After over 21 years of dedicated service to ¥���, we are both proud and emotional to announce the retirement of Aida Lodge, our Administrative Services Manager, effective Friday, October 11, 2024. Aida has been an integral part of the ¥��� family, contributing countless efforts to support staff and keep our offices running smoothly

During her tenure, Aida oversaw significant milestones, including the corporate relocation from 1100 to 1080 MVP in 2004 and multiple office expansions. She is concluding her career by leading the current office rightsizing project, a testament to her dedication until the end. Aida is also known for orchestrating �ձ���𳦲�����’s famous holiday parties, where her attention to detail and hosting skills truly shined. She managed to bring the “¥��� spirit” alive for a family of 200, always with grace and a smile.

Perhaps most memorable, however, was Aida’s leadership during the pandemic. Alongside her team, she worked tirelessly to receive, repack, and ship thousands of cartons of personal protective equipment (PPE) to programs nationwide, ensuring our staff and clients could remain as safe as possible. Her “whatever it takes” attitude exemplified �ձ���𳦲�����’s values from day one.

Congratulations, Aida! We extend our heartfelt thanks for your years of service. You will be deeply missed!

The San Diego Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) team recently participated in the “,” a local , to raise awareness about mobile crisis services in San Diego County. The team received positive feedback from community members who benefited from San Diego MCRT’s services, whether for themselves, their friends, family, or clients.

Joining the team at the walk was Bradly Weinstein, San Diego MCRT’s Human Resources Business Partner, who volunteered his time on a Sunday to support the outreach effort. Brad has been highly involved since starting his role and is passionate about spreading the word about �ձ���𳦲�����’s programs. His participation reflects the commitment of administrative staff to witness the program’s impact on the community.

Brad’s involvement underscores the collaborative spirit at Telecare, where both program and administrative staff come together to make a difference. His dedication, alongside the San Diego MCRT team’s ongoing efforts, highlights the impact of mobile crisis services in the community and reaffirms the trust and support they’ve built with local residents.

Below is the letter from DBH expressing their appreciation for Omar’s efforts:

We wanted to express our gratitude for the amazing collaboration we always receive from Omar, the Merrill CSU Administrator, and the Merrill team. Omar and the team are constantly willing to go above and beyond whenever we are on a DBH call, particularly in the most recent case.

DBH needed assistance recently to transition a San Bernardino County conservatee who had found herself in San Diego needing stabilization back to our County. Omar answered our call and orchestrated her return to the Merrill CSU. Additionally, he worked patiently with our team as she was referred for aftercare placement, sending referral packets and information where requested. Omar worked to obtain a solution and offer additional support for any barrier we ran into. He worked with his team to go above and beyond the call, offering to coordinate a special psychiatric visit as needed by the placement agency. The client obtained the appropriate placement and treatment that best fit her needs because of Omar’s excellent customer service and collaboration with the team.

Omar consistently thinks about the client’s best interest, works to reduce potential barriers to services, and assists clients in obtaining wellness and recovery. He is a team player, working together towards our goals to serve in the best way possible. We value our partnership and collaborative nature. We appreciate his unwavering dedication, compassion, and relentless contributions to outstanding customer service!

- Administrative Manager, San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health

Omar and the Merrill CSU team continue to exemplify the spirit of collaboration and compassionate care that make a genuine difference in the lives of clients and the community.

The following post is from our Recovery-Centered Clinical System (RCCS) Tidbit of the Month series. Each month, the RCCS Steering Committee creates practices to support our recovery culture within our programs and among staff. Click here to learn more about the RCCS.

RCCS Tidbit of the Month: Gold Medal Resilience

A Component of the Five Awarenesses of the RCCS Program Culture

The recent summer Olympics have concluded, and once again, American athletes competed with excellence and brought home the gold. Sometimes, the stories of the individuals competing are even more compelling than the actual events. Resilience is a vital skill that enables individuals to overcome adversity, and just like an athlete, it can be developed and strengthened over time.

