Center for EBPs News

CCOE develops practical guide to stages of organizational change for IDDT, EBP implementation

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT

The Ohio SAMI CCOE has a new resource titled "Implementing IDDT: A step-by-step guide to stages of organizational change". This unique 40-page booklet is based upon published research and the practice experiences of the Ohio SAMI CCOE's consultants and trainers. It is a useful guide for implementing and sustaining the IDDT model. Some highlights includes the following:

5 stages of change/implementation
8 to 12 practical action steps in each stage
27 sources and resources

Physicians and integrated treatment: specialization and collaboration

Mon, 09 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Physicians of internal medicine, family medicine, and psychiatry fulfill an important role in screening for, assessing, referring, and providing treatment to people who experience severe mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bi-polar, depression) and a co-occurring substance use disorder (i.e., alcohol and other drugs). Prescribing medication and helping patients manage side effects and symptoms of both disorders is one of the primary roles of the physician—but not the only one.

Center for Evidence-Based Practices provides technical assistance, promotes mental health, recovery & employment

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

People with severe mental illness and their families in communities throughout Ohio, several other states, and two countries are experiencing an improved quality of life, in part, because of the work being done by the staff of the Center for Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs). The Center functions as an umbrella entity for two initiatives that disseminate two different yet related EBPs.

Dual Disorders Fellows Program partners with service organizations, promotes master's degree and evidence-based practices for co-occurring mental and substance use disorders

Fri, 11 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The Dual Disorders Fellowship Program gives employed mental health and substance abuse professionals the opportunity to enhance their education, credentials, and experience by earning a Master of Social Science Administration (MSSA) degree while staying in their current jobs and attending classes once per month on weekends. The Program is also structured to provide financial support to students through a unique partnership with employers and mental health and addiction services authorities.

Service organizations help State of Ohio begin to identify, study best methods for implementing integrated treatment

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

A Research Infrastructure Grant (RIG) awarded to the Center for Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) at Case Western Reserve University has enabled the Center to expand its capacity to access and analyze fidelity-review data gathered from service organizations that are implementing Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) and/or Supported Employment (SE). The grant was awarded to the Center by the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case.

Fidelity review and action-plan guide EBP implementation process

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The fidelity review (or assessment) provides a formal mechanism for independent evaluation of evidence-based practices (EBPs), such as Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) and Supported Employment (SE). The fidelity review is not an audit or accreditation process. It is strictly a quality-improvement process that provides program managers and implementation teams with information about an organization's progress with EBP implementation.

Annual SAMI, IDDT conference 2007 draws largest crowd, provides professional peer-networking

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Over 400 people from urban, suburban, and rural communities throughout Ohio, around the country, and overseas convened in Columbus on October 2 and 3 for the seventh annual Ohio SAMI CCOE Conference. The event featured two keynote plenary sessions about the future of integrated treatment as well as 36 workshops that addressed a wide variety of topics such as the importance of fidelity reviews, outcomes monitoring, introductory and advanced lessons in core clinical practices of the Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) model, and overviews of other evidence-based practices.

Kick-off event introduces new service model that links recovery with reduction, elimination of tobacco use

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The State of Ohio's commitment to helping people with substance use disorders and mental illness reduce and eliminate the use of harmful tobacco products entered a new phase on December 7, 2007 with the Tobacco Cessation Kick-Off Event. The Kick-Off was designed to introduce community-based and hospital-based behavioral healthcare organizations to a new service model being designed and disseminated by the Center for Evidence-Based Practices at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

Annual conference proves that commitment to Supported Employment continues to grow in Ohio, throughout nation

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Celebrating its third anniversary, the annual conference of the Ohio Supported Employment Coordinating Center of Excellence (Ohio SE CCOE) drew close to 200 participants from throughout Ohio and 10 additional states, demonstrating the growing national interest in Supported Employment (SE), the evidence-based practice for people with severe mental illness. Gary Bond, Ph.D., of the ACT Center of Indiana was a keynote speaker.

