Wednesday, 27 January 2010 00:53

Amador Mental Health Continues Work Toward State Funding

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slide4-amador_mental_health_continues_work_toward_state_funding.pngAmador County – Amador County Behavioral Health hosted an all-day workshop Tuesday at the county health building in Sutter Creek, with about 40 people attending. Consultant Jennifer Susskind of Resource Development led the workshop for caregivers and clients aimed at securing some of the $5.7 million due to Amador County through the California “Mental Health Services Act.” Rima Spight of Resource Development said attendees would help in “developing county projects to be funded through three components of the Mental Health Services Act.” Those include: Workforce Education and Training; Capitol Facilities & Technological Needs; and Innovation. Spight said Workforce Education and Training looks to develop and maintain “a culturally competent and diverse workforce capable of meeting” local mental health. Susskind discussed some education ideas, including development of a “multi-media learning center” to “be used by staff,” with video teleconference training, and “e-learning” for “continuing education credits for behavioral health” service personnel. She said the purpose of “online classes” was to “reduce the isolation here in Amador County. A woman said it should be pointed out that Independence High School and also the General Services Administration both have multi-media learning centers. Susskind said they “may not focus on mental health, but they do exist.” Other training focus areas include “hard-to-fill positions,” such as psychiatric nurses and technicians,” Susskind said, where money can go to “people who want to see increased knowledge and work in behavioral health.” The program would include a commitment to work for 2 years in Amador County. Other programs included “deep training” for trainers; childcare liaisons and probation officers; and expansion of mental health training to broaden the community. The workshop discussed other areas in which previous community meetings provided input for Amador County needs. It also shared results of an Innovation survey taken from community members. The company and Amador County Mental Health will continue to take public comment as the series of workshops continue. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Read 326 times Last modified on Wednesday, 27 January 2010 05:32
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