News

• Bringing the Best in the Nation to Big Sky
• Farm in the Dell Breaks Gound at Buxton
• Center for Excellence
• Local AWARE delegates return from Corporate Congress 2010
• Forget can't and don't
• Helping Families All In a day's work for AWARE Clinicians
• AWARE's Boundaries class for adults with developmental disabilities
• AWARE CARF Accredited
• AWARE opens school-based program in Billings
• Shea looks to upgrade AWARE Inc.'s transportation service
• More help for Montanans with autism
• AWARE to Open Center for Autism
• Miles City AWARE staff moving to spacious new location
• Local AWARE delegates return from 'Corporate Congress' 2009
• AWARE expands 'Intensive Family Education Support'
• National magazine honors AWARE executive as one of four 'Behavioral Health Champions'
• Children's Advocacy Center to Hold Ribbon Cutting in Helena
• State Contracts Expand Services for Montanans Affected by Developmental Disabilities
• Senators help Bozeman couple achieve homeownership
• AWARE News Archives

September 2011
Bringing the Best in the Nation to Big Sky

Bringing the Best in the Nation to the Big Sky
The third annual Big Sky Psychiatry Conference offers connection, education and recreation for the Montana psychiatric community in a one-of-a-kind format and environment, bringing the best experts to the best doctors in the last best place.
It is our sincere hope that you'll be able to use this time for learning, professional development and fellowship with your peers and colleagues.

Who Should Attend

• Child and adolescent psychiatrists
• General psychiatrists
• Pediatricians

Conference Schedule
January 27, 2012
Dunraven/Obsidian Room, Huntley Lodge

• 7:30 AM: Registration table opens
• 8:00 AM: Welcoming remarks by Dr. Len Lantz
• 8:15 AM: Thomas Hoffman, M.D., "The Duty to Warn: A Review of Case Law in Montana"
• 9:30 AM: Break
• 10:00 AM: Timothy E. Wilens, M.D., "Complex ADHD: Focus on Pharmacotherapy"
• 11:15 AM: Break
• 11:30 AM: Timothy E. Wilens, M.D., "Adult ADHD"
• 12:45 PM: Lunch (provided)
• 1:45 PM: S. Charles Schulz, M.D., "The Prodome of Schizophrenia: Definition and Approaches"
• 3:00 PM: Break
• 3:15 PM: S. Charles Schulz, M.D., "Treatment Approaches to Borderline Personality Disorder"
• 4:30 PM: Reception

Continuing Education Credits
AWARE is affiliated with the University of Washington School of Medicine.

The University of Washington School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Washington School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Conference Information

• Weather conditions at Big Sky are frequently different than those even 20 miles away. Plan accordingly, both in reference to clothing and driving plans.
• For those who aren't accustomed, high elevation can present minor problems, namely exhaustion. To counter this, plan on staying hydrated and limiting alcohol consumption.
• Ski equipment rentals are available at the resort. For information, visit bigskyresort.com.
• Some meals during the course of the conference will not be provided by AWARE. Numerous dining options are available at the resort. To view them, visit bigskyresort.com.
• In reference to meals that are provided by AWARE, please contact Erika White (ewhite@aware-inc.org) if you have specific dietary restrictions.
• For any questions or RSVP information leading up to the event, please contact Erika White (ewhite@awareinc.org).

Guest Speakers

Thomas Hoffman, M.D.

Practicing with AWARE since 2009, Dr. Hoffman serves the vast expanse of central and eastern Montana. As a native Montanan, he is committed to expanding access to psychiatry in rural settings as well as working with youth who are navigating the juvenile justice system. Dr. Hoffman completed his forensic psychiatry fellowship at the University of Colorado, child psychiatry fellowship at the University of New Mexico and general psychiatry residency at the University of Vermont.





Timothy Edwin Wilens, M.D.

Dr. Wilens is an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is also senior staff at the Pediatric Psychopharmacology Clinic and Research Program and codirector of the Center for Addiction Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Dr. Wilens specializes in diagnosis and pharmacological treatment of children and adults with ADHD; bipolar; substance abuse; and other psychopathological conditions by caring for patients, supervising clinical trials and consulting difficult cases. Dr. Wilens is widely published with more than 300 publications to his name and serves on several journal editorial boards. He is sought internationally for his expertise and is a regular presenter at meetings. In addition, Dr. Wilens is a consultant on substance abuse to both the National Football League and Major League Baseball.



S. Charles Schulz, M.D.

Dr. Schulz is currently professor and head of the psychiatry department at the University of Minnesota where he also continues research in psychopharmacology and schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder brain imaging. Dr. Schulz contributed to the psychiatric field by founding a schizophrenia program at the Medical College of Virginia, studying teenagers and efficacy of low-dose neuroleptic; performing research on refractory schizophrenia as the medical director at the schizophrenia module at University of Pittsburg; contributing to the National Plan on Schizophrenia Research at the National Institute of Mental Health; and performing MRI imaging and antipsychotic medication clinical trials in adolescents with schizophrenia, bipolar and borderline personality at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospital of Cleveland. Dr. Schulz is the author of 120 refereed journal articles and six books.

Objectives

• Duty to Warn
• Summarize pertinent case law surrounding a duty to warn
• Evaluate a patient to determine if confidentiality must be breached
• Apply applicable Montana statutes to a duty to warn situation
• Complex ADHD
• Differentiate similarities and differences of available stimulants in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Determine the treatment of special groups of individuals with ADHD
• Describe the major nonstimulant treatments for ADHD
• Explain the current concepts of treating comorbid ADHD pharmacologically
• Adult ADHD
• Recognize the presentation of ADHD in adults
• Discuss nonpharmacological treatment for ADHD in adults
• Determine pharmacological treatment for ADHD in adults
• The Prodrome of Schizophrenia
• Describe the characteristics of the prodrome
• Discuss clinical approaches to the prodrome
• Explain neuropsychiatric parameters of the prodrome
• Treatment Approaches to Borderline Personality Disorder
• Describe the psychotherapeutic approaches to borderline personality disorder
• Discuss the evidence of medication treatments
• Determine ways to combine psychosocial and medication management

Contact:

Timothy Pray, Media Relations Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.656.0928 ext. 24
tpray@aware-inc.org

Jim Tracy, Public Affairs Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 38
jtracy@aware-inc.org

July 2011
Farm in the Dell Breaks Ground at Buxton

"The builder of the house has a greater honor than the house itself." (Hebrews 3: 2-4) That was part of the blessing delivered by the Rev. Gale Everson at the groundbreaking June 24 for the latest Farm in the Dell on 90 acres near Buxton. With snow-capped Mount Fleecer in the background, about 35 people gathered in a pasture colored with sprays of wildflowers and clumps of sage for the ceremony, marking the construction of the fourth Farm in the Dell in Montana for people with developmental disabilities.


AWARE board member Marlene
Holayter visits with Lowell and
Susan Bartels of Farm in the Dell
International at a groundbreaking for the
newest Farm in the Dell at Buxton.

"They'll work here, become self-sufficient and help one another," Lowell Bartels, president of the Helena-based Farm in the Dell International told the gathering. “It is a perfect place for our first phase of constructing a six-bedroom home, a work center and a working cattle ranch."

The home will house six people and employ about 15 full- and part-time caregivers. The work center and ranch will employ another 30-plus people raising farm products and cattle.

Farm in the Dell, which also has operations in Kalispell, Helena and Great Falls, will work with Montana State University Extension Service figuring out what will grow best on the land, which was donated last January by Evan Smalley of Helena. He also paid to have a well drilled on the property.

Farm in the Dell has teamed up with AWARE to operate another new Farm in the Dell in Great Falls, which broke ground last month.

"The people who are behind this get things done," Bartels said in introducing AWARE CEO Larry Noonan, who was among the group of people who turned shovelfuls of dirt while the crowd applauded and cameras clicked.

Also among the ground-breakers were Smalley, Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive Paul Babb, and Mike Kerns, Denise Kelley, Dan Steele, Josh Cleveland and Pandi Highland, all advisory board members for the Buxton Farm in the Dell.


Farm in the Dell ground-breakers, left to right: Paul Babb,
Butte-Silver Bow chief executive; Mike Kerns, advisory
board member for Butte FID; Evan Smalley of Helena,
donor of the property; Denise Kelley, advisory board
member for Butte FID; Larry Noonan, AWARE Inc. CEO;
Dan Steele, advisory board member for Butte FID; Josh
Cleveland, advisory board member for Butte FID; and
Pandi Highland, AWARE lead clinician director and
advisory board member for Butte FID.
Photo by Jim Tracy

The advisory board will lead fund-raising efforts in Butte and Silver Bow County. Stockman’s Bank is helping with additional financial support.

