March 2014 - Grand Prairie Services

March 2014 | Grand Prairie Services| www.gpsbh.org
Grand Prairie Services
Newsletter
GPS Psychiatric Team—A Prestigious
Group of Compassionate Professionals
Grand Prairie Services has a team of psychiatrists with extensive experience in
treating a wide range of Behavioral Health Services. Every consumer is treated
as a whole individual with respect to assisting him/her with their physiological,
psychological and social needs, in a safe, clean environment conducive to good
health care.
Richard H. Bongard, M.D., joined Grand Prairie Services in 2003. Received his
Medical Degree from Chicago Medical School in 1975. Board certified by the American
Board of Psychiatry. Member of the American Psychiatric Association, Illinois Psychiatric
Association, Kankakee County Medical Society, American Medical Society and the Illinois
State Medical Society.
Franchot B. Givens, M.D., joined Grand Prairie Services in 2011. Received his
Medical Degree from Chicago Medical School in 1994. Board certified by the American
Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Member of the American Psychiatric Association, Illinois State Psychiatric Society, American Medical Association and Chicago Medical Society.
Farid Karimi, M.D., joined Grand Prairie Services in 2012. Received his Medical
Degree from University of Tehran Medical School in 1979. Specialties include Child
Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis.
Alexander Morrill, M.D., joined Grand Prairie Services in 2012. Received his
Medical Degree from Sackler School of Medicine in 2003.
Shanta Nair, M.D., joined Grand Prairie Services in 2013. Received her Medical
Degree from Government Medical College in 1976. Board certified by the American Board
of Psychiatry and Neurology, with a sub-specialty in Addiction Psychiatry.
Panom Phoungcherdchoo, M.D., joined Grand Prairie Services in 2012. Received
his Medical Degree from Chicago Medical School in 1975. Board certified by the American
Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Member of the American Psychiatric Association,
American Academy of Child Psychiatry, Illinois Psychiatric Society, Thai Association of
Illinois and Thai Physicians Association of America.
Mahim K. Vora, M.D., joined Grand Prairie Services in 1989. Received his Medical
Degree from BJ Medical College in 1968. Board certified by the American Board of
Psychiatry and Neurology.
“Quality is our Hallmark”
Grand Prairie Services
Behavioral Healthcare
Administrative Office
17746 Oak Park Avenue
Tinley Park, IL 60477
Phone: 708-444-1012
www.gpsbh.org
Flossmoor Center
19530 Kedzie Avenue
Flossmoor, IL 60422
Phone: 708-799-2200
Lincoln Center
450 West 14th Street
Chicago Heights, IL 60411
Phone: 708-503-9670
South Holland Center
16278 Prince Drive
South Holland, IL 60473
Phone: 708-754-8815
Emergency Behavioral Health
Center (EBHC)
1909 Cheker Square
East Hazel Crest, IL 60429
Phone: 708-331-0500
East Hazel Crest Center
1909 Cheker Square
East Hazel Crest, IL 60429
Phone: 708-331-0500, ext. 3037
Developmental Training Center
17746 Oak Park Avenue
Tinley Park, IL 60477
Phone: 708-444-1150
March 2014 | Grand Prairie Services
Grand Prairie Services
Board of Directors
Gilbert W. Rynberk
Chairman
President, First National Bank
of Illinois, a branch of Old
Plank Trail Community Bank
Maurice F. Page
First Vice Chairman
Coordinator, Social Work
Program, South Suburban
College, Retired
Sonya V. Monroe, Ed.D.
Second Vice Chairman
Academic Program
Coordinator, Governors State
University, Retired
Janet Herbstman
Secretary/Treasurer
Congregation AM ECHAD,
Park Forest
Williams Decree Community Fair
Grand Prairie Services hosted a “Moving
On” Community Resource Fair at the Central
Park Pavilion in Park Forest, Illinois, on Friday, August 16. The emphasis of the fair was
the importance of consumers being able to
finally have a place where they feel at home.
Grand Prairie Services offered a fun, relaxing
atmosphere that included entertainment,
games, food, raffles and community resource
vendors.
There were over 100 people at the Fair comprised of Williams Class Members, residents
of Thornton Heights Terrace and Lydia
Healthcare and GPS residential consumers.
Representatives from community agencies
were in attendance with information regarding resources available. There was also a
Health and Safety table with information
regarding fire safety, poison control, carbon monoxide and lead poisoning.
Two Williams’ consumers were eager to speak about how pleased they were to have
been given the opportunity to live in the community. Dr. Karen Douglas from DHS
said a few encouraging words to the group. A number of clients expressed their gratitude for hosting the fair.
James Williams
Director
The overall response from the clients and staff was that the day was very enjoyable!
