A Publication by Bethesda PA Treatment & Healing

www.pathtochange.org

July 2007, Volume 1, Issue 1

Board of Directors

Joseph Pugliese

Chairman

Jerilyn Keen

President

Timothy Gage

Director

Fred Martin

Director

Mary Tiffin

Director  

Chris Bingaman

Director  

Stacey Kifolo

Secretary

Gene McCarty

Treasurer

Advisory Committee

Jerilyn Keen

Scott Constantini

Stephen Gaito

Robert Vanderwall

Jennifer Napp

Don Coleman

William Rossnock

Joseph Talarico

Dr. Elizabth Ciaravino

Thomas Bell

Captain William Weber

Larry Weidman

John Gigunto

Matthew Yonkin

Consultants

Dr. Vikas Passi

D&A Medical Director

Dr. Frederick Maue

Mental Health Director 

Dr. Matthew Emery

Psychological Consultant

Dr. Hugh Smith & Associates

Psychological Consultants

Welcome to the very first issue of The Path Newsletter.  In light of our recent name change from Bethesda Day Treatment Center to PA Treatment & Healing (PATH), many exciting changes have resulted, one of which is the emergence of a new look and name for our newsletter.

The original idea for developing a company newsletter came from the desire for our Administrative office and treatment centers, to be able to share with one another the marvelous accomplishments and achievements that were occurring at each location. The first Bethesda newsletter rolled off the printer in August 1997 and we have been publishing a monthly newsletter ever since. As we grew as an agency, my desire was that we would remain united and strengthened, in spite of our separation by distance being located in various parts of the state. The newsletter became a useful tool to help staff stay in touch with what was happening at the other centers and for Corporate to encourage the team and recognize a lot of great people for their hard work. It has also proved to be a viable means to feature many of the healing opportunities that are being afforded to our clients on a consistent basis.

Over the years we have considered our options and made a purposeful decision to continue to publish the newsletter in house instead of sending it out to a print shop. Administrative Assistant, Michelle Finck continues to tackle this responsibility on a monthly basis, in addition to all of the other responsibilities that she accomplishes at the Corporate Office.  She does an amazing job with it too, I might add.

We also decided to continue publishing the newsletter monthly rather than reduce it to once per quarter. We chose to remain monthly and to print the newsletter in-house in effort to give our readers up-to-date information about what’s happening within the agency. In addition to multiple copies being printed and sent to our programs centers, we mail out 122 copies to interested parties and supporters of the excellent work that you do and receive continual feedback from those who are moved by your overwhelming goodness.

We welcome your input and your contributions. We love to see pictures, articles and stories about the successes of our awesome team on the lives of the youth and adults that we serve. Keep in mind that we are always open to new ideas and suggestions for improvement as this is your newsletter.

We hope that as you read this issue of The Path and each one after you will be encouraged to continue to walk and guide others on the path to change! 

All My Very Best,

Jerilyn

Jerilyn A. Keen, M.A.

President

News from our Corporate Office…

July was a busy month here at the Corporate Office with switching to our new name and logo – Bethesda (PA Treatment & Healing) PATH. New business cards, letterhead and envelopes have been printed with our new look!  We have ordered promotional items, including water bottles and ID badge holders, as a way to get our new name out to our referring agencies. New marketing packets are also being developed! Our talented team have revised all the brochures and have given them a sharp new look!

We are excited to share that two of our centers will be relocating to different facilities in August. The Lewistown Center will be moving to State College and the Montoursville Center will be occupying a newly purchased facility in Williamsport. The State College area promises many exciting opportunities and the purchase of our very own 10,000 square foot plus facility in Williamsport instead of renting is a dream come true

Our Agency has been accepted as a PCB Provider, which allows us to hold PCB-approved trainings. Staff who attend will receive a certificate and hours towards their PCB requirements. The Pennsylvania Control Board is a private, non-profit corporation which offers voluntary state-level credentialing to the substance abuse and other behavioral health professionals. The Board, comprised of certified professionals throughout the state, implements standards and testing for certification of addictions counselors, prevention specialists, clinical supervisors, case managers, criminal justice professionals, co-occurring disorders professionals, and auxiliary professionals.