MINT initiative helps set agenda for future of motivational interviewing in Ohio

Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Three consultant-trainers from the Center for EBPs at Case participated in a three-day international Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) event at Atwood Lake Conference Center from April 29 through May 1. This "train-the-trainers" event was attended by some 40 behavioral healthcare professionals from all over the world, including approximately 20 from Ohio. The Center is participating in the MINT initiative as a way to add to the pool of advanced MI consultants and trainers in Ohio.

Center creates regional stakeholder meetings to disseminate lessons-learned in Ohio about supported employment

Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Ohio SE Coordinating Center of Excellence (CCOE) kicked off one of its main initiatives for this year on March 25 by hosting the first Regional Stakeholders Meeting in the state. These meetings will take place regularly in different regions of Ohio to encourage professional peer-support networks among individuals from multiple disciplines and multiple systems of care who are involved with starting and successfully implementing evidence-based Supported Employment services in their communities. The Ohio SE CCOE is a program of the Center for EBPs at Case.

Family programs, staff retention challenge IDDT providers to explore innovations

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

At the Northeast IDDT Regional Stakeholders meeting in May, participants shared challenges and emerging solutions to implementing and sustaining family psychoeducational programs and enhancing the recruitment and retention of service team members. Family psychoeducation is a core component of the Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) model. Achieving and sustaining fidelity to this item on the IDDT fidelity scale has been particularly challenging.

Ohio SAMI CCOE emphasizes need for focused clinical supervision, provides useful methods

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

One of the hallmarks of effective clinical supervision is real-time observation of service providers at work in the community with consumers. Director of IDDT/SAMI Consultation and Training Ric Kruszynski, MSSA, LISW, LICDC, tells a story that illustrates how 20 minutes of clinical supervision in the community with immediate feedback helped one team member refine her approach and find the tools she needed to help one woman's journey toward health, wellness, stable housing, and recovery.

Linda Carlson equips supervisors with practical strategies for managing service teams

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Eleven people representing eight organizations throughout the Buckeye State attended the Ohio SE CCOE's outcomes-based management training this spring. Entitled "Client-Centered Management for Supervisors of Supported Employment (SE) Services," the event gave team leaders practical strategies for managing their service teams, for helping team members stay focused on each consumer's stated recovery goals, and for using these goals as measures for organizational outcomes. The training was presented by Linda Carlson, LMSW, of the University of Kansas' School of Social Welfare.

Advisory committee enthused by Tobacco Recovery readiness assessments, integration of new service model with IDDT

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The advisory committee meeting of the Ohio Tobacco and Recovery Project was held at Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare in Columbus this past spring. Topics of discussion included the results of readiness assessments conducted by consultants, trainers, and evaluators of the Project at mental health organizations around Ohio that are thinking about or actually implementing components of the new Tobacco and Recovery model.

Flash Phipps of Shawnee Mental Health Center fights centuries-old tobacco culture in Ohio River Valley, helps consumers kick the habit

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Shawnee Mental Health Center not only serves three of the poorest, most rural regions in Ohio-Lawrence, Scioto, and Adams counties-with mental health and tobacco recovery services, but it also lies in the heart of tobacco country, making the notion of kicking the habit seem less doable than flicking a cigarette butt across the Ohio River.

Affiliation code more efficiently tracks consumer outcomes, IDDT effectiveness

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Ohio SAMI CCOE—in partnership with the Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH), the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (ODADAS), and the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Ashland County—announces the commencement of the IDDT Affiliation Code Initiative. The initiative gives agency providers, county boards, and State of Ohio stakeholders the capacity to collect data and to examine indicators and outcomes systematically.

Team Terrific: a supervisor’s perspective on recruitment, humility, collaboration

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The career of Deana Leber-George has been an odyssey of reinvention. When she took her first job as a mental health case manager 12 years ago, she knew that she did not want to work with people grappling with substance use and addiction. As often happens, though, a need arose: her agency, NEIGHBORING, was searching for more clinicians with assessment and counseling skills to work with the dual disorder population, so she agreed to step in.