This was especially true this year. Simone Biles, gold medal winner in gymnastics, and Noah Lyles, gold medal winner in track and field, shared their stories of struggling with depression and anxiety. Other medal-winning gymnasts shared their recovery stories from kidney disease and multiple torn Achilles heel injuries. These stories of resilience and determination to achieve their hopes and dreams were heartwarming.

Understanding Resilience

Resilience is the strength and speed of our response to adversity. Resilience is the ability to come back from difficult times or events. There are actual skills we can build long before we face any kind of tragedy or difficulty. We can build resilience over time by changing how we process adverse events.

One such skill is called affective forecasting. Affective forecasting is about your ability to predict your emotional future. Research shows that people overestimate how bad and how long grief and pain will last. We frequently feel that we will never feel joy again – almost a state of permanence. One skill to move past permanence is focusing on our language. Changing those times where you use “a���ɲ����” and “n�𱹱��” into “s�dz���پ������” and “l���ٱ����.” No matter what happened to you or what you’ve been through, there will be another moment when you will laugh, and knowing that helps build your strength to get there.

Helping Clients and Members Build Resilience

The stories of the Olympic athletes reminded me of the resilience and recovery journeys of our clients and members. Their ability to progress despite setbacks, struggles, and trauma is amazing. However, our clients and members don’t always see themselves as strong or recognize the skills they have. In this month’s RCCS Tidbit, we highlight the RCCS Conversation Guide that program staff can use to help individuals identify their current strengths and take steps to grow additional strengths for their future.

Practice:

Your strengths are your talents and abilities—or talents and skills you may want to develop. We often don’t recognize our strengths because we take them for granted, but you have strengths. Among them are the things you do to get through the difficult times in your life. These are things you do well. Know your strengths. They will support you on your recovery journey.

Areas to Explore:

1. How did I use my strengths in the past?

2. How do I use my strengths when tackling future challenges?

3. How can my strengths help someone else?

4. How can I build new strengths and skills?

�ձ���𳦲�����’s (PHF) staff recently welcomed for a tour of the program. Opened earlier this year, Kern PHF provides essential mental health services to the community, offering psychiatric stabilization and care to individuals in need. During the tour, Congressman Valadao learned about the facility’s mission and the impactful work being done to support recovery in Kern County.

A big thank you to everyone involved in making the tour a success!

The Yuma Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program recently received recognition from the Yuma County Superior Court for its remarkable efforts in supporting individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) and those involved in the criminal justice system. Cathy Dryer, Treatment Court Coordinator, praised the team, saying: “Recently, we have had an increase in referrals for our program, and it has been a huge benefit to have ¥��� as part of our team. The impact you have had in our community, in our program, and with our participants has improved our successful outcomes.”

Since its inception, Yuma ACT has grown from serving 40 clients to over 70. The program’s community-based care model ensures that clients receive hands-on services while remaining in their local communities, fostering recovery and long-term success.

Jose Montoya, Yuma ACT’s Team Lead, has been a driving force behind this success. Cathy Dryer highlighted his contributions: “Jose, the time, dedication, and commitment you and your team have made to this population and stakeholders is very much appreciated. Your professionalism, communication, and collaboration with the judge, court staff, probation, and members resulted in this increase in referrals.”

Jose, a Yuma native with lived experience in substance use and recovery, emphasizes the power of teamwork. “We have a great relationship with our probation department where we work hand-in-hand... the courts recognize that probation recognizes that, and the members recognize it,” he shares.

At the heart of Yuma ACT’s mission is helping clients meet their goals. “We want to help these members meet their goals,” explains Jose, who has witnessed clients transition from homelessness to independence. “We’ve had clients who were homeless, and now they’re driving, coming to groups.”

“If problems come up, I know there’s always going to be a solution, and I’m not going to be alone,” Jose reflects, highlighting the collaborative spirit of Yuma ACT.

For 25 years, Queen Byrd has been a dedicated presence at Telecare, contributing her passion and resilience to the well-being of clients and colleagues alike. Her story reflects her personal growth and �ձ���𳦲�����’s mission to foster recovery and long-term care, embodying the values of commitment and compassion that define the organization.

