Schenectady Mental Health

Who is this BHO "Community Care Behavioral Health?" Part 1

2012-02-14T12:46:00.006-05:00

Who is this Behavioral Health Organization (BHO) "Community Care Behavioral Health"? Part 1

I have two choices here. I could talk about the role this BHO is going to play in our region or I could go from the direction of the whole, the company. The goal, the mission, the hoped for achievements they have as a company. I decided to talk about the company.

I started on my journey of research about this company right from the git go. While attending the NYAPRS conference in September I found out this company is going to be the Behavior Health Organization for our region. Once home I hit the internet. Who were they? What were they? I cruised through one webinar that gave me insight into the business end, the structure of the company. Boring, oh so boring but I hung in there figuring hey, they are going play a role in effecting the lives of my friends I want to know who these folks are. If I recall correctly, at that time the decision was so new there was no mention of NY on their site but the next time visiting there was. http://www.ccbh.com/providers/hudsonriver/index.php

This is their approach to wellness.
http://www.ccbh.com/providers/recoveryinstitute/webinars/webinars2009.php

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote recovery and consumer choice in the communities it serves, Community Care, in collaboration with Pat Deegan Ph.D. & Associates hosts a Webinar Series for consumers, behavioral health providers, family members, and other stakeholders. The Series is designed to explore new ideas, research, and practices to support the concepts of recovery and self-determination for people with serious mental illnesses.

Moving on to February… I was invited to attend a meeting with folks from the Mental Health Empowerment Project (MHEP), the Empowerment Exchange (EE) and Community Care. James Gavin, CEO and President of Community Care, Kelly Lauletta, Hudson Valley Regional Director Community Cares, Shelley Bishop Independent Peer Consultant, “Support the Journey” http://www.supportthejourney.com/ and a few others from Community Care. This invite to attend came through Kathie Cascio, Coalition to Protect the Integrity of Peer Support in NYS, CPRP, Peer Support Mentor.

The reason for this meeting was due to concerns from the Peer community about the first job offer for a “Peer Support Specialist” that Community Care was offering. I attended as a representative from the “Schenectady Peer Advisory Board” a new peer initiative in our county supported by and being given guidance from the Office of Community Services. We are not with the county, we are an independent peer driven organization.

CEO Jim Gavin (a former social worker) indicated Community Care is in a difficult position due to constraints placed on them from NYS Medicaid. They are only able to hire one person which is making it difficult to cover both the peer and the family’s needs. Ideally it should be two separate positions but that will not happen. He mentioned how NY is very different from Pennsylvania and there is a very unique difference between the needs of NYC and the needs of the rest of the state.

Mr. Gavin was rather surprised at the peer inclusion aspects of this Medicaid Redesign project. Dianna Babcock (MHEP) spoke up about her experiences with being a part of the Redesign project and finding it difficult. He believes and Community Care as a whole feels this is a very important ingredient to this project and we must continue to work hard to be heard.

The most important thing I had come out of from this meeting was Mr. Gavin telling us it is "up to us". It is up to us to make things happen. They will not be doing anything "for us" that is not their purpose. He shared that at a counties meeting they were also told this same thing.

In response to my inquiry about their website Mr Gavin indicated they have been working on it in response to folks indicating it was difficult to navigate. Hmmm… the company listens. Community Care their CEO and a few others from their company came up from PA met with us concerning the job offer they had put out. hmmm…. concern for the Peer community. A number of months I back couldn’t get one of the archived webinars to work. I emailed them around 7:00 am and received a reply at 7:30 from Saya Krebs PhD(c), CLC Training Coordinator just a short time later all was fixed. hmmm… the company supports the use of the technologies. Next time we met Community Care was at a meeting being held by NYAPS about Health Homes, the representative from our region was there. Again, Community Care gave 100% support for peer inclusion and repeated what Mr. Gavin said. We need to keep working hard to obtain our goals.

There will be a continuing dialog on my blog about this company. They will be our region’s BHO for the remaining 14 months. What their responsibilities will be during these months is gathering data to show outcomes. This is why they repeated a number of times that they will not be doing anything “for us” that is not their role in this Medicaid Redesign project.

The Peer Advisory Board recently met with Joseph Twardy, President/CEO from Visiting Nurse Service our Health Home “leader” so follow along with me on my blog to read more about of this meeting.

Schenectady P.E.E.R. Advisory Board meets with "Visiting Nurse Service"

2012-02-13T17:40:00.004-05:00

Our Health Home leader, "Visiting Nurse Service" (VNS) is looking good. Joe Twardy President/CEO from VNS met with the Schenectady P.E.E.R Advisory Board and 3 guests. We shared much information.

Mr. Twardy explained what they are looking into and we shared some ideas we have in regards to the goals of the Schenectady P.E.E.R. Advisory Board. (P.E.E.R. stands for "People Empowered and Experiencing Recovery").

This Board is a new peer driven initiative in our county. More about that will be in future blog entries.

Peers meet with our BHO "Community Care Behavioral Health"

2012-02-13T17:14:00.006-05:00

A job opening came up. It was a Peer Support position. Many in local peer driven organizations in the area had concerns about it. A meeting was had between Community Care Behavioral Health (CCBH) the BHO for our region, the Mental Health Empowerment Project (MHEP), the Empowerment Exchange (EE)in Rensselaer County and myself from Schenectady County

It was a very informative exchange. Amy Colesante the Executive Director of MHEP presented our concerns.

Present was: James Gavin, CEO and President of Community Care Behavioral Health (CCBH), Kelly Lauletta, Hudson Valley Regional Director CCBH, Shelley Bishop, Independent Peer Consultant, Support the Journey and a few others that I know I am overlooking.

The most important thing I had come out of this meeting with was CCBH telling us it is all "up to us". We need to be proactive. It is up to us to make things happen. They will not be doing "for us" that is not their purpose. They also told folks at a county meeting this same thing. Mr. Gavin had mentioned this a number of times during the meeting

Amy indicated MHEP is able to gather the data they would be looking for. I then wondered how are folks going to know what CCBH needs then I realized the Health Home most likely will be responsible for identifying that, at least that is the way I am looking at it. I am going to have to look into this further.

So things are happening fast. Hang on for the ride.

Amazing.... Truly amazing

2012-02-12T00:21:00.018-05:00

Friday (Feb 10th) at the "What Will BHOs, Health Homes and Managed Care Mean to You? Hosted by NYAPRS"

Harvey Rosenthal calls up a slide via using his computer, you know those things it took over a year to get at PROS the Personalized Recovery Oriented Service, his computer generated slide shows us as us still having "Collage".

It was sort of hard to read all the text on the slide and who is going to read down though all the things our county has to offer but then he points "Collage" out, adding insult to injury. Now I was experiencing a horrible taste in my mouth, thank God I had brought some Halls cough drops with me. Even then they just barely cut through the taste.

It was sickening to hear all the Recovery, Peer Support concepts being thrown into just about every sentence spoken. The state is milking it for every drop they can get. Abusing those tools for their own advantages, they will bring in money. No doubt about it, finances is a "very serious issue" in the state and with Ellis. But from what I am observing, Peers are just barely included in the decision making with Medicaid Design. Even our BHO Community Care Behavioral Health is stressing the importance of Peer Support and inclusion during their meeting with us at the Empowerment Exchange and they repeated it again at this event. They told us right up front we need to keep up the fight for our Recovery. Fight even harder to be heard. Give me a break. How can we when Harvey NYAPRS who is supposed to out there advocating for us doesn't even know what is going on in our county. I did speak up about some things but not near as much as OMH who was present needed to hear.

