Success Story
Topeka KS, 11/3/11 - Nicole Fox - Started in 2003 as part of the Topeka-Shawnee County Continuum of Care, the Topeka Moving Ahead Program (T-MAP) is a job readiness program that helps individuals and families break the cycle of homelessness through housing and employment. T-MAP assists participants in developing their skills, obtaining employment, and barrier resolution. HUD is a major funder for the project, in partnership with Topeka Rescue Mission and other community service providers. Services include: Individual Case Management, Employment Assistance, Life Skills, Internships, and Housing Assistance.

Success Story

"Prior to T-MAP my life was unmanageable. I was serving my second prison sentence, I was in a horrible relationship, my family had given up on me, and I had reached a point where I didn't care anymore. Sitting in the county jail one day, I overheard a fellow inmate talking about T-MAP. She was getting ready to go through the program and was excited, so I asked her about it. She told me that they would help me become a member of society once again...a dream I had long given up on. I wanted so bad for a change to occur in my life, but I didn't know where to start. I thought about what I had heard for weeks. I finally went to my counselor and asked her about T-MAP. She gave me an informational pamphlet and helped me fill out the application for the program. When I fianlly heard that I had been accepted into the program I was excited and nervous all at the same time. I knew my life was about to change...and it did.

I came to T-MAP with fears, like so many others do, of the unknown. I hadn't had a job in over a decade and the ony life I knew was of crime and drugs. When I left prison and paroled to the Topeka Rescue Mission I promised myself I was leaving that life behind. I wanted a new life... but I was afraid no one would give me the chance to experience that "good" life that I wanted so bad. T-MAP opened my eyes to the possibility of a new beginning. Coming into a structured environment everyday with positive people gave me hope. I took advantage of every opportunity that was given to me and ran with it. I knew that with the support of the instructors I could be what I wanted to be.

I did my internship at Valeo Behavioral Health Care and from there I was hired as a Recovery Specialist. I am still employed with the agency and am now a Certified Peer Specialist. I am still in active recovery. I have over two year's sobriety. I am very active in the Narcotics Anonymous program as well as other groups within our community. I got out of that abusive relationship and got divorced with the help of Kansas Legal Services. I have since been in a long, healthy relationship with my current husband. I owe most of this to T-MAP. Had my eyes never been opened to the possibility of leading a healthy, productive life within our community, I may still be living on the streets repeating the same pattern I repeated for so many years."

Nicole (Miller) Fox
T-MAP Class 45
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Creations of Hope 2011
The Upstage Gallery, Topeka, KS, 8/1/11 - Jami Nichols - Valeo Behavioral Health Care will sponsor the 7th annual "Creations of Hope" Art Exhibit. This is a juried art exhibit open to all artists experiencing mental illness. The exhibit will be displayed through the months of October and November to kick off the celebration of Mental Illness Awarness Week the first week of October. Selected entries will be exhibited at The Upstage Gallery located in downtown Topeka and will be featured on the "First Fridays" Gallery Walk.

Through"Creations of Hope" we aim to provide an accessible and empowering opportunity for artists experiencing mental illness to enter the art community. Additionally we strive to raise awareness and widen views of mental illness in the public by providing an event that celebrates creativity, strength, and hope.

Juror Information:
Pam Renovato is a life long artist working in both traditional two-dimensional mediums and in digital art mediums. She has more than 15 years experience as manager and curator in diverse gallery settings. Currently Pam works full-time developing websites for artists and galleries and actively exhibits in the Topeka area.

Mark Brenneman is the President of NAMI Topeka and serves on several leadership committees and advisory boards for mental health advocacy and services. Additionally, Mark is an alumni of the "Creations of Hope" exhibit and a senior at Washburn University studying Fine Arts, specifically painting.

