Board Profile — Tina Rosenthal, Governing Board chair:
What is the best thing about being a Bert Nash board member? The best thing about being a Bert Nash board member is the people I have the privilege to serve with. I have met a lot of wonderful individuals, employees as well as fellow volunteers, while serving on the board. It has been both refreshing and exciting to work with a group of people who are equally as passionate as I am about the stability of mental health services for our community.
Why is it important to you to serve? Being on the board of Bert Nash, I have been gifted the opportunity to better serve and give back to my community which has always been really import-ant to me.
What goals do you have for your term? I feel that my goals have somewhat shifted given the cur-rent pandemic we are in. Prior to assuming my role as board chair I set out with the intention of focusing on the growth and expansion beyond the already existing services Bert Nash provides. Given the financial predicament that Bert Nash, like so many other mental health centers are in, my number one goal now is to assist The Center with its continuation and availability of already existing services. We need Bert Nash to remain a staple in our community and I will do all I can within my ability to ensure this happens.
Read the September Bert Nash Center newsletter online and an insert in today's LJWorld: https://bit.ly/2GfLnYB
Donor Profile — Matthew Herbert:
"Why it is important to me to support Bert Nash: It is an unfortunate reality in modern politics that far too often individuals do not support a cause until that cause reaches out and touches their life personally. I wish I had a more morally upstanding justification for my support of Bert Nash than that but sadly I fall into that same category of person. For me, my interaction with Bert Nash occurred as a very young kid working with Aimee Ziegler as part of the WRAP program. As a person who loves data and believes all things are quantifiable, discussing the impact mental health care has had on my own personal life is frustrating because I cannot quantify it with a unit of measure; I cannot say definitively that Aimee’s work produced a specific value of change in my life. But also, as a per-son who loves data, I can definitively look at my life today and tell you that I believe I have been a successful contributing neighbor in our community and that I’m incredibly happy in how my life is going and if Aimee and Bert Nash played even a small part in that for me as I know they do every single day for many people I have come to meet and know in my community, they will have at the minimum my vocal support for years to come and so long as I am able my financial support as well."
Read the September Bert Nash Center newsletter online and an insert in today's LJWorld: https://bit.ly/2GfLnYB
Staff Profile — Liz Sharp, WRAP (Working to Recognize Alternative Possibilities) therapist:
"People can heal when they are offered a safe space to be vulnerable and authentic. They can heal when they feel truly seen, heard, and validated. I am passionate about helping others heal from past experiences and overcome life traumas, to get past the “stuck.” I strive to be the com passionate therapist that holds space and helps guide through the healing process. Specifically, as a therapist working with children in the school setting, I am passionate about social and emotional learning. As a school-based therapist, I help children learn how to identify and manage their strong emotions, practice having empathy for others, create positive relationships with children and families, and partner with educators while prioritizing the child’s well-being and success in all areas of learning and their life.
"Growing up, I had many positive adults and coaches in my life who helped shape the person that I am. Being part of competitive softball growing up and in college allowed me the opportunity to stay connected and part of something. But I know for others, this is not always their experience. According to research, about two-thirds of our nation’s youth don’t feel like they have a supportive adult in their school. Children can go to school every day not feeling like there is an adult who cares about them or is there for them. I thrive to be the caring adult in my students lives. I want to be the person when asking someone, “How are you?” I am asking because I want to know, and I genuinely care about you and your well-being."
Read the September Bert Nash Center newsletter online and an insert in today's LJWorld: https://bit.ly/2GfLnYB
Bert Nash Center’s annual Pioneer Celebration event in April was canceled this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but the Center still recognized groups and individuals for their advocacy for mental health services in our community. Douglas County Commissioners and administrative staff members were recognized as the recipients of the 2019 Pioneer Award for their efforts and achievements to secure accessible, comprehensive community mental health services for all residents of Douglas County. Bert Nash CEO Patrick Schmitz delivered the awards Aug. 19. From left, Commissioner Nancy Thellman, Director of Behavioral Health Projects Bob Tryanski, Commission Chair Patrick Kelly, County Administrator Sarah Plinsky, Assistant County Administrator Jill Jolicoeur, and Commissioner Michelle Derusseau.
Individual awards were presented to Linda Robinson, Lyn Smith Distinguished Service Award recipient; Chuck Warner, outgoing Investment Committee member; Gary Sollars, outgoing Endowment chair; and Greg DiVilbiss, outgoing Endowment member. Thank you for volunteering your time and talents to support the work and mission of the Bert Nash Center.
Read the September Bert Nash Center newsletter online and an insert in today's LJWorld: https://bit.ly/34dyG8F
Happy seven-year work anniversary, Kelly Martin, Homeless Outreach Team case manager!
Join our team!
Crisis Assessment Therapist: The primary responsibility of the Crisis Assessment Therapist is to complete crisis assessments for those who may be in need of urgent mental health support or could benefit from admission to an inpatient psychiatric facility.
Hospital Discharge Liaison: Position provides coordination and lead liaison services along the crisis continuum of care between Bert Nash Center and Douglas County residents. The primary responsibility will be working with individuals referred to inpatient psychiatric units (private and state facilities), crisis beds, and those requiring follow up.
Apply at bertnash.org/careers/.
Bert Nash Center's values are Compassion, Integrity and Equity, on a foundation of Hope.