Queen’s journey to ¥��� began during her own recovery from addiction. “When I changed my life around, I was going to Highland Hospital with an outpatient program,” she recalls. Encouraged by her sister, who worked at Telecare, Queen applied for a housekeeping position at Gladman Mental Health Rehabilitation Center (MHRC). Known for providing long-term psychiatric treatment in a structured, supportive environment, Gladman became the starting point of Queen’s 25-year career and personal growth, shaping the strong leader she would become.

Hired with 23 others, Queen is the only one who remains at Gladman today. “I was the last one in the door, and after all those 23 people, I’m still here,” she says. Her perseverance and dedication reflect her deep commitment to her clients and �ձ���𳦲�����’s mission of providing excellent care.

Over the years, Queen’s career evolved from housekeeping to transportation, and she eventually became a certified CPI () trainer. In this role, she ensures safety and trains her peers in essential practices. “I feel like they see the genuine in me, and I feel like they know that I love what I do,” Queen shares proudly. Her leadership has been instrumental in fostering the collaborative environment central to �ձ���𳦲�����’s Recovery-Centered Clinical System (RCCS).

Queen’s personal experiences have deepened her empathy, especially in supporting her son through his mental health challenges. “My son is schizophrenic. If I hadn’t been here... I wouldn’t have understood what to do.” These experiences have only strengthened her compassion and understanding of her role.

Queen’s dedication has not gone unnoticed. She has been recognized by her colleagues and ¥��� leadership, particularly by Anne Bakar, ¥���'s president and chief executive officer. “She knows me. She remembers me. She hugs me,” Queen says, reflecting on their strong connection over the years.

As Queen celebrates 25 years at Telecare, her journey inspires those around her. From housekeeper to leader, her work at Gladman MHRC has supported clients’ recovery journeys and strengthened the ¥��� community. Queen’s story of resilience, compassion, and commitment is a fitting tribute to her 25 years of extraordinary service.

With the support of Stanislaus County, �ձ���𳦲�����’s Stanislaus County Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) recently paused work to focus on building connections and strengthening their team.

Gathering at Great Wolf Lodge in Manteca, CA, the full-time staff engaged in a day filled with activities designed to bring them closer together, reinforce trust, and sharpen their crisis response skills. From scenario-based training emphasizing scene safety to minute-to-win-it challenges that sparked quick thinking, each exercise was a chance to grow individually and as a team. The highlight? A ropes course that demanded communication and collaboration, reminding everyone that success in crisis response is truly a team effort.

This day was more than just a break from the routine. It was an opportunity to recharge, reconnect, and renew their commitment to providing compassionate, effective care. A strong, united team is the foundation of great service at Telecare. We’re excited to see how the Stanislaus MCRT will carry the lessons learned forward as they continue to make a difference in the lives of those they serve.

Here’s what the administrative manager of San Bernardino County DBH had to say:

We wanted to express our gratitude for the amazing collaboration we always receive from Omar Gonzalez-Valentino, the Merrill CSU administrator, and the Merrill CSU team. Omar and the team are constantly willing to go above and beyond whenever we are on a DBH call, particularly in a most recent case.

DBH needed assistance recently to transition a San Bernardino County conservatee who had found herself in San Diego needing stabilization back to our county. Omar answered our call and orchestrated her return to Merrill CSU. Additionally, he worked patiently with our team as she was referred for aftercare placement, sending referral packets and information where requested. Omar worked to obtain a solution and offered additional support for any barrier we encountered. He worked with his team to go above and beyond the call, offering to coordinate a special psychiatric visit as needed by the placement agency. The client obtained the appropriate placement and treatment that best fit her needs because of Omar’s excellent customer service and collaboration with the team.

Omar consistently thinks about the client’s best interest, works to reduce potential barriers to services, and assists clients in obtaining wellness and recovery. He is a team player, working together towards our goals to serve in the best way possible. We value our partnership and collaborative nature. We appreciate his unwavering dedication, compassion, and relentless contributions to outstanding customer service!