Board’s-eye view: an executive’s perspective about EBP implementation

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Times are especially good for NEIGHBORING's Chief Operating Officer Ken Gill, MSSA ('82), LISW-S, LICDC, and his Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) team. They are being recognized for raising the standard of exceptional care with the third annual Lynn Goff Spirit of Integrated Treatment Award. Their continuing outreach efforts in the community have helped mental health consumers in Lake County on their journeys toward recovery in various innovative and measurable ways. Things, however, weren't always running this smoothly.

Renee Molzon provides safe interpersonal space for assertive outreach, becomes IDDT ambassador

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Renee Molzon went into social work to help emotionally-disturbed children, never anticipating that her professional journey would land her beside homeless adults dealing with severe mental illness.

Neighboring puts premium on IDDT fidelity, innovative outreach to homeless

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A few years back, the City of Painesville had a problem: what to do about the homeless population hanging out in its picturesque town square. Painesville is the seat of Lake County and is a center of civic and commercial activity. Its storefronts, offices, and county courthouse make it a busy place. And while the homeless were mostly a non-threatening presence, they were known, at times, to be a little disruptive.

The Lynn Goff Spirit of Integrated Treatment Award

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This award recognizes a service team that embodies passion, dedication, and creativity when providing services to people with co-occurring severe mental illness and substance use disorders. It recognizes those who consistently go above and beyond the expectations of the Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) model and, in doing so, raise the standard for exceptional care. This award is presented annually by the Ohio SAMI CCOE in memory of Lynn Goff, whose life—and daily work in Fayette and Highland Counties, Ohio—embodied the principles of the IDDT model.

The power of hearing a good story

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Center for Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) at Case is collecting audio recordings of service providers, consumers, and others telling stories of their experiences with evidence-based practices and other services. Share your story.

NEOUCOM promotes best practices for treatment of schizophrenia

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This past July, over 200 participants gathered at Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy (NEOUCOM) in Rootstown to attend a conference entitled "Moving in the BeST Direction: An Incubator to Improve Schizophrenia Treatment in Northeastern Ohio." Representatives from the Center for Evidence-based Practices at Case Western Reserve University attended.

Employer, employee team-up with onsite job coaching

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland, Ohio is no ordinary park. It is a living educational museum, with interactive exhibits for children and adults alike. John is a participant of evidence-based Supported Employment (SE) services who works at the Farmpark. He has not missed a shift in over four years. His success is partly the result of his own fortitude, the guidance he receives from SE services at NEIGHBORING of Lake County, and the open communication he has with his boss, Beth Florian.

State hospitals in Ohio bring new meaning to rapid job-search

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Vocational specialists from the State of Ohio's inpatient Behavioral Healthcare Organizations (BHOs) are putting to rest fears about symptoms of mental illness interfering with a person's ability to work. The specialists are exploring how they might help some people obtain or return to competitive jobs in the community as part of their transition out of the hospital, before discharge.

Jonas Thom has seen ACT and IDDT work with some of the toughest cases, those who nearly disappear into the recesses of society

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

There is hope for people who are most at-risk of psychiatric hospitalization, homelessness, and institutional recidivism. It is called Assertive Community Treatment (ACT). If you listen close enough to Jonas Thom, MA, PCC, you will get the impression that ACT is more than an evidence-based practice that produces improved outcomes; it is a way of being present gently and consistently in the lives of people who are burdened with overwhelming feelings of isolation.

Dianne Asher talks about her own conversion to integrated treatment and how it has changed her professional life

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Before getting a formal introduction to the Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) model, Dianne Asher, LSCSW, CADC-I, often felt frustrated and powerless in her work as a case manager and team leader. She just didn't have the clinical tools to provide the necessary level of support that she felt compelled to give to people struggling with both severe mental illness and substance use disorders.