The Fair was a huge success thanks to the funding of DHS and the teamwork of Grand
Prairie Services’ staff.
Randall C. Tate
Director
MISA Family Educational Programs
Quorum International, Retired
Exelon Corporation, Retired
GPS Affiliate Organizations
GPS Servicing Corporation
Family Service Residential
Centre for New Beginnings
GPS Property Holding
Corporation
GPS Foundation
Sunrise Residential
Grand Prairie Services offers free Educational programs to MISA clients and their families. Mental health recovery is an ongoing process, not a single outcome. Each person’s
recovery experience is unique. By making a personalized, inclusive plan for managing a
mental health condition, a person has the best chance of living a meaningful life. The
programs are intended to provide general information on mental health recovery.
Carl Alamo, PsyD, presented the “Relapse Awareness & Management Strategies” program on Wednesday, November 14, 2012, at the Lincoln Center. The program content
was developed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The program was designed to provide
educational support on mental health recovery and empower people living with schizophrenia, schizoaffective and bipolar I disorder. It also offered tips to prepare for and
minimize the possibility of relapse. Topics covered were: Early detection of relapse,
common reasons for relapse, relapse management strategies, the role of medication in
recovery and accessing supportive treatments.
Dr. Farid Karimi, Psychiatrist at Grand Prairie Services, and Doug Allen, a certified
AODA counselor at Grand Prairie Services, presented on the psychiatric care of mental
illness and the substance abuse component on how street drugs affects prescription medication to alter mood and change behaviors on June 26, 2013, at the Lincoln Center.
March 2014 | Grand Prairie Services
Repeat Boutique Volunteer Thrift Store
In May, the consumers of Residential Services hosted a luncheon for the thrift store volunteers at Steger House. A luncheon was prepared and served by consumers to show
their appreciation to the dedicated volunteers for their support and many contributions to
the Residential Services of GPS. The volunteers demonstrated their great generosity by
donating a 12-passenger van to Adult Outpatient Services.
If you are interested in volunteering at the Repeat Boutique, please contact Barbara Creal
at (708) 957-5052.
Repeat Boutique
Thrift Shop
18157 Dixie Highway
Homewood, IL
Tuesday through Saturday
10 a.m.—3 p.m.
Volunteers of Repeat Boutique enjoy a luncheon prepared by consumers of GPS.
Job Readiness Training
GPS Residential staff conducted a Job Readiness Seminar on Friday, May 24, 2013, at
the Lincoln Center with funds awarded GPS from the Flossmoor Service League. GPS
clients and residents of the Chicago Heights PADs shelter received individualized tips
and techniques to assist in seeking and maintaining a job. The program focused on
developing skills in job searching, interviewing and keeping a new job. Topics covered
in detail were job search methods, resume writing, developing successful cover letters
and interviewing skills. This included finding jobs from different sources, such as on
the Internet, through networking or in the newspaper. Participants had an opportunity
to meet individually with vocational staff to discuss personal job readiness questions.
Participants left the program with job readiness materials to assist them in organizing a
successful job search. This program, with the support of the Flossmoor Service League,
is one facet of GPS’ goal to help individuals become economically self-sufficient.
Repeat Boutique is an upscale
thrift shop that is a great onestop shop for all of your
resale needs. Repeat Boutique
has more than 200 items to
choose from and a helpful,
knowledgeable staff to help
you find exactly what you are
looking for. Volunteers of
Repeat Boutique support
GPS.
March 2014 | Grand Prairie Services
Client Satisfaction Survey
GPS consumers were asked to complete a Client Satisfaction Survey. We are very
pleased that our consumers rated GPS services highly. GPS staff is continually
working to make improvement in the quality of our services to clients. Below are
the results:
Grand Prairie Services
Corporate Compliance
Department
GPS Client Survey Results
Compared to National Averages
(1= poor, 2= fair, 3= good,
4= very good, 5 = excellent)
GPS
National
Averages*
Personal Therapy
3.9
4.02
Compliance Officer
Client/Staff Interaction
4.24
4.27
Cheryl Andrews
Physical Environment
3.86
3.92
Overall Reputation &
Treatment Outcome
4.11
4.12
Compliance@gpsbh.org
Dr. Ed Marston
Director of Quality
Management
Myra Cox
Process Coordinator
Grand Prairie
Services
is
featured
as
One of the
Oldest Companies
& Organizations
in the
Daily Herald
Business Ledger
March 2014 | Grand Prairie Services
Developmental Training Services
The mission of Developmental Training Services is to provide quality services with a holistic approach to enhance and promote independence in the community, personal, and
interpersonal relationships and improve the quality
of life for persons with developmental disabilities.