The following post is from our Recovery-Centered Clinical System (RCCS) Tidbit of the Month series. Each month, the RCCS Steering Committee creates practices to support our recovery culture within our programs and among staff. Click here to learn more about the RCCS.

RCCS Tidbit of the Month: Our Wise Mind

A Component of the Five Awarenesses of the RCCS Program Culture

Understanding Emotional, Rational, and Wise Minds

We all encounter moments when emotions guide our actions and other times when logic and facts drive our decisions. In (DBT), there are two distinct “states of mind”: the emotional and rational.

Emotional Mind

When our emotions become strong enough to influence our thinking and decision-making, we are in our emotional mind. You might wonder, “Does being an emotional person mean I’m always in my emotional mind?” Not exactly. The critical difference is whether your emotions control your thoughts, actions, and decisions. It’s possible to be very emotional and still maintain control.

Certain situations can make us more prone to being in our emotional mind, such as physical illness, alcohol or drug use, extreme hunger, sleep deprivation, or high stress. These factors can impair our ability to think clearly and make thoughtful decisions.

Rational Mind

The rational mind represents a state where decisions are made based on logic and facts, often disregarding emotions and personal values. However, focusing solely on the facts and practical aspects doesn’t always equate to being reasonable. If rational thinking ignores the importance of values and feelings, it might cloud our judgment, just like the emotional mind can.

Wise Mind

DBT introduces a balanced approach known as the wise mind, which incorporates elements of both the emotional and rational minds. In the wise mind, we know our emotions while considering facts and logic. This state of mind allows us to make decisions that align with our values and experiences, leading to desired outcomes.

Helping Clients and Members Access Their Wise Mind

Just like us, clients and members may struggle to access their wise minds, significantly when intense emotions hinder decision-making or feelings of anxiety and stress cause them to feel stuck. Our program staff is crucial in helping clients and members recognize these mental states and teaching mindfulness techniques to access their wise minds.

Practice:

Discover what works best for you and continue practicing until these habits become second nature.

• Mindfulness Practice:

  1. Find a Quiet Space: Sit comfortably in a place free of distractions.

     Focus on Your Breathing: Pay attention to the sensations of air flowing into your nose and out of your mouth, or notice your belly rising and falling as you breathe in and out.

     Clear Your Mind: After centering on your breath, quiet your thoughts and let go of any arising emotions.

     Reflect: Once calm, consider your current situation or choices.

• Mindfulness Strategies for Specific Emotions:

1. When Angry: Pause until you can think clearly.

2. When Overwhelmed: Write down your tasks, then tackle them individually.

3. When Insecure: Focus on appreciating and accepting your strengths and flaws.

4. When Rejected: Acknowledge these feelings are challenging, but don’t let them take over.

5. When Discouraged: Be kind to yourself and remember why you’re trying.

6. When Anxious: Focus on the present moment and do a “Stop, Breathe, and Think” activity.

A former client, D, reflects on their transformative experience at the Jay Mahler Recovery Center, highlighting the impact of the supportive environment and dedicated staff.

Hello,

My name is D. During that time in my life, things were very chaotic due to a mental illness and family complications. When I first entered Jay Mahler, I knew I was in a safe place that gave me hope and inspiration—my time spent cooking, attending meetings, and classroom sessions helped to give me a sense of self-understanding that I believe could not be obtained anywhere else. Finally, the friends I made helped to build a foundation of inner trust that lasts to this day. I am truly appreciative of the staff and volunteers who helped make my experience at Jay Mahler a good one. Thank you, and I hope you have a great day!

�ձ���𳦲�����’s staff and members from recently participated in the . This annual event, hosted by, aimed to raise awareness and break mental health stigma. This year’s theme was Green for Mental Health, marking the 11th annual gathering.

The event showcased numerous behavioral health and community providers, drawing over 1,000 community members of all ages. Many local agencies were there to share information about the valuable services they offer to the community.

The public was invited to enjoy this fun family event, which included:

• Free food and water

• Raffles

• Music

• Petting zoo

• Activities for the entire family

�ձ���𳦲�����’s Yuma ACT demonstrated outstanding engagement and dedication to mental health awareness, positively impacting the event.

