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Debbie Malcarne, LCSW, Receives First-EverNAMI Recovery Educator Inspiration Award

The San Diego affiliate ofthe National Alliance onMental Illness (NAMI) hasselected Debbie Malcarne,the PsychosocialRehabilitation Coordinator ofthe County of San Diego’sAdult Mental Health Services,as the winner of the organi-zation’s first RecoveryEducator Inspiration Award.

The award recognizes excellence in training oreducating people to effectively deliver recovery serv-ices to people with mental illness, according toNAMI.

“Debbie has worked hard and is dedicated to theprograms serving those with mental illness andassisting them in their recovery process,” said

Alfredo Aguirre, Acting County of San DiegoMental Health Services Director. “Her enthusiasm isinspiring and has given providers and consumersthe optimism that recovery is possible.

“We are all proud of her and her contributions tothe mental health community.”

“Recovery from the disease of mental illness is avery real likelihood, when the disease is treatedproperly,” said Bettie Reinhardt, Executive Directorof NAMI San Diego, in a press release. “But that factis not widely understood by the public. We createdthe Inspiration Awards to raise public awareness ofrecovery by recognizing the best practices in recov-ery support among individuals and organizations inSan Diego.”

Malcarne will receive her award at NAMI’sRecovery in Action Dinner and Silent Auction beingheld on Sept. 29 at the Mission Valley Marriott.

The Child Assessment Network North(CANN), located in Vista, had a record monthin June. Of the 113 children who entered theassessment center through Child ProtectiveServices, 99 were successfully diverted fromPolinsky Children's Center to local NorthCounty foster care homes.

This represents an approximate placementrate of 88%. Children brought into protectivecustody face a complete change in their lives.Keeping children in local North County fosterhomes allows them to remain connectedto their community, schools and friends. Thiscontinued connection eases this often difficulttransition for foster children.

A Record Month for CANN Assessments

New Alternatives (NA) (CANN provider) and HHSA North Regions Children'sServices staff contributed to the 88% placement rate. Left to right, back row: LuisAbano, Chris Bodle, Chastity Gorbea, Wendy Curiel (slightly behind), LilianaRodriguez, Nina Morgan, Dolores Keeling, Krista Paddock (NA), Veronica Flores(NA), Flor Lopez (NA, slightly behind), Kristen Chamberlain (NA), Sharon Robinson,Halima Martelli (NA), Brianne Martiarena (NA). Left to right, front row: Ana Mendez,Elenita Bueno, Oswaldo Iniguez, Lara Hanson, Larry Fortin (NA).

Since its inauguration in April2003, the San Diego Network ofCare for Mental Health has beenthe front runner in providing acomprehensive Internet-basedcommunity resource for peoplewith mental illness, their families,caregivers and service providers.

Following the San Diego Countylead, there are Network of Carefor Mental Health websites inother California counties and inother states across the nation.

In 2005, more than 83,000made repeated visits to our localwebsite and the number of visitorsis growing.

The easy-to-use website is aone-stop information tool provid-ing an extensive directory of serv-ices to put people in touch withthe right services at the right time.It offers valuable links to supportand advocacy organizations formental health as well as vitalinformation about diagnoses,insurance and advocacy. It alsooffers local and world-wide newsconcerning mental health. Onecan search for a particular pro-gram or service by key word,name or zip code or a genericsearch can be made if the specificname is not known.

One of the site’s unique featuresis a private and secure personalfolder to keep important medicalinformation. The user can alsoauthorize access for specifiedhealth care professionals whoneed to review a patient’s medicalhistory.

The Community Calendar andAnnouncements pages are robustand up to date and keep the pub-

lic informed about local events ofinterest to the mental health com-munity.

The website expanded its con-tent to include a Hall of Fame in2004 and a special page for theMental Health Services Act infor-mation in 2005.

In 2006 a new section was intro-duced to spotlight the MentalHealth Clubhouses. EachClubhouse contributes news arti-cles and success stories which

promote their recovery environ-ment and activities.

The member-run Clubhousesare encouraged to review andpromote the website at their meet-ings and to provide consumerfeedback to Mental HealthServices.

Many new features andimprovements are planned for theupcoming year to expand the con-tent and to include Clubhouse andemployment announcements.

A Message from Jean M. ShepardHealth And Human Services Agency Director

The Agency is truly fortunate to have such a tal-ented and dedicated staff. I continually hearabout the outstanding efforts of our employees,and want to share with you some of the impres-sive awards and recognition our staff havereceived in recent months.