Our leader the "Visiting Nurse Service" for our "Health Home" is showing support for us with a lived experience of having a serious mental illness so it is bringing hope to me and others. Having the Rensselaer County peers and their County MH Commissioner speaking up at this event to show what peers are doing in their community brings me hope, even if Harvey doesn't know what is happening here.

Keep all of us in your prayers, we have a long way to go here in Schenectady to effect the changes needed.

NAMI Feb 13 Luncheon Meeting update

2012-02-08T01:20:00.009-05:00

Pinhead Susan's Restaurant, 38 N. Broadway, Schenectady, at noon

John Gardner and Judy Zuchero of the Capital District Center for Independence, Schenectady satellite office in City Hall, will be the speakers. http://www.cdciweb.com/

They'll tell us all about the CDCI, which has been available for a long time as a not for profit service agency offering help to people with disabilities. The center can help our family members with housing, entitlements, getting a job and the like. Its approach is to promote ways in which a person can learn to help himself...

CDCI is not case management. It promotes self-determination.

A historical first.

2012-02-05T17:15:00.003-05:00

Things are movin and a shakin in Schenectady County. The first of it's kind a "Peer Advisory Board" has been formed. The full name is the Schenectady P.E.E.R. Advisory Board. Each letter in the word P.E.E.R. means something. "People Empowered and Experiencing Recovery". We have much in the works. Being I am a strong supporter of using the internet and I am on the Board you will be reading more and more about it.

Ellis Medicine PROS eNews: February 3, 2012 The Computers have arrived!!

2012-02-05T13:03:00.035-05:00

The "Schenectady Mental Health" blog is created as a independent Peer Support project.

GREAT news!! The computers have found their way home. I have been told they are now at PROS.

The next task. The final completion, the finish of the tweaking of setting them up to meet the needs of PROS participants and IT requirements. I have been told this will be a joint effort between Ellis Medicine IT and Mike Abair a participant at the PROS.

Mike a PROS participant, a peer who had worked at the Elli Medicine "Collage" social club for 17 years until they asked him to leave because he became physically disabled, an amputee, knows exactly what is needed to meet the needs of us PEERS and the PROS model that is focused on the "Recovery" wellness approach. PEER Support is awesome!

It is sort of nice to see some movement in the inclusion of "PEER Support" as PROS moves along. We all know how critical this component is in the "Recovery" approach... Focus on the strengths a PROS participant has and the Empowerment it brings. But remember one must still maintain an awareness of the way PROS is being implemented it is important..

Thanks Paul. Thanks Rich. Many in the community within PROS and outside of PROS truly appreciate the computers finding their way home.

Now on to my next project. The "Schenectady P.E.E.R. Advisory Board" eNews. This board is a collaborative project of peers and our supports in the county offering "Peer Support" to all in the public mental health system in the county. Showing the empowering effect "Peer Support" can bring. I hope to keep you informed and up to day on all that is happening around the county.

The "Schenectady Mental Health" blog is created as an independent Peer Support project.

Ellis Medicine PROS eNews: February 2, 2012 Computers

2012-02-02T03:27:00.021-05:00

The "Schenectady Mental Health" blog is an independent peer support project.

The computer wiring is now in place at Ellis Medicine PROS. Thank you from all of us interested in this matter.

Now to get the computers to the PROS facility. I spoke with Rich last week, he has been told they are reconfigured and ready to go but are still at the hospital. I'll call him tomorrow and ask if they would be interested in having someone from the Peer Support Network in the community pick them up and bring them to PROS.

Hospital rules might not let us do this but it can't hurt to check into it. There has to be a way to get them to PROS.

Maybe between Ellis Medicine PROS and the Peer Support Network in the community we can to solve this problem together.

The "Schenectady Mental Health" blog is an independent peer support project.

That Fear is Your Friend

2012-01-30T12:20:00.013-05:00

That Fear is Your Friend

by Leslie Giamette

That fear is your friend. That fear is what makes this time different. That is your awareness of yourself. Before when you were manic you were uncontrolled, unmonitored. Now you are watching yourself, keeping tabs. That’s what makes this time a new beginning.

So it could be you are taking the first joyful steps of stability. That is wonderful. I understand your fear that maybe it could be something else. Don’t let that overtake you. Even if it is a mania coming on you have all the tools at your disposal to deal with it. You've been training for this. You are ready. What better feeling in the world is there than coming to a battle actually prepared to fight?

So even if it’s not what you had hoped, you should take heart in your own preparations for this. No matter what happens it won’t be like last time. This time you've come prepared to takecare of business. This time it doesn't take you unaware. The power this disease has is that it masquerades as real life. It pretends that it is reality when it is really far from it. You go on thinking you’re being you only to be given the crippling news that you weren't you after all. You were truly out of control.

But now you are in control. You have faced the demons and you know how to fight this one. You have your back-ups, your allies, your battle plan. So even if it isn’t the joyful recovery you were hoping for, keep in mind that that doesn't take you back to where you've been before.

This is a new beginning, regardless of what is happening. This is not Celeste the unaware victim. This is Celeste the wise survivor. This time will be different. New beginnings, though often difficult, are the best part of the road. I have hope for you and can only tell you that you should continue as you are. Be grateful for the good feelings and monitor them at the same time. Being wary and happy is something a person with bipolar just has to learn to juggle. You can do it.

Take Care

Reprinted with permission from the author (2/2009)

This writing was sent to me during a study I participated in researching how Peer Support for individuals with the bipolar disorder can be used over the internet. This was on the forum part of it.
This was Leslie's reply to my post asking others "How do you deal with the constant fear of the mania happening again. The fear was consuming me and this reply was probably one of the most impacting things I have ever recieved in my life. It empowered me.

Peer support is critical in "Recovery"

Thank you so much Leslie. Words could never convey how great your gift to me has been.

Thank You
Greg E. Simon, MD Senior Investigator, Group Health Center for Health Studies and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) for putting the study together.

What is a Health Home?

2012-01-30T08:37:00.002-05:00

Below are two definitions of what a health home is. The first one comes to us from the Empowerment Exchange in Rensselear. Empowerment Exchange The second one is the one from the State.

1.) First of all “Health Homes” are not what they sound like: they’re not a building like a nursing home or assisted living facility or anything like that. Health Home is the term that New York State is using to describe a network of coordinated medical, mental health care and related support services like case management. Your services may not all be provided under one roof—they probably will not be. But they will all be provided through this one organization of agencies, hospitals and service providers. In some ways, this could improve your medical and mental health care by giving you a system that promotes better communication among your various doctors etc.

2.) A Health Home is a care management service model whereby all of an individual's caregivers communicate with one another so that all of a patient's needs are addressed in a comprehensive manner.

This is done primarily through a "care manager" who oversees and provides access to all of the services an individual needs to assure that they receive everything necessary to stay healthy, out of the emergency room and out of the hospital. Health records are shared (either electronically or paper) among providers so that services are not duplicated or neglected.