�ձ���𳦲�����’s Orange County STEPS and AI COURT staff recently enjoyed a spirited week of friendly competition and team-building activities. The event was designed to build connections among team members who don’t usually collaborate, promoting a mix of diverse skills and perspectives.

Throughout the week, teams earned points by participating in themed activities each day:

• Monday: Sports Day

• Tuesday: Silly Socks

• Wednesday: Spooky Day

• Thursday: Decades Day

• Friday: Park Day

This exciting week strengthened team bonds and highlighted �ձ���𳦲�����’s dedication to encouraging a supportive and dynamic workplace environment.

Welcome, Home First North (Full Service Partnership) FSP!

Home First North FSP is a new program in the heart of La Palma, CA.

Home First North FSP is open to individuals, ages 18 and older, who have been diagnosed with a severe mental illness and may be housed and are at risk of losing housing in Orange County.

Home First North FSP is Orange County’s Housing Full Service Partnership (FSP) program, focused on providing housing-supportive services and behavioral health services to Orange County residents. Our purpose is to help members maintain stable housing, including resolving housing challenges and providing case management and behavioral health-focused services.

Home First North FSP creates a supportive environment, including services based on individual needs, hopes, and dreams. Home First North FSP members have access to a multidisciplinary team that includes peer specialists, case managers, a psychiatrist, a nurse practitioner, masters-level team leads, and clinicians with experience in providing housing-supportive services and behavioral health-focused services.

Home First North FSP is located at 20 Centerpointe Dr, Suite 130, La Palma, CA, 90623.

For more information, please visit the Home First North FSP website

Contact Information:

ADMINISTRATOR:

• Heather Avila, havila@telecarecorp.com

PROGRAM ADDRESS:

• La Palma, CA

HOURS OF OPERATION:

• Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

• Tues & Thurs: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm

• On-call staff are available 24 hours a day and can be reached at 657-325-8313

LINKS & RESOURCES:

• Home First North FSP

Quiet rooms, also known as resilience spaces or sensory rooms, provide a designated area where individuals can retreat to find solace. They have several benefits for individuals struggling to calm themselves after getting agitated. Among these benefits are stress reduction, a decrease in sensory overstimulation, and energy level regulation. They offer a more therapeutic alternative to a time-out room, which can often suggest that individuals are being punished instead of providing a space for decompression.

To further embrace �ձ���𳦲�����’s RCCS recovery model, La Casa PHF converted its time-out room into a quiet room, providing a calming space for clients to reflect. While both decrease external stimuli, the quiet room provides a more comfortable and relaxing client environment. Inside the room, clients will find environmental stimuli to serve them best, including a scent diffuser, a nature sound machine, a calming nature view, a warm oversized beanbag chair, and a weighted blanket.

The team is proud of this transformation and anticipates its grand opening in the coming weeks.

In honor of , �ձ���𳦲�����’s LA 4 program recently organized a team-building event at . This event was filled with creativity, fun, and meaningful connections, all of which played a crucial role in enhancing our team’s mental well-being. A special highlight was the participation of Dawan Utecht, our SVP & Chief Development Officer, and Marcelo Cavalheiro, the Regional Director of Operations, adding extra excitement to the event.

The event provided a platform for artistic expression and encouraged a sense of unity and support among team members. The positive energy and collaborative spirit were evident as everyone engaged in painting activities, strengthening their bonds and promoting mental wellness.

Welcome, ¥��� Poplar House (Enhanced Behavioral Supports Home) EBSH!

¥��� Poplar House EBSH is a new housing program in the heart of Palo Alto, CA.

¥��� Poplar House is open to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who will benefit from enhanced behavioral support, staffing, and supervision in a homelike setting.

¥��� Poplar House serves individuals with varying levels of neurodiversity or acquired brain injury needs who might also have mental health symptoms. ¥��� Poplar House provides flexible, individualized services to residents to help them live safely in their own homes, integrate into their community, and reduce reliance on locked or institutional settings.

