Huntsville, Ala. – Governor Kay Ivey will participate in a Ribbon Cutting of WellStone Emergency Services Crisis Center, with Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kimberly Boswell, and WellStone Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Blair, followed by a tour of the new facility.
WHEN: Monday, September 19, 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: 4020 Memorial Parkway SW, Huntsville, AL, 35802
WHO: Governor Kay Ivey
Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kimberly Boswell
WellStone Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Blair
State and local legislators and officials
Community partners
PRESS: Media are invited to attend. RSVP is required by September 14.
Please contact publicinformation.dmh@mh.alabama.gov, 334-242-3417.
HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES REGIONAL MEETINGS
Join ADMH and Partners to learn more about the Home and Community Based Settings Rule
Montgomery, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH), the Alabama Disability Advocacy Program and People First Alabama have partnered to host five meetings providing information and guidance on the Home and Community-Based Settings Rule (HCBS). Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) are provided to individuals with disabilities in their homes and communities through Medicaid waivers.
With services related to the Home and Community-Based Settings Rule, individuals with disabilities can become more empowered to make choices for their lives. The Home and Community-Based Settings Rule assures services focus on freedom of choice, integration into the community, dignity, respect, and protection of individual rights and privacy. Join us to learn more about person-centered planning, self-directed services, and other aspects of HCBS.
Two meetings were hosted in Birmingham and Montgomery in August. The three remaining meetings are:
- September 08, 2022, 5:30 p.m.
Ben Main Library, 701 Government Street, Mobile
ZOOM: Meeting ID: 875 6239 1998, Passcode: 457828
- September 20, 2022, 5:30 p.m.
Turner-Surles Community Resources Center, 720 Sycamore Street Northwest, Decatur
ZOOM: Meeting ID: 883 4372 9454, Passcode: 025681
- September 29, 2022, 5:30 p.m.
ADMH Region II Office, 1305 James I. Harrison Jr. Parkway, Tuscaloosa
ZOOM: Meeting ID: 824 0626 8229, Passcode: 025681
To learn more, please visit www.hcbsalabama.org and https://mh.alabama.gov/home-and-community-based-services/.
Ensuring safety and integrity of the individual, the Home and Community-Based Settings Rule is vital for individuals with disabilities. Please join ADMH and partners to learn more about HCBS at the above mentioned regional meetings or call the Regional Office in your area.
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UNDERSTANDING EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH
FOR ALABAMA STUDENTS
State Agencies and Children’s of Alabama Partner to Expand Training for
Mental Health Service Coordinators in Public Schools
Montgomery, Ala. – Decades of research indicate the early years of life are a period of exponential brain development, characterized by great opportunity and vulnerability, dependent on the relationships and environment in which a child is growing. Understanding this concept and utilizing the knowledge within the walls of a school is vital to supporting students in Alabama and increasing their success – academically and emotionally.
The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) Office of Infant and Early Childhood Special Programs, the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) and the Pediatric Access to Telemental Health Services Program of Children’s of Alabama (PATHS) have partnered to train school system Mental Health Service Coordinators throughout the state on infant and early childhood mental health fundamentals.
“Identifying the impact of relationships on brain development, understanding the root causes of behavior, and learning effective strategies to work with students who may have experienced trauma, are crucial. The courses offered by the PATHS Program of Children’s and the ADMH Office of Infant and Early Childhood Special Programs will assist Mental Health Service Coordinators to better connect and serve students in our public schools,” said Commissioner Kimberly Boswell, Alabama Department of Mental Health.
Mental Health Service Coordinators are appropriated by the Alabama Legislature to the Alabama State Department of Education. Their role is vital as additional mental health support, connecting students with school counselors, therapists and social workers, offering referrals and linkages to community services, and finding the right resources for children in need.
“Seamless support across agencies and organizations with a common focus of supporting students and families is key during these challenging times.” Warfield said, “Our goal is to ensure Mental Health Service Coordinators are available and trained to obtain key information that enables them to better equip districts with information and insight into student behaviors and provide appropriate and effective behavioral interventions,” said Dr. Kay Warfield, Education Administrator, Prevention and Support Division, Alabama State Department of Education.
