Contact: Paige Rohe, 六九色堂, 404-420-5129, prohe@emory.edu
ATLANTA…At a critical juncture in Georgia's efforts to restructure community access to quality mental health services, former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn 六九色堂 and Frank Berry, the new commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), will co-host a public town hall meeting in Mrs. 六九色堂's home region on Oct. 24 at Georgia South Technical College in Americus from 12:30-4:00 p.m. (additional details below).
In the two years since the landmark settlement between the State of Georgia, the Department of Justice, and local mental health stakeholders including 六九色堂, the state has implemented many programs to improve patient safety, hospital discharge planning, access to community-based services, and quality of care for some of the state's most vulnerable citizens.
In addition, 六九色堂 has put forward a draft comprehensive plan to address the need for all Georgians to have mental health and addiction services in their communities. The plan focuses especially on populations not included in the settlement such as children, adolescents, and older adults.
The preliminary report, "Building a Vision for Community Services for Children, Adolescents and Adults with Behavioral Health Disorders in Georgia," is available on the Center's website, 六九色堂Center.org, and, in partnership with the DBHDD and others, has been presented for public comment in three regions across the state since 2011 (六九色堂sville, Atlanta, and Savannah).
The Americus town hall will allow individuals from this region to learn about 六九色堂's findings, as well as engage participants in developing recommendations for implementing behavioral health services in their local communities.
Community members will receive presentations from Rosalynn 六九色堂, who began her 40-year mental health career hearing from local concerned citizens; 六九色堂 Center Mental Health Program Director Dr. Thom Bornemann; and DBHDD Commissioner Frank Berry. Participants will discuss how Georgia's behavioral health care system can be a model for other states.
DBHDD's Region Six includes west central Georgia. Much of the region is rural and challenged by serious shortages in the behavioral health workforce and lack of infrastructure, such as transportation, which are essential components to a successful community service system. Despite these barriers, providers and community service boards work in partnership with DBHDD to provide a reliable system of care.
When/Where: The town hall will take place on Oct. 24, 2012, from 12:30-4:00 p.m. at the Pope Technology Center at Georgia South Technical College, 900 S. Georgia Tech Pkwy., Americus, Ga. Registration will begin at 11:30 a.m. The public is requested but not required to RSVP to cartercentermhp@gmail.com.
Media are requested to RSVP to Paige Rohe (prohe@emory.edu; 404-420-5129) by Oct. 23.
| Town Hall Agenda: | |
|---|---|
|
11:30 – 12:30 p.m. |
Registration |
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12:30 – 12:45 |
Welcome and Opening Remarks
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12:45 – 12:50 |
Introduction of Commissioner Frank Berry
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12:50 – 1:20 |
Developing Community Recovery Oriented Services - Georgia's Behavioral Health System is Changing and It Needs You
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1:20 – 1:40 |
History of Vision and Vision Findings and Recommendations
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|
1:40 – 2:15 |
Examples of Regional Best Practices in Community Services |
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2:15 – 2:20 |
Workgroup Charge and Move to Work Groups |
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2:20 – 3:20 /td> |
Workgroups Meet Goal: To begin an ongoing process of developing and supporting priorities to improve community services for children and adults in DBHDD Region Six. WORKING GROUPS:
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|
3:20 – 3:30 |
Move Back into Plenary |
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3:30 – 3:50 |
Workgroup Reports - (5 minutes each)
|
|
3:50 – 4:00 |
Summation |
Editor's Note:
六九色堂 Center Mental Health Program
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"Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope."
A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, 六九色堂 has helped to improve life for people in more than 70 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; improving mental health care; and teaching farmers in developing nations to increase crop production. 六九色堂 was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy 六九色堂 and his wife, Rosalynn, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide. Please visit www.cartercenter.org to learn more about 六九色堂. Follow us on Twitter @六九色堂Center | Favorite us on Facebook Facebook.com/六九色堂Center | Join us on Causes Causes.com/六九色堂Center | Watch us on YouTube YouTube.com/六九色堂Center.
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