The health home services are provided through a network of organizations – providers, health plans and community-based organizations. When all the services are considered collectively they become a virtual"Health Home."
http://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/program/medicaid_health_homes/index.htm

NAMI Schenectady Meeting February 13th

2012-01-29T13:16:00.002-05:00

Hi folks. Just want to keep you up to date on the latest happenings with NAMI Schenectady.

NAMI Schenectady lunch meeting Feb. 13, 2012
Hear ye! Hear ye! NAMI Schenectady holds its next monthly lunch meeting on Monday, Feb. 13 at Pinhead Susan's Restaurant, 38 N. Broadway, Schenectady, at noon. We've invited ~~Dr. Heidi VanBellingham, medical director of the Ellis mental health clinic, as our speaker.~~ Update 2/7 John Gardner and Judy Zuchero of the Capital District Center for Independence, Schenectady satellite office in City Hall, as our speakers. They'll tell us all about the CDCI, which has been available for a long time as a not for profit service agency offering help to people with disabilities. The center can help our family members with housing, entitlements, getting a job and the like. Its approach is to promote ways in which a person can learn to help himself
http://www.cdciweb.com/

More...http://namischenectady.blogspot.com/

Take a peak at their website... http://namischenectady.org/ A great deal of information is available there and their newsletter can be found there also.

Peer Support Specialist Job opening in Albany New York

2012-01-23T11:23:00.035-05:00

Note qualifications require the ability to use a computer. One qualification listed at the end of the job description is the "Ability to use a computer and basic writing abilities". In fact the applicant needs to have "Excellent written, computer, and oral communication skills".

Good luck having folks at Ellis Medicine PROS learning the programs needed that can be used in an employment environment where folks will be having to do documentation attending to the various needs of a job. Most likely MS Office programs. There are no computers set up at Ellis Medicine PROS yet.

Even without internet connections they can be used to teach these skills. There are Ellis Medicine PROS participants who are accomplished at teaching. I will ask Rich about this. I will report back on this.

Spoke with Rich today 1/25. Computers are not there physically yet but he was told they have been reconfigured to meet the needs of PROS participants and are ready to go. I mentioned that even without internet connection teaching to use them could be started. Maybe they can be brought over now and set up. He has hopes that the wiring might occur next week.

THANK YOU Paul and Rich. for all you have accomplished so far.

Now you are up against not being able to get the last few feet of the wiring done by the Ellis Medicine IT department. Not uncommon to have happen to those in the Ellis Medicine mental health system outside the hospital.

Ellis Medicine administrators on Knott Street are responsible for this very long wait to get to this point. Over a year of not having the computer system finished and up and running. ~~90% of the wiring is finally there, the computers are ready to be used. Oh well, more waiting.~~

Update 2/7 All completed, computers are in.

It is rather interesting to note. Without having to deal with the bureaucratic interference, those of us at "Collage" got the job done. We had computers up and running, we had the internet. Classes were being taught. Let's here it for the people.

Now on to the job opening offered by "Community Care". "Community Care" the state's Behavior Health Organization (BHO).

I have changed my position on this job opening. At first I was thrilled things were starting to happen but as I read it over I realized how wrong I was. This job opening tells a sad tale.

I have removed the job description. It is not something I want to endorse. I am sure if you really wanted to you could find a copy of my original post on the internet but don't waste your time.

The job did require the use of a computer which as the writing of the blog post is not happening in the Ellis Medicine PROS quite yet. This job opening shows the importance of Computer skills in the employment field.

After further review of the job offering it is not in the best interests of Peers in our community as itd is written.

I understand as a result of peer driven organizations advocating their displeasure Community Care may be looking at this closer.

Update: A group of Rensselaer County peers and me from our county met with CC. A lot of interesting information was brought forth. Maybe things will work out after all. So far they appear to be on the up and up and genuinely care.

Mutuality in Mental Health

2012-01-21T18:21:00.025-05:00

Mutuality
c: Shared in common http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mutual

This past year has been an overload for me. It was as a result of the massive changes occurring in public mental health services, from the implementation of PROS to Medicaid Redesign. I was trying to understand how these were going to affect us here in Schenectady County.

Coming from a former user’s perspective and an exposure to the public mental health system for 17 years I was realizing the impacts to us were going to be enormous. I was finding the potentials difficult to even imagine.

The year consisted of a considerable amount of my time spent researching, listening, watching, trying to make sense of it all. I was hearing the concerns about Medicaid Redesign from the users of services, the supporters and the provider’s. I was gathering information from folks all across the state not just from those in Schenectady County and the Capital District. At times I was gathering information from outside New York. Every state is being confronted with the demand and need for massive change.

Providers all across New York were finding it difficult, if not impossible to get answers. No one could tell which end was up, which was down. Demands were being made, providers had to have this done by this date or that date. Which “I” the state was saying needed to be dotted which “T” had to be crossed wasn’t clear.

This challenge brought about something that was surprising me. The relationship between providers and receivers was changing. Of course let’s be honest here, Medicaid Redesign was forcing it but I was seeing "some" providers welcoming working together. They wanted to become a team.

Across the state the People using the services were starting to be recognized for what we were bringing to the table. In keeping in line with the Recovery concept, empowerment was being fueled. "Some" providers were realizing we are all on the same train. Each car carrying a different payload but we have the same destination.

Things are changing. Each step forward no matter how small is an improvement. I was now witnessing strides that at times were not so small.

This is happening in our county, in our state and throughout the country. Change takes time. It is a learning curve for all of us. With this growth in mutuality People’s lives are being enhanced. Just wish NYS Medicaid would get on board they still are treating the people who use the public mental health system with a total disregard and disrespect. Oh, they offered one thing where folks could speak up but it was more lip service that real inclusion. Those folks have to get off their high horses and thrones and see the truth of what is going on in their Kingdoms and I am not kidding when I say Kingdoms.

A thank you goes out to the Empowerment Exchange, http://www.mhepinc.org/projects/empowerment-exchange an entity of the Mental Health Empowerment Project http://www.mhepinc.org/ a project founded on the belief that people who have been involved in the mental health system voluntarily come together to help themselves and one another in a trusting, open, and supportive environment., to the Peer Networking Group (PNG) http://www.mhepinc.org/projects/peer-networking-groups a group of peers across the state who come together to disseminate information, share self-directed recovery tools, identify community resources and work together to identify and strategize issues related to systems advocacy, the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, Inc. (NYAPRS) http://www.nyaprs.org/ a statewide coalition of people who use and/or provide recovery oriented community based mental services, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, (DBSA) http://www.dbsalliance.org/ an organization that provides hope, help, and support to improve the lives of people living with mood disorders. the Rensselaer County Mental Health Service http://www.rensco.com/departments_mentalhealth.asp a group of folks who support and are promoting peer involvement in the community, Schenectady County Community Services http://www.schenectadycounty.com/FullStory.aspx?m=701&amid=5915 a group of folks who also support and are promoting peer involvement in our community, NAMI Schenectady http://namischenectady.org/ a family support group helping one another cope with the effects of mental illness in their families. Thank you to all the agencies in our county who openly shared their concerns with me. All of these are part of the collective bringing me much information.

