Sixteen law enforcement officers from Darke, Miami and Shelby Counties completed the 14th Crisis Intervention Team Academy presented by the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services December 3-6 2018. The December Academy is the second of 2018, the first time the Tri-County Board has conducted two Academy classes in the same calendar year. To date 268 law enforcement professionals have been trained in CIT in the Tri-County Board service area.

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training is a nationally recognized program that teaches law enforcement safe and effective approaches to handling crisis incidents involving a mentally ill individual. The intensive 4-day training is  conducted under the instructional supervision of local CIT-trained police officers, mental health professionals, consumers, and family advocates and offers practical techniques for de-escalating crisis situations.

CIT Coordinator Kim McGuirk, Director of Clinical Services and Evaluation for the Tri-County Board, said, "CIT continues to be one of our most requested programs. Officers tell us they now feel better equipped to handle calls involving mental health crisis, and those of us involved with mental health services have a better understanding of what the law enforcement officers deal with in the field." McGuirk added that the Board is already receiving requests from departments to sign up officers for the April 2019 Academy. Information about the April 2019 Academy and a registration link are online at www.tcbmds.org/cit-academy.

The training is underwritten by the Tri-County Board's mental health levy, by grants from the Ohio chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness and NAMI of Darke, Miami and Shelby Counties, and by in-kind donations of food by local vendors.

The Tri-County Board also presents CIT companion courses and other training for mental health professionals, dispatchers, court personnel and other groups. For more information about the CIT Academy or companion courses, see the Tri-County Board's website at www.tcbmds.org/community.

Family Resource Center (FRC) is enhancing the array of mental health and addictions services available in Shelby County while it moves to its new location at 1101 N. Vandemark Road in Sidney, the current site of Shelby County Counseling Center.

FRC, which has been providing youth-oriented services out of its office on 2nd Avenue, will move current services to the Vandemark Road location in early August and expand its service array beginning in September. SCCC clients will continue to receive services from current SCCC staff and treatment providers in addition to having access to the expanded menu of services offered by FRC.

FRC will add a team of nurse practitioners, under the direction of Medical Director Dr. Richard Nockowitz, to its medical department beginning Sept.1. Dr. Nockowitz and his team are specialists in providing psychiatric care to children, youth and adults through telemedicine, which connects providers to clients via secure two-way video. Benefits of telemedicine include improved access to a wider array of services than can be provided in a physical location, cost effectiveness, improved quality of care, and meeting increasing patient demand.

Included in the full menu of services available to Shelby County residents will be: youth prevention programs, school navigators, intensive home-based services for families, comprehensive outpatient adult and youth mental health and addiction treatment, detox, crisis services, and expanded medication management services.

Mark McDaniel, Executive Director of the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services, pointed to the broad array of services brought to Shelby County by Family Resource Center. "The new and expanded services FRC brings to the Vandemark Road location helps the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services move closer to its strategic goal of establishing a Centralized Service Facility in Shelby County,” McDaniel said. “We expect FRC’s service array in Shelby County to continue to grow to meet the ever-changing needs of the community. The Tri-County Board welcomes this opportunity to ensure the most efficient and effective use of local mental health levy resources."

FRC Chief Executive Officer John Bindas said his recruitment of Dr. Nockowitz, a nationally-known lecturer on psychiatry and an expert in psychiatric diagnostics and psychopharmacology, “underscores our commitment to reshaping the scope and quality of services we want to deliver for the community.”
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Bindas explained the mission of Family Resource Center is “to provide specialized behavioral health services to individuals, children and families in our multi-cultural communities in order to strengthen family life and promote personal growth through treatment that works.” He added, “The increasing need and demand for our services as well as the constantly changing health care industry will continue to present challenges and we will continue to adjust, always with quality client care as our central focus.” 

The Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services is seeking entries from local artists for its annual Art of Recovery gallery exhibit to be displayed in the Art Gallery at Edison State Community College in Piqua throughout the month of October.

Artists who have been affected personally, through a family member or friend, or anyone whose art reflects recovery from mental illness or addiction are invited to participate. Artists display works ranging from painting and drawing to sculpture, mixed media, crafts, photography and poetry. Artists typically reside in Darke, Miami and Shelby counties, although submissions from other counties are welcomed. Many use their art to express personal journeys with recovery from mental illness and addiction, while others have been touched as family members, friends, advocates and service providers.

Select Art of Recovery works will be displayed in the Myers-Vaccaro Gallery, East Hall, Edison State Community College, Piqua, from October 1-25. To be considered for the exhibit, artwork (photos of large pieces are acceptable) must be submitted to the Tri-County Board by September 24. Artists must submit an entry form for each piece to be considered. An artist's statement must accompany each piece describing how the piece represents wellness, mental health or addiction recovery. Pieces may be representational or metaphorical, and do not need to be biographical in nature. All pieces selected for the Gallery Exhibit must be made available for display from October 1 through October 25. Submission form and additional details are available at the Tri-County Board’s website, tcbmds.org/art.