Developmental Training services promotes vocational activity of daily living development and social
skills. Social skills are enhanced through participation in community and educational activities such as
money management and development of daily living
skills.
Health is a large word.
It embraces not the body only,
but the mind and spirit as
well;... and not today's pain or
pleasure alone, but the whole
being and outlook of a man.
~James H. West
Program attendees participate in planning ethnic holidays, birthday celebrations and other community
activities such as a “Support the Troops Day” and
Mad Hatters Day”. Money management skills are
taught through the Developmental Training General
Store, which operates on Fridays and everything is
sold for 25 cents.
GPS’ Developmental Training program offers age-appropriate independence with
assistance as needed.
For more information
regarding the Developmental
Training Program, please
contact Natalie Taylor,
Director of Developmental
Training, at 708-444-1150
or at NTaylor@gpsbh.org.
March 2014 | Grand Prairie Services
Walk for Recovery
Grand Prairie Services participated in the 10th Annual Walk for Recovery along with the
Chicago Department of Public Health, Illinois Department of Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and other community providers. Approximately 700 people from the recovery community participated to celebrate
recovery and promote the message that behavioral health is essential to health, treatment
is effective, prevention works and people recover. Walk participants and the community
had access to flu and Hepatitis B vaccines as well as Hepatitis C and HIV tests. Other
available resources included County Care enrollment; emergency preparedness, nutrition
and tobacco literature. In addition, the testimonials from recovering individuals were
inspirational, heartfelt and life changing.
Housing Authority of the County of Cook (HACC)
Grand Prairie Services partners with the Housing Authority of the County of Cook
(HACC). GPS is a referral source for the Housing Authority residents in need of a
more supervised living arrangement. Grand Prairie Services is offering a series of training to management staff at HACC. The first training was on November 8th, 2013. Dr.
Ed Marston presented on Law and Ethics in Mental Health Services. Nancy Dawkins
presented on Understanding Mental Illness, Crisis Intervention/Prevention on December 6th, 2013. Future trainings include “Senior Services, Grief and Bereavement”.
NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago
Grand Prairie Services partners with NAMI South Suburbs of Chicago. NAMI is the
National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental
illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is
steadfast in its commitment to raise awareness and build a community for hope for all
of those in need.
Grand Prairie Services’ hosts the NAMI Family-to-Family course at the Flossmoor Center. What people have to say about NAMI Family-to-Family:
“Family members who take the NAMI Family-to-Family course are better equipped
to work with mental health clinicians in a collaborative manner. My bottom-line recommendation? Take this course. It will help you learn to cope successfully with a
major challenge in your life, and that, in turn, will help your loved one as he or she
works toward recovery.”
-- Peter Weiden, M.D., author of Breakthroughs in Antipsychotic Medications
March 2014 | Grand Prairie Services
Employee Spotlight Awards
Peers nominate coworkers who have gone “above and beyond” to receive the Spotlight
Award!
Employee Anniversaries
5 Years of Service
Deborah Singleton
Kimala Robinson
Douglas Allen
Jessica Billups
Mankea Collier
Nina Eskew
Quiana Hardy
Deborah Harris
Langston Jones
Monica Jordan
Sabi Kolath
Carolyn Smith
Lisa Timberlake
10 Years of Service
Kathy Dahlberg
Dr. Ellen Haas
Carolyn Smith
Tiara Hudson
Volunteers Recognized for Service
Two of Grand Prairie Services long time prosumer
volunteers were recognized for their contribution to
Grand Prairie Services at the annual PLOWS Council on Aging Luncheon on October 25, 2013. Marilyn Martin and Shirley Nantz both volunteer at GPS’
Drop In located in Chicago Heights. Shirley and
Marilyn’s contributions include running the
“Snackery”, a consumer-run store, and conducting
various support peer groups.
15 Years of Service
Eileen Anderson
Myra Cox
Elizabeth Murphy
25 Years of Service
Dr. Sharronne Ward
Grand Prairie Services
Behavioral Healthcare
17746 Oak Park Avenue
Tinley Park, IL 60477
www.gpsbh.org
The mission of Grand Prairie Services is the provision of holistic emotional and behavioral health
services for individuals, families and communities of the Southland region with an emphasis on
recovery and optimal functioning.
The staff of Grand Prairie Services value
Hope and Healing
Compassionate Care
Individual Rights and Preferences
Service Excellence
Diversity
Partnerships and Collaborations
An environment of Courtesy, Respect, Fairness and Good Faith
Grand Prairie Services (GPS) is a not-for-profit behavioral healthcare provider with over 65 years
of experience providing behavioral health services for the children, adolescents, adults and
seniors living in the thirty-two municipalities of Bloom, Bremen, Rich and Thornton Townships.