A very special thank you to goes out to the newly formed county supported peer initiative the Schenectady P.E.E.R. Advisory Board. "Peers Empowered and Experiencing Recovery"

NYAPRS Testimony Before Assembly hearing on Medicaid Managed Care Drug Carve-In Implementation

2011-12-20T15:34:00.010-05:00

I have many concerns about the impacts from NY's "Medicaid Managed Care Drug Carve In program". We are fortunate to have organizations like New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, Inc. (NYAPRS) who address the issues that adversely effect those receiving public mental health services.

NYAPRS is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) statewide coalition of people who use and/or provide recovery oriented community based mental services. Below is an email I recieved from NYAPRS. This is one example of their dedication.
Thank you NYAPRS.

From: Harvey Rosenthal

Subject: [NYAPRS Enews] NYAPRS Testimony Before Assembly hearing on Medicaid Managed Care Drug Carve-In Implementation

NYAPRS Note: Following are remarks delivered at yesterday’s NYC based Assembly hearing on the implementation of NY’s Medicaid Managed Care Drug Carve In program.

Testimony before the NYS Assembly Standing Committee on Health Medicaid Managed Care Prescription Drug Carve-In Implementation

December 19, 2011
Presented by:
Carla Rabinowitz Secretary, Public Policy Co-Chair New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services

On Behalf of NYAPRS Members and the NYAPRS Public Policy Committee:

Co-Chairs: Ray Schwartz, Carla Rabinowitz
NYAPRS Board of Directors
President Douglas Hovey
Executive Director Harvey Rosenthal

I’d like to begin my remarks by thanking Chairman Gottfried, the other members of the Assembly Health Committee and their staff for this opportunity to provide testimony on the transfer of the Medicaid pharmacy benefit to coordination by managed care plans. This is an issue that has been of great importance to the tens of thousands of New Yorkers with psychiatric disabilities and mental health providers who are represented by the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS).

I’m Carla Rabinowitz and I speak today wearing many different hats.
I come here as NYAPRS Public Policy Committee co-chair, representing the concerns of over 1,000 NYAPRS members who have referenced concerns about both the process and the outcome of New York’s decision to carve the pharmacy benefit back into Medicaid managed care.
I come in place of NYAPRS executive director Harvey Rosenthal who has been required to care for his frail mother and who expresses his apologies for his inability to be here today.

I come here also as a full time community organizer for Community Access, a progressive recovery focused NYC based mental health agency.

I come as someone whose own health has relied on my ability to get and maintain access to the specific psychiatric medication that has proven right for me.

And finally, I come as a constituent, living in Mr. Gottfried’s district.

BACKGROUND

Throughout our 30 years, NYAPRS members have played major roles in promoting the transformation of public mental health services in NYS and nationally to energized systems of services and supports that advance the individualized recovery, rehabilitation and rights of people diagnosed with mental illnesses, rather than the traditional view that saw those conditions as lifetime sentences to incapacity, idleness, isolation, poverty and permanent patienthood.

While our view has helped move systems well beyond mere medication and custodial care to include a full array of rehabilitative services, peer supports and alternative treatments, medication remains an important choice for many in our community.

Many in our community take years to find our which medication works best for them, at what dosage and for how long.

Accordingly, our community has long fought policies that have sought to deny or limit access to those particular medications and/or forced people to fail on other ones that have failed us before simply because they were on the state’s or a plan’s formulary.

These choices don’t belong to budget makers, bureaucrats or plan officials…they belong as part of the personal relationship between prescriber and person served.

That’s why we were initially pleased when the Health Department, in apparent recognition of concerns by our members, staff and our greater community, announced that 19 out of 20 plans were going to allow Medicaid beneficiaries to stay on the exact mental health, AIDS, seizure and organ transplant medication that had been working for them…even if those medications weren’t on their formulary.

INSUFFICIENT BENEFICIARY EDUCATION

Our hope turned to worry when the Department of Health’s letters to Medicaid beneficiaries about the drug carve-in were so hard for many to understand and failed to explicitly mention the grandfathering of mental health and other drugs.

Our worries increased when DOH referred us to the letters from the plans to the beneficiaries, which they seemed unfamiliar with and which were equally hard to understand or silent about the grandfathering.

And while we were grateful when DOH included some input from Harvey in their web based FAQs citing the grandfathering of these drugs, we continued to urge for more and better notifications, since most beneficiaries don’t go to DOH’s website to get their information (many don’t have computers at all).

BENEFICIARIES BEING DENIED, DELAYED

Throughout this year’s annual fall NYAPRS regional forums that involved over 1,000 attendees in Owego, Watertown, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Lake Placid, Newburgh, White Plains, Brooklyn and Amityville, we heard general concerns about the lack of adequate consumer education and increased details of delays in getting approval to stay on ‘grandfathered’ medications…and now outright denials. Here are some details:

An Owego nurse practitioner has shared with us documented evidence of numerous denials of patient efforts to stay on the anti-depressant Pristiq that involved:

1. A 26 year old woman denied a continuation of Pristiq on November 17 by Fidelis Care, “as there are other similar medications on the Fidelis preferred drug list (formulary)” like Venlafaxine, Venlafaxine ER and Lexapro.

2. A 39 year old man denied continuation on Pristiq by Totalcare Medicaid on December 2 unless there is ‘documented failure’ of two formulary agents, despite the prescriber’s concerns about previous ‘suicidal ideation.’

3. A 30 year old woman denied continuation on Pristiq by Totalcare on December 10 with a recommendation “must try/fail formulary agent.’

A 29 year old man denied Pristiq continuation by Totalcare Medicaid on December 2 since “MCO requires trial of 2 formulary agents with documented failure unless clinically indicated.”

A 22 year old denied Pristiq continuation by Totalcare on November 11 despite “failures on previous medications.”

A Long Island psychiatrist reporting that Bravo would only approve a 15 day supply at a time of the antipsychotic zyprexa, which would require him to see her twice a month, a ‘waste of resources’ and that Focus Rx and HealthNet taking so long to respond to a continuation of clozaril that the patient was done to their last 2 pills as the companies were ‘still working on it.’

A NYC psychiatrist who has complained of being inundated with unnecessary and time consuming ‘paperwork burdens’ just to get his patient continued on grandfathered medications.

RECOMMENDATIONS

We urge Assemblyman Gottfried, the committee and the Department of Health to actively pursue the following remedies:

The Legislature should restore prescriber prevails protections for Medicaid managed care medications for vulnerable groups like ours that used to be guaranteed in fee for service. This will assure that plan promises to ensure crucial continuity of care for our community is a promise that is kept, in keeping with recommendations recently approved by the Medicaid Redesign Team.

DOH must step up its oversight over plan performance and assure the promised automatic grandfathering of these medications, without costly delays that waste prescriber time and jeopardize beneficiary’s health.
DOH should redouble its efforts to educate beneficiaries about these patient protections.

DOH should publicly publish data demonstrating the numbers of beneficiaries who experienced uninterrupted, undelayed continuity of care in receiving their ‘grandfathered’ medications.

I want to thank Assemblyman Gottfried for his strong and long record of ensuring that Medicaid and the Medicaid pharmacy program in particular provide appropriate service to the millions of New Yorkers who rely on it each day to protect and preserve their health. NYAPRS continues to pledge our full cooperation and commitment to work with the legislature, the Administration, the plans, providers and our consumer communities to see that these aims are met.