¥��� Poplar House can be a forever home if that is what the resident needs and prefers. We offer enhanced support services, including flexible staffing according to resident needs, 24/7 supervision, a variety of activities designed around the resident’s individual preferences and needs, and access to the community with staff-supervised transportation.

Our services emphasize choice-making skills and positive behavioral support strategies based on the unique needs and capabilities of each resident. Every resident will have their own individual behavioral support team that will include a program administrator, a board-certified behavioral analyst (BCBA), nursing support, registered behavior technicians (RBT), licensed clinicians, occupational and physical therapists, and psychiatric and medical support staff. ¥��� Poplar House has staff on-site 24 hours a day to provide support to and partner with residents to ensure a safe and healthy community.

Valley Vista PSH is located at 1865 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, CA 92108.

For more information, please visit the website

Contact Information:

ADMINISTRATOR:

• Austin Flores, austinflores@telecarecorp.com

PROGRAM ADDRESS:

• Palo Alto, CA

HOURS OF OPERATION:

• Services are available 24/7

LINKS & RESOURCES:

Along with our partners at Kern County, �ձ���𳦲�����’s Kern County Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) recently celebrated its grand opening with an open house event that drew an impressive crowd of over 300 attendees. The event highlighted the community’s enthusiasm and support for the new facility and showcased our commitment to delivering vital mental health services to the Kern County community. ¥��� partnered with to construct the new PHF from the ground up.

“Our partnership with ¥��� has been invaluable throughout this project, expanding our crisis services while creating a new vision of hope and healing for our community. ¥��� has worked alongside us every step of the way, providing their expertise and support.”

— Robin Taylor, Deputy Director, Kern County, BHRS

As a Psychiatric Health Facility, this 16-bed program is designed to serve individuals who are experiencing a mental health emergency and can benefit from more intensive, structured support in a secure setting.

While at the Kern PHF, people being served will receive:

• Collaborative treatment planning with a recovery focus

• Comprehensive evaluation and risk assessment

• Crisis planning and prevention

• Supportive counseling (group and individual)

• Medication administration, education and training

• Symptom management support and skill-building

• Independent living support and skill-building

• Discharge planning and linkage to community support

¥��� is proud and grateful to be expanding our diverse array of services within Kern County. Since 2017, we have opened the Ridgecrest Crisis Stabilization Unit, the Bakersfield Recovery Station (a voluntary sobering station), and the Kern County PHF, and will soon open a Full-Service Partnership serving adults in Kern County.

�ձ���𳦲�����’s San Bernardino CORE and FACT programs recently hosted their 2nd Annual Member Picnic at Colony Park, bringing together 28 members for a day of casual fun and community bonding.

The picnic featured engaging activities, including an Easter egg hunt, raffles, dancing, dodgeball, and tie-dye. The competitive dodgeball game emerged as the highlight, with enthusiastic participation from members and staff. Attendees relished a delicious barbecue with grilled burgers, hotdogs, and a dessert spread of cookies and cupcakes.

This annual picnic is a fun, eagerly-anticipated event that inspires and promotes interaction and a strong sense of community among members and staff. Participants expressed gratitude for the enjoyable activities and the effort put into making the event special.

We thank the program staff for their dedication in organizing this wonderful event!

At Stults House in Oregon, a delightful new mascot named Steve N. Stults, a squirrel, has been introduced to boost the program’s culture through joy and teamwork. The idea, conceived by a dedicated staff member, was enthusiastically embraced by the program director and other leaders. Steve N. Stults hides cute, laminated images of nuts with funny faces throughout the program. When staff or residents find these nuts, they can take a picture and share it with their team, spreading pride and joy in the workplace.

This simple activity’s success in lifting spirits and engaging everyone has been remarkable. Inspired by Stults House, the sister program, Rhone Street, is now working on creating a new mascot, a rabbit, with a similar activity of finding carrots.

This initiative demonstrates the creativity and dedication of the Stults House staff and leadership. We appreciate their commitment to bringing positive energy and enthusiasm to the program!