Location and Date:
Submission Deadline August 10th, 2011
Exhibit October 7th-November 23, 2011
The Upstage Gallery,
720 Jackson St.
Topeka, KS
Opening Reception October 7th, 2011, 5:00-8:00pm

Contact Information:
Cara Weeks, MA,ATR
Valeo Expressive Therapies
2401 SW 6th St.
Topeka, KS 66606
785-357-0580 ext. 2138
cweeks@valeotopeka.org.
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"Point in Time Homeless Count" Volunteer Information
Valeo Behavioral Health Care, 1/12/11 - Doug Wallace - Over 40 Kansas counties will participate in a statewide coordinated point-in-time count of persons experiencing homelessness. The count is scheduled for Wednesday, 1/26/2011 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

This effort needs volunteers to help with the count. In Shawnee County, please contact Doug Wallace at Valeo Behavioral Health Care, 357-0580, or email: doug@valeotopeka.org for more information or to volunteer. For other parts of Kansas, please Click Here.

Volunteer Training Sessions:

January 18, 5:00-7:00pm
January 19, 11:00am-1:00pm
January 24, 1:30-3:30pm
Holliday Building, 620 SE Madison Street, Topeka, Kansas
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Benefits of Having Certified Peer Specialists on a Supported Employment Team: The Experience of Valeo Behavioral Healthcare's Supported Employment
KU School of Social Welfare, 12/21/10 - Linda Carlson, LMSW - The use of peer supporters has been rapidly expanding in the community mental health field, particularly with the inclusion of peer support as a billable Medicaid Service. In Kansas, Certified Peer Specialists began in July of 2007 and there are currently 350 trained certified peer specialists in Kansas.

The use of peer support can enhance services provided by supported employment programs. Valeo Behavioral Healthcare is the first center in Kansas to have Certified Peer Specialists (CPS) assigned to their supported employment team. This article describes Valeo's experience having CPS assigned to their team including how they use CPS, the benefits of CPS workers and the benefits of having these workers assigned to the supported employment team. For this article, information was obtained by interviewing two employment specialists (ES) on the supported employment team. Pat Vega and Amie Greene, as well as the two Certified Peer Specialists - Ratna Radhakrishna and Brian Thompson.

Valeo Behavioral Healthcare has a supported employment team consisting of eight employment specialists and a team leader. In April of 2010, two CPS (Brian and Ratna) were assigned to the supported employment team. The peer specialists are supervised by their CPS team leader, and each CPS has 16 hours per week dedicated to supported employment services. Brian and Ratna attend the supported employment weekly team meetings and are assigned people to work with from the supported employment team.

The Peer Specialists' Role:

Peer supporters assist in a variety of activities on the supported employment team. Ratna and Brian work with consumers who are anxious or unsure about going back to work, provide extra assistance for clients who are looking for work, and provide support to clients who are struggling on the job. They help with decisional uncertainty about work, organizational skills, problem-solving and symptom management. Recently, the peer supporters have also started a group for consumers who are working and receiving service from the SE program. The group is evolving, but the group's focus is problem-solving identified struggles in the workplace.

The employment specialists talked about the benefits of the unique role of the peer support specialist saying, "The quality of the work is different since they have the lived experience and can relate to the person as a peer and learn things that we may not be able to because of the way they relate." For example, one of the peer supporters talks with consumers about how you can work without losing your benefits since the peer supporter is in that situation, receiving benefits and working. Pat says, "The peer supporter sometimes can get information that the employment specialist can't." For example, Pat was having difficulty with one consumer in identifying their job preference. The peer supporter was able to discover that the consumer really wanted to be a receptionist and that the consumer did not know how to type, but really wanted to learn that skill. They were then able to help the client move forward. Pat said that often times self disclosing, "Yea, I've been there," really can help.