Farm in the Dell is calling on Highland, lead clinician director for AWARE in Butte, for her expertise in agriculture. Her family operates a sprawling cattle ranch near Jordan.

"Our goal is to become self-sufficient," Bartels said. "The idea of the farm is to benefit the developmentally disabled of our community by giving them a home and creating jobs for them. They in turn feel welcomed and part of our communities." Additionally, the farm will create jobs for caregivers, contractors, farm hands and others, he said.

Contact:

Timothy Pray, Media Relations Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.656.0928 ext. 24
tpray@aware-inc.org

Jim Tracy, Public Affairs Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 38
jtracy@aware-inc.org

June 2011
Center for Excellence

AWARE is moving ahead with plans to build a Center for Excellence on reclaimed Superfund land just east of Anaconda.

The project calls for developing administrative offices, a school and other recreational and vocational training facilities on lots 3 and 5 of the East Yards Subdivision. The development would occur in three phases. At the same, AWARE has developed community housing on Pennsylvania Avenue in Anaconda to complement this service.

Ground-breaking is expected to take place next fall. The school design calls for a building roughly 14,000 square feet. It should be 100 percent complete in 9 to 12 months and up and running for the start of school 2012.

AWARE has contracted with Markovich Construction of Butte to build the facilities with designs by L’Heureux Page Werner architects of Great Falls.

The Center for Excellence would provide care of children with significant co-occurring disabilities.

"We hope that Anaconda may become a national center of high quality care for such developmental disabilities as autism," said AWARE CEO Larry Noonan. "The Center for Excellence will also grow out of our 10-year successful programming for children with complex needs at our Galen campus. We anticipate serving upwards of 90 children after the development of all three phases. The project will incorporate 34 years of organizational expertise and critical lessons learned in serving both adults and children with disabilities."

Noonan emphasized that AWARE has worked closely with the local government on the Center for Excellence.

"We've received extraordinary cooperation from Anaconda Deer Lodge County Chief Executive Becky Guay and other county officials," he said. "The Anaconda School District, which will operate the school, has also been extremely helpful and cooperative."

In the initial phase, AWARE will consolidate some of it offices that are now scattered at locations around Anaconda into one central location at the Center for Excellence.

The second phase would involve moving the school and therapeutic program from Galen to the Center for Excellence. AWARE's Galen facility, in operation for 10 years, offers an alternative treatment program for children elementary age through high school that combines education with an intensive residential and behavioral environment. The program’s public school provides a full range of therapeutic support.

AWARE has more than 34 years of experience since it was founded in Anaconda in 1976 in providing services to people with developmental and other disabilities.

"Montana historically has sent away our children with the greatest needs related to disability. In doing so, Montana has also exported state dollars, jobs, and economic opportunities," Noonan said. "Much of AWARE's growth has been related to trying to reverse this trend that makes little sense for our children or for our local economies. We believe that Montana's children need to be served in Montana, creating Montana quality jobs, contributing to our local economies. Our Center for Excellence project will contribute to keeping kids at home in Montana, while greatly contributing to our local Anaconda economy."

With the population of children with severe disabilities being served out of state fluctuating to as many as 150 children, AWARE's planned capacity to serve upwards of 90 children will still not meet demand.

"From our core mission perspective, AWARE wants to meet the needs of this growing population of children with severe disabilities served out of state," Noonan said. "We have worked hard to develop the expertise needed to serve these children here in Montana."

To learn more about the Center for Excellence, or to donate to the project, please call Development Director Richard Saravalli at 406-449-3120 or send an e-mail to: rsaravalli@aware-inc.org.

View a short video on the project

Contact:

Timothy Pray, Media Relations Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.656.0928 ext. 24
tpray@aware-inc.org

Jim Tracy, Public Affairs Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 38
jtracy@aware-inc.org

December 2010
Local AWARE delegates return from Corporate Congress 2010

Fairmont Hot Springs, MT. - Twenty-two AWARE Inc. employees have returned to work in offices across Montana after participating as delegates at a unique corporate gathering that allowed them to sponsor and vote on "bills" to improve the way the company serves customers.

Corporate Congress concluded its three-day session Dec. 3 at Fairmont Hot Springs. This was the 10th Corporate Congress AWARE has convened since 1999.

The employee delegates were:

• Jenny Burk, representing the Missoula/Kalispell District.
• Dan Cass, representing the Galen District.
• Darren Novak, representing the Anaconda District.
• Justin Johnson (did not attend due to sickness), representing Adult DD Work Services.
• Kimberly Lewis, representing the Billings District.
• Dawn Goulet, representing the Helena/Great Falls District.
• George Jenkins, representing AWARE Customers.
• Maya Stessin, representing the Bozeman/Livingston District.
• Jamie Knott, representing Support Services (in place of Rachel Brannen).
• Susan Sinclair, representing Adult Targeted Case Management (Developmental disabilities).
• Ki-Ai Mason, representing Youth Residential Services.
• Lura Nuthak, representing the Butte/Dillon District.
• Barbara Porter, representing Autism Services.
• Karen Richards, representing the Eastern Montana District.
• Kelly McGrath, representing Youth Case Management (in place of Nicole Baldwin).
• Mike Shea, representing Transportation Services.
• Scott Trzinski, representing CSCT.
• Robin Ellison, representing EHS.
• Bob Kimbell, representing Adult Mental Health Services.
• Ashley Wells, representing Adult DD Residential Services.
• Brandy Wilson, representing AWARE Customers.
• Lacie Stanley, representing AWARE Administration Services.
• Julia Valach, representing Children's DD Services.

They were nominated by their peers in October and elected to the gathering in November. The delegates, from AWARE offices across the state, were all non-supervisory and non-management staff, and customers. Delegates were selected to represent every AWARE service and region.

The Congress, which operates in much the same way as the state legislature, adopted 17 measures, including one that would improve passenger safety and service in AWARE's fleet of vehicles and another that would make agency-wide communications more efficient.

The creation of AWARE CEO Larry Noonan, Corporate Congress allows front-line staff in all services to represent fellow employees and consumers in a democratic fashion and participate directly in changing the way the organization does business and serves customers.

"When we gather staff and consumers together and let them tell us what works and what doesn't work - and what we should do differently - it helps the company and benefits the people who use our services," Noonan said.

Said Chief Operations Officer Jeff Folsom, who facilitated the event: "Other companies hire consultants to get the sort of feedback we get from Corporate Congress. At Corporate Congress our employees and consumers are the consultants. Over the years we have adopted nearly all of their suggestions."

Here are the bills that passed with their sponsors:

• "YCM Caseloads Act" - Kelly McGrath
• "Direct Care Staff Vehicle Act" - Karen Richards
• "AED Purchase and Training Act" - Maya Stessin
• "Individualized Discharge Planning Act" - Dan Cass
• "Community Youth Fair Act" - Lura Nuthak
• Peer Representative in Adult Mental Health/DD Group Homes Act" - George Jenkins
• "Activities with Staff Act" - Brandy Wilson
• "Smooth Transitioning Act" - Robin Ellison
• "Professional Development for All Act" - Scott Trzinski
• "AWARE Employees as Positive Role Models for our Communities Act" - Scott Trzinski
• "CSCT Entrance and Exit Guidelines Act" - Scott Trzinski
• "Tiered Work Structure to Build Work Skills for Clients Act" - Justin Johnson
• "Our Connection with our Communities is Vital Act" - Ki-Ai Mason
• "Youth Residential Services Survey Act" - Ki-Ai Mason
• "Passenger Service and Safety Training Act" - Mike Shea
• "Agency-Wide Corporate Communication Web Resource Act" - Lacie Stanley
• "Continuity of Care Act" - Rachel Brannen

Founded in 1976 as a non-profit corporation, AWARE delivers services for persons with challenging mental health, emotional, and in some instances, physical disabilities who otherwise would be served in a more restricted setting or perhaps would not be served at all.

With more than 1,100 employees in 26 communities across Montana, AWARE has been providing homes and training for adults with developmental disabilities for more than 30 years. Among AWARE's services are group home living, supported independent living, supported employment and center-based employment.