Art may be in any medium, including but not limited to painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, needlework, crafts, instrumental music, poetry and mixed media. Artists may submit more than one piece for submission, and may elect to remain anonymous at the showcase. There is no fee to enter, and no prizes are awarded. For the gallery exhibit, three certificates will be awarded. Best in Show will be determined by the judges, People’s Choice will be awarded based on popular vote, and the Director’s Award will be selected by Tri-County Board staff for the piece that best exemplifies wellness and recovery.

The Art of Recovery showcase aims to increase public awareness of mental illness and addiction issues in an effort to fight the stigma that so often accompanies these diseases.

The 2018 Art of Recovery Exhibit will be in conjunction with the Tri-County Board’s celebration of its 50th Anniversary in October. While not a requirement, art pieces that reflect that 50-year history are encouraged.

For more information, visit the Tri-County Board’s website or contact Reed at ReedB@tcbmds.org or 937-335-7727 ext 209.

​Twenty-two law enforcement officers from Darke, Miami and Shelby Counties attended the 13th Crisis Intervention Team Academy presented by the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services April 9-12. To date 252 law enforcement professionals have been trained in CIT in the Tri-County Board service area.

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training is a nationally recognized program that teaches law enforcement safe and effective approaches to handling crisis incidents involving a mentally ill individual. The intensive 4-day training is  conducted under the instructional supervision of local CIT-trained police officers, mental health professionals, consumers, and family advocates and offers practical techniques for de-escalating crisis situations.

CIT Coordinator Kim McGuirk, Director of Clinical Services and Evaluation for the Tri-County Board, said, "CIT continues to be one of our most requested programs. Officers tell us they now feel better equipped to handle calls involving mental health crisis, and those of us involved with mental health services have a better understanding of what the law enforcement officers deal with in the field." McGuirk added that there was so much demand for the Academy this year that a second academy is planned for December.

The training is underwritten by the Tri-County Board's mental health levy, by grants from the Ohio chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness and NAMI of Darke, Miami and Shelby Counties, and by in-kind donations of food by local vendors.

The Tri-County Board also presents CIT companion courses and other training for mental health professionals, dispatchers, court personnel and other groups. For more information about the CIT Academy or companion courses, see the Tri-County Board's website at www.tcbmds.org/community.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and to increase awareness of mental health in Darke, Miami and Shelby Counties, the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services is offering Mental Health First Aid classes to the public at no cost.

Mental Health First Aid Teaches:

• Risk factors and warning signs of mental health concerns.
• Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and substance abuse.
• A 5-step action plan to help someone developing a mental health concern or in crisis.
• Available evidence-based professional, peer, and self-help resources.

Adult Mental Health First Aid is appropriate for anyone who wants to learn how to help an individual who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or concern.

Youth Mental Health First Aid reviews the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents ages 12-18. It emphasizes the importance of early intervention and covers how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. The youth course is intended for anyone 16 years or older to learn how to help young people.

The Tri-County Board has training more than 500 individuals in Mental Health First Aid or Youth Mental Health First Aid since 2014.

Normally a $25 per person class, the 8-hour training is being offered at no cost in May. No special code is required, For more information and for links to register, go to www.tcbmds.org/mhfa. May dates and locations scheduled are:

Mental Health First Aid

• ​Monday May 7, Troy
• Thursday May 24, Sidney

Youth Mental Health First Aid

• Wednesday May 2, Sidney
• Thursday May 17, Sidney
• Tuesday May 29, Troy

To arrange Mental Health First Aid training for groups or organizations, contact Ian Ridgeway, Prevention and Wellness Coordinator, RidgewayI@tcbmds.org, or call (937) 335-7727 ext 216.

Darke County business owners and managers are invited to participate in a survey to help a collaboration address the issue of substance use and the workforce.

The Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services, Darke County Chamber of Commerce, and Coalition for a Healthy Darke County are collaborating with Working Partners® to address this issue through a project called Power Up Workforce | Darke County.
                                        
The collaboration needs data from the community to help determine the specific impact of substance use on Darke County’s workforce, and to develop strategies to address it.
 
This brief survey asks about perceptions, attitudes, knowledge and business practices as they relate to preventing and addressing substance use in the workplace and by the workforce.
 
It will take about 7-12 minutes to complete this anonymous survey. Owners or managers of businesses or organizations in Darke County can find the survey at tcbmds.org/powerup.