Darnella Allen discovers that IDDT gives her permission to use compassion while providing substance abuse treatment

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Living two seemingly separate lives never seemed quite right to Darnella Allen, BA, LICDC, of Cleveland. There was her life as an ordained minister, where she felt free to use her compassionate, forgiving, and supportive self to help people. And there was her life as an addictions counselor, where she felt skeptical of the motives of people who abused alcohol and other drugs. She spent some 20 years living with this conflict. Then she was hired as a case manager at Mental Health Services, Inc. (MHS) in Cleveland and her life changed.

“Stages of change” co-creator Carlo DiClemente discusses practical applications of his Transtheoretical Model for health, wellness and recovery

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Ask Psychologist Carlo DiClemente, PhD, co-creator of the Transtheoretical Model of Change (TTM), how you might achieve and maintain a meaningful personal change in your life—diet, exercise, sobriety, mental health recovery—and he'll tell you what he's found from almost 30 years of research on the subject. Expect to go through five "stages of change" and to work through specific tasks associated with each stage. He'll also tell you that it helps to have ongoing emotional support from someone who uses the stages to guide and to pace their working relationship with you.

IDDT pioneer Bob Drake reflects upon the ongoing evolution of integrated treatment and the importance of supported employment

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Psychiatrist Robert E. Drake, MD, PhD, knows a few things about the Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) model-why it's necessary, how it works, and which treatment components produce the most positive outcomes. He is one of the original creators of IDDT, the evidence-based practice for people who have been diagnosed with co-occurring severe mental illness and substance use disorders. He has also been instrumental in the ongoing development and dissemination of Supported Employment (SE), the evidence-based practice.

Hundreds endure hurricane-force gales and state-wide blackouts to attend SAMI conference, learn more about IDDT

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Despite Hurricane Ike's devastation across the Buckeye State, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of Ohioans, over 350 of the 400-plus registered participants still made it to the Greater Columbus Convention Center on September 16 and 17 for the Ohio SAMI CCOE's 8th Annual IDDT Conference, titled "IDDT & Recovery: Consumers, Communities & Providers".

Social Work Today magazine features Ohio SAMI CCOE as IDDT innovator

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The November/December 2008 cover story of the nationally distributed Social Work Today magazine features the Ohio Substance Abuse and Mental Illness Coordinating Center of Excellence (Ohio SAMI CCOE), a program of the Center for Evidence-Based Practices at Case Western Reserve University. The story written by David Surface primarily explores the evolution, effectiveness, and growing national commitment to the Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) model.

PhD program at Mandel School provides financial assistance, part-time and full-time study options

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Ph.D. Program at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University celebrates the second anniversary of its part-time study option for doctoral-level education in social welfare and is inviting applications.

Time magazine article links tobacco use, early death among people with severe mental illness

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Ohio Tobacco and Recovery stages-of-change model is among the nation's cutting-edge efforts to improve health outcomes among people diagnosed with severe mental illness, because it is designed specifically to address the unique needs of this population. A recent story in Time magazine identified the high incidence of tobacco use and dependence among people with severe mental illness as one of the growing health concerns in the United States.

Tobacco recovery for severe mental illness makes progress despite challenges from Ohio’s declining economy

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A significant cutback in funding for tobacco-cessation programs in the State of Ohio has negatively affected efforts to reduce illnesses and healthcare costs associated with the use of harmful tobacco products. Yet, the Ohio Tobacco and Recovery Project, developed for people with severe mental illness, continues to make progress toward a service model that will stand the test of time and create positive results for Ohio residents.

CBS features Supported Employment success stories in Ohio

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It's always a pleasant surprise when a national discussion focuses on the work we do in the world of social services. It's all the more surprising when the conversation highlights one of our own at the Ohio Supported Employment Coordinating Center of Excellence (Ohio SE CCOE)-a program of the Center for Evidence-Based Practices at Case Western Reserve University. The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric recently aired a report on Supported Employment (SE), the evidence-based practice, featuring our own SE Consultant and Trainer Nicole Clevenger.