AWARE also provides:

• case management for adults with developmental disabilities
• group homes for children needing personal attention and individual treatment for serious emotional disturbances
• case management for children needing mental health treatment
• other youth treatment support services such as family support, transitional living and treatment foster homes
• employment services for the chronically unemployed
• transportation tailored to people with disabilities and special needs

Contact:

Timothy Pray, Media Relations Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.656.0928 ext. 24
tpray@aware-inc.org

Jim Tracy, Public Affairs Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 38
jtracy@aware-inc.org

November 2010
Forget can't and don't

The 10th issue of Apostrophe magazine, a quarterly published by AWARE Inc., will hit the newsstands and mailboxes on Oct. 29. The magazine is devoted to readers with developmental disabilities, their families and friends and the organizations that provide them services. With Apostrophe you can forget can't and don't and think can and do. See a virtual version of Apostrophe at apostrophemagazine.com.

Contact:

Timothy Pray, Media Relations Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.656.0928
tpray@aware-inc.org

Jim Tracy, Public Affairs Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 38
jtracy@aware-inc.org

September 20, 2010
Helping Families All in a day's work for AWARE Clinicians

Spend time with AWARE's lead clinicians and you come away with the impression that they believe in what they do, care deeply about the people they work with and depend on one another for advice and support. They're also a key in implementing AWARE's 10 Principles of Unconditional Care.

The concept of having leading clinicians is fairly new. In 2006, Dr. Leonard Lantz, AWARE medical director, and Jeff Folsom, chief of operations, started discussing lead clinicians as part of a re-organization effort that allowed AWARE to separate administrative duties (often assigned to therapists in human service organizations) from clinical supervision and leadership.

"We were discussing ideas about how to raise the quality of service delivery across all AWARE communities," said Lantz. "One of the ideas that we kept returning to was having a top-notch therapist - or lead clinician - available to staff for supervision and support in our different communities." They reasoned that the lead clinician could support and help improve several different services.

"Historically, clinicians have provided management functions despite the fact that they are trained as clinicians," Folsom said. "The re-organization allowed us to utilize the strengths of our therapists rather than pushing them into management positions and duties, providing less job satisfaction and less successful organizational management." The lead clinicians, however, have proven that they can do so much more.

"What started out as a general role for a lead clinician has now transformed and deepened over the last two years into a coaching role with several key components," Lantz said.

A priority of lead clinicians is to ensure that services and support provided in AWARE's communities are in keeping with the Unconditional Care principles. Lantz believes they've gone beyond that. "I've been able to work with all of the lead clinicians in one setting or another, and I've been joining the monthly lead clinician calls," he said. "It's simply inspiring to see a team of professionals living and breathing the Unconditional Care principles. The lead clinicians demonstrate a never-give-up attitude in helping individuals, families and staff find solutions to complex problems."

Lead clinicians are a central part of child and family teams. In maintaining a wraparound treatment philosophy, they help ensure that natural supports are identified and included in child and family teams.

"Our lead clinicians also support our case managers in writing measurable goals in strength-based treatment plans, and they bring to treatment planning their understanding of behavioral theory and evidenced-based interventions," Lantz said.

"Lead clinicians have been instrumental in the development of the use of child and family teams across AWARE, and have been pivotal in helping the teams focus on family-driven care," added Lead Clinician Pandi Highland.

Lantz said he has been especially impressed with the leadership and dedication of the group. They do more than just try hard, he said.

"It's my belief that their involvement has resulted in improved outcomes for the people we serve." "Lead clinicians have even been developed as subject and content experts for specialized trainings for AWARE Inc staff," said Highland.

The seven clinicians who cover the state for AWARE are Danielle Eldridge, Shawna Schaar, Anna Rapson, Andrea Savage, David Lynch, Carol Chisholm and Highland, who leads the team and also covers the Billings area. They recently agreed to share their thoughts about their work with INK.

Andrea Savage, lead clinician for AWARE in Great Falls, serves the Head Start program as a mentor and coach for support staff. She also works with Head Start classroom teachers and does training and collaboration. Savage, a licensed clinical professional counselor, has been a clinician for a year and has worked for AWARE since 2009. She describes success as "the glue that holds the team together and motivates team members to want to serve families above what is expected." "Success is also having that family realize that they have moved from point A to point B on their own with support and celebration from their team members," she said.

For Savage, the best part of the job is working with 3- and 4-year-old children. "It keeps me young and grounded," she said. "It makes me smile when one of my kids tells another peer, 'Click on your ears,' or another statement that is being taught or reinforced in a therapeutic setting. It's like, 'WOW,' they get this stuff!" Not fun is the paperwork. "It takes time away from doing the real work with the children and their families," she said. What challenges her is working with children others may have already labeled as "broken" and getting family members or other providers to believe nothing is impossible.

Among the people who have made a strong impression on her is her mentor, Andreé Delighdish. "She was my clinical supervisor for most of my journey," Savage said. "She has been a clinician for over 50 years and has taught me to work 'old school' social work by continually connecting with families at their levels and abilities. Plus... she has awesome stories from all of her experience. I keep bugging her to write a book about her life and journey."

Savage believes support from family and friends is key for the people she treats. These natural supports will be in place long after AWARE, she said. "These supports make success possible."

Savage earned a B.A. in psychology and human Services from MSU-Billings in 1990. She earned a master's of education in counseling from MSU-Northern in Havre in 2005 and expects to complete her doctorate in industrial and organizational psychology from Walden University in 2011. Before joining AWARE in 2009, she worked as a counselor with Intermountain Children"s Home in Helena from 1990-92 and as program deputy director for Opportunities Inc.-Head Start from 1994-2009.

"I often make sure my personal relationships help equal out my job, meaning I really have fun when I am not at work and make sure to follow my own goals and hobbies with family and friends," she said. When she needs help on a case, she calls on her colleagues. "I really use the lead clinician monthly call as an avenue to ask for support," she said, adding that she consults with Pandi Highland, lead clinician director for clinical support.

Dave Lynch, lead clinician in Butte, Anaconda, Deer Lodge and surrounding areas, defines his role like this: "The lead clinician provides clinical guidance, support, and leadership for all members of the support services team and case managers to ensure that every child, adult, and family receiving AWARE services receives the highest quality of care."

"We mentor staff to consistently apply Adware"s unconditional care principles in all aspects of their daily jobs and we guide staff to implement effective wrap-around interventions to set up everyone in our care for success in their homes and communities," he said. "As licensed clinicians, we also provide direct therapeutic services to kids and families."

According to Lynch, who has been a lead clinician for AWARE for a year and a half after working for about seven and a half years for another agency, success means "developing a meaningful relationship and connection with another person to help that individual discover how to use her personal strengths, abilities, and resilience to overcome her challenges effectively."

"To provide effective therapy," he said, "is to empower people with the tools to embark on a meaningful journey of acceptance and change towards becoming the heroes and heroines of their own life stories."

The best part of the job, he believes, is getting the opportunity to help make a meaningful difference in the lives of kids and families while teaching, guiding, and coaching other professionals to do the same. "I get to help people discover the strength, power and love that they carry within themselves," he said. "Most importantly, I have the privilege to bear witness to the inspirational journeys of kids facing overwhelming odds, abuse and adversity discover their own power and capacity for love." His greatest challenge is "effectively balancing all of my different responsibilities to ensure that I do a quality job in all areas."

Asked to name someone who has made a difference in his professional life, he pointed to Mary Jane Fox, his first licensing supervisor. "She is one of the most accepting and compassionate people that I have ever known," Lynch said. "Her passion for social justice, advocacy at every level from individual kids and families to national policy changes, commitment to the social work profession, unconditional positive regard for both her staff and clients, and her focus on what matters most continue to inspire me today."

"Mary Jane always ended every conversation with the phrase 'have fun' to remind us that it is by having fun with kids and celebrating their strengths, not by focusing on their problems, that we have the opportunity to make the most meaningful difference. Several years ago, Mary Jane was honored with the lifetime achievement award for social workers in Helena, Montana and I can think of no one more deserving of such an honor."

Lynch, a licensed clinical social worker, said he also values the monthly lead clinician phone call. "We staff cases, share ideas, and support each other," he said. "We have OOPS and other staffings where we get together via phone conference to share ideas and support each other in promoting unconditional care and wrap-around philosophy for some of our most challenging cases throughout the state."

He said clinicians also call one another for one-to-one support and ideas. "When we travel to different communities, we often gather for lunch or dinner," he said. "We also constantly collaborate during weekly and in-depth staffings with the treatment service clinicians in our communities."