Amie gives an example of how peer supporters were able to help a consumer:

Amie was working with a client who was having a lot of difficulty on the job. The consumer was only able to identify that he kept getting stuck and not being able to continue his work at the same time every day, at 6:00 pm. When he got "stuck" he would begin to do repetitive, ritualistic behaviors. Amie says that both Brian and Ratna would work with the consumer on the job. They were able to help the consumer identify when it was happening. Brian discovered that the consumer loved music during the time he spent with him. Then Brian discovered that, if he would start singing a song and asking the consumer to guess what song he was singing, the consumer would get distracted from his 6:00 "stuck" period and would be able to continue with his work. Amie says that Brian is very creative in working with clients on ways to work with symptoms they are experiencing because he is very creative in dealing with his own symptoms.

Ratna and Brian talked about the benefit of their role in a similar way. They said that since they share the lived experience of a mental illness, they are able to share their experiences or similar struggles normalizing the consumers' experience. Ratna says, "They (consumers) can talk about stuff with us without being judged, because we've been there." Brian and Ratna are role models that demonstrate that your illness does not define you. The relationship tends to be more personal which can increase trust.

Brian says, "It is important to go in and say, "Yea, I'm hearing voices, but I'm here working and I feel good. I feel fine." Role modeling that attitude is good, it helps normalize the situation."

Ratna says, "I worked with someone who didn't want to take his pills in the break room at work. He felt stigmatized and I'm like "Dude, everyone takes pills & They don't know what kind of pills you're taking." When you are experiencing symptoms, it can be embarrassing or shameful & if you lose control or make mistakes, to have that cloud over all you've done just to have a buddy who has been there can be helpful."

Brian and Ratna also talk about the importance of role modeling in their work. They often work with consumers who are struggling on the job. Ratna talks about a consumer she is working with who is constantly afraid she will do something wrong and wants to get permission for everything. Ratna says, "I role model talking with co-workers, socializing with co-workers or talking with her boss and help her assess the work culture by interpreting cues."

The peer supporters also are able to share tools and coping strategies that they have used. One of the employment specialists, Amie, described a situation where Ratna was able to help a client by using a tool that Ratna had used.

Ratna observed that a consumer that we mutually work with had been experiencing increased paranoia. Ratna introduced the consumer to a CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) worksheet called "Be your own CBT Therapist" (the consumer was opposed to seeing a therapist at that time). The worksheet asks the person to look at a specific experience that is causing distress in order to think through whether their reaction to an event is effective. The worksheet appeared helpful to the consumer, so much that they wanted to take it with them.

Benefits of Peer Specialist on the Supported Employment Team

The employment specialists on the supported employment team are effusive in the benefits of having Ratna and Brian on their team and attending their team meetings. Pat and Amie expressed that one of the greatest benefits is the feedback that the peer supporters contribute, "they bring a different perspective to the team and help us remember to put ourselves in the consumers' shoes and understand how they may be feeling and thinking." Pat says, "having peer supporters on our team has helped me do more self-reflection and be more open minded and I get these "aha" moments when I hear their perspective." Amie says of the peer specialists, "they make me want to do my job better." In turn, Brian and Ratna say they feel valued by the team, "they want to hear our opinions and feel that our feedback is unique and helpful." Ratna says, "I love that they have weekly team meetings and like the way they structure the team meetings (with case presentations)...everyone on the team is different, but we are all focused on the work and can spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to be helpful to one person."

In addition to having better communication with the peer support staff when they attend team meetings, there appears to be enhanced mutual learning opportunities. Brian and Ratna are an equal part of the team; the employment specialists say they learn a lot from the peer specialists and the peer support specialists talk about how much they are learning from the employment specialists.

Using Certified Peer Supporters in Supported Employment Programs:

The inclusion of Peer Supporters within evidence-based practice supported employment teams is increasing across the country. As the certified peer support (CPS) program in Kansas develops, CSS programs are looking at ways to involve CPS staff in services. CPS staff can make a unique contribution when connected with a supported employment program.

The following outlines some ways a CPS staff can be helpful within a supported employment team. It should be noted that CPS staff working on a supported employment team should have some depth of experience working in competitive employment in the community in order to be most effective. They should also gain some knowledge of the evidence-base practice when they begin working. It is also important to distinguish the CPS staff role from an employment specialist. The CPS staff uses and shares their lived experience in order to engage and help the consumer they are working with on their recovery goal to work.