Katie Astor was named Mental Health Personof the Year

Linda Spaulding was honored as Psychiatric Nurse of the Year

Jeffrey Rowe, M.D., will receive the Gandhi Non-violence Awardfor Community Leadership. Dr. Rowe has also been selected by hispeers in the San Diego Medical Society as one of the "Top Doctorsin San Diego County”

Debbie Malcarne is receiving the first-ever NAMI RecoveryEducator Inspiration Award

Frank Larios received the 2006 CandleLife Award from theSupportive Parents Information Network (SPIN)

Congratulations to each of you!If there are other awardees out there that I’ve missed, please let

me know so we can acknowledge them.

Jean M. Shepard

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San Diego County’s Mental Health Website is Tops

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Tamara Bannan, Health Planning & Program SpecialistLinda Cannon, Chief, Medical Record Services and Disaster CoordinatorRachel Darvin, Departmental Information Technology CoordinatorRhonda Freeman, Community Health Program SpecialistLaura Hattaway, HHSA Administrator IIISharon Ippolito, Administrative Analyst IIBarbara Jimenez, HHSA Administrator IIILinda Lake, Public Health Nurse ManagerBarbara Ann Lee, Personnel ManagerFred Leger, HHSA Administrator IAudrey Lopez, Public Health Nurse ManagerToosdhi McGowan, Contract Quality Oversight AnalystDarla Newman, Administrative Analyst II

Linda Nuzzo, ERP Systems Functional AnalystAnna La Rocca Palid, Mental Health Program ManagerMiwa Pumpelly, Administrative Analyst IIILeslie Ridgeway, Media/Public Relations SpecialistLeesa Rosenberg, HHSA Administrator IIIRenee Sherrill, Health Services Project CoordinatorSandra Strech, Health Planning and Program SpecialistRuth Supranovich, HHSA Administrator IIIRick Wanne, Assistant Deputy DirectorKaren Waters-Montijo, Assistant Medical Services AdministratorAdrienne Yancey, Immunization Branch ChiefEmily Rose Zaravia, HHSA Administrator IIDeanna Zotalis, HHSA Administrator III

MDI Graduation Features 26 of Agency’s “Rising St rs”Are you looking for a great way

to grow professionally and workon expanding your career oppor-tunities? The Agency’s HumanResources Division has a pro-gram designed to help youaccomplish that: the award-winning Managers DevelopmentInstitute (MDI).

The program allows the Agencyto deliver a development programtied directly to the Agency andthe Strategic Plan. The programallows employees to develop pro-fessionally and helps positionthem for possible future executiveor management positions withinthe Agency.

This year, MDI graduated 26participants. In a graduation cere-mony held at Marina Village,North Regions General ManagerNick Macchione presided overthe festivities and presentation ofthe graduates’ special projects.

Besides the 26 Institute partici-pants, 26 of the Agency’s man-agement team paired up with thegraduates as mentors and anoth-

er 24 Agency employees (alongwith seven non-county profes-sionals) served as instructors.

MDI was awarded a 2006

Annual National Association ofCounties Achievement Award andwas one of only 14 “Best ofCategory” winners nationwide.

Congratulations Graduates!

2006 ManagersDevelopmentInstitute graduates(top) and mentors(below).

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SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY - SAFE, HEALTHY AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES 44

In a unique partnership with North County HealthServices (NCHS), the Agency's North Regionsbrought free dental services to North County fos-ter children.

Kids from three to 18 years of age were seen bydental professionals in NCHS' newmobile dental van and were providedcheck-ups, cleanings, fillings, andreferrals for further treatment asneeded. Tooth decay is the mostcommon infectious disease amongchildren, accounting for 5.1 million

school hours lost annually in the nation. The clinic, held July 11 through July 14 at the

Child Assessment Network North (CANN) in Vista,is an example of how the North Regions leverageresources for the health and safety of ourCounty's most vulnerable children. The specialdental clinic contributed toward the statewide rec-ommendation that all foster children receive dentalexams and cleanings at least once a year, servingapproximately 64 foster children in this effort.

The week-long clinic is the first in a series ofNCHS-sponsored dental clinics being brought toCANN to assist North County foster parents inmeeting the dental needs of the children in theircare.

Free Dental Clinic Helps Abusedand Neglected Children

Metro FRC Claims 2004-05Food Stamp Accuracy Crown

Metro Family Resource Center (FRC) recently cele-brated achieving the highest Food Stamp accuracyrate countywide for FY 2004-2005.