What he likes most about AWARE is its foundation of unconditional care principles and the wrap-around approach. "I love how we strive to empower families by providing them with the necessary tools and supports to raise their own kids at home instead of pressuring families to ship their kids off to treatment facilities," he said.

Lynch received a B.A. in education from Colorado College in May 2000, graduating magna cum laude as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, with distinction in his major of philosophy. In December 2002, he earned a master's in social work from University of Michigan School of Social Work, with a dual concentration of interpersonal practice with children and youth. He has been a licensed clinical social worker in Montana since July 2007 and previously worked as a therapist in a school program, residential treatment, and a therapeutic boarding school.

Lynch says his clinical work involves developing comprehensive wrap-around teams and supports for disenfranchised kids, treating traumatized teens, dialectical behavior therapy skills, collaborative problem solving, adventure therapy, narrative therapy, understanding generational poverty, solution-focused therapy and family systems.

Shawna E. Schaar is responsible for quality assurance for children and families AWARE serves in Bozeman and Livingston. That includes attending strength-based plan meetings as well as editing plans after they are written and doing mental health assessments.

"I also help empower our staff team and families with our mission statement as well as our 10 principles of unconditional care," said Schaar, who started at AWARE as a part time therapist in September 2001.

Schaar, who holds a master"s in social work, believes a successful clinician is an active listener who builds on a client"s strengths in every session and treatment meeting.

"I also believe in empowering individuals and families to believe they can accomplish what they want in therapy as well as life," she said. "I am really into meeting the client where they are at."

Schaar enjoys the variety of children and families she works with. "I do believe our UCC principle of ‘Families are the most important resource,"" she said. "I want to help our children and families achieve what they need to help them in all areas of their lives. I love treatment meetings where we celebrate the little and big successes! I also really love working with the staff team. It"s very rewarding to watch people grow in their positions and celebrate the successes we have with the children and families we serve."

What she likes least about the job are days with no treatment meetings.

She finds the greatest challenges in her job come from "our more seriously emotionally disturbed children." "These are the children with more than one diagnosis who are struggling with mental illness every hour of every day," she said. "I want them to ‘get better," and sometimes this is challenging."

Her favorite mentor is lead clinician Pandi Highland. "She really has helped me with my role with quality assurance and upholding our UCC principles," Schaar said. "She is an excellent listener and helps me if I need to staff a challenging case. She is very strength based in all that she does, and I love her positive outlook in regards to the children and families we serve."

Schaar believes support from family and friends "is very important."

She graduated with a B.S. in psychology from Southern Oregon University in 1988, and earned a B.A. in English in 1992 from SOU. She earned a master"s in social work from Portland State University 2001.

Last year, Schaar won the Unconditional Care Employee of the Year award, "a very big honor that I will never forget!"

Anna Rapson, a licensed clinical social worker, provides clinical supervision to staff in Miles City and Glendive. The Eastern Montana office also serves children in Terry and Forsyth. She sees her job as helping "to ensure that our services are therapeutic in nature, in a way that utilizes the child"s and family"s strength-based plan to help them build skills and abilities that incorporate their strengths and needs to maximize progress quality of life."

"Clinical supervision is delivered through consultation, training, education, teaching, attending and supporting the development of SBP"s, and reviewing progress notes to help ensure quality of care," said Rapson, a licensed clinical social worker. "I also provide individual, family and group outpatient therapy to children and their families to help address underlying emotional needs that are contributing to current struggles or difficulties.

Rapson, who has been a clinician since 2004 and has worked for AWARE for three and a half years, believes professionals like herself find the most success "when they are able to be present in their work - whether that be with children, their families, staff or colleagues."

"I wholeheartedly believe in our unconditional care principles, and I feel that AWARE makes a genuine effort for these to be reflected in the work that we do with families, on a variety of levels," she said. "I thoroughly enjoy working with kids, their families, and helping our staff to provide quality, strength-based care."

If there"s a worst part of the job it"s "not being able to serve kids that don"t meet SED (severely emotionally disturbed) criteria, yet still clearly need additional support."

She said she finds it a challenge to maintain good time management while balancing her duties and roles as a lead clinician. Rapson said she was fortunate to have had good clinical supervision during training to acquire a master"s in social work and while studying to become a candidate for licensing.

"I worked with a child/adolescent psychiatrist, whom I have tremendous respect for," she said. "He taught me the importance of authenticity, use of self, and being present with families to help foster meaningful change through very small steps. He helped me to appreciate the intricacy of ‘process" that comes with time, patience, practice, and is developed over time."

Like her colleagues, she believes natural supports such as family and friends "are essential in the treatment process, particularly for longevity of change." She also believes strongly in teamwork and the concept of wraparound services to empower families to create meaningful change.

"In collaborating with other therapists, I make an effort to convey this through our interactions and communication in how I may highlight a family"s or child"s strengths and needs, and brainstorm together how we may best address those," she said.

"I may also talk with other therapists about how our staff may carry over strategies or skills they are working to build with the child/family into their school, home or community environment to maximize progress and emphasize our intent to truly ‘collaborate.""

Rapson earned a B.A. in social work and family studies from Concordia College in 1999 and a master"s in social work from the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work in 2004. She became a licensed clinical social worker in 2007.

Before coming to AWARE she was a school social worker from 2003-07 with the San Juan Board of Cooperative Services in Durango, Colo.

As lead clinician in Helena, Carol Chisholm oversees mental health treatments for families in AWARE services. She also helps shape, design and implement treatment.

"Using Unconditional Care Principles," Chisholm said, "I help the staff (youth case managers, adult case managers, treatment service specialist and treatment service technicians) stay focused on family strengths and design dynamic, flexible, creative treatments that support families through their everyday life struggles.

"My focus is always on moving individuals toward what is best in them, teaching new skills, encouraging competence and celebrating successes."

Chisholm, a licensed clinical professional counselor and a clinician in private practice in Helena for 25 years, joined AWARE in 2009.

"My decision to work for an agency like AWARE was based on needing to begin to move toward my retirement and looking for an opportunity to ‘give back to my profession by mentoring up-and-coming new talent entering the field of social service," she said.

She describes success as "when you can ‘settle" yourself down in a session in order to be useful to the client." "By that I mean…. being able to put your own agenda aside while staying present and focused to stories unfolding in front of you. Being useful to clients means that you are engaged in such a way that you are challenging without leading; listening without agreeing and helping them ‘hear themselves. When an individual begins to ‘hear" and listen to their own voice and pays attention to what they value, they begin to take steps toward the genuine authentic self turning people onto themselves…that to me is success."

The part of the job she likes best is meeting with families and staff.

The most challenging part of the job, she said, is keeping staff motivated and supported. "The work is hard," she said. "The families are tough. Sometimes they get anxious and overwhelmed in working with the families"

Her most valuable resource and mentor is Dr. David Schnarch. "I met him in the "90s in an introductory workshop on marriage and the differentiation process," she said. "I returned for about four more intensive workshops with him. He changed my life in many ways and informed much of the way I do therapy today."

Chisholm said she likes working for AWARE because of its belief in helping engage families with their natural supports.

"It makes the most sense….these are the people that know the family and have some kind of investment in seeing that the family succeeds," she said. "They are the folks that will travel with them through time. Those are the folks that need to be involved in the treatment process. The professionals are here only to guide the entire system through the immediate crisis or life transition."

A licensed clinical professional counselor and certified chemical dependency counselor, Chisholm earned a B.A. in elementary education from Carroll College in Helena in 1970 and a master"s in marriage and family therapy from Phillips Graduate Institute in Encino, Calif., in 1989.

Danielle Eldridge, lead clinician in Billings, has worked for AWARE for three years. "I am a jack of all trades and my ‘job" is constantly changing depending on the needs in the community," Eldridge said. "My job is to be flexible in providing leadership, service, a listening ear, clinical guidance, rapport building, cohesion, communication and a million more little things that vary from day to day."

Eldridge, a licensed clinical social worker, described two kinds of success.

Success for a clinician, she said, is "when a child or family begins to make progress in whatever area they were struggling most or even if parents begin to gain insight into understanding their child that can feel like success."

"It can feel like success when a child or family begins to develop skills they were lacking when they started services," she said.

As a lead clinician, she said, success happens "when everyone is working as a team on the same page to carry out a plan and the child and family is benefitting."