Register for SE Conference 2009, "Recovery is Working"

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The conference is designed for those who want to acquire more information about and practical skills that pertain to providing evidence-based Supported Employment (SE) services for people diagnosed with severe mental illness. It is also designed for those seeking more contact with the professional peer-networks that will help develop, grow, and sustain these efforts.

New fidelity scale finds its way to Ohio’s supported-employment services

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Ohio SE CCOE is now using a revised fidelity scale to assist mental health service organizations in Ohio that are implementing the evidence-based Supported Employment (SE) model. Evaluators from the CCOE have already conducted fidelity reviews using the new scale at several organizations across the state and plan to conduct at least one review with the new scale at all evidence-based SE programs in Ohio by the end of the year.

9th All-Ohio Institute on Community Psychiatry

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The All-Ohio Institute is the creation of the Public Psychiatry Program at University Hospitals Case Medical Center and the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. It is designed as a multidisciplinary celebration of community mental-health services. This year's conference, presented in collaboration with the Winter Meeting of the American Association of Community Psychiatrists, focuses on the integration of mental health care with a variety of disciplines to enhance care to consumers. Special attention will be given to the integration of mental health and physical healthcare, trauma-informed care and disaster mental health. The event will take place on Friday, March 20 & Saturday, March 21, 2009 at Hilton Cleveland East/Beachwood Cleveland, Ohio.

Zero-exclusion is the ultimate optimism; everyone who wants to work receives Supported Employment services

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In the mental health profession, we rarely use statements of the absolute. Here's an exception: Never underestimate a person's desire and ability to get a job and succeed—no matter how severe or frequent his or her symptoms or inconsistent his or her track-record with jobs might be. And never deny anyone the opportunity to find a job if he wants one. This is called "zero exclusion": it is one of the 7 core principles of Supported Employment (SE), the evidence-based practice. SE is designed to help people who are diagnosed with severe mental illness find a job of their choice with rapid job-search and placement services.

8 things you can do today

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

There are full-time benefits planners who understand many of the ins, outs, complexities, and nuances of benefits programs like Social Security (e.g., SSI, SSDI), Medicaid, and Medicare. Then, there is everybody else—service providers not needing or wanting to be experts with benefits but to be informed enough to help people make informed decisions about their financial futures. Steve Shober, BS, LSW, is trying to reach this group. He has an important message.

Work incentives from Social Security may enable consumers to earn more money and remain eligible for benefits programs

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This story took place when Steve Shober, BS, LSW, was just getting started in benefits planning, before the agency with which he worked had a formal benefits-planning service. One day, the agency received a telephone call of panic from the sister of a consumer who had received a letter from the Social Security Administration. The letter stated that her brother's cash benefits (non-earned income) would be ending, because he was making enough money from his job not to need the benefits any more.

Overpayments by benefits programs and mandatory paybacks can be avoided with monthly reports of income by consumers

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here's a situation you want to avoid. You're working with a person who has been receiving cash benefits (non-earned income) for disability from the Social Security Administration (SSA). He gets a job and stops coming into the mental health agency for a few years. One day, he shows up with a letter from SSA informing him that he is required to pay back some benefits—$27,000 worth.

Build trust by listening to each person’s fears and concerns and by responding with facts that address each directly

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Many individuals in recovery feel they are taking a risk by going back to work, mainly the risk of losing medical coverage and other benefits. They fear that income earned from the job will make them ineligible for benefits programs. What many folks don't realize is that they can earn a regular paycheck and still retain cash benefits from Social Security (e.g., SSI, SSDI) and medical benefits from Medicaid or Medicare, among others.

Build trust with consumers to dispel myths about benefits, prepare them for potential surprises

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Steve Shober, BS, LSW, came into benefits planning almost by accident-in the throes of a crisis during his first job out of college. Back then, he was working as a vocational specialist and job coach, assisting a woman who took a chance and reentered the workforce. Her job was going great. Her employer was happy. Her recovery was advancing. Then, one day, a letter arrived from Social Security, and she quit her job—never to return. Learn how to prevent this from happening with the people you serve.