The Metro FRC primarily serves the adult homelesspopulation in the Central San Diego area and alsooffers assistance to residents of eight drug and alcoholrehabilitation centers.

“The Metro FRC demonstrated an outstanding workethic by maintaining a high accuracy rate while pro-cessing approximately 400 Food Stamp applicationsand maintaining 1,500 active Food Stamp cases eachmonth,” said Mark Silvia, Metro FRC AssistantManager.

Responding to a request from the governor’s office,many Agency staff spent a Saturday in late July checkingon elderly and vulnerable clients to ensure their well-being during a stretch of excessively hot weather.

Public Health Services, Mental Health Services andAging and Independence Services staff called the mostvulnerable In Home Support Services clients and conduct-ed check-ins with people in SROs (single resident occu-pancy).

The Medical Operations Center was activated and AdultProtective Services contacted all their high risk clients.

The check-ins were requested by the State after severalpeople died in other California counties during the hotterthan normal temperatures.

Agency Performs Heat-related Checks on Clients

Linda Mackey and Lisa Yee show off someof the items delivered during the check-ins.

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It's that time again, time to gather the family, puton your dancing shoes and join the fun at the 10thannual Big Band Concert and Dance on Saturday,

September30, 12-7p.m., andswing tothe classicmelodies of"yester-year." Thisyear's con-cert will beeven big-ger and

better, with seven hours of continuous music fromthree bands on two stages at the Oceanside PierPlaza Amphitheater. The $5 ticket price includesthe concert, a meal, and opportunity drawing.

This year's event, known as the "Big Band Bashby the Beach" will be dedicated as a benefit concertfor health and human services nonprofit organiza-tions that serve residents in North County.

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Bill Horn,Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors,100% of the ticket proceeds will go to the numerousparticipating community agencies who serve chil-

dren and families.Agency ticket sale proceeds will benefit Children

In Need, Inc., a nonprofit charitable corporationorganized by Agency employees that provides finan-cial support to assist disadvantaged children's par-ticipation in sports, arts and other enrichment activi-ties.

10 + 7 + 3 + 2 = An Easy Way to Help Children10th Annual Big Band Concert features 7 hours of music from 3 bands on 2 stages

To receive your tickets in advance...Send a check (payable to Children In Need) to

Mindy Ripley, HHSA North CoastalRegional Center, MS N-135. Please

include your name,phone number, num-ber of tickets request-ed and a return mailstop. Or, call (760)967-4600 and wewill return your call.For more informa-tion about ChildrenIn Need and theevent, visit theChildren In Needwebsite.

Central Region FRC (Southeast) Medi-Cal worker,Ana Armendariz was "friendly, respectful, courteousand most of all understanding, helpful, and informa-tive to me on many occasions where time was of theessence...I hope that you will recognize her in someway for the outstanding and professional way inwhich she has represented herself and the depart-ment over the years."

--Randy Judickis, client

Director’s Call-InShare your ideas and concerns with

HHSA Director Director of OperationsJean M. Shepard Paula Landau-Cox

•• First Friday of each month •• 8 a.m. - noon•• (619) 515-6555

Have you submitted a D.I.B.B.S. lately?

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Completing your required annual Compliance train-ing is as easy as logging on to the Agency’s Training& Development website and clicking your computer’smouse. Well, it’s not that easy - you still have to view

the material and answera few questions, but theAgency ComplianceOffice has made sureit’s an easy task tocomplete your requiredtraining.

You no longer need to schedule a time for the train-ing or leave your desk to do it. Just turn on yourcomputer, click on the link, and off you go!

Every HHSA employee must complete this fourmodule e-learning course prior to Jan. 31, 2007. Itspurpose is to re-familiarize employees with theAgency Code of Conduct and Statement ofIncompatible Activities.

Each employee should have received a bookletcontaining the Code and Statement and sign a certifi-cation that they have completed the training. If youdidn’t receive a booklet, call Jonathan at (619) 515-4244.

The e-learning system does not generate emails,certificates or transcripts of completion, so rememberto make a “screen print” of your completion for yourpersonal records.

It’s as Simpleas “Click Here”

Emergency Survival ProgramThere’s been a lot of talk about disasters lately. Is your family prepared?