Possible Supported Employment Activities of Peer Supporters:

*Providing assertive engagement & outreach to consumers who may be ambivalent about work, discussing pros and cons
*Using Wellness Recovery Action Plans for employment
*Facilitating support groups of consumers who are employed
*Peer supporters model competence and attest to how they have been able to overcome obstacles and achieve employment goals
*Assisting consumers in looking at disclosure issues in the workplace
*Providing information to consumers about employment services and resources
*Providing individual support to consumers who are working
*Providing education to consumers about the benefits of working and the role of work in recovery

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HUD Funded Programs for Homeless
Topeka, Kansas, 10/22/10 - Doug Wallace - The Topeka-Shawnee County Continuum of Care (CoC) is a group led by HUD-funded programs and others to create collaborative, comprehensive systems to meet the diverse needs of local homeless populations.

Prior to 1987, most funding for homeless programs was handled at the local level. With pressure on Congress to address rising problems with homelessness, Congress approved the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, under which the Continuum of Care Programs (Supportive Housing Program, Shelter Plus Care Program, and Permanent Housing Program) provide funding for entities that serve the homeless population.

Since 1994, the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has encouraged communities to address the problems of housing and homelessness in a coordinated, comprehensive, and strategic fashion. With input from practitioners throughout the country, HUD introduced the Continuum of Care concept to support communities in this effort. This concept is designed to help communities develop the capacity to envision, organize, and plan comprehensive and long-term solutions to addressing the problem of homelessness in their community.

The Topeka-Shawnee County CoC tracks and manages the homeless community in the Topeka area. One of most important activities entrusted to all CoCs is the annual count of the homeless population and an annual enumeration of emergency systems, support services, transitional housing units, and beds that make up the homeless assistance systems. These counts provide an overview of the state of homelessness in a CoC, and offer the information necessary to redirect services, funding, and resources as necessary. The CoC also manages these services, offering both prevention strategies and homeless assistance programs to assist those at-risk of or experiencing homelessness. Learn More Click Here.
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Valeo Program Manager named "Provider of the Year"
Topeka, Kansas, 10/22/10 - Sue Ellen Jayne, LMSW, Mental Health Research & Training - Valeo Behavioral Health Care Program Manager Cara Weeks was recognized as "Provider of the Year" by NAMI Kansas at the NAMI Kansas Conference October 16th.

Valeo Behavioral Health Care was the first community mental health center in the state of Kansas to implement and develop an evidence based practice family psycho-education program "Kansas Partnership of Families". Since the beginning of implementation in January of 2008, Cara Weeks has been the project leader to oversee this program and a practitioner providing direct services to participants in the program. She has played a critical role in the program, reaching excellent fidelity scores in their review. She continues to collaborate with KU School of Social Welfare in the implementation of KPF and is regarded as the "champion" at Valeo in providing support and guidance to consumers and family members participating in KPF. In addition to KPF, Cara manages the Supported Education and the C.A.R.E. programs also at Valeo Behavioral Health and Art Therapy at Valeo Community Residence Program.

Throughout her work, Cara has continued to provide information and education about NAMI's programs to consumers and family members for additional resources and support. She has taken on the leadership role of organizing activities to raise money and awareness for NAMIWalks.

Cara also co-facilitates with a KU consultant/trainer a KU Advanced Strengths Training "Families in Recovery: Skills in Working with Family Members of People Diagnosed with a Severe Mental Illness". This training provides information to mental health providers on understanding and working with family members of adults living with a severe mental illness.
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Valeo CFO Recognized as Topeka's "20 Under 40"
Topeka, Kansas, 10/22/10 - Jami Nichols - Congratulations to Angie Haggard, Valeo Behavioral Health Care, and Community Residence Program, Chief Financial Officer, who was selected as one of Topeka's "20 Under 40" Honorees for her leadership in the community! Look for her interviews in the November issue of TK Magazine and on WIBW television.