Benefits planning is a relationship job, not just an information job

Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In Ohio and many other states, there is often a just-the-facts approach to benefits planning. Counselors typically meet one time with consumers, ask a lot of questions, and provide a deluge of information. This can feel intrusive, confusing, and defeating to people who rely upon benefits programs. There may be follow-up calls from counselors, but those also typically focus on information—just the facts. Learn about the importance of building meaningful relationships with the people you serve.

Learn the basics of benefits programs, help people make informed decisions about their financial futures

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Employment specialists, case managers, and other mental health and vocational service providers who are not full-time benefits counselors do not need to be experts in benefits planning to help each person they serve begin to make informed decisions about his or her financial situation. A basic knowledge of Social Security's SSI and SSDI programs, Medicaid, Medicare, and other benefits programs like housing subsides and work incentives will help consumers

Avoid benefits crises
Encourage and support employment in a regular job (part time or full time)
Increase earned income without jeopardizing benefits

Benefits Planning web site supports new consulting and training services, provides practical resources

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Center for EBPs at Case has developed a menu of consultations and trainings about Benefits Planning for organizations that serve people diagnosed with disabilities, including severe mental illness. Our services include:

Program/organizational consultation
Introductory and advanced training
Onsite consulting (coaching) following the training
Consulting for supervisors and team leaders

The impact of Supported Employment for consumers with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The primary purpose of this study was to improve our understanding of who gets referred to evidence-based Supported Employment (SE) services and what characteristics predict entry into competitive employment for adult consumers diagnosed with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders.

John Moneypenny draws upon a strong work ethic to advance his recovery, purpose

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

John Moneypenny is Assistant Director of the Choices Community Social Center in Akron, Ohio, a gathering place that provides a social, recreational, and educational outlet for adults recovering from mental illness in the surrounding Summit County area. Supported Employment Consultant and Trainer Nicole Clevenger visited John at Choices and asked him to recount his recovery story, so it might be shared as a source of inspiration.

New full-day supervisor's training emphasizes importance of motivational interviewing

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Service organizations that are integrating or wish to integrate Motivational Interviewing (MI) into their daily routines and organizational structures have a new resource available to them. It’s a full-day supervisor’s training, which was designed by consultants and trainers at the Center for EBPs who are members of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT).

Evidence Matters Newsletter

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We recently mailed the first issue of our new printed newsletter, "Evidence Matters." A free PDF is available from our web site. Please distribute it to anyone who is interested in enhancing services for people diagnosed with severe mental illness.

New Benefits Planning Tool Kit now available

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This new resource is especially helpful for case managers, vocational specialists, employment specialists, and other service providers who do not need to be experts in benefits counseling but want to be more informed about the cash benefits and medical benefits that people diagnosed with severe mental illness and other disabilities often receive. Learn about eligibility requirements, income limits, work incentives, and more.

Benefits Planning | The Basics: The Argument for Employment

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This training event is designed to provide participants with basic information about the impact that employment earnings have upon benefits such as SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and Medicare. The training focuses on the concerns about benefits that consumers (beneficiaries) have which may keep them from searching for employment. Learn to support and promote informed choice among consumers.

Training event: IDDT implementation strategies for program leaders, team leaders

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This two-day event on September 1 & 2 in Cleveland, Ohio is designed for program leaders and service-team leaders who are involved in the process of implementing a high-fidelity IDDT team. It offers practical ideas, resources, tools, and methods for succeeding with implementation. This event will emphasize interaction and collaboration among participants, who will engage in problem-solving and action-planning scenarios in small groups. Participants will also learn effective methods for quality supervision.

