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CAHS CONNECTIONS
News For and About CAHS Employees
April 2016

In this issue ...
Problem Gambling: One Family's Winnings
Hawaii Officials Visit CAHS Model Program
Register for Staff Development and More
Active Shooter Trainings Held at CAHS
"Kick Butts Day" Activities in WBR Schools
Dr. Pamela Beadle Gives Back at CAHS
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Client Success At CAHS
Fred Smith
"I spent 100% of my time pursuing poker."
 
In 2007, after 20 years of marriage, Fred and Mimi Smith began hiding money from each other.

Fred, a success in the grocery business, hid bonus checks and other income from Mimi to fund his poker-playing habit. Mimi, a successful office manager at a printing company, hid household money to keep Fred from losing it in high-stakes poker games.

Fred didn’t intend for poker to rule his life. In fact, after a disabling accident in 2004, he was only “having fun on the computer” 12 to 14 hours a day, playing free, online poker games. Six months later, after recovering from his injury, he started attending live poker games -- $40-to-play at first, increasing to $500 games.

“I won my first five games, and I was hooked on the feeling,” Fred recalls.

It didn’t take long before Fred literally started living to gamble. He sold his only car to fund poker, and two of his boats were repossessed for lack of payment. Fred and Mimi would have lost their house, if Mimi hadn’t paid that bill out of her own money.

“I spent 100% of my time pursuing poker. I had no interest in anything else,” Fred recalls.

Mimi remembers Fred disappearing for days and weeks at a time, traveling to Chicago and the Southwest United States to chase poker games. She, too, left for days at a time to stay with her mother, as a way of keeping her emotional stability. Mimi even had divorce papers drawn up, but never followed through.

“I stayed with Fred because I knew him to be a wonderful person before the gambling, and I believed he could recover somehow,” Mimi said.

By 2008, because of a number of financial and legal factors, Fred hit bottom and went to the Center of Recovery (CORE) in Shreveport for inpatient care. After that stay, Fred was referred to Capital Area Human Services for its intensive, nine-month outpatient treatment program. He lasted 90 days at CAHS before disappearing. In 2011, he repeated the pattern, lasting 120 days at CAHS before disappearing again.
 
“I thought I could do it on my own. I would always find a good job, pay my debts, and have money left over. Then, I would start gambling again,” Fred remembers.

In 2015, he hit the real jackpot. Fred repeated the inpatient CORE program, and this time he completed the CAHS program and graduated last week, March 29, 2016.
Above: Freddie Smith presents the CAHS graduation certificate to his father, Fred.
 
Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselor Matricia “Matt” Green, head of CAHS’ Center for Gambling Treatment, says it often takes more than one try at recovery. 

“Clients will work through their issues to a point and then sabotage their recovery. But, I credit Fred this time for staying, fighting hard, digging deep, sharing real feelings, and completing the program. He's a completely different person today.”

Fred's wife, Mimi, says they couldn’t have done it without CAHS’ free help for Fred, her, and their family.

“We were struggling financially. Fred had lost his job, and we lost our health insurance," Mimi says. "The CAHS program even helped our children and me reconcile with Fred.”

Matt Green said CAHS is able to provide gambling treatment at no cost to clients because the program is funded annually by fees collected from the Louisiana gaming industry.  

Mimi and Fred credit several CAHS professionals for Fred’s recovery: Matt Green, Licensed Addiction Counselor Kyllie Jenkins, Social Worker Carol Everhart, and Psychiatrist Dr. David Post.

“I wasted so much time and money on poker," Fred says. "Today, I spend 100% of my time and energy pursuing my recovery, paying back $10,000 in gambling debts, reconnecting with my family, and helping other problem gamblers."

Above: Celebrating Fred Smith's graduation at CAHS on March 29 were (l-r) Kyllie Jenkins of CAHS; Freddie Smith, son; Matt Green of CAHS; Fred Smith; Mimi Smith, wife; Nicholas Scheurich, son; Christine Scheurich, daughter-in-law; Hank, grandson; Tyler Graham, son-in-law; and Chelsea Graham, daughter.
 

CAHS Can Help Someone You Know With Problem Gambling 
These programs are offered at our 4615 Government St. location, Building 2.
For more information, contact Matt Green or Kyllie Jenkins at 225-362-5360.
 