We welcome our new HR Administrative Assistant Jamie Wemple to our Team.  Jamie brings with her a vast knowledge of Human Resources with some very fresh new ideas. She has fit right in from her very first day and we are happy to have her on the Corporate team!

Bethesda Highlights

On July 25^th the Corporate Office hosted Mary Kamsickas, Loss Control Specialist from First Nonprofit Insurance Company to offer Defensive Driving training for our community monitors. Regional Manager Steve Gaito provided Van Norms training to these staff on this day as well. You guys do an awesome job. Thanks! 

Michele Barrows would like to thank Jennifer Napp, Erica Frey and Jon Gamble for their assistance with getting the group home ready for the BDAP site visit. We have a few physical plant revisions to make and then we should receive our provisional license to become an Inpatient Non-hospital Residential D&A Program!  

Congratulations are also extended to Michele for imparting her knowledge and having the tenacity to see this project through! It has been an arduous process but one that is sure to bring success to the GH! Way to go gang!

This is “What’s Happening” at our Centers…

Bloomsburg:  The Day Treatment clients enjoyed a field trip to the Salem PPL Plant Energy Center, walked the Brail Trail at the Montour Preserve and enjoyed a picnic at Lake Chilisquaque. They also enjoyed a nature hike at the PPL River Lands during the month of July.

East Stroudsburg:  Congratulations to Day Treatment Supervisor Eric Roberts on becoming a Certified Safe Crisis Management Instructor for the Agency. We look forward to Eric providing SCM training for our staff! The staff and clients are sprucing up the center with a fresh coat of paint on the walls in preparation of the upcoming school year. The clients were treated with a cookout for the 4th of July. Regional Manager Steve Gaito and Program Manager Lisa Alfieri recently presented to Monroe County Children and Youth to promote our Intensive Adolescent Day Treatment Program. The response was very positive.

Honesdale:  The staff and clients were able to enjoy a day of fellowship at Promise Land State Park at the end of June. The clients were busy in July with their community service efforts. At the local food pantry they prepared boxes of food for the needy families, helped the local Habitat for Humanity by setting up for their yard sale, served senior citizens at a picnic in Lake Ariel, picked up garbage and pulled grass on the sidewalk in preparation for Honesdale's sidewalk sale, cleaned the Hawley Park and assisted with recycling in Waymart. Positive feedback was given on the clients' manners and work ethic! Great job, kids! 

Lehighton:  Program Manager Kevin Loch and Drug and Alcohol Counselor Jessy Miller recently presented to REDCO to promote our Outpatient Drug and Alcohol services. The clients enjoyed a trip to the Pocono Speedway on July 25th and were able to tour the racetrack. Day Treatment Supervisor Megan Goff and her husband Jeremy are expecting a baby in the beginning of January! Congratulations!

Lewistown: The Lewistown staff and clients are preparing for their upcoming move to State College. Final construction is being done at the new facility with the anticipated move date being August 10th. The staff are very excited about the opportunity to expand our services into Centre County! Psychologist Mark Sowers of Emery Behavioral Health visited the Lewistown Center on July 26th to conduct his first set of evaluations with clients. We look forward to working with him to facilitate psychological evaluations for our Intensive Adolescent Day Treatment Program. Summer programming has continued with a strong emphasis on community service. Client and staff are braving the hot summer weather to paint bridges and pick up trash in the area. The clients are enjoying joint programming with the Group Home residents on a weekly basis to enhance the normative community. 

Middleburg Group Home:  The Group Home had its inspection as part of the process of obtaining their Drug and Alcohol license. The license will allow us to provide Drug and Alcohol services to our residents on site. The residents continue to assist the elderly at Penn Village every Tuesday with recreation and meals. The boys continue to help at the local recycling center every first and third week of the month. They have also been assisting the American Red Cross with home repairs and other odd jobs.

Milton:  The Day Treatment clients participated in Lycoming County Juvenile Probation's Community Clean-Up event at the end of June. They assisted with cleaning the Montgomery Park and the Hiawatha State Park. The clients did a wonderful job and were treated to a picnic at memorial Park in Williamsport. Congratulations to Jerry, a foster care client living with Kurt Eck, who has satisfied the requirements for his GED! To celebrate his accomplishment, a picnic was held at Teacher's Aide/Administrative Assistant Nicole Bingaman's home. A great time of fellowship was had by all!

