Newsletter August 27, 2007

{don't click on the pictures, they won't take you anywhere}

Hi everybody. Welcome to the temporary home of our App Counseling newsletter. I've put it here, so it's easy to find. I know how quickly things drop down the inbox list in our gmail, so you can check this site whenever you'd like to remind yourself of items or to check for updates. I'll send you an announcement each time something comes out along with a link to the A.C. News Blog.

I'll also post what's known as "open threads" for people to leave comments. In order to leave a comment you'll need to register with the blog's hosting service, Blogger. It's easy. In these comment threads you can keep folks updates about any changes or exciting news. You can also comment under any other post. Simply click on the word 'comments' at the bottom of any post.

Please note that this blog should not ever contain any client information. Ever.

If you'd like to see your news posted here and you don't want to leave a comment, please email it to me anytime. If you'd like to see particular links posted here (favorite news sites, band sites, business sites, MH focused sites), let me know that, too. And now - on with the newsletter.

Kambra Meyer, who's coined the term "A-Team" for our Asheville office, sent this via email:

"Just wanted to inform you all that I will be changing my role here at App. . . I have been offered a position that helps me move toward art therapy and counseling and end my role as a community support worker. (thanks to the LPC) It is with sadness that I say that you will not see me in the Asheville office much, as the new role is primarily in Hendo and Brevard. No official word on transition date, but I anticipate that it will be in the next couple of weeks. It is my intention to start an art therapy group in Asheville, though, so look for more info to come about that once I hammer out the details. However, once I get on insurance panels, I plan to come back to the Asheville office to serve clients full time, and hopefully that will happen in 6 mos to a year. So, you haven't seen the last of me. . .

I will be speaking to some of you individually about discharge plans for clients we share and attempting to graduate some of my clients to med mgt and therapy only.

It has been my pleasure to be a part of the A TEAM! I hope to be back soon!!"

Congratulations Kambra on getting your license and growing in your professional life!

A-Team member Byron Allday lets everyone know about this cool spot:

"Hey y'all. just wanted to let you know of some bed space at a family care home where i have a clt. there are 3 beds available. 2 are for private rooms, male or female. the semi-private is for a male. great home and great people who run it. they even give the residents an extra $20 each month more than they are required to do. very reliable transportation also. let them (or me if that would be easier) know if you might have anyone interested, ask for joanne or newland.

joanne's family care home
245 anchor rd.
alexander, nc
683.0898"

Darlene asked me to remind everyone that NC Health Choice will pay for only one service per day. You might make a list of your Health Choice clients, so you can keep it straight for yourself. Why bill and write a note when no one's paying?

I want to let everyone know that I found my cellphone. You may commence speed dialing.

Tina Nowak asked y'all to think about hopping into this sporty little number:

2002 MercedesBenz ML320
75K miles, White w/tan leather interior,
Moonroof,Dual power seats,power doors/windows,
drivers side memory seats,security system, much more.
Loaded. Great Condition. $16,000.00
Call Tina @ 551-2717.

In ironic and absurd news, Smoky Mountain LME is shocked. SHOCKED! Evidently the state's precipitous and capricious cuts to CS services have caused a lot of providers to stop providing CS or to provide it only in limited ways with selected recipients. This notice went out from Smoky Mountain LME to providers in these counties: Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties -

We have an urgent need that necessitates a meeting with Community Support providers from the Southern Region. In recent weeks a number of providers have decided to cease provision of Community Support Services or have limited capacity to receive further referrals, while others wish to select the type of consumer they will serve. This puts consumers in our community at risk. It is our responsibility to ensure consistent availability of services within established standards. We plan to meet that obligation. However, before we take steps to resolve these concerns, we want to meet with you and listen to not only what barriers you are finding, but hear your creative ideas and recommendations as to how such barriers might be resolved. This must be done quickly as the need is urgent and has significant impact on consumers. We plan to host this important problem-solving meeting next Thursday, August 30thth at 4:30 p.m. at the Area Office (following the DVIP training for those providers involved with this). This is your opportunity to have input and be a part of the solution. We appreciate your constructive and resourceful thinking as we move forward with a plan.

Got to laugh to keep from crying, eh?



Lastly, know that Jane will be rolling out some pretty big restructuring over the next couple of months. It's time for every area of Appalachian Counseling to stand on its own. We're a for-profit business that has labored under mental health crises, system changes, New Vistas' implosion, and immense community needs. So we've still looked a lot like one of the old non-profit community agencies.

The next year will see App Counseling become a stable, for-profit entity providing the best services in our three counties. If you've got any of that old non-profit thinking rolling around between your ears, it's time to push the eject button. We're going to be amazingly successful as we continue to move towards a sustainable model of practice, which includes excellence in service and keeping our eyes on the bottom line.

I hope you like the new newsletter format. Let me know what you think, and send me your news and information for the next one.

Y'all rock,

Gordon