• No personal questions are asked concerning  alcohol or other drug use.
• The survey is anonymous and therefore does not collect any personally identifiable information. No attempt will be made to collect or connect responses to individuals.
• No attempt will be made to collect or connect responses to individual organizations. 
• Name or contact information will not be added to any list or shared with a third party. Names are not being collected. Email addresses may be used to email the survey link and reminders once potential participants are identified.
• At no time will anyone try to sell anything or ask participants to sign up for anything because of this survey.

Responses will be combined with others from the community to create a report summarizing the data. This information will be used by the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services, the Darke County Chamber of Commerce, and the Coalition for a Health Darke County to:

• Direct strategies to support the business community.
• Identify service gaps.
• Strengthen the workforce.
• Reduce employee costs related to substance use.
• Empower employment through prevention and recovery.

​The Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services is seeking entries from local artists for its annual Art of Recovery showcase, as well as a juried gallery exhibit to be displayed in the Art Gallery at Edison State Community College in Piqua throughout the month of October.

Artists who have been affected personally, through a family member or friend, or anyone whose art reflects recovery from mental illness or addiction are invited to participate. Artists display works ranging from painting and drawing to sculpture, mixed media, crafts, photography and poetry. Artists typically reside in Darke, Miami and Shelby counties, although submissions from other counties are welcomed. Many use their art to express personal journeys with recovery from mental illness and addiction, while others have been touched as family members, friends, advocates and service providers.

Select Art of Recovery works will be displayed in the Myers-Vaccaro Gallery, East Hall, Edison State Community College, Piqua, from October 2-27. To be considered for the juried exhibit, artwork (photos of large pieces are acceptable) must be submitted to the Tri-County Board by September 25. Artists must submit an entry form for each piece to be considered. An artist's statement must accompany each piece describing how the piece represents wellness, mental health or addiction recovery. Pieces may be representational or metaphorical, and do not need to be biographical in nature. All pieces selected for the Gallery Exhibit must be made available for display from October 2 through October 27. The form and additional details are available at the Tri-County Board’s website, tcbmds.org/art.

To be displayed in the open Showcase Wednesday, October 18, artwork and submission forms must be received by October 11.

Art may be in any medium, including but not limited to painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, needlework, crafts, instrumental music, poetry and mixed media. Artists may submit more than one piece for submission, and may elect to remain anonymous at the showcase. There is no fee to enter, and no prizes are awarded. For the gallery exhibit, three ribbons will be awarded. Best in Show will be determined by the judges, People’s Choice will be awarded based on popular vote, and the Director’s Award will be selected by Tri-County Board staff for the piece that best exemplifies wellness and recovery.

The Art of Recovery showcase aims to increase public awareness of mental illness and addiction issues in an effort to fight the stigma that so often accompanies these diseases.

The Showcase and reception will be open to the public Wednesday, October 18 from 5:30 – 7:00PM in the Art Gallery and adjacent lounge at Edison State Community College in Piqua. A brief award presentation will also take place.

For more information, visit the Tri-County Board’s website or contact Reed at ReedB@tcbmds.org or 937-335-7727 ext 209.

The Tri-County Board of Recovery & Mental Health Services will accept public comments regarding the Board’s Calendar Year 2018 Budget between 4:00 pm and 4:30 pm on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at the Board office, 1100 Wayne St., Suite 4000 in Troy.  For further information or to request a copy of the Tri-County Board’s Calendar Year 2018 Budget, please contact the Tri-County Board at (937) 335-7727, extension 206.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and to increase awareness of mental health in Darke, Miami and Shelby Counties, the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services is offering Mental Health First Aid classes at no cost.

Mental Health First Aid Teaches:

• Risk factors and warning signs of mental health concerns.
• Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and substance abuse.
• A 5-step action plan to help someone developing a mental health concern or in crisis.
• Available evidence-based professional, peer, and self-help resources.

Adult Mental Health First Aid is appropriate for anyone who wants to learn how to help an individual who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or concern.

Youth Mental Health First Aid reviews the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents ages 12-18. It emphasizes the importance of early intervention and covers how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge. The youth course is intended for anyone 16 years or older to learn how to help young people.

Normally a $25 per person class, the 8-hour training is being offered at no cost in May. Use the discount code "MHM when registering. For more information and for links to register, go to www.tcbmds.org/mhfa. May dates and locations scheduled are:

Mental Health First Aid

• ​Wednesday May 31, Tri-County Board Training Room, Troy

Youth Mental Health First Aid

• Thursday May 18, Tri-County Board Training Room, Troy
• Tuesday May 23, Edison Darke County, Greenville

To arrange Mental Health First Aid training for groups or organizations, contact Ian Ridgeway, Prevention and Wellness Coordinator, RidgewayI@tcbmds.org, or call (937) 335-7727 ext 216.