Carla’s remarks included the following:
“NYAPRS believes it is wrong to deny access to medications to people who have found these drugs helpful. Each drug works differently on different people. As one psychiatrist told me everyone’s brain is unique. Taking medication that impacts your brain is a difficult choice. I suffer a speech impediment and weight gain to stay on a medication that keeps me stable. Don’t make the decision to take these drugs more difficult by allowing plans to restrict which medications a person can take without proper oversight.

Don’t make people who are willing to stabilize their lives decompensate and lose what we have worked for just to prove we need a particular psychotropic medication a doctor has prescribed for us.”

Pizza pizza pizza my make me feel good food

2011-12-17T05:56:00.066-05:00

Back in the mid 90's while attending Ellis Continuing Day Treatment I took an art therapy group. It was there that I first heard of "make me feel good foods". One of my make me feel good foods is pizza, it always makes me feel good. I have never figured out exactly what it is that art and food have in common but there must be something. I am guessing that it is because both can make me feel good.

Have you ever tried to find a pizzeria open on a major holiday like Christmas? Sometimes holidays get me down so when they arrive I always have a frozen pizza around or a stash of ingredients to make my own.

Currently in keeping with my Recovery and Wellness plan I am trying to change my eating habits. It is not so much the amount I eat but the types of foods. I figure Pizza covers all the basic food groups so it's ok but don't tell my cardiologist it's my "make me feel good food".

I no longer eat it with pepperoni, I usually have plain cheese or with mushrooms. I don't get depressed as often as I used to so I have cut down on my pizza frenzies.

If you take a moment to think about what your "make me feel good foods" are you will find there are those special foods that during times of discomfort you reach out for them. Hey, there are all kinds of therapy from Cognitive to Yoga and Acupuncture so why not "make me feel good foods" therapy followed by a weight watchers support group.

What drives the bus?

2011-12-13T10:40:00.017-05:00

You hear something that peaks your interest, you start your research, talk to as many people who know more about it as you can. You try to look at it from as many views as you can gather then do more research trying to see it from those perspectives.

There may be times you believe you are being faulted for your interest, for the passion, for being an idealist as if it is bad to be one but it also works in the reverse, you can be respected for those too. You are thinking outside the box, you are an optimist. Don't overlook that.

So where am I going with this? Understanding passion and acceptance.

Recently I came across four situations, ones involving a passion I have. Some consisted of second hand information which means I have to do a great deal more research, I need to talk to the people involved. Many times I am not able to do this so I have to temporarily let my research fall by the wayside but the issues are not forgotten. I have to accept the frustration that my research will take longer than I wanted it to. I have to accept all the emotions that come with the passion.

When you realize you have a passion for something take a moment to consider this...
listen to your heart, let it drive the bus but never forget to use your mind as the gps to your destination.

My New Year's wish to all....your passions come to fruition.

Celeste

Everything you wanted to know about Medicare

2011-11-08T23:56:00.002-05:00

I came across this website by accident. Medicare Rights Center http://www.medicarerights.org/ The Medicare Rights Center is an exhaustive resource offering information, answering questions and contains links to other resources. One example of what it offers is the Medicare Interactive www.medicareinteractive.org. This is a searchable, online Medicare guide. So many times I find search features lacking, this one isn’t.

The website has a number of informative and easy to understand newsletters. I find the newsletter Dear Marci very useful, I am on SSDI and have Medicare. http://www.medicarerights.org/about-mrc/newsletter-signup.php?utm_source=dm-national&utm_medium=e-mail&utm_campaign=National+DM+11.7.11

"Dear Marci is a biweekly e-newsletter that helps consumers—people with Medicare, their families and caregivers—understand their Medicare benefits and options. Each issue features Medicare coverage advice, basic health tips and links to vital health care resources."

This issue is focused on Medicare Part D. (Vol. 10, Issue 23: Week of November 7, 2011) Below is one example of what the newsletter has to offer.

Dear Marci:
My drug costs at the pharmacy suddenly increased and my pharmacist said it’s because I’m in the coverage gap. What is the coverage gap and how do I get out?
-- Mark (Rhinebeck, NY)

Click on the blue, underlined hyperlinks for related information available through Medicare Interactive!

Dear Mark,
The coverage gap- or as it’s more commonly known, the doughnut hole, is one of the four coverage periods people with Medicare Part D can be in during the year. Many people find out they’ve reached the doughnut hole when they unexpectedly get a big bill at the pharmacy.
You reach the doughnut hole after you have gone through the deductible and initial coverage periods. This year, you enter the doughnut hole when your total drug costs reach $2,840. Your total drug costs are what you and your plan have spent on covered prescriptions since the start of the year. In 2012, you enter the doughnut hole when your total drug costs reach $2,930.
Your costs at the pharmacy temporarily increase when you’re in the doughnut hole. In the past, people were usually responsible for the full cost of their prescriptions during this period. However, because of health reform, people started getting discounts this year on drugs they bought while in the doughnut hole. In 2011, people in the doughnut hole get a 50 percent manufacturer’s discount on covered brand-name drugs and a 7 percent government subsidy on covered generic drugs. These discounts will increase every year until 2020, when the doughnut hole will be gone. Next year, in 2012, the discount on covered brand-name drugs will stay the same (50 percent) and the discount on covered generics will go up to 14 percent.
So, how do you get out of the doughnut hole? In 2011, you get out of the doughnut hole and into the fourth coverage period (catastrophic coverage) when you have spent $4,550 out of pocket on drugs since the start of the year. In 2012, this amount will increase to $4,700. This amount includes what you’ve paid out of pocket, but it does not include your premium or anything your plan paid toward your drugs. Click here to see a full list of what counts to get you out of the doughnut hole.

People reach the doughnut hole at different times. Some may never enter the doughnut hole while others reach it very early in the year. Whether you get to the doughnut hole depends on your drug costs.

There are ways to get help paying for your drugs in the doughnut hole. Click here for more information.
–Marci

Medicare Rights also offers two other newsletters.

The Medicare Counselor Sent bimonthly, this publication addresses timely Medicare coverage-related topics to help social workers, health care providers and other professionals stay up-to-date on Medicare issues that affect their clients. http://www.medicarerights.org/about-mrc/newsletter-signup.php?utm_source=dm-national&utm_medium=e-mail&utm_campaign=National+DM+11.7.11

The Medicare Watch This weekly newsletter helps readers stay up-to-date on Medicare policy and advocacy developments, and learn about changes in Medicare benefits and rules. It also provides recommendations for what you can do to make Medicare better for all older adults and people with disabilities. http://www.medicarerights.org/about-mrc/newsletter-signup.php?utm_source=dm-national&utm_medium=e-mail&utm_campaign=National+DM+11.7.11

Quotes reproduced with permission from Medicarerights

Medicaid Medicine Questions and Answers

2011-11-07T21:06:00.009-05:00

October 2011 Medicaid Update

If you have been on a drug for a while and it’s not on your plan's list of covered drugs, you may be able to stay on that drug. See question #8 for details.