The best part of the job for Eldridge is getting to know people, learning about them, seeing their strengths and watching them grow. "I love attending strength-based plans for this reason," she said.

The worst part of the job is "trying to find time to do my best at everything I want to do well - balancing."

Eldridge said she finds challenges in "finding ways to teach others, grow myself to be able to guide others, and dealing with multiple crisis situations all at once and keeping a positive attitude and encouraging the staff and families affected by it."

Eldridge earned a B.S. in psychology from York College in York, Neb., in 2002 and a master"s in social work from Walla Walla (Washington) College in 2007. She received her clinical social work license in 2009.

She remembers a college teacher who made a strong impression on her.

This teacher "challenged my beliefs about what it meant to be a ‘social worker,"" she said. "He is the calmest, most laid-back man, yet his classes were the most challenging and thought provoking. I didn"t realize how much I had learned until I got to grad school and realized the classes I took from him were on par with those I took in grad school."

Like other clinicians, Eldridge believes in the value of a healthy support system in determining whether a family makes progress.

"I think natural supports help reduce families" stress in many ways -— someone to talk to, someone to help with difficult kids, someone to do something with, etc., and reduced stress equals a better state of mind for making changes and learning new skills," she said.

When she runs into a difficult case, she turns to other clinicians for help. "I often call Pandi (Highland) and Anna (Rapson) to staff difficult cases, get feedback and ground myself if there is a lot going on," she said.

"There are also lead clinician calls that provide an atmosphere for collaboration and learning.

"I also try to work with community therapists that might have mutual clients so that we are on the same page with goals and how to achieve those goals with families."

According to Eldridge, "collaboration is one of the greatest resources a therapist can have access to." "Having someone to bounce ideas off of, and give me feedback can create a whole new picture I didn"t see when I was looking at it with my eyes only," she said, "or help reaffirm what I knew to be true in a difficult and challenging case."

Pandi Highland, who leads AWARE"s clinicians statewide, also serves as lead clinician in Billings. She has been a clinician for nine years and has worked for AWARE for three years.

She believes clinicians succeed when they find the "right plan with the person served and their family team."

The support of family and friends, she said, "is integral and very important to the individuals AWARE serves."

"Family and friends make up their treatment teams and are part of their treatment, making them necessary parts to the success that each individual achieves," she said.

For Highand, the best part of the job is collaborating "with all of the incredible lead clinicians at AWARE Inc." "Each person that serves as a lead clinician has their own unique experiences and strengths, which they are willing to share and teach others," she said.

"As well, each lead clinician is so willing to learn and grow, and I have the role of helping them find ways to do so.

"The clinicians at AWARE are notorious for embodying the Unconditional Care principle of ‘We take on and stick with the hardest challenge." This is often the best part of the job. We, as lead clinicians, have the awesome daily opportunity to teach and coach other staff, community stake holders and families on how to engage and put our values to work!"

Highland said she doesn"t have a single favorite mentor or teacher, but includes among those she turns to for advice and guidance Dr. Ira Lourie, AWARE"s senior medical consultant; Dr. Len Lantz, medical director; and fellow clinicians Shawna Schaar, Dave Lynch, Carol Chisholm, Danielle Eldridge, Andrea Savage and Anna Rapson.

She collaborates with other AWARE clinicians daily.

"I field calls regarding anything from crisis issues to ethical concerns on a regular basis," she said. "I am always available for clinicians as a resource, and I center my full attention and presence to each call or meeting, to make sure that I am hearing all of their needs and concerns, and also to make sure I am responding with information that is useful and helpful."

Highland earned her undergraduate degree at Montana State University-Billings in 1999. She earned a master"s in social work at Colorado State University in 2001 and received her licensure as a clinical social worker in February 2004.

Contact:

Timothy Pray, Media Relations Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 15
tpray@aware-inc.org

Jim Tracy, Public Affairs Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 38
jtracy@aware-inc.org

April 19, 2010
AWARE's Boundaries class for adults with develpmental disabilities

Students in AWARE's Boundaries class for adults with developmental disabilities use hula hoops in their lessons - and not just for laughs or for exercise.

"People learn from various styles," says instructor Jamie Knott. "Some people are visual learners and some are auditory learners. Others are kinesthetic learners. The hula hoops are a visual example of personal space and where each person's boundaries are."

To demonstrate that concept, the students place a hula hoop - about 40 inches around - on the floor and then step into it. The area inside the hula hoop represents the personal space most people feel comfortable with, Knott said.

A therapeutic services coordinator, Knott has been meeting with the class of 10 adults from Anaconda every weekday since late September. The class is split into two groups of five who meet on alternate days - one on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and the other on Tuesday and Thursday. The next week they switch.

The idea for the class originated with Knute Oaas, AWARE's longtime behavioral services coordinator, who had used a similar concept when working with people at the Montana Developmental Center at Boulder.

"He thought such a class would give participants insights into the issues they face while at the same time helping them develop a sense of personal boundaries and respect for themselves and others around them," Knott said.

Oaas met with Donna Kelly, developmental disability quality assurance coordinator, and other service coordinators who work with people with developmental disabilities in the Anaconda area.

They drew up a list of adults they believed would benefit from boundaries training people.

Knott met with each potential participant to create a strength-based curriculum.

"We discussed with each person his or her strengths and they concerns they felt they would like to work on," she said. "Those concerns and strengths were then incorporated into the curriculum. The adults guide the group in what they want help with."

For instance, one adult said he struggles with honesty, which was something the group hadn't covered yet, Knott said.

"I added that to the next group session," she said. "We work on other topics besides honesty. For instance, we have discussed rules in the group and how the rules can be carried over into their lives either at home, at work or in the community. We have discussed how anger has been an issue for folks and we have developed de-escalation strategies."

"We've also developed a greater sense of awareness in regards to feelings. We work on controlling emotions, ways to express their emotions calmly, how name calling hurts feelings, treating others the way we want to be treated, respect, boundaries and relationships, and developing assertiveness since many of them fear saying 'no' because they might lose a friend or they fear they won"t be liked."

Knott uses the strength-based plan to measure progress. Participants also measure their own progress toward the established goals they've chosen to work on. Knott updates the strength-based plans every three months.

"We encourage and invite members of the team, including the program manager, the independent living supervisor, family and other community support," she said.

Knott said participants have shown an eagerness to learn new skills.

"They see how methods they have been using perhaps aren't the only way to handle a situation," she said.

Oaas said feedback he is getting from people who live and work with the boundaries students show the classes are having a positive effect.

"The students are starting to apply in their lives what they're learning in class," he said. "I've wanted this in our training program for some time. To have it started and producing results is good."

Once the program is firmly established in Anaconda, he hopes to implement it in other communities where AWARE offers services to people with disabilities.

Contact:

Timothy Pray, Media Relations Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 15
tpray@aware-inc.org

Jim Tracy, Public Affairs Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 38
jtracy@aware-inc.org

March 2010
AWARE CARF Accredited

CARF International has accredited AWARE Inc. for three years for its community services, case management, community housing and intensive family-based services. AWARE received four exemplary citations, including two for services for children with autism spectrum disorders. Read the full report.

Contact:

Timothy Pray, Media Relations Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 15
tpray@aware-inc.org

Jim Tracy, Public Affairs Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 38
jtracy@aware-inc.org

September 17, 2009
AWARE opens school-based program in Billings

Billings, Montana â€" In collaboration with the Billings School District, AWARE Inc. has begun serving middle and high school-aged adolescents with autism spectrum disorders at its day treatment program, the Enterprise Learning Center. All are students of the school district.

The Enterprise Learning Center curriculum of advanced behavioral strategies uses the core principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), a leading approach in the treatment of people with autism spectrum disorders.

All educational goals and objectives are met through collaboration with the public schools. All educational plans are guided by the Individualized Educational Plan that the child’s family has established with the school. Billings Public Schools provide special education staff to develop and oversee the educational program.

AWARE is committed to building a bridge between home and school for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. A wraparound approach to services encompasses the needs of a child across all settings. The intensive day services and ABA approaches being used at the center are designed to help a child develop self-esteem, make significant developmental progress, learn through experiences, develop social circles of support, make friends and gain the skills necessary to successfully transition to adult life.

The Enterprise Learning Center Staff are:

Renae Jones, service administrator: 11 years with AWARE, service administrator for children’s developmental disability services. Obtaining board certified behavior analysis certification in Montana.

Dan MacDonald, program director: 29 years of experience in the field of developmental disabilities, children and adult services.

