli Lilly & Company, Clinton Laboratories. Samuelson is serving his second three-year term on the Board.
	Serving as Treasurer is Tom Harris, PhD, CPA, Department of Accounting/School of Business, Indiana State University. Harris is serving his second three-year term on the Board.

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Hamilton Center, Inc. Announces ACT Program - November, 2002

Lia Hicks, a Consultant and Trainer for the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Center of Indiana, joined Hamilton Center, Inc. in “kicking off” the ACT pilot program in Vigo County. Clients of mental health services, families, providers, community referring agencies and others learned about the ACT’s philosophy and positive impact it will have on people suffering from a serious mental illness in the community.

ACT is a researched-based, outreach service delivery model for people with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Using a 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week team approach, ACT delivers comprehensive community based treatment, rehabilitation, and other support services to consumers in their homes, at work, and in other community settings.

Hamilton Center’s ACT team consists of five case managers, two nurses, a therapist, an employment specialist, a psychiatrist, an addictions counselor, and a support staff person. The team currently serves 50 clients with capacity of no more than 120. The program targets persons with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Most of these clients have been in and out of psychiatric hospitals and need more intensive services than traditional office based services can provide.

Other unique features of ACT include: clients receive all of their services from the ACT team and not from multiple, and sometimes loosely linked mental health, substance abuse, and rehabilitation services; treatment members are available 24 hours a day for crisis; services are always individualized and often unconventional; services are delivered in natural settings (home, community etc.) to aid the client in living with a greater degree of independence and self worth.

ACT, now in its 30th year, has been researched in Madison Wisconsin, where it originated, and at other replicated sites across the country. It is one of only a few community mental health program models with an extensive research base. Findings from ongoing National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) research, comparing ACT clients with persons whose primary treatment site was the hospital, support the program’s success. ACT brings opportunities for recovery and improved quality of life to people with severe psychiatric disorders who do not respond to traditional treatment.

For additional information call Hamilton Center at (812) 231-8200 or (800) 742-0787.

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Services
History of Success

ACT has 30 years of documented success. It is one of only a few community mental health program models with an extensive research base. Findings from ongoing National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) research, comparing ACT clients with persons whose primary treatment site was the hospital, indicate the program’s success. ACT brings opportunities for recovery and improved quality of life to people with severe psychiatric disorders who do not respond to traditional treatment.

ACT clients spend much less time in hospitals and more time in independent living, spend less time unemployed, earn more from competitive employment, have more positive social relationships, enjoy greater satisfaction with life, and have fewer symptoms of severe mental illness.
In one study, only 18% of ACT clients were hospitalized the first year compared with 89%of the non-ACT treatment group. For those ACT clients who were re-hospitalized, stays were significantly shorter than stays of the non-ACT group.
ACT clients spend more time in the community, but the impact on family and community residents was no greater.
The ACT model has shown an economic advantage over institutional care. In a Veterans’ Administration study over two years, ACT costs were $33,296 less per consumer than standard care.
In a landmark five-year NIMH funded study by the Schizophrenia Patient Outcomes Research Team, scientists reviewed current evidence documenting the most effective treatments for schizophrenia. Along with appropriate and careful use of antipsychotic medications, the study endorses the comprehensive approach of ACT as a treatment model of proven benefit to people with schizophrenia.

This information was compiled from The PACT Advocacy Guide from NAMI. For additional information, contact NAMI Assertive Community Treatment Technical Assistance Center, 2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22201-3042.
Phone number (866) 229-6264
ACT@NAMI.org
www.nami.org/about/pact.htm

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Hamilton Awards Presented at Annual Dinner of the Board of Directors - November 2002

Hamilton Center, Inc. is pleased to announce the recipients of this year's Hamilton Awards. The awards were presented on October 29, 2002 at the 2002 Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors at Hulman Center, Terre Haute, IN. Officers of the Board presented the awards. Lieutenant Governor Joe Kernan provided the key note address to an audience of close to 400 people.