Motivational Interviewing training event, practical resources for clinical supervisors

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Clinical supervisors who provide meaningful supervision of Motivational Interviewing (MI) skill-development must be equipped with some essential tools, including skill-evaluation, clinical feedback, and planning. This event is designed for supervisors at organizations that provide services to people diagnosed with severe mental illness and/or co-occurring severe mental illness and substance use disorders. . . . This one-day event will take place on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm in Columbus, Ohio. Register online today.

7 Core principles of supported employment, the evidence-based practice

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Supported Employment (SE), the evidence-based practice, helps people diagnosed with severe mental illness or co-occurring severe mental illness and substance use disorders find competitive jobs of their choice in local communities with rapid job-search and placement services. There are seven core principles that make the evidence-based SE model different from traditional vocational programs.

Service provider Rick Johnson has witnessed the transformative nature of work and how it supports, promotes recovery

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Getting people placed in meaningful work environments has long been a passion of Rick Johnson, one that can be heard in the enthusiasm of his voice. Johnson shares insights from his work and a story of success about a man diagnosed with co-occurring disorders.

Michele Robinson helps young woman with co-occurring disorders re-enter community after prison by providing supported employment

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Michele Robinson is an employment specialist embedded in an Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) team, which serves people diagnosed with co-occurring severe mental and substance use disorders. She shares a story about a woman in her twenties who started her teen years and adult life with the odds stacked against her.

Consultant and author Philip Devol helps people understand the psycho-social dimensions of poverty

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Philip Devol wants everyone to know that if you are going to help people get out of poverty, you must include representatives from all economic classes—the wealthy, the middle class, and the poor—in the process of planning and implementing services. Each has mental models (perspectives and experiences) that contain knowledge to shape useful solutions.

SE pioneer Gary Bond provides an update on research, evidence for supported employment

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Gary Bond, PhD, digs into the researech evidence and explains why Supported Employment (SE) is one of the most sought-after service models for people diagnosed with schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses. He also foreshadows the coming of two emerging best practices—cognitive rehabilitation and supported education—which will likely augment SE and enhance consumer outcomes.

Ohio Supported Employment conference 2009 retrospective

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Annual Ohio Supported Employment (SE) Conference 2009, entitled "Recovery Is Working," attracted some 200 people from around the country to Columbus in March. Participants learned about the most recent outcomes from national studies of the evidence-based SE model and forged professional relationships, sharing consumer-success stories and lessons-learned stories from implementation of SE. Listen to and read about presentations and conversations in this retrospective of the event. | Save these dates for conference 2010: October 12, 13 & 14.

Conference 2010 to celebrate ten years of EBPs in Ohio, combine annual SAMI-IDDT & SE events, as well as tobacco recovery

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Save these dates! The Center for Evidence-Based Practices (CEBP) at Case Western Reserve University will host its next conference October 12, 13, and 14, 2010. The event, titled "Sustaining Evidence-Based Practices: The Next Ten Years", will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the State of Ohio's success with implementing EBPs for people diagnosed with mental illness. The event will highlight national EBP research and lessons-learned from EBP initiatives in Ohio and other states.

A brief TRAC consult regarding e-cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The topic of e-cigarettes came up at a recent TRAC Program Leader Training, held in Cleveland on October 1st, so the "Tobacco: Recovery Across the Continuum (TRAC)" intitiative at the Center for Evidence-Based Practices (CEBP) at Case Western Reserve University presents a summary regarding what is known to date about electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), what are commonly called "e-cigarettes."

Ohio providers develop action plans for new tobacco intervention, stage-based approach to tobacco services for people with mental illness and substance use disorders

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Representatives from nine community-based organizations and a state psychiatric hospital in Ohio attended a one-day training for “Tobacco: Recovery Across the Continuum (TRAC)”, a stage-based motivational service model that helps people diagnosed with mental illness and/or substance use disorders reduce and eventually eliminate the use of tobacco products. The event provided practical information and useful strategies for implementing TRAC services and featured Carlo DiClemente and other presenters.