Dustin Toth, academic coordinator: Eight years teaching at the elementary level with an elementary education degree and a masters of education in curriculum instruction.

Heather Tullar, behavior care coordinator: Four years working as a teacher's assistant in a room for children with severe disabilities. Two years as a habilitation technician working with children with severe autism.

Crystal Carpenter, behavior care coordinator: Two years of experience working one-on-one with a child with severe autism.

Brandon Cox, behavior care coordinator: Three years at MSU-Bozeman and one year at MSU-Billings, majors in special and elementary education.

A.W.A.R.E. Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides a range of community-based services for children and adults with disabilities. A.W.A.R.E. services are strength-based, family focused, individualized and comprehensive. A.W.A.R.E. has 18 offices of operation throughout the state and employs more than 700 workers. A.W.A.R.E. recently earned a full three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF.)

Contact:

Timothy Pray, Media Relations Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 15
tpray@aware-inc.org

Jim Tracy, Public Affairs Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 38
jtracy@aware-inc.org

August 31, 2009
Shea looks to upgrade AWARE Inc.'s transportation service

ANACONDA, MT â€" Each month AWARE Inc. puts 50,000 miles on its fleet of 100 vehicles.

"As such, our vehicles are in a constant need of maintenance, repair and replacement," says new transportation coordinator Mike Shea. "With that in mind, I think one of the chief duties I have is to determine what can be done to make the transportation services we provide more efficient and more effective given the resources we have to work with."

Shea, 54, joined AWARE in May after spending two years as a case manager for the Watch Program operated by Community Counseling and Corrections Services at Warm Springs.

Before that he served as Butte-Silver Bow’s finance and budget director.

His position with AWARE, though, brings him back to his first job with local government in Butte after graduating with a degree in business administration/accounting from the University of Montana in 1978.

"When I first graduated college, I was hired as the transit director for Butte-Silver Bow and so it's been interesting to deal with some of the same issues that I was dealing with back then.... and to actually work with some of the same people as I was working with back then," he said. "It's as if I have come full circle."

Shea described his duties as transportation coordinator as "far reaching."

"Transportation is associated in some form with just about every service AWARE provides," he said.

A big part of his job will involve looking for sources of funds that will allow the corporation to replace aging vehicles.

"As a rule, this is accomplished through the grant process, so grant writing will play a prominent part," Shea said.

"Obviously, this is by no means inclusive. As a new position, I think the job will continually evolve."

Shea is married to the former Lisa Blaskovich (born and reared in Anaconda). Their son, Dylan, age 9, is a fourth-grader at Butte Central Elementary.

Contact:

Timothy Pray, Media Relations Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 15
tpray@aware-inc.org

Jim Tracy, Public Affairs Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 38
jtracy@aware-inc.org

March 19, 2009
More help for Montanans with autism

AWARE seeks to continue the success of its community living initiatives with a program in Missoula for people with autism spectrum disorders.

Missoula, Montana â€" AWARE Inc, Montana’s largest human services provider, announces the opening of its newest residential program for young adults with autism spectrum disorders, AWARE’s Missoula Community Living Initiative. The program will employ up to 14 people from the Missoula area.

This initiative is the second program of its kind in Montana. The Candlelight Community Living Initiative (also operated by AWARE) has been serving four children with autism spectrum disorders in Bozeman since May 2008. AWARE chose Missoula as the location for this initiative for its proximity to the residents’ families, underscoring our belief that people with disabilities or mental illnesses should be served close to home and in the least-restrictive setting.

Autism is defined by the Autism Society of America as "a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills." Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. Autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and at varying degrees.

The new program will create 14 jobs with benefits, resulting in more than $440,000 in annual Missoula County ongoing sustainable long-term direct economic activity, including direct wages and local purchasing.

That goes along with $400,000 in additional immediate short-term economic activity, including real estate purchases, training, renovation construction, program development wages, and purchases for furnishings, appliances and adaptive medical equipment.

Over the next 10 years, AWARE estimates the direct impact for Missoula County to be more than $5,440,000.

"Autism continues to be a growing concern for Montana families, and we’re eager to continue addressing those concerns with a dynamic and caring staff who have been trained in the most current and nationally-recognized methods and technology," said Larry Noonan, AWARE chief executive.

An open house event will be scheduled for late spring.

AWARE offers family support services, youth case management, case management for adults with developmental disabilities, adolescent group homes, intensive family education and support services (in-home services for children with developmental disabilities such as autism), outpatient treatment and psychiatric services. AWARE’s office in Missoula is located at 2300 Regent, Suite 103.

A.W.A.R.E. Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides a range of community-based services for children and adults with disabilities. A.W.A.R.E. services are strength-based, family focused, individualized and comprehensive. A.W.A.R.E. has 18 offices of operation throughout the state and employs more than 700 workers. A.W.A.R.E. recently earned a full three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF.)

Contact:

Timothy Pray, Media Relations Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 15
tpray@aware-inc.org

Jim Tracy, Public Affairs Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 38
jtracy@aware-inc.org

April 28, 2008
AWARE to Open Center for Autism

Through a contract with Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, AWARE will open the state's first intensive residential program in Bozeman focusing on young people challenged by autism and other developmental delays.

Bozeman – AWARE, Inc., Montana’s largest human service provider, has been awarded a contract by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services’ (DPHHS) Developmental Disabilities Program (DDP) to offer intensive residential services to children affected by developmental disabilities.

AWARE’s Candlelight Community Living Initiative, slated to open on May 1, 2008, in Bozeman, will serve four young people from around the state who have intense developmental and behavioral needs such as those arising from autism spectrum disorders. The children will range in age from 10 to 16, and each child will attend the appropriate public school. What are autism spectrum disorders?

The Autism Society of America defines autism as "a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. Autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and at varying degrees."

The opening of the home represents an increasing need felt by some Montana families overwhelmed by the high level of care and attention their children require. "DDP has many children waiting for services, and some of them are requiring out of home placements," says Jeff Sturm, DDP director. "Group homes are one alternative that we needed to expand to meet the needs of those children."

All of AWARE’s services adhere to a "wraparound" philosophy, meaning that community and family life become the primary catalysts for the child’s and family’s treatment.

"AWARE firmly believes that every individual can be, and should be allowed to access, enjoy, and contribute to their community," says Teresa Rivenes, administrator for AWARE’s Intensive Family Education and Support Services and this new residential program. She continues, "Children develop additional skills when they are given opportunities to learn and develop those skills in the community in the context of their daily lives and routines. In order for children to develop their highest level of independence and achieve their maximum potential they need multiple opportunities in the community to learn, practice, and perfect new skills."

Through its Intensive Family Education and Support, AWARE has been providing services to this segment of the population since 2002 in the homes of families whose children have developmental and behavioral challenges, including autism. Recently, AWARE became the first human service provider to offer these services statewide. These services include respite, family support, adaptive equipment, case management and habilitative aids.

"Based on the relationships we've built during the course of the time that we've been providing those services, it has become increasingly clear that some of these kids and families need more intensive care," says Larry Noonan, CEO of AWARE. "That is why we jumped at the opportunity to submit our proposal to the state when they put out their request." The DPHHS asked for proposals in January. "We had an open process where providers were allowed to submit their proposals, and AWARE was selected from that process by the proposal evaluation team, says Sturm.

The new program is being publicized as a "center for excellence" in the treatment and education surrounding autism spectrum disorders. This treatment and education will be provided by master’s level staff familiar with both the community and the detailed needs of the children being served. Additionally, all staff will be trained in ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis), a best practice intervention for the treatment of autism and related disorders. AWARE hopes to have the first ABA certified staff in the state of Montana. Due to the intensive level of attention required by the children, staffing ratios are high.

That goes along with $400,000 in additional immediate short-term economic activity, including real estate purchases, training, renovation construction, program development wages, and purchases for furnishings, appliances and adaptive medical equipment.

Over the next 10 years, AWARE estimates the direct impact for Gallatin County and the Bozeman area at more than $5 million.

By this time next year, AWARE hopes to have another home operating in Gallatin County, essentially doubling the impact. "It is our goal to have three homes running in the next two to three years," said AWARE CEO Larry Noonan. "This would make it clear that this is a center of excellence with all the professional relationships and staff that would be included in the Gallatin County network of homes."

Those interested in pursuing employment within the new program should contact Leighanne Fogerty, AWARE Human Resources Specialist, at 406.563.8117, extension 19.