There are many resources available to help you. For example, the County’sOffice of Emergency Services offers an Emergency Survival Program (ESP) with monthly tips to increaseemergency preparedness at home, in the community, at work and at school.

The September theme is “Back to School,” all about making school a safe place to learn.

The County’s emergency page will provide valuable information in the event of a disaster.

Compliance Office: (619) 515-4244 Toll-Free Compliance Hotline: (866) 549-0004

An ethical workplace is your right... and your responsibility...

There are more than a dozen initiatives on theballot this November. The Legislative Analyst'sOffice (LAO) has provided analyses of ballotmeasures.This is the first in a series of informa-tive summaries of ballot issues:

Prop 1A - Transportation Funding ProtectionLegislative Constitutional AmendmentAmends the State Constitution to further limit theconditions under which the Proposition 42 transferof gasoline sales tax revenues for transportationuses can be suspended.

Prop 1B - Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction,Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006Authorizes the state to sell about $20 billion ofgeneral obligation bonds to fund transportationprojects to relieve congestion, improve the move-ment of goods, improve air quality, and enhancethe safety and security of the transportation sys-tem.

Prop 1C - Housing and Emergency ShelterTrust Fund Act of 2006Authorizes the state to sell $2.85 billion of generalobligation bonds to fund 13 new and existinghousing and development programs.

Prop 1D - Kindergarten-University PublicEducation Facilities Bond Act of 2006Allows the state to sell $10.4 billion of generalobligation bonds for K-12 school facilities ($7.3billion) and higher education facilities ($3.1 bil-lion).

The LAO website can be found here.

Are You an Informed Voter?

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September is Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide and Mental IllnessStudies have shown that over 90% of people who diefrom suicide have one or more psychiatric disorders atthe time of their death. Fortunately, there are ways totreat and control these disorders and potentially preventsuicide.

Students and SuicideFor information about common suicide myths, risk fac-tors, and information about how to identify students whoare at high risk following a completed suicide, pleaseread “Risk Factors for Suicide,” “Common Myths AboutSuicide” and “Identification of High-Risk StudentsFollowing a Completed Suicide or Suicide Attempt” devel-oped by The Consortium of Trauma, Illness and Grief InSchools, found on their website.

Depression and Suicide Prevention HelpFor immediate help, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)Or 1-800-479-3339(Behavioral Health Access and Crisis Line)

For local emergency numbers, visit the San Diego Network of Care for Mental Health and click the"Emergency Services" link at the bottom of the page.

For local events concerning depression and suicide, visit the following web sites: San Diego County Mental Health Services

Community Health Improvement Partners (CHIP)

Where you can find help in SD CountySeptember 4-10

Suicide Prevention Week American Association of Suicidology4201 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 408Washington, DC 20008Tel.: 202-237-2280 Email: info@suicidology.orghttp://www.suicidology.org

September 10STOP A Suicide Today Day/World Suicide Prevention DayScreening For Mental Health1 Washington Street, Suite 304Wellesley Hills, MA 02481Tel.: 781-239-0071 Fax: 781-431-7447Email: spigeon@mentalhealthscreening.orghttp://www.stopasuicide.org.

Jo Ann Suarez and Her CoreTeam Featured in Book

Fiscal staff’s Jo Ann Suarez and the core team ofher department are featured in a new book soon bereleased.

They are featured in Industrial Strength Solutions,a book by Glen Aubrey.

The book will be released at a lunch event held atTrolley Towers on Sept. 20.

This is the first in an informational series on theAgency’s diversity policies and practices:

“It is County and HHSA policy to provide workingconditions which promote equal employment oppor-tunity for all persons regardless of race, color, creed,sex, age, national origin, ancestry, family and med-ical leave, mental or physical disability, medical con-dition, marital status, political affiliation, religion, vet-eran’s status or sexual orientation.”

DIVERSITY 101

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During September, National Healthy Aging Month,it is startling to realize that every hour in the U.S. an

older adult dies as a result ofa fall. With greater communi-ty awareness of this problem,many of these accidentscould be prevented.If you're a 75-year-old (orolder) female living alone,you have the greatest proba-

bility of having a fall. Add to that the use of a caneor a walker, an acute illness, alcohol use or havinghad a previous fall and your odds worsen. Toss inpoor lighting, vision problems, and a few throw rugsand it’s an accident waiting to happen.

During fiscal year 2003-2004, more than 7,000persons over 75 in San Diego County had falls soserious they required help from paramedics, accord-ing to Emergency Medical Services. That's about 19seniors each day.