Intensive Outpatient Services: Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 5-8 p.m.
New! Help for Adolescents: Contact Matt or Kyllie at 225-362-5360 for details
Outpatient Services: Mondays and Thursdays, 9-10:30 a.m.
Continuing Care: Tuesdays, 5:15-6:30 p.m.

Above: Matt Green and Kyllie Jenkins promote Gambling Prevention Month in March.

Above: Presenting information about problem gambling at the Licensed Social Workers conference, March 18, in Baton Rouge, were (l-r) Marisa Marino, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals; Matricia "Matt" Green, CAHS; Denise Kirchenhunter and David Heroman, CAHS clients; and Kyllie Jenkins, CAHS.
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What's Happening At CAHS
 
Hawaiian Officials Visit CAHS' Innovative
Early Childhood Behavioral Health Program
 
On March 21, CAHS was honored to host administrators and medical staff from the Hawaii Community Foundation, Shriners Hospitals for Children® - Honolulu, and Ira Chasnoff, MD, of the National Training Institute of Chicago, to share the innovative model of early childhood behavioral health care that was implemented nine years ago at CAHS’ Infant, Child, and Family Center (ICFC).

"It has been extremely valuable to work with CAHS to address needs in the Greater Baton Rouge community, and we are grateful for the agency's willingness to share their experience with others," said Dr. Chasnoff during the visit.
 
CAHS Executive Director Jan Kasofsky, PhD, thanked Rhonda Norwood, PhD, and Taylor Gilbert, both of the ICFC, for their successful work with the program. Dr. Kasofsky also thanked Vivian Gettys for her extensive preparation for the site visit.
CAHS was the only site in Louisiana that the delegation visited in their efforts to learn about best practices in children's behavioral health. They are also visiting several sites in California.

In 2007, Dr. Chasnoff worked with CAHS and a collaborative of more than 40 agencies to implement the comprehensive, evidence-based model of care. The program expanded CAHS' services for children under six years of age who experience emotional or behavioral disturbances due to trauma, prenatal substance exposure, or impairment in the caregiving relationship.            

Since its formation, the Infant, Child, and Family Center (ICFC) of CAHS has provided treatment services to young children who are in foster care in the Greater Baton Rouge area. The ICFC team has advanced training and expertise in infant mental health and developmental psychopathology and works collaboratively with a variety of systems affecting the lives of infants and toddlers, including child welfare, legal, educational, health care, and mental health care systems.

 Front row (l-r) Ryan Lee, MD, Director of the Neurodevelopmental Clinic, Shriners Hospital-Honolulu; Chris van Bergeijk, VP, Strategic Initiatives and Networks, Hawaii Community Foundation; Joy Soares, Project Manager, Hawaii Community Foundation; and Andi Kubota, Chief Nurse Executive and Director of Patient Care Services, Shriners Hospital-Honolulu. Back row (l-r) John White, Administrator, Shriners Hospital-Honolulu; Ira Chasnoff, MD, Consultant, National Training Institute of Chicago; Vivian Gettys, CAHS Prevention Division Director; Rhonda Norwood, PhD, ICFC; Taylor Gilbert, LCSW, ICFC; Jan Kasofsky, PhD, CAHS Executive Director; Karla Muzik, CAHS Director of Business Operations; Stephen Aguillard, CAHS Clinical Services Director; and Tom Matsuda, Program Director, Hawaii Community Foundation.
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CAHS Officials Provide Information To House Committee About Mental Health Intervention and Stabilization

Above (l-r) are Jan Kasofsky, PhD, CAHS Executive Director; Barbara Carpenter, Louisiana State Representative, District 63, Baton Rouge; and Scott Meche, PhD, Director, CAHS Developmental Disabilities Division.

Capital Area Human Services was asked to present information on March 16 at a meeting of the Louisiana House of Representatives' Health and Welfare Committee, relative to House Bill 763 by State Representative Barbara Carpenter. 

The proposed law would authorize, but not require, the Capital Area Human Services District to establish an intervention and stabilization unit to help people who are experiencing mental health or behavioral health crises.

