Ridgeview Psychiatric Hospital and
Center, Inc., was recently notified that it
achieved a score of 99 percent, out
of a possible 100 percent, at the completion
of the survey conducted by the Joint
Commission on Accreditation of Hospital
Organizations.
Ridgeview was evaluated against a set
of national standards for the delivery
of behavioral health care services.
The Joint Commission is the
nation’s oldest and largest accrediting body and is
dedicated to continuously
improving the safety and quality of the nation’s health
care. Organizations
voluntarily request the JCAHO survey that is conducted
every three years
The on-site survey took
place in November and included reviews of all of
Ridgeview’s services and
programs provided to the residents of Anderson,
Campbell, Morgan, Roane and
Scott counties.
“Achieving JCAHO
accreditation demonstrates our organization’s commitment
to raising quality of care
to higher levels, and the results of this survey validate
our staff’s commitment to
that goal,” said Bob Benning, Chief Executive Officer.
Back to Top
The Campbell
County chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill will
meet on Tuesday,
February 24, at 7:00 p.m., at the LaFollette United Methodist
Church. The
meeting is open to the public.
Cecilia Teal,
program coordinator of Ridgeview’s ADAPT program and Robin Hager,
therapist and case
manager in Ridgeview’s DACT program, will present information
about services
that are available.
The ADAPT program
provides assessment and treatment for adolescents up to
eighteen years of
age who are experiencing substance abuse problems, with or
without a
co-occurring mental health diagnosis.
The DACT program
targets individuals who are homeless, or at risk of becoming
homeless, and have
a mental health and substance abuse diagnosis.
Teal and Hager
will explain co-occurring disorders and how to recognize signs and
symptoms of
substance abuse and/or mental health issues. They will also discuss
ways to talk with
loved ones who are experiencing these difficulties.
NAMI is a
grassroots, self-help, support, education, and advocacy organization
dedicated to
improving the lives of all those affected by serious mental illness.
This includes
consumers of mental health services diagnosed with a mental illness;
their family
members; relatives and friends; mental health professionals; and all who
share NAMI’s
vision and mission. For additional information contact Doris Early
at 423-566-8329.
Back to Top
Karen
Bridgeman, Edwena Crowe, Ken Cowser and Fran Silver
are appointed to “Friends of
Ridgeview” Foundation Board
The “Friends of Ridgeview”
Foundation is proud to announce the selection of its
charter Board members. These
board representatives will lend experienced judgment
to planning strategic direction,
setting financial goals, and providing advocacy to the
foundation activities.
The “Friends of Ridgeview”
board is composed of representatives from all 5 counties
of Ridgeview’s service area. The
selected nine members are:
Wanda Dunlap, Business Owner,
Scott County
Karen Bridgeman, Bridgeman
Communications and Graphics, Anderson County
Fran Silver, Community
Activist, Anderson County
Edwena Crowe, BWXT, Anderson
County
Ken Cowser, Former Ridgeview
Board Member, Anderson County
Richard Wentworth, Eckerd
Youth Alternatives, Morgan County
Kim Harris, Tennessee Career
Center Workforce Network, Roane County
Cade Sexton, Division of Mine
Safety - TN Dept. of Labor, Campbell County
Bob Benning, Ridgeview CEO,
Anderson County
“We are indeed fortunate to have this group of people fill
this role," noted Jan Hooks,
Executive Director of the Foundation. “These members are
volunteering valuable time,
fueled by their civic commitment, as well as by their vision
for the future of Ridgeview.”
The inaugural Board held its
first, strategic meeting on January 30, 2004, at Ridgeview
in Oak Ridge.
The Friends of Ridgeview
Foundation is established to educate the community on mental
health and to administer
charitable contributions for the support, enrichment and endowment
of Ridgeview Psychiatric Hospital
and Center, Inc. For more information on making a
donation or memorial gift, contact
Jan Hooks at 865-276-1209.
Back to Top
RIDGEVIEW EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
February
2004
JoAnn
Gaylor, resource coordinator, was recently honored with Ridgeview’s annual
“Extra Mile Award.” Gaylor has been employed by Ridgeview for 14 years. She is
responsible for providing supplies and supporting staff needs in all of
Ridgeview’s 18
sites
located in Anderson, Campbell, Roane, and Scott counties.
“JoAnn’s organizational skills and her ability to meet staff’s needs on short
notice
make
her an exceptional employee,” said her supervisor, Jean Lantrip. “ She is
knowledgeable, friendly, multi-talented, and a willing volunteer for any project
Ridgeview needs done.”
“JoAnn is a pleasure to work with,” said Bob Benning, C.E.O. She not only
provides
things staff request, but she goes the ‘extra mile’ to suggest products that
would be
valuable throughout the organization. I also appreciate her conscientious
efforts to
buy
the best products for the most reasonable price. I know I can trust her to make
wise
decisions.”
Gaylor lives in Oliver Springs with her husband Steve and their two children
Zach
and
Lyndsay.