Bert Nash Center Governing and Endowment Board members on Monday toured Transitions and The Cottages, part of the Treatment and Recovery Campus of Douglas County. The campus is located north of the Community Health Facility at 1000 W. Second Street. The campus will provide services and housing for individuals with serious mental illness and substance use disorders.
Transitions will serve up to 12 Bert Nash Center clients. These clients will attend programs designed to enhance their recovery and transition back into the community. Length of stay generally will be six to 12 months, but may vary depending on the client's stage of recovery. There will be a virtual ribbon cutting ceremony for Transitions at noon on Friday, Nov. 20. Online with Facebook Live.
The Cottages are supportive housing apartments that are owned and operated by the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority and will serve up to 10 clients. Residents will be individuals with a diagnosed behavioral health condition and will be required to meet established criteria determined by the Housing Authority to live in the apartments. There will be a virtual ribbon cutting ceremony for The Cottages at noon, Friday, Nov. 6. Online with Facebook Live.
To view a time lapse of construction on the housing projects: https://bit.ly/2FOjKWq.
A virtual groundbreaking for the crisis recovery center will be at noon, Friday, Oct. 23. Online with Facebook Live.
Welcome to the Bert Nash Center Endowment Board Dana Knorr! We are grateful for your support and passion for mental health services in our community.
Welcome to the Bert Nash Center Governing Board Matthew Herbert! We are grateful for your support and passion for mental health services in our community.
Happy birthday, Alisa Galvin, WRAP (Working to Recognize Alternative Possibilities) therapist!
#MaskMonday
Thank you to our friends The Willow Domestic Violence Center for hosting this event and for all the work they do for our community. We're proud of Emily Rhamy, our Dialectical Behavior Therapy program supervisor, who will be part of this panel discussion.
WED, OCT 28 AT 2:00 PM CDT
Domestic Violence and Community Impact
"As a community, we have a proud history of supporting critical services for those who need them. The Cottages is a shining example of that. Thank you, Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority, for providing safe, affordable and stable housing for our most vulnerable neighbors!" — Bert Nash Center CEO Patrick Schmitz
Douglas County, Kansas Government
9 hrs ·
Today, we hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Cottages with our community partners Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority and Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center!
The Cottages will provide permanent supportive housing for individuals with serious persistent mental illness. Supportive housing is a combination of affordable housing and supportive services designed to help vulnerable individuals and families use stable housing as a platform for health and recovery.
More info: http://dgcoks.org/102820news
Happy 14-year work anniversary, Brad Cook, Community Support Services program manager!
Douglas County, Kansas Government
Yesterday at 8:32 PM ·
Shannon Oury, Executive Director of the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority, is looking forward to celebrating The Cottages with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon Friday (Nov. 6). We hope you can join us virtually on our Facebook page! The Cottages will provide permanent, supportive housing for individuals with serious, persistent mental illness.
More info: http://dgcoks.org/102820news
Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center
Douglas County, Kansas Government
Yesterday at 12:57 AM ·
Here’s a recent look at the Treatment and Recovery Campus of Douglas County at 1000 W. Second Street, just north of the Community Health Facility. The campus will serve individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders and addiction challenges through a crisis recovery center and two housing projects. Our first ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for noon Friday (Nov. 6) for The Cottages!
More info: http://dgcoks.org/102820news
Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center LMH Health Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority Mar Lan Construction TreanorHL
Congratulations to Aaron Newton, Access Team program manager, for completing AMSR (Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk) training! AMSR is a series of one-day or half-day trainings designed for health and behavioral health professionals interested in the latest intersectional suicide care practices.
“This is a very well-recognized program that teaches best practices as it relates to suicide risk. Aaron is going to be able to bring this back to Bert Nash and to our community, to train others, so this is a very big accomplishment,” said Nicole Rials, Bert Nash Center Urgent Care Director. “We look forward to all this means for Bert Nash and for Douglas County.”
“That is such important training to have and to have a trainer in-house is great,” said Bert Nash Center CEO Patrick Schmitz. "Congratulations, Aaron!"
The Bert Nash Center Homeless Outreach Team is seeking donations for the Woody Park campsite. Needed items include: First Aid products, hygiene products such as conditioner, shampoo and deodorant, laundry soap, toilet paper and paper towels, thermal coffee cups and water bottles, socks/gloves/stocking caps, and hand sanitizer. Donations can dropped off at the Bert Nash Center, 200 Maine St., Suite A. Financial donations can be made at https://bertnash.org/donate/
For FAQs about the campground, visit: http://dgcoks.org/woodypark.
#DGKS♥
Lumberyard Arts Center
January 9 at 6:41 PM ·
We're in it together #DGKS❤. Community collaboration to spread messages of hope and inspiration with Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center and Douglas County, Kansas Government.
https://bertnash.org/well-being-group-a-collaborative-effort-to-provide-resources-to-support-community-during-pandemic/
#MaskMonday
Happy birthday, Tyler Shurley, peer support specialist!
Happy three-year work anniversary, Jenny Brewer, Outpatient/Admissions program manager!
Happy three-year work anniversary, Donna Powers, Medical Services program manager!
"Efforts like Proposition One, which paved the way for the Treatment and Recovery Campus of Douglas County, would not have happened without your vision, compassion and steadfast belief in taking care of the most vulnerable among us. Thank you, outgoing Douglas County, Kansas Government Commissioners Nancy Thellman and Michelle Derusseau, it has been a pleasure and a privilege to work along beside you on issues that affect the well-being of all Douglas County residents." — Patrick Schmitz, Bert Nash Center CEO
