Fall

2012

Bright Horizons
September is National Recovery Month
National Recovery Month is an annual observance celebrated each September since 1989. In September and throughout the year, Recovery Month spreads the message that: Prevention works; Treatment is effective; and People recover from mental and/or substance use disorders.

Disability Employment Awareness Month

Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of Americas workers with disabilities. 54 million people or 19% of civilian noninstitutionalized population have a disability. According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, the percentage of people with disabilities in the workforce is 21 vs nearly 70 for those without disabilities. Further, the unemployment rate for those with disabilities was 15.6% vs. 8.9% for those without disabilities. BHcare knows that employment is integral to an individuals recovery from mental illness, addictions or other disabling conditions. Our employment services helped 252 individuals obtain jobs last year with 99 of them retaining employment for more than 90 days. Our services include assessments, job seeking skills training, vocational counseling, resume and interview preparation and ADA consultation. For more information, contact Nekeisha Grant at (203) 483-2630 x3210.

The goal of recovery is for individuals to lead successful, satisfying, and healthy lives in the community. BHcare plays a vital role in addressing the diverse needs of people in recovery from mental and/or substance use disorders, says Marilyn Cormack, President of BHcare. Housing, employment, education, and socialization are all pieces of the puzzle that fit together to achieve overall behavioral health objectives. BHcare provides treatment, medication, education, supervised housing, employment, peer support, sober socials along with many other services to aid in recovery. Visit bhcare.org for more information.

Source: recoverymonth.gov

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence affects people of all ages, races, ethnicities and religious backgrounds. It doesnt discriminate based on socio-economic or marital status. It is a social and public health epidemic especially for women and girls who make up 85% of domestic violence victims. Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten. Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women - more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined. In 2011, there were 16 reported homicides from domestic violence in Connecticut. So far this year, six lives have been lost. Each year BHcares Center for Domestic Violence Services provides safe shelter, advocacy, crisis intervention and counseling for more than 9,000 individuals, families and children free of charge.
Sources: CCADV & domesticviolencestatistics.org

Mental Illness Awareness Week

Mental Illness Awareness Week takes place October 7-13 and is an opportunity to learn more about serious mental illnesses such as major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Mental illnesses are medical illnesses. One in four adults - 57.7 million Americans - experience a mental health disorder in a given year. One in 17 lives with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, major depression or bipolar disorder. Fewer than one-third of adults with a diagnosable mental disorder receive mental health services in a given year. Last year, BHcare provided 87,000 behavioral health services to clients in the community. BHcare employs an experienced team of psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers, advanced practice registered nurses, certified alcohol and drug counselors, and other mental health professional who provide a wide range of services for individuals affected by mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse disorders.
Source: NAMI

www.bhcare.org Facebook.com/BHcare Twitter.com/BHcare

435 East Main Street Ansonia CT 06401 (203) 736-2601

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14 Sycamore Way Branford CT 06405 (203) 483-2630

A Message from Our President & CEO

Impact, Growth and Success
As you can see from our front cover, the fall months are dedicated to raising awareness and celebrating recovery from mental illness, addiction and domestic violence all of which are integral components of our mission. During these months, it is important to reflect on the numbers of lives affected by BHcare. We are providing hope, health and recovery for thousands of individuals, families, and children who are struggling with mental illness, domestic violence and substance abuse and addiction. Thanks to our dedicated staff, board of directors and continued support of our community, we have expanded the reach and impact of our programs, thus meeting the primary goal of our merger. We continue to grow as one unified organization, providing the behavioral health services, prevention programs and domestic violence services that improve the lives and health of the people in our community each day. This season of awareness will culminate with our first Annual Meeting as BHcare on November 7 at the New Haven Lawn Club. We personally invite you to join us to celebrate the successes of our merger, hear inspiring stories of recovery, recognize the achievements of outgoing board members, and welcoming those who are joining us. Learn more about our Annual Meeting and register online at www.bhcare.org.

President

Chief Executive Officer

Tobacco Respectful Campus

On September 10, 2012, the residential programming at BHcare officially became a "tobacco-respectful" campus, moving all tobacco use away from doorways, windows and main walkways. The policy applies to all BHcare consumers, visitors, volunteers, employees, contractors, and anyone who enters the residential programming properties of BHcare. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States and second hand smoke contributes to respiratory infections, asthma, heart disease and cancer. BHcare is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for its consumers, employees and visitors, and we believe that addressing tobacco use on our residential campuses will help us to achieve that goal. In support of this new policy, BHcare will provide a variety of free resources to assist our consumers and employees who wish to quit smoking/using tobacco, including offering support groups, assistance with quit plans, education about tobacco treatment medications, and other measures. These changes are a great step toward a healthier environment. As a leading health care provider in our community, BHcare is proud to add this latest step to its plan of addressing tobacco use. Since 2009, BHcare, along with CommuniCare, have made addressing tobacco use a primary initiative. In doing so, all BHcare clinical and administrative sites have been designated tobacco-free environments. In addition,tobacco cessation services have been developed and are available across the entire agency.

Upcoming Events
Lethality of Domestic Violence
An educational workshop and interactive panel discussion on domestic violence. October 19, 2012 ~ 8:00 am to 2:00 pm ~ Anthonys Ocean View, New Haven Cost: $55 standard & $35 student Register by October 5th at bhcare.org
Distinguished Speakers: Lundy Bancroft, Author Karen Jarmoc, Executive Director, CCADV Nancy Tyler, Domestic Violence Survivor

Sponsored by:

CEUs available

BHcare Annual Meeting

November 7, 2012 5:45 to 9:00 p.m. New Haven Lawn Club $50 per person Reservations required. Please RSVP by Oct. 29th to erobinson@bhcare.org
Visit bhcare.org for more information.
Gold Sponsor:

CommuniCare Statewide Conference

Connecting the dots: Integrating health, wellness and tobacco treatment in behavioral health. November 14, 2012 8:45 am to 3:00 pm $65 per person Four Points Sheraton, Meriden CT
For more information, visit communicare-ct.org.