Montana defines a developmental disability as follows:

"…a disability attributable to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, or any neurological handicapping condition closely related to mental retardation. The disability must have been documented to have originated before the individual attained the age of 18, and is expected to continue indefinitely and constitute a substantial hardship."

AWARE Inc. provides group homes for youth and adults, case management, supported living, family support, Early Head Start, Intensive Family Education and Support services, community mental health supports, outpatient psychiatric services, transportation services, work services, and leads the effort with the Montana Home Choice Coalition in making home ownership a reality for those affected by disability.

AWARE Inc.’s services are strength-based, family focused, individualized and comprehensive. AWARE recently earned a full three year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.

Contact:

Timothy Pray, Media Relations Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 15
tpray@aware-inc.org

Jim Tracy, Public Affairs Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 38
jtracy@aware-inc.org

April 25, 2008
Miles City AWARE staff moving to spacious new location

MILES CITY â€" AWARE Inc.’s Miles City staff will move into new offices on South Fourth Street at the end of April. The move provides a good illustration of the company’s growth in Eastern Montana.

When AWARE first opened its office here in 2006, the location at 1709 Batchelor St. was large enough to accommodate a staff of three – Service Administrator Jeff Regan and adult case managers Eileen Dey and Keith Polesky.

Today AWARE employs 14 people in Miles City, including eight who need permanent offices.

"We just quickly outgrew our space," said Regan. "Our two-year lease was up in March, so it worked out almost perfectly.

Regan said the new location at 305 S. Fourth, which formerly housed the Bureau of Land Management, provides 2,200 square feet of office space, compared to only 1,200 in the current location. Another 800-square-foot common space, including a conference room, makes it ideal for staff meetings and training.

The new location also comes with private offices.

"The landlord put up inside walls for individual offices, so now we have three individual offices for staff who provide services to youth," Regan said.

They also have a table and waiting room "and way more privacy," he said. Staff will use another separate office as a therapy room. The space affords users privacy for therapy and activities, such as arts and crafts.

Other staff doing targeted case management, meanwhile, have separate offices in another area of the building, plus a waiting room and storage area. There is also enough space for the clinical supervisor.

AWARE's Miles City operation will also get a technology upgrade in the move. The office is slated to receive several new computers and a new phone system with a separate fax line.

"We use that fax line for everything, so that will help out a lot," Regan said.

The new office also comes with more parking for staff and visitors, plus a picnic area and an empty lot next store.

"We want start a garden in the lot this spring for our kids to work in," Regan said. AWARE staff in Miles City besides Regan, Dey and Polesky are :

Trista Muraoka, youth case manager; Jennifer Preble, treatment service specialist; Bill Hill, treatment service technician; Anna Rapson, treatment service clinician; Beth Tunnell, treatment service technician; Joe Jerrel, treatment service technician; Lou Straub, adult case manager; Caleb Samuelson, treatment service technician; Jamie Fischer, treatment service technician; and Curtis Fillefer, treatment service technician.

AWARE’s presence in Miles City results in more than $400,000 in annual Custer County on-going sustainable long-term direct economic activity.

Contact:

Jim Tracy, Public Affairs, AWARE, Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 38
jtracy@aware-inc.org

Jeff Regan, Service Administrator, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.232.4765
jregan@aware-inc.org

December 14, 2007
Local AWARE delegates return from 'Corporate Congress'

FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS, MT - AWARE Inc. employees Becky Clark, Mona Fergerson, Lisa Huber, Jamie Knott, and Erman Miller have returned to work in Anaconda and Galen after participating as delegates at a unique corporate gathering that allowed them to sponsor and vote on "bills" to improve the way their company serves consumers.

Corporate Congress sponsored by AWARE Inc. concluded its three-day session Dec. 7 at Fairmont Hot Springs. This is the ninth Corporate Congress AWARE has convened since 1992.

Clark, Huber, Knott, Fergerson and Miller were among 23 delegates nominated by their peers in October and elected to the gathering in November. The delegates, from AWARE offices across the state, were all non-supervisory and non-management staff. Delegates were selected to represent every AWARE service and region.

The Congress, which operates in much the same way as the state legislature, adopted 23 measures including one Knott sponsored to improve communications between supervisors and staff and one Miller authored to help introduce new employees to people in the community who provide health care and other service to AWARE clients.

The creation of AWARE CEO Larry Noonan, Corporate Congress allows front-line staff in all services to represent fellow employees and consumers in a democratic fashion and participate directly in changing the way the organization does business and serves clients.

"When we gather staff and consumers together and let them tell us what works and what doesn't work â€" and what we should do differently â€" it helps the company, but even more it benefits the people who use our services," Noonan said. Said Chief Operations Officer Jeff Folsom, who facilitated the event: "Other companies hire consultants to get the sort of feedback we get from Corporate Congress. You know the definition of a consultant â€" someone who comes in, borrows your watch, tells you what time it is, keeps the watch, and charges you an exorbitant fee.

"At Corporate Congress our employees and consumers are the consultants. Over the years we have adopted nearly all of their suggestions.

Contact:

Jim Tracy, Public Affairs, AWARE, Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 38
jtracy@aware-inc.org

October 17, 2007
AWARE expands 'Intensive Family Education Support'

GREAT FALLS, MT â€"AWARE Inc. in Great Falls to help expand services for families with children affected by developmental disabilities.

The service also helps children dually diagnosed with developmental disabilities and mental health issues.

Rivenes, recently director of development for Quality of Life Concepts in the Electric City, will work with AWARE’s IFES, or Intensive Family Education and Support, services.

Such services are intended for families with children â€" from infants through age 21 â€" who have extraordinary needs and a developmental disability. The Medicaid waiver program provides case management and an array of other support services for families whose children have intense medical or behavioral needs. Services include respite care, environmental modifications to a home, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, adaptive equipment, and habilitation aide services.

IFES can eliminate the need for out-of-home placement for children now living with their natural families, or allow children currently living in more restrictive environments, such as group homes, to return to their natural families or to be placed with foster families, Rivenes said.

An example of a person who might benefit from IFES is a child with autism, or other developmental disability diagnosis and who is medically fragile, has frequent mood swings, someone who needs one-on-one supervision, someone who is self-abusive, or someone the school system has identified as too much work, too much trouble, too disruptive, and unsafe to himself or unsafe to others.

Parents of such children often become frustrated and need respite, or relief from the day-to-day pressures of caretaking. IFES can help cover respite care.

The service can also provide coaching in parenting, family support, and case management, in addition to medical care.

AWARE recently was recognized by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services as the only agency in Montana to be approved as an IFES provider across the entire state. Some 323 Montana families receive the service from various agencies.

"It is wonderful that families will now have a choice of providers," Rivenes said. "Choice benefits families in that providers work even harder to deliver the best services. AWARE is unique in that we have services in place to address children's mental health concerns as well as issues that accompany the developmental disability diagnosis. AWARE is the only provider in Great Falls, maybe even the state, that can approach services from both angles."

Rivenes has a master’s degree in social work with an emphasis in human services and a master’s in education. She is pursuing her doctorate in social work. Rivenes is also certified by the state of Montana as a family support specialist.

She will be based at AWARE’s offices at 600 6th St. NW, Suite 4. You can reach her at 406-771-8182 ext. 104.

Contact:

Jim Tracy, Public Affairs, AWARE, Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 38
jtracy@aware-inc.org

November 15, 2007
National magazine honors AWARE executive as one of four
'Behavioral Health Champions'

ANACONDA, MT â€" AWARE, Inc., Chief Executive Larry Noonan is one of four "champions" featured in the cover story of the November issue of the nationally circulated Behavioral Healthcare magazine.

"If you ask a child what he wants to be when he grows up, he’s not likely to say CEO of a behavioral healthcare organization," writes editor Douglas Edwards in the November issue.

"But somewhere down the line today’s leaders realized their passion for this field and made a commitment to improving service delivery for their consumers and communities. Being at the top of a behavioral healthcare organization certainly is a tough job, especially with omnipresent staffing and funding challenges. Yet some executives find ways to help their organizations not only survive, but thrive. They transform their operations to meet strategic goals; grow services to meet consumers’ evolving needs; and share their experiences with colleagues to help improve service delivery across the country."

