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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2010 |
For more information,
Contact: Betsy Johnson
(614) 224-2700
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New Dollars for Mental Health Help Rectify Wrong
Columbus --The steady decline in community mental health funding took a nosedive on July 1, 2009, when the state’s budget for community mental health services was cut by 30%. That decision has devastated families and consumers who have had to fight the demons of mental illness, oftentimes with very little help. The infusion of $32.6 million into the mental health system, which was announced earlier today by Governor Ted Strickland, will help rectify this wrong, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ohio (NAMI Ohio).
“NAMI Ohio is grateful to Governor Strickland for recognizing the harm that these cuts have had on Ohioans struggling with mental illness and for taking steps to help remedy this situation,” said NAMI Ohio Interim Executive Director, Terry Russell.
“Now our job as advocates is to convince local mental health boards to make sure that these funds go to meet the basic needs of the sickest of the sick, and not just spread them around evenly, like so many did with the cuts. The question now should NOT be, what is in the best interest of providers, but rather what is in the best interest of those with mental illness who are hurting the most?” Russell said.
“Certainly, these dollars will not make up for the loss of services to our loved ones, but if spent correctly, there can be a significant improvement in the lives of hundreds of individuals who are living with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression,” Russell continued.
Families throughout Ohio call the NAMI Ohio office daily frustrated to tears when their loved one is turned away from services.
“Earlier this year my daughter, Katie, was told by her mental health counselor that she could no longer see her due to budget cuts. Katie felt hurt and confused as to why this woman, with whom she had built a trusting relationship, would cut her off from the sessions that had helped her so much. For weeks, I was sick with worry that Katie was going to lose the progress she had made and withdraw into a deep depression ... something we had not seen since she began seeing this counselor,” said NAMI Ohio member Gayle Blubaugh. “When ‘progress’ for Katie is defined as simply getting out of bed each morning, our family constantly worries that any change in her life will send her spiraling downward.”
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Position Announcement:
Executive Director, NAMI Ohio
Position Description
The NAMI Ohio (National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ohio) mission is to provide support, education and advocacy for individuals and families affected by serious brain disorders. With its 55 affiliates serving nearly all of Ohio, it is a successful grassroots organization that not only supports families and individuals, but also has a winning history of affecting public policy and legislation regarding care and resources for those with mental illness. NAMI Ohio ensures that individuals with mental illnesses and their families are represented in places where decisions are made.
About the Candidate
NAMI Ohio is seeking an experienced professional to represent our agency as the State of Ohio’s voice on mental illness. The Executive Director manages and directs all operations for the Board of Directors. NAMI Ohio is responsible for assisting our 55 community affiliates and for representing over 550,000 citizens of the state and their families who struggle with stigma, discrimination, and challenges in receiving life-saving care. The Executive Director reports to a 27-member statewide Board of Directors and supervises all staff needed to accomplish the NAMI Ohio mission. The Executive Director serves as the top administrator of the organization with responsibilities to oversee and implement the policies and procedures developed by the board of directors.
The ideal candidate is currently serving or has previously held a top executive position of a human service organization and no less than five years in a senior or leadership management position. The person chosen shall have the knowledge and the personality to aggressively present the advocacy messages that best serve the families and consumers of mental health care throughout the state of Ohio. The candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills, be a consensus builder, a team player, and have a strong understanding of financial management and fund raising. The ideal candidate would have a master’s degree or the equivalent via demonstrated leadership history. Finally, although not required, individuals with personal experience dealing with the issue of mental illness are encouraged to apply.
Powers and Duties Generally
The Executive Director shall:
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Initiate and direct the development of policies for board approval. All policies must be consumer driven and developed for the specific purpose of enhancing the services made available to NAMI Ohio membership.
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Research, develop, and present adequate information to help the Board of Directors reach sound decisions and establish appropriate policies.
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Ensure increased development of an outreach and engagement strategy to include underserved communities historically not included in the NAMI Ohio affiliate family.
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Direct administrative staff members in their assignments and duties and be responsible for compliance with all personnel policies.