Participants have offered positive reviews of the first two sessions held. A Mental Health Service Coordinator stated, “I loved the scientific connection and examples as it is so clear as to how impactful teachers and parents are on the behaviors of students and their ability to be healthy and productive.” Another Coordinator stated, “I loved learning more about attachments in children and also how trauma affects the brain.”
The training series is provided by Stacey Daugherty, LICSW, IMH-E®, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant with the Alabama Department of Mental Health Office of Infant and Early Childhood Special Programs, in partnership with the PATHS Program at Children’s. The first two sessions were conducted this past May and the series will conclude on August 23, 2022. The continuing education credit for this event was provided by The Amelia Center at Children’s.
“Children’s and PATHS are thrilled to have this partnership with ADMH and ALSDE. This training helps to fulfill our mission of providing mental health services to children/adolescents in Alabama’s rural and often underserved communities,” said Susan Griffin, LICSW, CHCQM, Children’s of Alabama.
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Launching today, Connect Alabama, a behavioral health services and treatment finder application, provides individuals instant access to education, information and services related to substance use, mental health, and prevention. The app is funded through a partnership of the Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama Department of Mental Health, and is created and managed by VitAL of The University of Alabama School of Social Work.
“Connect Alabama is an important tool, offering fast and reliable service to someone looking for help. It may take an individual many years to simply reach out for help with mental health issues or a substance use disorder. We need as many avenues as possible for an individual to seek treatment and information, when they are ready to take the next step toward recovery,” said Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kimberly Boswell.
“Having this new Connect Alabama app will facilitate those seeking information and treatment by easily linking Alabamians to the resources and services that are available to them,” State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said.
A special feature of the app is functionality even if internet or data are not available. The application has built-in static information that is accessible anytime, without access to data or internet and will update as service and data becomes available for the user.
Features of the app include:
- The home page of the application showcases a Hot Topic Banner, navigable sections of help, and filters to specify needs and locations.
- The Helpline page displays click-to-call phone numbers. Each helpline has direct dial functionality and direct SMS to text the helpline, when applicable.
“We believe this mobile health application will contribute to users’ behavioral health literacy on mental health and substance use disorders and will assist Alabamians to make more informed decisions on the range of services offered by the state and its certified providers,” said VitAL principal investigator Dr. David L. Albright.
- The services locator access page provides a directory for substance use, prevention, mental health, or medication drop off locations and includes services offered (outpatient, residential etc.), demographics and location of services.
“Having easy access to resources for substance use disorder is critical,” said Rosemary Blackmon, executive vice president of the Alabama Hospital Association. “Too often individuals go without needed help simply because they don’t know where to find it.”
- Additional resources, education, and information including direct access to free Naloxone kits provided by Jefferson County Department of Health are available on the app. After watching a short video, a person can have the life-saving drug sent to the home and have on hand in case of an overdose.
Click here for an interactive video demonstration of the
The app is available for download on iOS through the app store and for Android devices via Google play.
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Montgomery, Ala. – According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 59.3 million Americans ages 12 and older, used illicit drugs in the last recorded year. In Alabama, for ages 18 and older, an estimated 351,000 people have alcohol use disorders, while 234,000 Alabamians suffer from serious mental illness.
National Prevention Week is celebrated May 8-14, 2022, to increase public awareness and engagements surrounding mental health and/or substance use disorders. The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH), Office of Prevention is proud to partner with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to offer learning opportunities during this week.
National Prevention Week is the perfect time to invest in prevention. Community leaders and prevention specialists are standing up to prevent misuse of illegal drugs, opioids, marijuana, tobacco, alcohol, and prevent suicide and mental illness. National Prevention Week provides a chance for schools, communities, and prevention professionals to re-focus on their efforts.
Throughout National Prevention Week, ADMH’s Office of Prevention is offering virtual opportunities to participate. The daily themes will focus on substance use and mental health disorders. In addition, important fact sheets and webinars will be shared with staff and the public.
The 2022 daily themes are:
- Monday, May 9: Strengthening Community Resilience: Substance Misuse and Overdose Prevention
Proclamation & Press Release
18th Annual SAMHSA Prevention Day Presentation at 10:00 a.m. – REGISTER HERE
Topic: National Survey on Drug Use and Health Data in Alabama
Presenters: Brandon Folks & Erin Burleson
- Tuesday, May 10: Preventing Substance Use and Promoting Mental Health in Youth
Video: Get Involved with National Prevention Week 2022!