ATTENTION: MEDICAID MANAGED CARE AND FAMILY HEALTH PLUS MEMBERS. PHARMACY BENEFITS ARE NOW PROVIDED BY YOUR HEALTH PLAN

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
http://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/program/update/2011/oct2011mu.pdf

Q1. What has changed about the Medicaid Pharmacy benefit?
ANSWER: Beginning October 1, 2011, members enrolled with Medicaid and Family Health Plus managed care plans will have their pharmacy benefit paid for by their health plans instead of the Medicaid program directly. This means that members will need to work with their physicians and health plans to make certain the drugs they use are covered.

Q2. How do I know if the medications I am currently taking will be covered by my health plan?
ANSWER: You should have received a letter from your plan with information about which drugs are included on its formulary (list of covered drugs). If you did not receive this letter or have questions, please contact your health plan. You may also contact the NYS Medicaid helpline at (800) 541-2831 for assistance.

Q3. How can I obtain a list of the medications my plan covers?
ANSWER: You should contact your health plan directly to obtain its formulary or list of covered drugs. You may also contact the NYS Medicaid helpline at (800) 541-2831 for assistance.

Q4. Which card do I need to use at the pharmacy?
ANSWER: Effective October 1, 2011, Medicaid managed care and Family Health Plus beneficiaries must use their health plan card (not their Medicaid/CBIC card) at the pharmacy.

Q5. What if I do not have a health plan card?
ANSWER: You must contact your managed care plan and ask them to issue a new health plan card. All plans have help lines. Please visit your plan’s Website or contact the NYS Medicaid helpline at (800) 541-2831 to obtain your plan’s number.

Q6. What if I do not know what health plan I have chosen?
ANSWER: To find out what plan you currently have, please contact the New York State Medicaid helpline at (800) 541- 2831.

Q7. Will my co-payment change?
ANSWER: Co-payments for drugs will remain the same in both Medicaid and Family Health Plus with one exception; there will be no co-payments for supplies if you are in a Medicaid Managed Care Plan.

Q8. I do not see my drug on my plan’s formulary or list of covered drugs and I’ve been on this drug for a while; can I stay on it?
ANSWER: If you've been on the drug for a while, you may be able to stay on that drug. For example, many plans will continue to cover antipsychotics, immunosuppressants, antiretroviral therapy, anticonvulsant and antidepressant drugs for their members that are already on these drugs. You should contact your plan to find out if the drug you are on is one that your plan will continue to cover for you, even though it may not be on their list of covered drugs.

Q9. My drug is not covered by my plan; can I get a temporary supply?
ANSWER: Between October 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011, you can get a one-time temporary fill of up to 30 days for each drug you are currently taking that is not available through your plan.

Q10. I received a one-time fill and I need my medication again. What should I do?
ANSWER: You need to contact your doctor. The doctor may decide to change to a drug covered by your health plan or your doctor can ask the plan to make an exception to their formulary rules.

Q11. What if my drug is not covered and no other medication will work for me?
ANSWER: Your doctor needs to contact your plan and ask them to make an exception to their formulary rules and let you continue taking the drug.

Q12. What if the plan still won’t pay for my medication after my doctor asks for an exception?
ANSWER: You can appeal your plan’s denial to internal and external reviewers. Contact your plan for information about their appeal process. You can also call the Community Health Advocates Hotline at (888) 614-5400 for assistance, or the NYS Medicaid helpline at (800) 541-2831 for help with contacting your plan.

Q13. Can I also ask for a fair hearing?
ANSWER: Yes, you can ask for a fair hearing with aid continuing so that you can continue to receive the drug while you wait for the hearing. For help in requesting a fair hearing, you can call the Fair Hearings Hotline at (800) 342-3334 or call the Community Health Advocates Hotline at (888) 614-5400.

Q14. Will I be able to use the same pharmacy and doctor?
ANSWER: You can continue with the same pharmacy and doctor, as long as they participate with your managed care plan. Ask your pharmacy and doctor to check to make sure they are participating.

Q15. I cannot find a pharmacy in my neighborhood that accepts my health plan. What do I do?
ANSWER: You should contact your health plan for assistance in locating a neighborhood pharmacy that accepts your health plan.

Q16. I have Hemophilia (Bleeding disorder), how will I get my blood products (clotting factor)?
ANSWER: Clotting factor products will continue to be covered by Medicaid fee-for-service benefit for a limited period of time. When billing for these items the pharmacy can use your Client Identification Number (CIN) on the health plan card to bill Medicaid.

Q17. My managed care or Family Health Plus plan is Fidelis Care New York. How will I get my family planning prescriptions after the October 1 change?
ANSWER: You will continue to get your family planning items from Medicaid.Your pharmacy should bill Medicaid for these services using the alpha numeric Client Identification Number (CIN) on your Fidelis card.

Q18. When I used my Medicaid to get medications, I had no problems. Why can’t I just continue to use my Medicaid card?
ANSWER: A new state law requires that these changes be made to your Medicaid benefit. The law and/or regulation(s) that allow us to do this are Social Services Law (SSL) Sections 365-i and 369-dd, as repealed by L. 2011, ch. 59, Pt. H, Section 5 (Medicaid managed care pharmacy benefit change); SSL Section 369-ee(1)(e)(v) and 369-ee(2-b) (FHPpharmacy benefit change).

Q19. Can I switch managed care plans if I do not like the pharmacy benefits?
ANSWER: If you are within the first 90 days of joining the health plan, then you may leave and join another plan. However, once the first 90 days are over, you are "locked in" to that plan for the rest of the year (the next nine months). After the 9 month ‘‘lock-in’’ you may switch plans at any time. However, the lock-in applies after the first 90 days of enrollment every time you switch plans. For help making a decision about which plan to join, you can call the State’s Enrollment hotline at (800) 505-5678

http://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/program/update/2011/oct2011mu.pdf

August / September 2011 "Reach Out" available on line

2011-09-27T00:16:00.014-04:00

There was no August Reach Out. The combined August/September issue is available on the internet for your reading pleasure.

You can find it on Mike's Abair's website http://mycollage.org Click on the yellow hi-lited link "Go to monthly issues"

It never amazes me how Mike puts that cover page together. Those getting the print version are really missing the beauty of the colors.

The internet version is done in color which truly enhances your reading pleasure. The table of contents titles are set up so if you click on them they take you right to that article. If you see a topic in blue click on it and it takes you to that source.

It took a great deal of time and effort over the years to learn the intricacies of the various desk top publishing programs and all it's feature. Many hours of viewing training videos, looking for tips, participating in forums on the internet you name it Mike has done it. His love for sharing with his peers is amazing.

Thanks Mike for sharing the skills you have to get our articles out there to the community! Thanks writers for providing all these great articles!

Many folks over the years have been a part of these newsletters: All of us "Working Together" to show having a mental illness does not diminish us.

As is usual this issue contains wonderful entertaining and informative articles. I would like to point out these two particular informational articles. They are a peek at some of the changes Medicaid Redesign is going to bring to you and your loved ones

"What is a health home" I know for me trying to understand what they are has been confusing.

"Legally Speaking" by the OMH Counsel’s Office (Update: The "conditional" Behavioral Health Organization (BHO) chosen for our area, (OMH BHO Notice) which is referred to as the "Hudson River Region" is Community Care Behavioral Health)

Go Mike! Go Reach Out writers! Thank you so much for being the wonderful, powerful folks you are.