CAHS Executive Director Jan Kasofsky, PhD, and CAHS Developmental Disabilities Division Director Scott Meche, PhD, both, provided information and answered questions from the committee members. The bill passed the committee and the House of Representatives and is now being considered by the Louisiana Senate.
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Dr. Kasofsky Presents at State Health Summit

At a state health summit, March 29, in Baton Rouge, CAHS Executive Director Jan Kasofsky, PhD, presented information about CAHS' behavioral health work in jails. 

The CAHS presentation, “A Cross-Systems Response to Needless Incarceration of People with Mental Illness,” described the comprehensive steps CAHS peers and others have taken to screen and assess inmates for mental health issues and to help those inmates leaving prison to connect with substance abuse and mental health treatment, medications, housing, and other community resources. 

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke at the summit, "Creating An Agenda for a Healthy Louisiana," which was produced by the Louisiana Center for Health Equity in conjunction with the Louisiana Public Health Institute and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Office of Public Health.

Attendees included faith-based and non-profit organizations, health insurers, hospitals and clinics, service providers, law enforcement and businesses, as well as health educators, researchers, policymakers and elected officials, community health leaders, and the general public.
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Coming Up At CAHS
 
Join the "CAHS Pack" at the Capital Area Heart Walk
Help others as you help yourself!

April 9 @ LSU Old Front Nine former golf course
Corner of Nicholson Drive and Nicholson Extension
Activities start at 8 a.m.; walk starts at 9 a.m.
Click here to sign up!

The walk is free, and anyone can participate; you do not have to walk to help. CAHS team members are asked to make a donation and/or to help fundraise. "CAHS Pack" team shirts may be purchased separately (order form here). Walkers are eligible for a free Heart Walk t-shirt once they have raised a minimum of $100. For more info, contact Lynetta Butler at Lynetta.Butler@la.gov.
 
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Lunch 'N Learn on Alcohol Use: April 19 

The next Lunch 'N Learn will cover the topic "Alcohol Use and Your Health" and will be held at the Government Street location (only) on Tuesday, April 19, at noon.

John "Mel" Zufall, LCSW-BACS, Facility Manager of the Capital Area Recovery Program (CARP), will facilitate a discussion about alcohol use, its effects on health, early intervention, treatment approaches, and sources of support. 

Bring your lunch and join us for an engaging discussion targeted to a general audience, including clients, the public, and non-clinical staff. No registration is required, but please coordinate with your supervisor.
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Register Now:  Earn CEUs
Click here for info and to register
Spring 2016 Staff Development and Community Training Series

April 20: "Psychopharmacology"
Presenter: Mark Zielinski, MD
The major classes of psychotropic medications will be reviewed, including their indications, reasonable expectations, potential side effects, and how they work.

May 18: "Bullying: An Overview and Treatment"
Presenter: Bryan Gros, PhD
This workshop will explore various types of bullying and characteristics of those who bully and their victims. Cyberbulling will be included, along with treatment options.
 
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Baton Rouge Clinical Town Hall
Click here for info and to register
Thursday, April 7: Hilton Capital Center 201 Lafayette St.

CAHS Executive Director Jan Kasofsky, PhD, and CAHS Medical Director Aniedi Udofa, MD, will be panelists at the Clinical Town Hall, which is designed to facilitate communications among clinicians, non-clinicians, community leaders, and Humana representatives about the conditions, barriers and solutions related to the health of our community. DHH Secretary Rebekah Gee, MD, MPA, will be the keynote speaker.

Behavioral Health Collaborative Meeting
Friday, April 22: 8:30 a.m., 4615 Government St., Building 2, Room 200A
Stay tuned to your email for the agenda and more details.
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Reminder At CAHS
W-2 Tax Forms Available Online
W-2 forms for the calendar year 2015 are now available in Louisiana Employees On-line (LEO) for all active employees who elected by Dec. 31, 2015, to self-view and print their W-2’s on-line. To access your forms, click here to log into LEO, using your User ID and password. Follow the on-line instructions to view and print your W-2. Active employees who did not choose the on-line service, but who need a duplicate copy of their W-2, may contact the Human Resources Department to obtain a duplicate W-2.