Hamilton Awards, which are selected by the Executive Committee of Hamilton Center's Board of Directors, are presented annually. Winners have significantly contributed to the cause of mental health and/or the care of people with mental illnesses, addiction problems, or developmental disabilities. Hamilton Awards have been presented annually since 1981 and are named in honor of Katherine Hamilton, a woman who was devoted to the cause of mental health and improving the care of those in need.

Community Award winners:

Mary Ellen Nease, a special education teacher since 1965, has dedicated her life to enriching the lives of children and adolescents with developmental disabilities. In addition to her professional life, Nease has been active with the Indiana Special Olympics since attending her first event in 1970. She organizes a bowling team, transports students to local and State meets, and is involved in fundraising efforts so that all children and families can participate. Nease's other achievements include starting a Sunday School program in an area children's group home, serving as President, Secretary and Chair of the Medical Committee of Handicapable Camp (camp for children with disabilities), joined Western Smiles Clowns and helps to train other clowns, and serves as a lifelong member of Plainfield Friends Meeting where she educates members about the needs of persons with disabilities.

Business Professionals of America, South Putnam Chapter, is a co-curricular organization whose mission is to contribute to the preparation of a world-class workforce through the advancement of leadership, citizenship, academic, and technological skills. Affiliated with the National organization based in Ohio, there are secondary and post secondary chapters throughout the United States. The Putnam Chapter, like the national organization, has selected Special Olympics as their service project. For the last 30 years, this local chapter has worked with Special Olympics by sponsoring a Rock-A-Thon during the afternoon and evening of a South Putnam varsity high school basketball game. Pledges are gathered and a special guest is invited to talk about Special Olympics. This organization has been the largest contributor to Special Olympics in Putnam County for the last several years. The Advisor to the group is Phyllis Rokicki.

Volunteer Award winner:

Annette Dobson, from Vigo County, has served as a volunteer for her church, Victory Christian Center, for over 11 years. She provides support and hope to sexual abuse victims helping them cope, connecting them with community resources and providing friendship to many women in need. She visits people in their homes, provides transportation to doctor appointments, visits people in the hospital, provides feedback to therapists and other service providers and opens her home to victims' children who she cares for until their mother is able to care for them again. In addition, Dobson and her husband have taught self-help and wellness classes at their church for over eight years. Dobson is described as "selfless" and that "her heart, her passion and her desire to help others are incredible assets to the church."

Staff Award winner:

Ed Ross, Program Manager of Hamilton Center's Vigo County Addiction Services, is the recipient of the Staff Award. Ross began his employment at Hamilton Center in 1988 as a Relief Detoxification Technician. While employed, he became a Certified Addictions Counselor and earned his Bachelor and Master's degrees. Ross was nominated and selected for his leadership and oversight to the Addictions program, his clinical expertise and his "insurmountable enthusiasm" and dedication to the clients he serves. Currently he is President and Treatment Committee Chair of the Vigo County Local Coordinating Council for a Drug Free Community and works very closely with the Judge Robert H. Brown Alcohol and Drug program and the court system to coordinate care and improve the drug and alcohol system by making it better, more productive and more efficient.

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NAMI Meeting Scheduled for November 13, 2002 - November, 2002

A Wabash Valley affiliate of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) has been established. The next meeting is scheduled for Wed. Nov. 13th at 7:00 pm at Hamilton Center, Inc., 620 8th Ave., Terre Haute. Consumers, family members of persons with mental illnesses, professionals and others interested are invited to attend. All meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month.

The Nov. 13th meeting will feature Mary Beth Dougherty, a Recreation Therapist and Acting Program Manager for Hamilton Center's Inpatient Services. Dougherty will present information about managing symptoms during the holidays.

NAMI is a not-for-profit grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of people afflicted by serious and persistent mental illness. NAMI affiliates consist of families, consumers, and professionals dedicated to helping families through a network of support, education, advocacy and research. For further information call Betty Porter, President of the Wabash Valley NAMI at (812) 232-6015.

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