Holiday Gala
December 8, 2012 7:00 pm to 12:00 am Grassy Hill Country Club, Orange, CT $100 per person
For more information, contact Debbie Soulbsy at doulsby@bhcare.org.

Bowl-to-Benefit
Save the Date! March 9, 2013

CDVS Adopt a Child Program Helps 40 Children

This years Center for Domestic Violence Services Back to School Adopt a Child program provided more than 40 shelter children with head-to-toe outfits, coats, underwear, socks, shoes and backpacks filled with school supplies for the first day of school. Over $4,000 in cash donations and over $800 in gift cards were donated to help support the children entering the program throughout the school year. Additional backpacks and school supplies were also collected for other children in need. The program began in 1996 by a shelter manager. She had a child at the shelter who had holes in his sneakers and did not want to go to school because he was embarrassed as all the other children had nice shoes. The shelter manager felt she had to do something about the situation. She contacted a local manufacturing company where her father worked. The company agreed to help and presented the first check to the Back to School Program. It was important that the children were well dressed so they would feel good about themselves when starting school. The message caught on and other corporations came forward to provide clothing and school items each year. Thank you to all who made this years program a success! Without your assistance many of the programs and special projects designed to help families serviced by our organization would not be possible. With the holidays quickly approaching, BHcares Under the Tree Project will soon be underway. The program helps needy families during the holiday season. You can help by purchasing a special gift, buying a gift card or making a cash donation. For more information, contact Marcia Jones at (203) 736-2601 x1327 or mjones@bhcare.org.

VSAAC Hosts Region 2 Prevention Showcase

The Region 2 Prevention Showcase was held on August 1 at the Savin Rock Conference Center in West Haven. Over 20 prevention councils from 35 towns attended the forum to share their ideas, insights, problems and solutions. Each council sent representatives to display their brochures, flyers, information on programs and other various program materials. The groups had the opportunity to network to share ideas, answer questions and pick up materials from the other councils. The showcase was sponsored by the Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council (VSAAC), the Meriden and Wallingford Substance Abuse Council (MAWSAC), and the Middlesex County Substance Action Council (MCSAAC).

en Who Give

Men Who Give is a unique campaign, supported soley by men, to benefit the Center for Domestic Violence Services (CDVS). It was developed by a concerned group of men who felt compelled to help raise much needed funds for domestic violence programs and services in the Greater New Haven shoreline and Lower Naugatuck Valley communities.

Each year more than 50,000 Connecticut residents are victims of domestic violence. I know my gift will help those women, men and children receive the services they need to live, safe, healthy and happy lives. Donations provide crisis services, safe house services, community support, court-based services and community education. Each dollar donated will help save the life of someone in danger and I am happy that I can help. ~ Bill Bassett, Southbury, CT. I give because I believe everyone should have the opportunity to live a safe, healthy and happy life. ~ John Letizia, Esq.,Guilford, CT. To learn more about how you can participate in Men Who Give, contact Emily Granelli at (203) 483-2630 x2227 or visit bhcare.org.

Doctors Corner

MSP Corporate Drop Program

BHcare Wins ABC Marketing Contest!

How Im Helping...

To learn more about ABC Marketing, contact Sal Vadala at (203) 468-1245 or visit abcprintingink.com.

BHcare is supported by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Guilford Community Fund, the Guilford Human Services Council, the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, The Valley United Way, United Way of Milford, The Valley Community Foundation and the Towns of Bethany, Branford, Derby, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton and Woodbridge. BHcare is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and is licensed by the Department of Public Health. BHcare is a partner agency of CommuniCare, Inc. An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
We apologize for any omissions or oversights, if your department, foundation or municipality has been overlooked, please bring it to our attention.

BHcare Board of Directors

Executive Board William C. Bassett, Co- chair Margaret Livingston, Co-chair William C. Nimons, Treasurer Sean Thomas, Secretary Directors Joyce M. Barcley Richard Bell, Esq. Tammy L. Burrell Lauren M. Casalveri David Crompton Laura J. Donahue, Esq. D. Cyril DSouza, MD Karen S. Dufour, MD Natalie Feingold V. Craig Finney Stephen C. Guarrera Michael J. Gulish Mark S. Holden Alice Hummel Nancy D. Lapera Nicholas P. Luise Bernard F. Lynch

Catriona MacAuslan Charlotte Mattei John Monico Joseph A. Pagliaro, Jr. Lynne Perry Janet Poss Patricia A. Reynolds Mary Ellen Samatulski Anthony P. San Angelo Janice A. Sheehy Madeleine M. Sobin Phyllis L. Sochrin Dominick J. Thomas, Esq. Mark A. Tilki Joseph A. Verrilli Ronald L. Villani John Wisniewski

Who do you know? How can you help?

The 11th Annual BHcare Holiday Gala will be held on Saturday, December 8. Proceeds from the event help bridge the gap in funding for our domestic violence, mental health and substance addiction services.

As someone who supports our mission, we hope you will choose to be a part of the Galas success in one of the following ways:

Attend the Gala & invite friends & family to join you. Secure a silent auction item: merchandise, air miles, vacations, tickets, jewelry, artwork, gift certificates, etc. Sponsor the event, buy an ad, or ask a friend or colleague to do the same. Opportunities start at just $50! Make a cash donation of any amount. Join the Gala committee.
If you would like to help support the Gala, please contact Debbie Soulsby: Phone: 203-736-2601 x321 or Email: dsoulsby@bhcare.org