From THe Desk Of Renee Shepherd Owens, CEo

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October 2013
BETTERHOME HEALTH CARE OF GA MONTHLY NEWS
Issue 4
October
From THe Desk Of Renee Shepherd Owens, CEo
It’s
been
an
exciting
summer. For the first time,
we had two important Audits
back to back. Whew….a lot
of hard work!
I am proud to announce that
we passed both reviews:
APS: 83%
CARF Accreditation:
Awarded Three year
accreditation through June
2016
None of this would have
been possible without you
(employees, stakeholders
and consumers). Our most
important resource is not
our money, our intellectual
property, or any capital
asset. Our most important
resource — our soul — is our
people!
In recognition of these
achievements, the CEO is
pleased to announce that
BHHCGA employees are
getting an extended
Thanksgiving holiday this
year.
We will shut down with pay on
November 27 (1/2 day), 28,
and 29 so our teams can have
time to spend with their
families.
As usual, we will continue to
work during this time to serve
the families for any crisis that
may arrive since we are a 247 crisis agency, “but will
receive the same number of
days off at an alternate time,”
Cook says.
Quote of the Month:
“It is during our darkest moments that we must
focus to see the light.
― Aristotle Onassis
I pray and hope everyone
finds the extra time restful
and relaxing, I am
exceedingly proud of all of
you. I am in awe of what
you’ve accomplished and
couldn’t be more excited
about the future.
Of course, we will continue to
ensure that we stay on top
and increase our score with
APS to 100% by ensuring that
we stay on top of our Quality
Assurance/Quality
Improvement policies and
procedures to ensure that this
will happen!
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Express Resource October 2013 ISSUE 4
Therapist Corner: Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation may make it harder
to keep your emotions in check. Researchers
say lack of sleep may lead to emotionally
irrational behavior. without sleep, the brain
had reverted back to more primitive patterns
of activity, in that it was unable to put
emotional experiences into context and
produce controlled, appropriate responses.
Sleep appears to restore our emotional brain
circuits, and in doing so prepares us for the
next day's challenges and social interactions.
Many people over look the
importance of sleeping. It is our bodies time to
reset, restore and rest so that we can function
adequately the next day. The first thing experts
will tell you about sleep is that there is no
"magic number." Not only do different age
groups need different amounts of sleep, but
sleep needs are also individual.. While you may
be at your absolute best sleeping seven hours a
night, someone else may clearly need nine
hours to have a happy, productive life. Another
reason there is "no magic number" for your
sleep results from two different factors that
researchers are learning about: a person’s basal
sleep need – the amount of sleep our bodies
need on a regular basis for optimal
performance – and sleep debt, the accumulated
sleep that is lost to poor sleep habits, sickness,
awakenings due to environmental factors or
other causes.
Studies suggest that healthy adults
have a basal sleep need of seven to eight hours
every night, but where things get complicated
is the interaction between the basal need and
sleep debt. You may feel overwhelmingly
sleepy quite suddenly at these times, shortly
before bedtime or feel sleepy upon awakening.
The good news is that some research suggests
that the accumulated sleep debt can be worked
down or "paid off." One thing sleep research
certainly has shown is that sleeping too little
can not only inhibit your productivity and
ability to remember and consolidate
information, but lack of sleep can also lead to
serious health consequences and jeopardize
your safety and the safety of individuals around
you. Sleep deprivation compromises mood,
performance and alertness and can result in
injury or death. Take care of others around you
by first taking care of yourself and
remember...
Regardless of your age, good
restorative sleep is essential to physical health
and emotional well-being.
~Shar’ron Cross MS LPC~
Employee Spotlight:
Lyssa Simpson –BEHAVIORAL
SPECIALIST (PARAPROFESSIONAL)
First and foremost, I would like to
thank the company for the
recognition, and will continue to do
my best in providing services for the
company, representing Better Home
Healthcare of GA to the best of my
ability.
My name is Lyssa Simpson, I am a
Paraprofessional, Behavior Specialist,
at Better Home Healthcare of GA. My
current position reflects a team of
professionals who conduct IFI
(Intensive Family
Intervention) services for an array of
consumers, ranging from the ages of 5
to 18, and their caregivers. The role I
play within the agency consists of
providing each and every consumer
with the best care possible. I work
directly with each consumer
individually teaching them behavior
management, skill training, and
provide community resources to assist
the family as a whole to function
successfully in the community. During
each of the sessions provided to our
consumers I demonstrate and teach
positive behaviors, promote positive
reinforcement, and assist our
consumers with gaining confidence
within themselves to function
successfully within the community and
within the home upon completion of
the program. I provide these
services to our consumers at their
convenience, whether in the home,
school or in the community.
I am a newbie to the agency, beginning
my career February 2013, and within
the last 6 months I have learned
numerous techniques, and continue
to receive guidance and
support from very knowledgeable
individuals on this BHHC team.
I also have been assigned a position
that promotes a stress-free healthy
living environment for all of our
BHHC employees, giving each of us
the opportunity to free our mind,
bodies and soul along with
implementing team building to keep
BHHC as one of Georgia's leading IFI
service providers. This position
consists of engaging the BHHC team in
bi-weekly activities ranging from day
trips in the community, concerts, to
overnight vacations.
FUN FACT: My favorite movie is
GREASE.