- Wednesday, May 11: Preventing Suicide: Everyone Plays a Role
Suicide Awareness & Prevention Presentation
Virtual QPR Training- Cheryl Dodson, ASPARC at 12:30pm- 1:30pm
https://mhalabama.zoom.us/j/81765528875
Meeting ID: 817 6552 8875
- Thursday, May 12: The Talent Pipeline: Enhancing the Prevention Workforce
- Friday, May 13: Prevention is Everywhere: Highlighting Efforts Across Settings and Communities
Walk Around the Capitol / Drunken Goggles Simulation Activity
12:00pm- 2:00pm at the Alabama State Capitol (South Lawn) Map
Through National Prevention Week, people become more aware and able to recognize the signs of mental health and substance use disorders. Equally important, community members from all walks of life learn how they can help build community, strengthen resilience, and create hope to keep those around them—and themselves—healthy and safe.
To learn more about National Prevention Week, visit https://www.samhsa.gov/prevention-week .
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Montgomery, Ala. – Each year in May, the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) celebrates Mental Health Month with other national organizations to raise awareness about mental health and reduce stigma. The ADMH and community providers supported essential mental illness and substance use disorder services for approximately 140,000 Alabamians in 2021 and thousands more through partnerships.
All Alabamians experience difficulty and mental health challenges in their lives but should feel comfortable in seeking help and support without the barriers of stigma or lack of access to care. All individuals in a mental health or substance use crisis must have someone to call, someone to come to them and someplace to go.
To address these concerns and needs, Governor Ivey and the Legislature have created and renewed the 9-8-8 Commission, funded six crisis diversion centers, expanded rural crisis care programs and the Stepping Up Initiative. These initiatives further the goals of the ADMH’s Alabama Crisis System of Care, saving lives and dollars.
The theme of Mental Health Awareness Month is Together for Mental Health and in partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the department supports bringing voices together to advocate for mental health. Throughout the month, ADMH will highlight the stories of individuals served in these programs. The ADMH is also hosting the annual Strike Out Stigma Game on May 6, the 17th annual Capitol Art Showcase all month long, and celebrating Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, May 1-7, 2022, to celebrate positive mental health.
For more information on Mental Health Awareness Month, please contact the Office of Public Information at publicinformation.dmh@mh.alabama.gov or 334-242-3417.
Montgomery, Ala. –Since 2005, the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) has hosted the Capitol Showcase, a consumer art show at Alabama’s State Capitol, in the Old Supreme Court Library. We welcome you to visit and view the art of the individuals with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders, who receive services from ADMH and local providers.
With each piece of art, a short narrative is displayed, along with heartfelt information about the life of the artist. Each piece describes how art is an integral part of their mental health and recovery. “Art is inherently therapeutic. It creates a space for people to process feelings and experiences in a very personal expression of self,” said Commissioner Kim Boswell, ADMH.
“We invite all Alabamians to experience the art and learn more about the benefits of mental wellness through this exhibit,” continued Boswell. The art will be on display in the Old Supreme Court Library in the State Capitol. A reception will be hosted on May 26 for the artists and supporters.
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Over the last two years, mental illness and substance abuse rates have worsened as the pandemic increased existing mental health issues and brought about new stressors. Connectedness, communication and seeking help are steps everyone can take to Strike Out Stigma and increase mental health wellness.
The Alabama Department of Mental Health, community providers, and the Montgomery Biscuits will host the annual Strike Out Stigma Night, offering essential, local information and resources on mental illness and substance use disorders. Join us Friday, May 6 for the 6:35 p.m. game!
At the Strike Out Stigma game, find out more about mental health help in your community:
| Montgomery Mental Health Authority | The Alabama Department of Veteran Affairs |
| NAMI Alabama | Wings Across Alabama |
| Council on Substance Abuse | Recovery Organization of Support Specialists (ROSS) |
| New Season Metro Treatment Center | Bradford Health Services |
| Mental Health America Montgomery | Central Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Montgomery Veterans Center |
Purchase tickets here for the May 6th Strike Out Stigma game. For more information, contact ADMH Public Information at publicinformation.dmh@mh.alabama.gov, 334-242-3417.