It's the first time for this event recognizing outstanding leaders in our community who are under the age of 40. The winners were selected from more than 70 nominees and will be honored at a banquet November 18th organized by the Jayhawk Council of Boy Scouts.

Jill Garrard, development director for the Jayhawk Council, says "the Boy Scouts are about leadership, so an event recognizing the contributions of young leaders to the community seemed a good fit."
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National Depression Screening Day October 7th, 2010
330 Oakley, 2nd Fl., Topeka KS, 9/20/10 - Jami Nichols - Held annually during Mental Illness Awareness Week in October [October 5th-11th 2010], National Depression Screening Day(NDSD) raises awareness and screens people for depression and related mood and anxiety disorders. One in four American adults experience a mental health disorder in a given year.

Valeo Behavioral Health Care, Stormont Vail-West, and Family Service & Guidance Center will offer free depression screenings to reconize National Depression Screening Day at Valeo's 330 Oakley location 1:00-4:30p. This event is co-sponsored by Topeka's Depression Bi-Polar Support Alliance, and NAMI Kansas.

Participants check in at the second floor waiting area. Children's screenings will be offered 3:00-4:30p.

For information: 785-215-8863, moreinfo@valeocrp.org.
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You Are Invited to "Creations of Hope" Opening Reception
The Upstage Gallery, Topeka, KS, 9/15/10 - OPENING RECEPTION: FRIDAY OCT 1, 5:30-8:00 The Upstage Gallery 720 Jackson Topeka Ks

"Creations of Hope: An exhibit by artists experiencing mental illness" is an annual juried art exhibit sponsored by the CARE program at Valeo BHC. The exhibit will be displayed through the months of October and November in celebration of Mental Illness Awareness Week. Selected entries will be exhibited at The Upstage Gallery located at 720 Jackson Street in downtown Topeka with an opening reception Friday October 1st, 5:30-8:00 pm. Through "Creations of Hope" we aim to provide an accessible and empowering opportunity for artist experiencing mental illness to enter the art community. Additionally we strive to raise awareness and widen views of mental illness in the public by providing an event that celebrates creativity, strength, and hope.

For additional information:
Cara Weeks, M.A., ATR
2401 SW 6th Topeka, KS 66606
(785) 357-0580 x2138
cweeks@valeotopeka.org
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Creations of Hope 2010 Call For Artists
Upstage Gallery, Topeka KS , 6/1/10 - Cara Weeks - The CARE program at Valeo Behavioral Health Care is sponsoring the 6th annual Creations of Hope art exhibit. This is a juried art exhibit open to all artists experiencing mental illness. The exhibit will be displayed through the months of October and November in celebration of Mental Illness Awareness Week. Selected entries will be exhibited at The Upstage Gallery located in downtown Topeka and will be featured on the First Fridays art walk. Through, Creations of Hope we aim to provide an accessible and empowering opportunity for artist experiencing mental illness to enter the art community.

Additionally we strive to raise awareness and widen views of mental illness in the public by providing an event that celebrates creativity, strength, and hope.

The submission deadline for artists is August 11, 2010. Please submit entries to: Cara Weeks, M.A.,ATR, Valeo CARE/Supported Education Program Manager 2401 SW 6th Street, Topeka, KS 66606. Call 785-357-0580 ext. 2138 for an entry form, or e-mail, cweeks@valeotopeka.org.

Creations of Hope Juror Information: Charles Anderson, ATR-BC- Mr. Anderson is an exhibiting photographer and nationally known Art Therapist. He has 40 years experience providing art therapy at the Menninger Clinic and has been a guest lecturer at Washburn University and Emporia State University.

Connie English, BFA- Ms. English is an internationally recognized watercolorist. Her work has been featured at the Twin Towers and John McEnroe Galleries in New York City as well as the Wichita Art Museum.