Back to Top
For
47 years, staff at Ridgeview has been dedicated to the mission of providing
mental health services in a concerned and compassionate manner. From its
beginning in Oak Ridge, services have expanded to Campbell, Morgan, Roane
and
Scott counties. Ridgeview employs approximately 217 full and part-time staff.
In
1986 Ridgeview opened an outpatient clinic to directly serve the citizens of
Roane
County. The new clinic, located at 221 Devonia Street, in Harriman, was
dedicated to Louise Singleton, director of nursing at Ridgeview for ten years.
During the years she worked in Roane County, she developed a special affection
for
the community and left an indelible mark on those she served.
Services at the Singleton Center include individual and group therapy,
medication
management, case management and psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR). The PSR
program, Fresh Start, provides educational and vocational assistance and support
for
adults with a mental illness. The program is structured into work units that
provide training opportunities in administrative, food, environmental,
maintenance
and
retail services. Additional opportunities at Fresh Start include classes to
prepare members to get a Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED), training in
computer competency and assistance with life skills and recreational
activities.
The
Friendship Place, also located in Harriman, at 302A Sewanee Street, provides
a
center for socializing for clients of Ridgeview and others with a mental
illness.
Linda
King, director of Friendship Place, says, “It (Friendship Place) is a place
where
people with a history of mental illness can safely socialize in an alcohol-free
environment and have the opportunity to develop relationships. One of the most
important goals of Friendship Place is the self empowerment of its members.”
Ridgeview continues to grow services in Roane County. The ADAPT program
provides assessment and treatment for adolescents up to eighteen years of age
who
are experiencing substance abuse problems, with or without a co-occurring
mental health diagnosis. Participants and their families have the opportunity
to
learn
relapse prevention, communication skills, coping, anger management and
problem solving.
Another program for young people is Intensive Focus, a school-based program,
located this year at Roane County’s alternative school. Students meet
throughout
the
school year for one hour per week to learn skills that will improve their
ability
to
manage conflict, frustration, and control anger. Activities also focus on
preventing alcohol and drug abuse, enhancing self-esteem, and decision-making
skills.
The
DACT program targets homeless people, or those at risk of becoming
homeless, who have a mental health diagnosis and substance abuse conditions.
This
SAMSHA grant-funded program is voluntary and is available to individuals
18
years of age or older.
Ridgeview is currently refurbishing the Singleton Center to accommodate an
increasing numbers of clients. A team that consists of a psychiatrist, R.N.’s,
master’s level social workers and case managers provides adult and C&Y services.
The
recent addition of a nurse practitioner will make it possible to provide
services
in a
more timely manner.
Ridgeview is a member of the Roane County United Way and receives funds to
provide medication for psychiatric conditions to those who have no other source
of
coverage. Ridgeview is also a member of the Roane County Chamber of
Commerce and strives to be an active member of the community. For additional
information regarding Ridgeview services, phone 882-1164, or toll free,
1-800-834-4178.
Back to Top
Promising Alternatives for Suspended Students (PASS) provides a positive
opportunity for students at Clinton, Anderson County and Oak Ridge high
schools whose behavior has led to their first-time out of school suspension.
This
program places a student in a constructive service/learning environment
to
provide services for an area non-profit for the first half of their suspension
day
and to work on class work during the second half. The program targets
students grades 9-12 who have been suspended for 1-10 days.
The
PASS program is the result of a grant awarded by the State of Tennessee
Department of Education to United Way of Anderson County and Anderson
County’s Promise. Ridgeview Community Mental Health Center will provide
the
counseling component of the program. Kim Deaton, licensed clinical social
worker, will counsel students and meet with their parents prior to placement.
The
PASS program is voluntary and requires parental consent to participate.
The
program is based on a model currently being used in Burke County,
North
Carolina that has proved to be very effective.
Many
suspended students see suspension as an unsupervised vacation from
school and spend their time watching television or playing on their computers.
Calls
from local merchants, libraries and others to Anderson County’s Promise
have
reinforced the need for a program which offers a positive alternative to
unstructured free time.
High
school principals in Anderson County agree that targeting first-time
offenders with a positive alternative could result in a significant decrease in
the
number of repeat suspensions.
A day
in the program begins with the student reporting to their supervisor at the
volunteer site. They receive their assignment, any training required, and
complete a work plan that summarizes the objectives of the day. Students also
develop a personal plan of action that includes professionalism, conflict
resolution
and
teamwork.
After
completing the service assignment, the student spends the remainder of the
day
on the volunteer site doing school coursework. At the end of the PASS
placement, students complete a written reflection about what they learned.
They
are encouraged to continue to volunteer with the agency or in the community.
The
final step is a successful re-entry to school, with improved communication
skills;
improved coping skills for anger and criticism; increased self esteem; increased
academic performance; and a decrease in anti-social, impulsive and problem
behaviors.
“By
providing a professional community-based program using private-public
partnerships to work with suspended students, we hope to empower students to
make
better choices and to succeed in school,” said Kim Whitman of Anderson
County’s Promise.
Back to Top