This is the third year Behavioral Healthcare is honoring such "champions" in the field. Besides Noonan, this year's honorees, nominated by readers and selected by the editors, are: Ann Borders, president and CEO of Cummins Behavioral Health Systems, Inc., in Indiana; Dale K. Klatzker, PhD, president and CEO of The Providence Center in Rhode Island and Massachusetts; Lawrence P. Noonan, CEO of A.W.A.R.E., Inc., in Montana and New Mexico; and Tuerk Schlesinger, MBA, CEO of AltaPointe Health Systems, Inc., in Alabama, chosen in partnership with the sponsor of this year's awards, Netsmart Technologies.

Noonan, a native of Butte, has been CEO of AWARE since 1988. In January, he was named Montana Entrepreneur of the Year by the Montana Ambassadors.

You can read about the champions online at www.behavioral.net.

Behavioral Healthcare, a Cleveland,Ohio-based monthly, describes itself as "a practical resource on technology, reimbursement, and treatment trends for managers and clinicians in the mental health and substance abuse fields."

Contact:

Jim Tracy, Public Affairs, AWARE, Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 38
jtracy@aware-inc.org

April 10, 2007
Children’s Advocacy Center to Hold Ribbon Cutting Thursday in Helena

Helenaâ€" The Lewis and Clark County Children’s Advocacy Center of AWARE Inc. will hold an open house and ribbon-cutting on Thursday from 4 â€" 7 p.m. in at AWARE’s offices at 616 Helena Avenue, Suite 305 in Helena. State Attorney General Mike McGrath will cut the ribbon.

The center provides a healing environment for children who have been victims of abuse.

Thursday’s open house is intended to provide an understanding of the flow of the center, which minimizes the trauma involved when a the child victim is interviewed and examined in a process that may lead to the prosecution of the offender.

AWARE’s Lewis and Clark County Children’s Advocacy Center is staffed by professionals who can provide all the services a child may need at one location rather than having to spend weeks traveling around the city and county to various law enforcement personnel, doctors,and psychiatrists. "This is all done with the child in mind," says Dana Toole, director of the project. "A child who has been through such a horrible experience should not be subject to red tape, and we can avoid that by focusing on healing."

The Advocacy Center uses the offices of A.W.A.R.E. Inc., a statewide provider of human services and mental health case management.

"You can never have too much innovation when it comes to the health and safety of children," said AWARE CEO Larry Noonan. "The issue of abuse and the healing involved is obviously deeply important to the people of Montana, and we’re pleased to be a part of that healing."

In addition to the office space, A.W.A.R.E. supplies Children’s Mental Health professionals to the multidisciplinary team.

Partner agencies and members of the multidisciplinary team include the Lewis and Clark County Attorney’s Office, Lewis and Clark County Child and Family Services, Helena Police Department, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Department, Lewis and Clark County Health Department, Montana Legal Services Association, Partners in Pediatrics, Helena Pediatric Clinic, St. Peter’s Hospital, and the Friendship Center.

***

A.W.A.R.E., Inc. provides group homes for youth and adults, case management, supported living, family support, Early Head Start, community mental health supports, outpatient psychiatric services, transportation services, work services, and leads the effort with the Montana Home Choice Coalition in making home ownership a reality for those affected by disability.

A.W.A.R.E., Inc.’s services are strength-based, family focused, individualized and comprehensive. A.W.A.R.E. recently earned a full three year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). For more information on A.W.A.R.E., Inc. and its services, please visit www.aware-inc.org.

Contact:

Timothy Pray, Media Relations Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 15
tpray@aware-inc.org

June 5, 2007
State Contracts Expand Services for Montanans
Affected by Developmental Disabilities

Montana DPHHS entrusts A.W.A.R.E., Inc.
with providing Case Management services
for developmentally disabled adults
in Missoula, Yellowstone, Stillwater Counties

Anaconda â€" Hundreds more adults affected by developmental disabilities will begin receiving Case Management services beginning in August as a result of the state’s awarding contracts to AWARE Inc.

AWARE will serve 140 additional adults in Missoula County, and 65 in the Billings/Columbus area. This will bring the total number of adults served by AWARE Case Management to more than 500 individuals, including those already served by AWARE in 17 Eastern Montana counties, as well as Bighorn and Carbon counties.

The need for the additional case managers is in response to the Legislature’s change in the ratio of full-time employees to clients. Before the change, the average caseload was 47-50 clients, now reduced to 35.

"People will be getting better service because there will be smaller caseloads," said Jeff Sturm, director of the state’s Developmental Disabilities Program.

AWARE will hire four full-time case managers in Missoula, two in Billings/Columbus, and the possibility of adding one each in Hardin, Glasgow and Miles City.

"We have always been confident in our ability to provide services that help individuals affected by developmental disabilities to receive services that allow them to live their lives in a way that affords them the highest quality of life possible," said Jaci Noonan, director of Adult Case Management for AWARE.

"We help clients and their families build on their strengths, reaching out to adults affected by developmental disabilities and their families, and connect them with resources to ensure that all needed services are in place."

These services include assessment, case planning and coordination, assistance in daily living, referral and advocacy.

"First, this is a chance for us to provide opportunities to those who need and deserve them," said AWARE CEO Larry Noonan. "However, it’s also a chance to show how the state and nonprofit organizations such as ours are working together to advocate for those who may not have been able to get all that great case management has to offer."

Tim Plaska, coordinator of the review committee that rated the proposals, said the state awarded the two-year contract based on AWARE’s proven experience.

"AWARE, Inc. is a diverse organization with a history of success, as well as a clear vision of the future," Plaska said. "They provided a proposal with clear detail as to how they will provide the service."

State Definition of Developmental Disability:

• Disability attributable to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or any neurological handicapping condition closely related to mental retardation
• Disability must have been documented to have originated before the individual attained the age of 18.
• The condition can be expected to continue indefinitely and constitutes a substantial hardship.

A.W.A.R.E Inc. operates group homes for youth and adults and provides, case management, supported living, family support, Early Head Start, community mental health supports, outpatient psychiatric services, transportation services, work services, and leads the effort with the Montana Home Choice Coalition in making home ownership a reality for those affected by disability.

A.W.A.R.E. Inc.’s services are strength-based, family focused, individualized and comprehensive. A.W.A.R.E. recently earned a full three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). For more information on A.W.A.R.E., Inc. and its services, please visit www.aware-inc.org.

Contact:

Timothy Pray, Media Relations Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 15
tpray@aware-inc.org

Jim Tracy, Public Affairs Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 38
jtracy@aware-inc.org

July 1, 2008
Montana Senators Work Together to Open Door to Homeownership Dream for Bozeman Couple

U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester will speak at a housewarming celebration Thursday, July 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Bozeman.

The housewarming is for Pam and Lyle Whitmore (1120 West Babcock, Chequamegan Village #7), a Bozeman couple who overcame tremendous life challenges to recently purchase their first home with the assistance of the AWARE Montana Home Choice Coalition. Senators Baucus and Tester played a pivotal role in the Whitmores’ obtaining their home. The couple is the 75th homeowner with disabilities in Montana to successfully achieve homeownership through the support of the Coalition.

Bozeman’s mayor Kaaren Jacobson, Larry Noonan, CEO of A.W.A.R.E, and Michael O’Neil, Montana Home Choice Coalition State Director will also be speaking.


Lyle Whitmore and Senator Jon Tester

The Whitmores’ will share their story and thank all of those who helped them purchase their beautiful new home, including the senators, AWARE Montana Home Choice,Remax Realty Bozeman, Bozeman HRDC, MT Department of Public Health and Human Services DDP, Montana Board of Housing, HUD, Montana Department of Commerce Housing Division, Neighborworks Montana, and First Interstate Bank.

The Coalition will also recognize other key community partners throughout Montana who have helped them assist 75 other individuals and families and like the Whitmores with disabilities to become homeowners.

A.W.A.R.E. Inc. supports and sustains the Montana Home Choice Coalition in making home ownership and other community housing choices a reality for those affected by disability, including Montana's seniors.

AWARE is Montana’s leader in proving quality community services including group homes for youth and adults, case management, supported living, family support, Early Head Start, community mental health supports, outpatient psychiatric services, transportation services, and work services.

For more information on A.W.A.R.E., Inc. and its services, please visit: www.aware-inc.org. For more info on the work of the Montana Home Choice Coalition, please visit: www.montanahomechoice.org or contact Michael O’Neil, State Director at (406) 459-0281.

Contact:

Jim Tracy, Public Affairs Officer, A.W.A.R.E., Inc. 406.563.8117 ext. 38
jtracy@aware-inc.org