Uniontown, Ala. – On Thursday, Governor Kay Ivey cut the ribbon to officially announce the opening of the Perry County Probation and Parole Reentry Education Program – or PREP – Center. Event attendees at the PREP Center learned more about this innovative new location through informational sessions, special guest speakers and a walkthrough of the facility.
The PREP Center provides reentry and rehabilitation services for probationers and parolees, encouraging incarceration diversion as a sanction response and an option for justice involved individuals to receive support services and resolve barriers to successful reintegration. The residential facility will serve up to 250 male participants throughout the year, providing plenty of space for rehabilitative programming as the location was initially designed for approximately 700 people.
The program enables probationers and parolees to complete a sanction and complete programming outside of the Alabama Department of Corrections general population. Previously, probationers and parolees were required to complete sanctions in ADOC custody. The PREP Center provides an alternative where participants can receive rehabilitative services by Bureau staff and program providers. Priority areas of service include Clarke, Dallas, Greene, Marengo, Monroe, Perry, Sumter and Washington counties, with services available to additional surrounding counties. Additional expansion is planned for the future.
Governor Kay Ivey presented the keynote address at the ribbon cutting, praising the program as a step forward for Alabama celebrating the collaboration of multiple state entities.
“The PREP Center will be an important tool in ensuring safe communities as we help lead folks during the transition from serving time in our corrections system to becoming productive citizens. This location is the first of its kind for Alabama,” said Governor Ivey.
The two primary program providers at the PREP Center are the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Ingram State Technical College.
Alabama Department of Mental Health certified substance abuse and mental health treatment will be provided by a treatment coordinator at the PREP Center to complete evidence based ADMH certified assessments and provide outpatient drug treatment, intensive outpatient drug treatment, referrals for in patient drug treatment and aftercare. The treatment coordinator provides mental health assistance, individual counseling, and referrals for in-patient mental illness per assessed need. The treatment coordinator will prepare an aftercare plan for the continuation of care upon release.
ADMH Commissioner Kimberly Boswell said, “A major step in the path to mental health recovery is the ability to connect with ourselves and our community. The Perry County PREP Center is a crucial point on that path for individuals ready to improve upon their personal and professional skills and succeed. We are thankful to be part of this essential partnership, which will give hope to thousands reentering their communities.”
Education and employment readiness services are provided by the Alabama Community College System and Ingram State Technical College. The instructors will assess each participant for education needs with the TABE assessment tool. Each participant supervised at PREP is required to complete mandatory adult education hours towards their general education diploma. If a participant has previously obtained their general education diploma or has their high school diploma, they will be assessed for an available technical program or be referred directly to the Work Ready program.
ISTC also announced the beginning of construction on an educational building at the PREP Center and plans to offer classes in barbering, building construction, HVAC and plumbing.
“With a focus on high-wage, high-demand jobs, Ingram State is proud to partner with ABPP to offer technical programming and adult basic education,” ISTC President Annette Funderburk said. “We will focus on preparing the residents to become responsible citizens and become job ready. Job placement will be a focus for these residents once the program is complete.”
Event attendees listened to the testimony of Richard Waldrep, a Day Reporting Center participant who overcame drug addiction with help from Bureau programs. Additionally, Randy Rhodes, President of Harvest Select Catfish Company, represented local businesses in the area capable of providing quality jobs to PREP Center participants.
“Reducing recidivism works when we invest in programs to help people get back on their feet and succeed,” said Bureau Director Cam Ward.
Special guest speakers at the event also included Alabama Community College System Chancellor Jimmy Baker and Alabama Seventh District U.S. House Representative Terri Sewell. Also in attendance were ADOC Commissioner John Hamm, Secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Hal Taylor, Senator Bobby Singleton, Representative Prince Chestnut and Representative A.J. McCampbell.
The PREP Center is located at 4805 U.S. Highway 80 in Uniontown. Transportation for participants will be organized with the ADOC, local sheriff departments and jail administrators. Photos of the event can be found here for publishing and broadcasting purposes.
Contact:
Matthew Estes
Communications Director
matthew.estes@paroles.alabama.gov
334.242.0507