Location & Date of Exhibit: Opening Reception October 1st, 5:30-8:00pm. Exhibit Runs October 1st through November 26th at The Upstage Gallery, 720 Jackson Street, Topeka, Kansas 66601 (The Upstage Gallery is located inside the future lobby of the historic Jayhawk State Theatre and serves to further the mission of the Jayhawk's renovation campaign and provide a non-profit venue for local artists.)
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May is Mental Health Month
Topeka, Kansas, 4/20/10 - Valeo Community Residence Program and Valeo Behavioral Health Care will be participating in activities throughout the month of May which help advocate Mental Health and reduce stigma by educating the public on issues surrounding mental illness. Activities include:

*Washburn University Mental Health Symposium April 24th, Topeka Public Library 12a-12p. Guest speaker Marsha Bacote-Alleyne, Valeo ARNP.

*National Council Webinar Series "Mental Health First Aid USA" free to the public!

May 5th Understanding Depression Webcast 4-5pm
May 12th Understanding Anxiety Disorders Webcast 4-5pm
May 19th Understanding Psychosis Webcast 4-5pm
May 26th Understanding Substance Use Disorders 4-5pm

As a member of The National Council for Community Behavioral Health Care, Valeo brings you this free Webinar series every Wednesday the month of May featuring the evidence-based public education program, "Mental Health First Aid USA". You must register in advance for this webinar series. Register Now. No password required.

*"Hearing Voices" Training May 17th. Valeo Behavioral Health Care's Crisis Diversion Supervisor, Lisa Hastings will walk a group of staff, legislators, community leaders, and members of the press through an exercise that lets them experience what it is like to have a thought disorder. They will attempt tasks while being interrupted by recorded voices designed to simulate what someone with a thought disorder might experience.

*"Mental Health Month" display case in the Shawnee County Health Agency lobby the month of May. Display will include Mental Health Tips, education about Mental Illness, and resources available at Valeo.

Mental Health issues affect all of society in some way, shape, or form. It is estimated that one in four Americans will have a diagnosable and treatable mental disorder. YOU can help if you understand. Join us in learning more about Mental Health. For information about any of these activities call: 785-215-8863.
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Supported Education Expands Services!
Supported Education Program, 2401, 3/1/10 - Cara Weeks - The Valeo Supported Education Program announces the expansion of services to include referrals for persons with psychiatric disabilities seeking their high school diploma or GED. Since 2006 SEP has worked with participants in post-secondary education and we are happy to to now include all levels of education. Some of the tasks our counselors can help with include:

* Identify community resources that offer GED programs
* Access and assist completion of GED courses
* Identify and implement classroom accomodations
* Practice ways to manage symptoms which impact learning
* Assist in utilizing self-study GED programs
* Learn study skills, time management and test taking strategies
* Problem solve ways to overcome barriers to GED completion

The Supported Education Program also offers a drop-in resource center every Tuesday at 3:00pm at Valeo's C.A.R.E Program located at 2401 SW 6th Street. An Education Specialist provides assistance with educational needs such as navigating the internet, support with current challenges, learning computer skills, homework, or support from peers in the group.
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Kansas Summit on Homelessness and Housing
Ramada Inn, Topeka Kansas, 10/28/09 - Doug Wallace - The Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition has released the agenda and registration form for the 2009 Statewide Summit on Homelessness and Housing.

The Summit will be held October 29-30, 2009 at the Ramada Inn in Topeka Kansas. This is the 10th anniversary of the statewide homeless summits and fitting with the event and economic times, the theme is Celebrating the Past, Preparing for the Future.

This year, the Summit has several featured speakers such as: Michael Stoops, Director of Community Organizing, National Coalition for the Homeless; Pete Dougherty, President for the US Interagency Council on Homelessness, and Director of the Homeless Programs Office for the Department of Veterans Affairs; Katie Volk, The National Center on Family Homelessness; Lora Routt, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and, Tonier Cain and Joan Gillece, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. There will be many local presenters on a variety of topics.