Tell OMH Your Concerns, Hopes re Health Homes Sept 13 Public Hearing

2011-08-21T07:14:00.002-04:00

The following information provided by:

From: Harvey Rosenthal

To: nyaprs@kilakwa.net

Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2011 8:18 AM

Subject: [NYAPRS Enews] Tell OMH Your Concerns, Hopes re Health Homes, StateMH Plan; Sept 13 Public Hearing

Tell OMH Your Concerns, Hopes re Health Homes, StateMH Plan; Sept 13 Public Hearing

Provide Input Into This Year’s Statewide Comprehensive Plan For Mental Health Services

For OMH, this is a year when we prepare to move from one five-year Plan to the next. Let us know your priorities for a changing health care environment.. We will use your input to help guide the development of behavioral health networks and “health homes.”

Simply put, a health home may be a place or it may be a group of people that a person can engage with and rely upon to address medical and behavioral needs comprehensively, in an integrated and coordinated fashion.

•What elements would you like to see included—or not included—as part of managed networks of behavioral care, as well as in health homes?

• What suggestions would you offer to move New York closer to evidence based, person-centered, family focused care based on the principles of recovery and resiliency?

Save the Date

Annual OMH public hearing

September 13, 2011 2 to 4 PM

Hosted by Commissioner Hogan via videoconference at the following sites:

Seating is limited. You must register if you plan to attend at http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/planning/testimony/2011/registration.html

· Albany – 44 Holland Avenue, 8th Floor Conference Room

· New York City – NYS OMH New York City Field Office, 330 Fifth Avenue, 9th Floor

· Long Island – Pilgrim Psychiatric Center, 998 Crooked Hill Road, Rehabilitation Center, Room C4, West Brentwood

· Syracuse – NYS OMH Central New York Field Office, 545 Cedar Street, Training Room 204

· Rochester – Rochester Psychiatric Center, 1111 Elmwood Avenue, Second Floor, Room G213-4

This hearing will be held in the style of a town-hall meeting. While written testimony is welcome before or on the day of the hearing, the meeting will not focus on the reading of testimony. Rather it is intended to provide the Commissioner and those attending with the opportunity to have a dialogue about priorities and concerns. Submit written testimony to OMH via the transformation mailbox at http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/planning/statewide_plan/2011_to_2015/testimony_request.pdf

Also, send your thoughts to transformation@omh.ny.gov or fill out our online Comment Card at http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/planning/testimony/2011/comment_card.html.

Bipolar Disorder Recovery: Establish a Morning Routine

2011-08-21T06:34:00.003-04:00

Bipolar Disorder Recovery: Establish a Morning Routine Having daily routines can be invaluable during both hypo/manic and depressive episodes. When you're flying high, they can be steadying. If you're irritable, they can be calming. And if you're depressed, they can get you moving. http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/687619/142735/establish?ic=6039

I find it very difficult to follow through with a morning routine. When I had been participating in a study, each morning I would go through a routine. It made my day start out so much better but even with that I fell away from doing it after the study ended. I am not sure why. This article reminded me of the importance of having a routine especially for someone like myself who has no family, work or school and am not to keen on doing volunteer work any of which would help to put structure in my life.

Recovery Tools on the Internet

2011-07-17T06:43:00.018-04:00

I learned about charting moods a number of years back. Someone handed me a little card where I could check things off a predetermined list of mood levels. I kept losing the card. Then I was given a paper with a bigger chart.. They were simple, to the point. In one quick view I could see a pattern of my moods. That is if you didn't lose the card or if you could still use the paper one. After a while the paper copy became so worn it was near impossible to use. I attempted using both of them only to stop after a short while. It was too messy, the check marks would get smudged and it didn't tell me one thing about what might have been influencing my mood any particular day or period in time... a medication change, I fell in love, I fell out of love, I just got a job, I just lost a job. After figuring out the smudges it would give me a visual on my moods. I thought this was pretty neat. I have the mood disorder Bipolar, seeing a time line of my moods could be a real benefit to me. The goal of charting was right on the mark, the delivery method stunk.

I never considered using my computer to make one or find one on the internet. I had my journal but those entries fly all over the place in temperament. I needed something simple, to the point. Something that told the story right up front. A visual chart of my mood followed by a quick statement of what was happening at that time.

This is where the technologies began to fit into my "Recovery" plan. I was introduced to using an internet based mood chart in February of 2009 having become a participant in a "Recovery" plan program. "The program was developed collaboratively by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance and researchers at the Group Health Center for Health Studies in Seattle."

"The "MyRecoveryPlan" was an online tool to support people living with bipolar disorder in creating and using personal recovery plans." The research project ended on January 31, 2010. I was 3 weeks short of participating a year when it closed.

The particular "type" of plan I was a part of included access to chats with an "on-line" coach and other participants of the program and to a discussion board.. Not all participants had these options. I could chat with participants and with my peer coach just about any time I wanted. We were asked to not identify ourselves although after a while we could figure out where in the country someone was from.

Chatting with the coach was of course within reason, she was on the West Coast, but there were times she would get up early to meet my needs if I scheduled it before hand. Her commitment to the study was remarkable. She is a Certified Peer Specialist and CPS trainer with the national organization "Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance" (DBSA) this program being a collaborative project.

When I started the "MyRecoveryPlan" I found I had to start it out with simplest of tasks. It amazed me just how simple it needed to be. Then I would see my self slipping a little at a time. Miss one task here, one there. This is where the interactive part of the study came in. Peer Support, is Peer Support, is Peer Support. No matter where it is occurring it is powerful. Each one of us participants would be out there either asking for help or giving it. Sharing ideas that worked for us or might not have. When we achieved a goal we gained confidence when we didn't that was ok too. We didn't have to be perfect it was "our" plan
.

It was and is one of the most impacting events that has ever occurred in my life of living with the mood disorder Bipolar. The program covered all the aspects of a Recovery plan, the mood chart being just one component.

The setup consisted of filling in information. Eating, sleeping and exercise habits, a list of warning signs, creating a MH support network, crisis planing, a list of medications and a way to show adjustments to them, a list of daily activities, short term goals, long term goals the list can go on and on.

This was just what I was looking for. As I filled in the basics I realized two things. The first one hit me like a brick between the eyes. I had no organized approach to living and dealing with the Bipolar. I had my monthly or semi monthly meeting with my therapist and my visit with my medication provider once every three months or sooner if needed. They both would point out to me various aspects of the recovery approach but I never realized the whole of it. The second realization was it meant a commitment to myself. Not something I do well at. I am great at helping others meet their goals and commitments but fall way short with those focused on me. This study connected the dots.

There were parts of the study I found more interesting than others. It would go in waves. Sometimes I would realize I needed to look at the whole picture other times I chose to just focus on particular pieces of the puzzle. It was/is a work in progress as all recovery is. Not an easy one either..

After the study was completed Dr. Gregory Simon chief investigator indicated if anyone was interested we could follow up on what the results of the study showed. I did. It was fascinating.