Everyone stumbles once in a while, but when afrail older adult falls, the results can be life altering,even fatal. For people 75 and older, falls are theleading cause of injury death. Of those seniors whosurvive their falls, many suffer serious injuries,including hip fractures and head trauma. Once hos-pitalized for a hip fracture, many never function wellenough to live independently again.

Fall prevention is just starting to get the attention itdeserves as a public health issue. The County nowhas a Fall Prevention Task Force that has createdhandout material in several languages, sponsoredSenior Safety Days geared at public educationabout fall prevention and raised awareness aboutdevices to help mobility and safety. The coalitionrecently worked with CTN to create a DVD, "Don'tFall For It!," for use in presentations about fall pre-vention.

The Fall Prevention Task Force, which meets

monthly, includes members from private business,healthcare, non-profit and local governmental organ-izations. A Fall Prevention Kit with a copy of theDVD, a home safety checklist, Vial of Life andFeeling Fit Club exercise information, will soon beavailable through Aging & Independence Services.For more information, contact Romalyn Galacgacat (858) 495-5998.

County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency

Chief Administrative Officer - Walter F. Ekard

Health and Human Services Agency Director - Jean M. Shepard

Co-Editors Tom Christensen Jennifer Mallory

Aging & Independence Services: Denise NelesenAlcohol & Drug Services: Kim Frink

Central Region: Elise LorentzChild Welfare Services: Cathi Palatella

East Region: Eve Leon-TorresFinancial & Support Services: Marion Morris

Mental Health: Bonita MaglidtNorth Central Region, North Coastal Region,

North Inland Region: Nina ConstantinoPublic Health: Pete Sison

South Region: Angie DeVoss

Board of SupervisorsGreg Cox, District 1

Dianne Jacob, District 2Pam Slater-Price, District 3

Ron Roberts, District 4Bill Horn, District 5

Section Editors

In 1994, the estimated cost of fall-related injurieswas $20.2 billion nationwide. By 2020, the costmay reach $32.4 billion.1

The majority of all paramedic-responded fallinjuries among people 55 and older occurredbetween 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.2

To request additional health statistics describinghealth behaviors, diseases and injuries for specificpopulations, health trends and comparisons tonational targets, please call the County'sCommunity Health Statistics Unit at (619) 285-6479.

To access the latest data and data links, includ-ing the 2004 Core Public Health Indicator docu-ment and Community Regional Profiles, please goto www.sdhealthstatistics.com.

1"Preventing Injury in America: Public Health in Action,"Center for Disease Control's National Center for InjuryPrevention and Control, 2001-2002.

2 County of San Diego, Emergency Medical Services,Prehospital MICN database, fiscal year 2003-2004.

National Healthy Aging Month: Preventing Falls

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Are You Ready for Some Football?San Pasqual

AcademyVaristy footballschedule 2006

SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY - SAFE, HEALTHY AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES

Two-time defendingCitrus League 8-man Champion

2005 C.I.F. Champion2004 C.I.F Runner-Up

11-man Football Non-League

DAY TIME DATE OPPONENT LOCATIONSat. 11am Sept. 2 Army Navy Academy (Scrimmage) @ Army-Navy AcademyFri. 7pm Sept. 8 La Jolla Country Day @ San Pasqual High School*Fri. 7pm Sept. 15 Venture Christian High School @ Orange Glen High SchoolFri. 7pm Sept. 22 Julian High School @ Orange Glen High School

Citrus League 8-Man Football

Fri. 3pm Sept. 29 West Shores High School @ West Shores High SchoolFri. 3pm Oct. 6 Christian Life Academy @ San Pasqual AcademyThu. 3pm Oct. 11 San Diego Jewish Academy @ San Diego Jewish AcademyFri. 6pm Oct. 20 Borrego Springs High School @ Borrego Springs High SchoolFri. 3pm Oct. 27 Warner High School @ San Pasqual AcademyFri. 2pm Nov. 3 Calvary Christian (Vista) @ San Pasqual AcademyFri. 2pm Nov. 10 All Tribes American Indian Charter @ San Pasqual Academy

Home Games are in BOLD* This game will be at San Pasqual High School, NOT San Pasqual Academy. San Pasqual High School is located at 3300 Bear ValleyParkway in Escondido, CA 92025.

Head Coach & Athletic Director.: Bob ManningAssistant Head Coach: Wally Zittle

Assistant Coach: Mark Rounds