Montoursville:  The Community Service clients have been busy painting and installing signs, as well as cleaning up trash at local and state parks. They have also been doing landscaping at the Corporate Office. President Keen extends her appreciation and expressed what an excellent job they did. There was a baby boom at the Montoursville Center. Social Worker Brianne Milholin and her husband Tim are the proud parents of a baby girl, Savanna Paige, born June 25th. She weighed in at 7 lbs, 5 oz., and was 18 1/2 inches long. Program Manager Jamie Yonkin and his wife Erin welcomed 8 lb, 14 oz. Mattison Emma into their lives on July 2nd. Congratulations! We wish you all wonderful memories with these new additions to your families!

Scranton:  The Day Treatment clients enjoyed a picnic at McDade Park and participated in team building and leadership exercises. Drug and Alcohol Counselor Heather Thornburn has been busy promoting our Drug and Alcohol services to medical professionals in the Scranton area. We welcome Jeremy Wohlken as the new Program Manager of the Scranton Center. Jeremy was our Drug and Alcohol counselor in the past and has returned to the PA Treatment and Healing Scranton family as the new Program Manager.

South Montrose:  We welcome Ron Miles to the South Montrose Center in cooperation with Rural Opportunities, Inc. Mr. Miles will be assisting us with daily functions at the Center. As part of their community service efforts, the clients will be assisting the Breatbend Borough in restoring several parks that were damaged due to flooding. In preparation for the upcoming school year, staff and cleints have been working on cleaning and painting the Center. Congratulations to Drug and Alcohol Counselor Chrissy Carter on being accepted into Marywood University's Advanced Standings Program to pursue a Master's Degree in Social Work starting in the fall!

Each month we are featuring a member of our Management Team as a way to honor their dedication and commitment to make our Agency the best it can be! This month we highlight Regional Manager Robert Vanderwall.

Bob grew up in upstate New York and graduated from Marion Central High School. He attended Lycoming College to further his education and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Bob began his professional career with Bethesda in 1998 as a Caseworker at the Williamsport Center. In 1999, Bob was promoted to Day Treatment Supervisor. In 2000, the Williamsport Center relocated to Montoursville. Then in 2001, Bob was promoted to the Program Manager position of the Montoursville Center. In 2006, Bob was promoted to Regional Manager of the Milton and Montoursville Centers. Under Bob’s leadership, the Montoursville Center has grown tremendously with the addition of the “Be Challenged” and Community Service Programs. Due to growth and the Agency’s desire to purchase a building rather than continue to rent we will be relocating back to the Williamsport area in August into a newly purchased building. Bob is also a certified Safe Crisis Management Trainer for our Agency. In the past several years, Bob has been the M.C. at our summer camp and has a special way of getting the staff and clients “pumped” up during the days of camp.

In June 2006, Bob became a married man. Bob and his wife Amy are expecting their first child in January! Outside of Bethesda, Bob enjoys weightlifting and sharing his love of Paper/Rock/Scissors! Bob made it to the Regional level of the National Paper/Rock/Scissors championship in April. In addition, Bob coaches the Junior High Wrestling team at the Montoursville Middle School .

Bob shares “that in the past 9 years, he has seen Bethesda’s strengths multiply.  Through hard work and perseverance, our team has developed it into a highly effective relationship-based therapy tool to impact many, many lives throughout the state of Pennsylvania. Nothing is more comforting than knowing that our Agency’s success has come from our team’s effort and desire to see the clients and their families progress emotional and spiritually.”

We thank Bob for all he has given to our mission. There is no doubt that he has guided many people on the path to change. Anyone who knows Bob knows he has a huge heart and will be a great father to that very lucky baby arriving in January!

Our Therapeutic Touch!

This month we focus our “therapeutic touch” on our Milton Center .

The Milton Center continues to place a very heavy focus on the core groups that include our Family Systems approach. Day Treatment Supervisor Jonathan Sharpe is the lead facilitator for these groups. Jon helps the clients develop the necessary tools to utilize with their social workers in the process of finding the source of their pain and anger, feeling the emotions, facing the fractured relationships, giving and receiving forgiveness and then forging a new future.  Clinical Supervisor Jennifer Sheptock has led the Family Issues groups. During these groups, clients were again challenged to delve into their families and evaluate each of their relationships. The clients report that they have learned a great deal from both of these groups.