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BHHC GA Health and Wellness
Moving forward we are continuing to make healthy decisions to live healthier lives. We as a team have been focusing on a great effort to make the right health conscious decisions. At the end of last month our staff took part in Arden’s Gardens two day detox. The staff used each other as a support system to make it through the two days, and everyone grew mentally and spiritual while losing weight and purifying their bodies. This was a great success the employees showed strength and focus at an office function we had with food and guest. Their effort inspired others to partake in steps to live healthier lifestyles, and a few of our guest decided jump-­‐start their healthy lifestyle changes with the two day detox. The average weight loss of our group was right around 4 pounds in those two days. Our challenge last month was paintball it was a great time the team worked team building and everyone who came out competed hard and had a great time. This month we are looking to have a field day with all the games from back in the days of elementary school paired with a healthy cookout so please come out and show your support. Kenneth Owens, Health and Wellness Coordinator kowens@betterhomehealthcarega.com Upcoming Health and
Wellness Events
October
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Boot camp Classes Weekly Monday-­‐Thursday Health and Wellness Sponsored Healthy Meal October 18 Amazing Race Challenge: Field Day and Cook Out Thursday October 24 Herbalife Healthy Meal Replacement Week October 7 – October 13 Monthly Health Recipe: Baked Cajun Catfish and Easy Collard Greens
Collard Greens
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
½ small onion, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon minced garlic from the jar
½ teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (add more if you like spicier food)
1 large bunch collard greens
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 slice of Canadian bacon, cooked in microwave and diced into small
bits
1. Prepare the greens: Wash the greens and blot lightly with paper
towel.
2. Remove stems from larger leaves by stripping the leaf off from
either side of the step (it is okay to leave the stems on the tender inner
leaves).
3. Stack 8 leaves together, roll up, and slice in to 1-inch sections.
1. In a large skillet, heat oil on medium heat. Add onion and cook
until translucent (3 minutes, stirring occasionally).
2. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
Add, sugar, red pepper, greens, vinegar, water and Canadian bacon.
3. Cover and cook until tender (20 minutes).
Baked Cajun Catfish
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (more or less, depending on desired
spiciness)
1 ½ teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon thyme
4 catfish fillets (you can substitute any white fish, such as tilapia or
trout)
Non-stick cooking spray
4. In a shallow bowl, combine oil, garlic powder, onion powder,
pepper, cayenne, paprika and thyme.
5. Prepare a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray.
6. Coat fish fillets in seasoning mixture and place in baking dish,
pour any remaining seasoning mixture over the fish.
7. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, until fish flakes with a fork.
Source: Recipe copyright © 2012 American Heart
Association. This recipe is brought to you by the American
Heart Association’s Simple Cooking with Heart Program.
Express Resource October 2013 ISSUE 4
October Birthdays
Daishawn Taylor
Donna Edings (1 Year Employee)
Happy Birthday to Everyone Celebrating
Birthdays and Anniversaries this month!!!
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Special Better Home Health Care of GA Update
We like to announce our newest partnership Better Home Health Care of Georgia and
Positive American Youth
Better Home Health Care of Georgia is a multidisciplinary behavioral health care agency that offers
mental health and substance abuse services to the communities of the Greater Metropolitan Atlanta.
Our focus is to provide cost-effective, quality treatment. The mission of RJ Shepherd, Inc. /dba/Better
Home Healthcare of Georgia; is to provide a full continuum of quality, cost effective Mental Health,
Case Management.
Our relationship with Positive American Youth will provide us an opportunity to reach more
communities and families in need of the services we provide.
Positive American Youth's (P.A.Y) mission is to reach our community through positive and
productive events and programs and build lasting relationships that will strengthen America.
Hence our motto: “
"People helping people help themselves”."
The majority of Positive American Youth's programs come at no cost to the participants. We are proud
to offer high quality services that help boost your community in an economically efficient way.
~Rory T. Edwards~
Express Resource
October 2013 Issue 4
State Updates
DBHDD's Division of Addictive Diseases Targets Underage Drinking with
“Alcohol Prevention Project”
September 4, 2013
Atlanta – Since July, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health
and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) has sponsored public
service announcements in movie theatres statewide as part of an
initiative led by the department’s Division of Addictive Diseases to
reduce underage drinking and alcohol-related deaths. The
campaign, referred to as the “Alcohol Prevention Project” (APP), is
funded by a Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment block
grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA). The project will air commercials in AMC
Theatres and Regal Cinemas across Georgia and in Screenvision
Theatres in Columbus through June 30, 2014.
“The Alcohol Prevention Project serves DBHDD’s goals to reduce
underage drinking and keep kids safe from the ill effects of drug
and alcohol abuse,” said Commissioner Frank Berry. “We are
grateful for SAMHSA’s backing of this important initiative for our
state’s youth.”
CONTACT US
Email:
info@betterhomehealthcarega
According to Assistant Director of the Division of Addictive
Diseases, Travis Fretwell, the project targets Georgians between 9
and 25 years of age with the objectives of reducing early alcohol
use among 9 to 20 year olds; reducing access to alcohol and binge
drinking by 9 to 20 year olds; and reducing binge and heavy
drinking in 18 to 25 year olds.
.com
“More than 150 youth in Georgia die from alcohol-related causes
each year. APP attempts to reduce this number through education
and prevention,” said Fretwell.
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The campaign represents DBHDD’s continued commitment to
educate youth statewide on the real effects of underage and binge
drinking. To view the first ad, visit:
http://dbhdd.georgia.gov/substance-abuse-prevention.
Fax: 678-547-0496
Frank Berry has served as commissioner of DBHDD since August,
2012. DBHDD is the state agency that focuses solely on policies,
programs, and services for people with mental illness, substance
use disorders and developmental disabilities. The department’s
mission is to help the people it serves live a life of recovery and
independence. Contact Information: Matt Carrothers:
macarrothers@dbhdd.ga.gov
Better Home Health Care of
Georgia
2245 Perimeter Park Dr
Atlanta, GA 30341
Phone: 678-547-0495
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