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Supported Education Expands Services!
Supported Education Program, 2401,
3/1/10
- Cara Weeks
- The Valeo Supported Education Program announces the expansion of services to include referrals for persons with psychiatric disabilities seeking their high school diploma or GED. Since 2006 SEP has worked with participants in post-secondary education and we are happy to to now include all levels of education. Some of the tasks our counselors can help with include:
* Identify community resources that offer GED programs
* Access and assist completion of GED courses
* Identify and implement classroom accomodations
* Practice ways to manage symptoms which impact learning
* Assist in utilizing self-study GED programs
* Learn study skills, time management and test taking strategies
* Problem solve ways to overcome barriers to GED completion
The Supported Education Program also offers a drop-in resource center every Tuesday at 3:00pm at Valeo's C.A.R.E Program located at 2401 SW 6th Street. An Education Specialist provides assistance with educational needs such as navigating the internet, support with current challenges, learning computer skills, homework, or support from peers in the group.
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Kansas Summit on Homelessness and Housing
Ramada Inn, Topeka Kansas,
10/28/09
- Doug Wallace
- The Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition has released the agenda and registration form for the 2009 Statewide Summit on Homelessness and Housing.
The Summit will be held October 29-30, 2009 at the Ramada Inn in Topeka Kansas. This is the 10th anniversary of the statewide homeless summits and fitting with the event and economic times, the theme is Celebrating the Past, Preparing for the Future.
This year, the Summit has several featured speakers such as: Michael Stoops, Director of Community Organizing, National Coalition for the Homeless; Pete Dougherty, President for the US Interagency Council on Homelessness, and Director of the Homeless Programs Office for the Department of Veterans Affairs; Katie Volk, The National Center on Family Homelessness; Lora Routt, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and, Tonier Cain and Joan Gillece, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. There will be many local presenters on a variety of topics.
The registration deadline is October 15th, 2009.
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National Depression Screening Day
330 SW Oakley, Topeka KS,
10/8/09
- Jami Nichols
- Thursday October 8th, 2009 is National Depression Screening Day. Valeo Behavioral Health Care along with Stormont Vail West, and Family Service and Guidance Center will be providing free screenings for depression, bi-polar disorder, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder from 1:00-5:00pm at Valeo's 330 Oakley location. Screenings are confidential. Check in at the 2nd floor waiting room.
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Creations of Hope: Call For Artists Deadline 8/10/09
10/2/09
- Cara Weeks
- The CARE Program at Valeo Behavioral Health Care is sponsoring the fifth annual "Creations of Hope" Art Exhibit October 2nd- November 27th, 2009 at the Upstage Gallery in Topeka, KS. Creations of Hope is an exhibit by artists experiencing Mental Illness sponsored by Valeo Behavioral Health Care. The opening reception with be October 2nd, 2009, 5:30-8:00pm.
The submission deadline for artists is August 10, 2009. Please submit entries to:
Cara Weeks, M.A.,ATR, Valeo CARE/Supported Education Program Manager
2401 SW 6th Street, Topeka, KS 66606. Call 785-357-0580 ext. 2138 for more information, or e-mail, cweeks@valeotopeka.org.
Creations of Hope Juror Information:
Charles Anderson, ATR-BC- Mr. Anderson is an exhibiting photographer and nationally known Art Therapist. He has 40 years experience providing art therapy at the Menninger Clinic and has been a guest lecturer at Washburn University and Emporia State University.
Connie English, BFA- Ms. English is an internationally recognized watercolorist. Her work has been featured at the Twin Towers and John McEnroe Galleries in New York City as well as the Wichita Art Museum.
Location & Date of Exhibit:
The Upstage Gallery
720 Jackson Street
Topeka, Kansas 66601
(The Upstage Gallery is located inside the future lobby of the historic Jayhawk State Theatre and serves to further the mission of the Jayhawk's renovation campaign and provide a non-profit venue for local artists.)
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IDDT Program Wins SAMSHA Science & Service Award
2401 SW 6th Street, Topeka, KS,
9/28/09
- Jami Nichols
- Valeo Behavioral Health Care's Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program, called the "Starfish Program" is a 2009 recipient of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Science and Service Award. Valeo is one of 27 organizations recognized nationally for program excellence, and is the only organization in the state of Kansas to receive this award.
These awards recognize exemplary implementation of evidence-based interventions that have been shown to prevent and/or treat mental illnesses and substance abuse.
Now in its third year, this annual award program recognizes public - and private-sector organizations, as well as community-based coalitions, that have worked to improve their communities and the lives of individuals by providing the best services possible.
"Families and individuals deserve the most effective services possible for the prevention and treatment of health conditions, including mental health and substance use disorders," said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick, D.D.S, M.P.H. These award winners have demonstrated that they are delivering such services in their communities.
Awardees were chosen in each of five categories: substance abuse prevention; treatment of substance abuse and recovery support services; mental health promotion; treatment of mental illness and recovery support services; and co-occurring disorders.
To be eligible for these nonmonetary awards, an organization had to demonstrate successful implementation of a recognized evidence-based intervention, including interventions that have been published in the scientific literature and/or appear on a federal or state registry.
http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/090925ss4927.aspx.
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Everybody Counts
2401 SW 6th Street,
1/29/09
- Doug Wallace
- Shawnee County was one of 40 Kansas counties selected to participate in the "Everybody Counts!" 2009 statewide point-in-time homeless count Initiative. Such a count has historically been conducted every-two years during the last week of January as a requirement for communities that receive HUD funding for housing and homeless services.
This initiative will track the number of persons experiencing homelessness and catch a glimpse of what homelessness looks like across the state.
This year, Kansas Housing Resources Corporation and SRS-Disability and Behavioral Health Services collaborated to sponsor the first coordinated, statewide Point-In-Time Homeless Count. United Way of the Plains (UWP) was awarded a grant to conduct the statewide Count and generate an aggregate state report of the data, supplemented with county specific appendices.
The success of this initiative depends on community involvement. Everybody Counts will benefit the people served through its HUD funded homeless programs.
For more information contact Doug Wallace, Valeo Behavioral Health Care at 1-785-783-3106.
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Supported Employment Services Celebrates National Award
5/7/08
- Supported Employment Services
Celebrates National Award
Valeo Behavioral Health Care's Supported Employment Services accepted the National Johnson & Johnson Dartmouth Achievement Award in 2008. Supported Employment Program Manager Kristin Farley attended the awards ceremony in Portland Oregon May 7th & 8th. Valeo was selected on the criteria of significant improvement in the number of people participating in high fidelity (measured in Evidence Based Practice Programs) Supported Employment Services, and in the number of people working in competitive jobs.
The Supported Employment Program received a 70 out of 75 score on their latest Fidelity review with the University of Kansas. The national average for job retention among programs of this type is typically 32%-53%. Valeo's was 62% for 2007! Kristin Farley had this to say about her team, "I commend the Supported Employment Services staff for being so committed to assisting our clients in becoming employed and staying employed. I want to recognize all of the extra time they put into getting someone ready for work and making it a positive experience for both the employer and the employee."
Supported Employment hosts their annual Employee Recognition and Employer Recognition events in June to recognize appreciation and achievement. Kristin Farley, was interviewed by WIBW television 6/9/08 for Supported Employment Employer Awards Event. For the complete story go to:
http://www.wibw.com/localnews/headlines/19693314.html
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