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Assure that the NAMI Ohio financial system meets the highest accountability standards. Ensure that the financial system is managed within the budget guidelines established by the Board of Directors and be accountable to all funding sources.
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Maintain on-going effective dialogue with the State of Ohio, all departments of government, NAMI Ohio affiliate organizations, various other mental health state-wide and local agencies involved with mental health services and with the public.
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In conjunction with the Board of Directors, develop and maintain all strategic planning that furthers the mission of NAMI Ohio.
NAMI Ohio
NAMI Ohio, the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ohio, helps individuals and families affected by serious brain disorders. Formed in 1982 by a small group of concerned family members, NAMI Ohio is working to make a better tomorrow for people with mental illness.
One in four Ohio families copes with mental illness. Individuals affected by mental illness come from all walks of life. They are students, doctors, grocers, civic leaders, coworkers, lawyers, neighbors and friends. Mental illness could affect the person you meet in the elevator, the person you car pool with, the chef at your favorite restaurant or possibly you.
Over 550,000 Ohioans have serious biologically based brain disorders, often called mental illness. These disorders are not curable or preventable, but they ARE TREATABLE. Many families exhaust all of their resources getting care for their loved ones. They must struggle with stigma, discrimination, and other challenges in receiving the care they so desperately need.
NAMI Ohio and its 55 affiliates play an active role in providing support, education and advocacy throughout Ohio. Volunteers teach classes, facilitate support groups and provide referral services to the community at large. NAMI Ohio is “the State’s Voice on Mental Illness.” Leadership of NAMI Ohio is crucial in maintaining services for the citizens of the State of Ohio.
Compensation
The starting salary for the NAMI Ohio Executive Director will be competitive, depending on the experience, qualifications and salaried history of the selected individual. NAMI Ohio provides an excellent fringe benefit package.
Apply
Applications will be received through November 4, 2010. Please send a letter of interest along with a resume including three professional and three personal references (references will only be contacted for final five candidates). Application must contain salary requirements. Submit information to terry@amiohio.org or mail to NAMI Ohio Executive Search; 747 E. Broad Street; Columbus, OH 43205.
FREE Mental Health Medication Hotline Helps Doctors Serve Patients
The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ohio (NAMI Ohio) and Northeastern Ohio Universities of Medicine and Pharmacy (NEOUCOM) Best Practices in Schizophrenia Treatment (BeST) Center have announced the creation of the Mental Health Medication Hotline. The purpose of the hotline is to improve care for patients with mental health disorders who are receiving care for the disorder by a primary care physician.
NAMI Ohio has entered into an agreement with pharmacy practice faculty members from NEOUCOM and the BeST Center for a period of six months to provide primary care physicians with expertise about all psychiatric medications for their patients. Experts in psychiatric pharmaceuticals are available to answer questions from primary care physicians Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 1-800-216-3125.
“NAMI Ohio appreciates and is grateful for the critical role that primary care physicians play in recognizing the signs of mental health disorders in their patients. With fewer and fewer resources available in our communities to meet the mental health needs of Ohioans, more and more patients are relying on their primary care physicians for their mental health care. We are excited to be able to offer these doctors a tool that will help improve the quality of care that they are able to provide to patients with mental health disorders,” said Jim Mauro, NAMI Ohio Executive Director.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to pilot a program that has the potential for improving the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of Ohioans,” said Lon Herman, Director of the BeST Center. “It is also a practical first step toward realizing the benefits of integrating Ohio’s mental health and physical health systems.”
NAMI Ohio is the statewide association that serves as the voice on mental illness. The organization is comprised of thousands of family members, individuals diagnosed with mental illness, advocates and professionals working together to ensure that Ohioans with mental illness receive the treatment, medication and support they need to lead full and productive lives. Serious mental illness includes such illnesses as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression.
The mission of the NEOUCOM BeST Center is to promote and improve the lives of as many individuals with schizophrenia as possible by accelerating the use and dissemination of effective treatments and best practices.