The registration deadline is October 15th, 2009.
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National Depression Screening Day
330 SW Oakley, Topeka KS, 10/8/09 - Jami Nichols - Thursday October 8th, 2009 is National Depression Screening Day. Valeo Behavioral Health Care along with Stormont Vail West, and Family Service and Guidance Center will be providing free screenings for depression, bi-polar disorder, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder from 1:00-5:00pm at Valeo's 330 Oakley location. Screenings are confidential. Check in at the 2nd floor waiting room.
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IDDT Program Wins SAMSHA Science & Service Award
2401 SW 6th Street, Topeka, KS, 9/28/09 - Jami Nichols - Valeo Behavioral Health Care's Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program, called the "Starfish Program" is a 2009 recipient of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Science and Service Award. Valeo is one of 27 organizations recognized nationally for program excellence, and is the only organization in the state of Kansas to receive this award.

These awards recognize exemplary implementation of evidence-based interventions that have been shown to prevent and/or treat mental illnesses and substance abuse.

Now in its third year, this annual award program recognizes public - and private-sector organizations, as well as community-based coalitions, that have worked to improve their communities and the lives of individuals by providing the best services possible.

"Families and individuals deserve the most effective services possible for the prevention and treatment of health conditions, including mental health and substance use disorders," said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick, D.D.S, M.P.H. These award winners have demonstrated that they are delivering such services in their communities.

Awardees were chosen in each of five categories: substance abuse prevention; treatment of substance abuse and recovery support services; mental health promotion; treatment of mental illness and recovery support services; and co-occurring disorders. To be eligible for these nonmonetary awards, an organization had to demonstrate successful implementation of a recognized evidence-based intervention, including interventions that have been published in the scientific literature and/or appear on a federal or state registry. http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/090925ss4927.aspx.
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Everybody Counts
2401 SW 6th Street, 1/29/09 - Doug Wallace - Shawnee County was one of 40 Kansas counties selected to participate in the "Everybody Counts!" 2009 statewide point-in-time homeless count Initiative. Such a count has historically been conducted every-two years during the last week of January as a requirement for communities that receive HUD funding for housing and homeless services.

This initiative will track the number of persons experiencing homelessness and catch a glimpse of what homelessness looks like across the state.

This year, Kansas Housing Resources Corporation and SRS-Disability and Behavioral Health Services collaborated to sponsor the first coordinated, statewide Point-In-Time Homeless Count. United Way of the Plains (UWP) was awarded a grant to conduct the statewide Count and generate an aggregate state report of the data, supplemented with county specific appendices.

The success of this initiative depends on community involvement. Everybody Counts will benefit the people served through its HUD funded homeless programs.

For more information contact Doug Wallace, Valeo Behavioral Health Care at 1-785-783-3106.
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Supported Employment Services Celebrates National Award
5/7/08 - Supported Employment Services Celebrates National Award

Valeo Behavioral Health Care's Supported Employment Services accepted the National Johnson & Johnson Dartmouth Achievement Award in 2008. Supported Employment Program Manager Kristin Farley attended the awards ceremony in Portland Oregon May 7th & 8th. Valeo was selected on the criteria of significant improvement in the number of people participating in high fidelity (measured in Evidence Based Practice Programs) Supported Employment Services, and in the number of people working in competitive jobs.

The Supported Employment Program received a 70 out of 75 score on their latest Fidelity review with the University of Kansas. The national average for job retention among programs of this type is typically 32%-53%. Valeo's was 62% for 2007! Kristin Farley had this to say about her team, "I commend the Supported Employment Services staff for being so committed to assisting our clients in becoming employed and staying employed. I want to recognize all of the extra time they put into getting someone ready for work and making it a positive experience for both the employer and the employee."

Supported Employment hosts their annual Employee Recognition and Employer Recognition events in June to recognize appreciation and achievement. Kristin Farley, was interviewed by WIBW television 6/9/08 for Supported Employment Employer Awards Event. For the complete story go to: http://www.wibw.com/localnews/headlines/19693314.html

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