Questions?
Tony Square, Human Resources Supervisor 
Email: Tony.Square2@la.gov
Office: (225) 922-2710
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Recent Activities At CAHS
 
Active Shooter Trainings Held at CAHS
CAHS held trainings in March to inform employees about active shooter incidents. Presenters included Lt. Charlie Jarrel (pictured above), Lt. Ray Alexander, and Gailand Freeman, all of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety; and Julie Cooper of the Office of State Buildings and Grounds.

The speakers used examples of recent headlines to illustrate the risks that employees might face and gave recommendations for responding. More info here.


"Run, Hide, Fight: Surviving an Active Shooter Event"
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"Kick Butts Day" Promoted At WBR Schools
The West Baton Rouge Healthy Community Coalition, in collaboration with the West Baton Rouge Parish schools, sponsored "Kick Butts Day," March 16, with students taking a stand to stop youth from getting hooked on deadly tobacco products.

As part of the Kick Butts Day celebration in WBR, banners and educational materials were displayed in middle and high schools, and students were encouraged to take a stand against tobacco and pledge to be tobacco-free.
 
QUICK FACTS ABOUT TOBACCO 
- More than 400,000 people in the U.S. will die this year from a tobacco-related disease
- 90% of smokers start using tobacco regularly
by the time they are 18
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National Nutrition Month Celebrated By CBHS

Above (l-r) are Felicia Jackson, Social Service Counselor, and Peggy Gordon, LPN.
Not pictured is Marice Williams, LPN, who also helped with the project.

Children's Behavioral Health Service nurses provided nutrition education during March for National Nutrition Month. They posted nutrition information and distributed fruits and vegetables the week of March 28 to children and families in the waiting area.
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Giving Back At CAHS
 
Dr. Pamela Beadle Volunteers Time Each Month, Helping CAHS Clients With Total Health 

Dr. Pamela Parra Beadle, a local emergency room doctor, volunteers each month at CAHS to provide medical care to patients who are uninsured and who have health issues related to diabetes and high blood pressure.

“At CAHS, I see clients who are battling high blood pressure and diabetes,” says Dr. Beadle, “We also deal with social issues such as no family help or support to manage diseases, poor living environments, homelessness, lack of transportation, and lack of money to pay for medicine.”

Those issues aren’t new to Dr. Beadle, who has practiced medicine for more than 38 years and who began seeing CAHS clients two years ago as part of the agency's Total Health Program (THP). THP protocols focus on patients with cardiovascular disease risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity.

Dr. Beadle says she was inspired to volunteer at CAHS as she was dealing with the suicide of a dear friend and after she heard CAHS’ Executive Director Jan Kasofsky, PhD, speak about the need for primary care in mental health and the need for mental health care in the practice of primary care.

In addition to her volunteer time at CAHS, Dr. Beadle continues to work part-time in the ER at Our Lady of the Lake (OLOL) Regional Medical Center. She works closely with RN Case Managers who 1) help patients get appointments with primary care and specialty care, 2) communicate with patients regarding their needs, and 3) follow up on emergency room visits.

“I enjoy working with the CAHS clients, and I get more than I give," she says.

Above: Dr. Beadle works with CAHS' Shannon Southall, LPN.
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Who's Who at CAHS
 
Who joined CAHS recently? Click here to see!
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Best Wishes, Janelle!
We wish the very best for Janelle Perrone, LPN, who retired April 1 from Children's Services after 10 years of service. We will miss her smile and friendly disposition.
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We Want to Hear From You!
CAHS Connections is your newsletter, about and for the employees and activities of Capital Area Human Services. We welcome your ideas and photos. Items of interest include program news, events, achievements, presentations, births, 25+-year anniversaries, contests, etc.

Please email your ideas and photos to CAHSConnections@la.gov or click on one of these names to send an email with your story ideas:Karen Bray, Rafael Maza, Lynetta Butler,
Michael Brown, Richard Brown, Jr., Betty Mims, and Shenitha Smith.

In case you missed it ... 
Click here to see last month's edition of CAHS Connections
 
Our Mission
To facilitate person-centered recovery by empowering people
of all ages with behavioral health needs and developmental disability challenges to strengthen relationships, establish independence, and enhance their ability to improve their
physical health and emotional well being.
Our Vision
Our network provides local access to best practices that respond to the unique needs of individuals living in the District's communities.
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