DBSA offers a on-line "Recovery" plan https://www.facingus.org/tour/tracker

DBSA Wellness Tracker is an online tool to help you better recognize potential health problems and mood triggers in your daily life. Each section of the DBSA Wellness Report provides helpful information to help you better partner with your clinicians on treatment plans that address your overall health and well-being.
Journal: Here you can write in your journal. All your journal entries are private and can not be viewed by anyone else on the site.
Media Room: In our AV room you can: relax and refresh listening to meditations or yoga; identify with others as you view video stories; be inspired browsing our art gallery; be amused by comedy clips; and access a variety of tools to calm or uplift your spirit.
Wellness Book: A collection our personal tips. what works what doesn't. Your personal wellness book is also private, although you can choose to share as you wish, so that others may benefit from what you have learned.
Wellness Plan: a map to living a more balanced and healthy life. We’ll walk you through, step by step, a program for creating an action plan to help keep your day, and life, on course.
Connect: With others you know by sending them an E-Postcard. Invite them to join the Facing Us Clubhouse, send a birthday greeting or simply let them know you’re thinking of them.

The MyRecoveryPlan study has ended the Facing Us now replacing it for me but I also picked up another tool. This one specifically focused on Mood Charting. MoodChart I now have both a Recovery Plan which includes a mood chart and then something that is focused just on the charting.

"MoodChart". http://moodchart.org A research study designed to help people with bipolar disorder gain better control over their illnesses. This site was developed by two psychiatrists at George Washington University, Daniel Lieberman, MD, and Frederick Goodwin, MD.

This chart is extremely simple. You enter in your mood for the day before based on a simple list of choices and if you chose to you can rate your anxiety, irritability and list what medications you are on. The hours you have slept and once a month you can record your weight. At the bottom of the page is a section where you can mention events that may have occurred that could be effecting your mood.

The chart is an easy view. Quick and to the point. You can print it out to take with you to a session with your provider.

I receive an email every day to remind me to do it. I need that assistance. So far the longest I have gone without missing an entry is 245 days. Daily situational things will show up there too but when I see a pattern I look closer to see what is going on around me. Have I changed my sleeping pattern, eating pattern, putting too much on my plate? Not uncommon for me to bring this up with my therapist to help determine it's root. I reread the text entries to see what was going on at those times.

The MoodChart plan contains an interactive component also. A discussion board. This board is outside the study. It is a an extra feature offered by the doctors after it was found out that folks liked using it. Peer to Peer Support.

Doing a "Recovery" plan over the internet isn't easy. Of all those I have tried on the internet the ones with an interactive component are the most beneficial to me. Peer Support. Proof of the power of a peer.

10 Fundamental Components of Recovery SAMHSA

2011-07-16T07:20:00.007-04:00

National Consensus Statement on Mental Health Recovery

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Center for Mental Health Services

www.samhsa.gov

Background

Recovery is cited, within Transforming Mental Health Care in America, Federal

Action Agenda: First Steps, as the "single most important goal" for the mental

health service delivery system.

To clearly define recovery, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the

Interagency Committee on Disability Research in partnership with six other

Federal agencies convened the National Consensus Conference on Mental Health

Recovery and Mental Health Systems Transformation on December 16-

Over 110 expert panelists participated, including mental health consumers, family

members, providers, advocates, researchers, academicians, managed care

representatives, accreditation organization representatives, State and local public

officials, and others. A series of technical papers and reports were commissioned

that examined topics such as recovery across the lifespan, definitions of recoveryrecovery in cultural contexts, the intersection of mental health and addictions

recovery, and the application of recovery at individual, family, community,

provider, organizational, and systems levels. The following consensus statement

was derived from expert panelist deliberations on the findings.

Mental health recovery is a journey of healing and

transformation enabling a person with a mental health

problem to live a meaningful life in a community of his or her

choice while striving to achieve his or her full potential.

The 10 Fundamental Components of Recovery

Self-Direction: Consumers lead, control, exercise choice over, and determine

their own path of recovery by optimizing autonomy, independence, and control of

resources to achieve a self-determined life. By definition, the recovery process

must be self-directed by the individual, who defines his or her own life goals and

designs a unique path towards those goals.

Home Programs Mental Health Topics Newsroom Publications Resources

National Consensus Statement on Mental Health Recovery http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/sma05-4129/ 2/18/2008

Individualized and Person-Centered: There are multiple pathways to recovery

based on an individual’s unique strengths and resiliencies as well as his or her

needs, preferences, experiences (including past trauma), and cultural background

in all of its diverse representations. Individuals also identify recovery as being an

ongoing journey and an end result as well as an overall paradigm for achieving

wellness and optimal mental health.

Empowerment: Consumers have the authority to choose from a range of options

and to participate in all decisions—including the allocation of resources

affect their lives, and are educated and supported in so doing. They have the

ability to join with other consumers to collectively and effectively speak for

themselves about their needs, wants, desires, and aspirations. Through

empowerment, an individual gains control of his or her own destiny and

influences the organizational and societal structures in his or her life.

Holistic: Recovery encompasses an individual’s whole life, including mind, body,

spirit, and community. Recovery embraces all aspects of life, including housing,

employment, education, mental health and healthcare treatment and services,

complementary and naturalistic services, addictions treatment, spirituality,

creativity, social networks, community participation, and family supports as

determined by the person. Families, providers, organizations, systems,

communities, and society play crucial roles in creating and maintaining

meaningful opportunities for consumer access to these supports.

Non-Linear: Recovery is not a step-bystep process but one based on continual

growth, occasional setbacks, and learning from experience. Recovery begins with

an initial stage of awareness in which a person recognizes that positive change is

possible. This awareness enables the consumer to move on to fully engage in the

work of recovery.

Strengths-Based: Recovery focuses on valuing and building on the multiple

capacities, resiliencies, talents, coping abilities, and inherent worth of individuals.

By building on these strengths, consumers leave stymied life roles behind and

engage in new life roles (e.g., partner, caregiver, friend, student, employee). Th e

process of recovery moves forward through interaction with others in supportive,

trust-based relationships.

Mutual support—including the sharing of experiential knowledge
and skills and social learning—plays an invaluable role in recovery. Consumers encourage and engage other consumers in recovery and provide each other with a sense of belonging, supportive relationships, valued roles, and community.

Respect: Community, systems, and societal acceptance and appreciation of consumers — including protecting their rights and eliminating discrimination and stigma — are crucial in achieving recovery. Self-acceptance and regaining belief in one’s self are particularly vital. Respect ensures the inclusion and full participation of consumers in all aspects of their lives.

Responsibility: Consumers have a personal responsibility for their own self

and journeys of recovery. Taking steps towards their goals may require great

courage. Consumers must strive to understand and give meaning to their

experiences and identify coping strategies and healing processes to promote their

own wellness.

Hope: Recovery provides the essential and motivating message of a better

future— that people can and do overcome the barriers and obstacles that confront

them. Hope is internalized; but can be fostered by peers, families, friends,

providers, and others. Hope is the catalyst of the recovery process. Mental health

recovery not only benefi ts individuals with mental health disabilities by focusing

on their abilities to live, work, learn, and fully participate in our society, but also

enriches the texture of American community life. America reaps the benefi ts of

the contributions individuals with mental disabilities can make, ultimately

becoming a stronger and healthier Nation.

Resources

www.samhsa.gov

National Mental Health Information Center

1-800-789-2647, 1-866-889-2647 (TDD)

National Consensus Statement on Mental Health Recovery

http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/sma05-4129/ 2/18/2008