Social Worker Heather Heiny has taken a unique approach to her individual sessions with the clients on her caseload. Using an idea from Montoursville Center's Drug & Alcohol Counselor Deb Nelson, Heather has her clients create a “self box.”  The self box is an origami box that the clients create and then write different things about themselves on the inside and outside of the box. On the outside of the box are the things that the clients show everybody. On the inside of the box are things that only those people that are close to the clients know about them. Things that no one knows about the clients are written under the flaps. The self box has been a very useful tool in helping Heather gather information about her clients, as well as being a stepping stone for the clients to disclose. Heather reports that the self box is a therapeutic tool that is both helpful and fun for the clients.

We thank the team of therapeutic staff at the Milton Center for truly having the desire to guide the clients and their families on the path of change!

Congratulations to Honesdale Foster Parents Susan and John Reinfurt for receiving the Quarterly Foster Parent Award for the second quarter of 2007. It is a privilege to extend our appreciation to you for the warm and caring environment you give to our youth. Susan and John welcome our kids with loving arms and make them a part of their family. The love and compassion they give the kids is commendable!  We look forward to many more years of partnering with this very special family who have enormous hearts!

Our heartfelt thanks to President Keen and her family for their monetary donation in July. Thank you!

Congratulations to Regional Manager Bob Vanderwall and Residential Program Manager Jon Gamble for being selected as the recipients of the Management Team Quarterly Leadership Award and the Manager’s Quarterly Award respectively.

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH….

The following staff were also nominated for Employees of the Month for July:

Karen Brenchley, Secretary at the Bloomsburg Center

Lee Viola, Head Community Monitor at the Honesdale Center

Deb Wolfe, Secretary at the Milton Center

Jeremy Eck, Caseworker at the Montoursville Center

We thank these staff for their hard work and dedication!

Welcome to our family…

Nathan Shirk, Caseworker, Milton

Jeremy Wohlken, Program Manager, Scranton

FORMER NFL FOOTBALL PLAYER & NEW YORK GIANT

BRINGS MOTIVATION TO MONTOURSVILLE YOUTH

Former New York Giant Charles Way spent part of his vacation on Thursday July 19, 2007 speaking to area troubled youth about making positive changes in their lives, setting goals and achieving success. Bethesda PA Treatment & Healing located in Montoursville was the setting for this motivational and enthusiastic message about responding to the game of life with hard work and discipline in order to achieve success. 

Way explained the need for the youth to realize that they are not getting further ahead with their negative behaviors and may in fact be continuing a negative family pattern. Change requires a different way of doing things. He cautioned that the time to change is now, not tomorrow because tomorrow may be too late and they may have missed out on something really great. He encouraged the youth by stating that they will be surprised how many adults will want to help them when they begin to show genuine and sincere efforts to make positive change, and to want to do better in their lives.

Since 1983, Bethesda Day Treatment Center, Inc. now doing business as Bethesda PA Treatment and Healing has demonstrated effectiveness in dealing with the most difficult delinquent and dependent youth and their families. The Agency’s Corporate Office under the direction of President Jerilyn Keen is located in Turbotville, PA.   Services provided by the Organization include: After School Evening Day Treatment, Alternative Education, Licensed Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Counseling, Specialized Foster Care, a Residential Group Home, Healthy Parenting, an Outdoor Weekend Challenge Program, Outpatient Counseling, Community Service, and Medical Assistance approved Mental Health Services.    

USEFUL BITS OF INFORMATION (UBI’S)

Marijuana May Increase Risk of Developing Psychosis –

A new review suggests that even infrequent use could raise the small but real risk of developing this serious mental illness by 40%.

The DSM-V is scheduled to be published in 2012. The current edition of the manual DSM-IVR was issued in 2000 and is a text revision of the DSM-IV which was issued in 1994. Text revision means that only the explanatory text was updated; diagnostic criteria have not been modified since DSM-IV in 1994 nor have any disorders been added to DSM since then.  Additional information on the DSM-V revision is available at http://www.dsmv.org.

Quotes to ponder –

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit” – Aristotle.

“The stronger the wind, the stronger the tree”.

“Challenge the soft bigotry of low expectations”.