westcare.comWestCare Foundation

-- -- -- //-- -- You have arrived at a very special place. In these website pages you will find answers, encouragement, direction and, above all, hope. Hope for a life free of behavioral health issues that may be affecting you or a loved one. For over four decades, we have dedicated ourselves to our well-known motto, " Uplifting the Human Spirit ." We are committed to that lofty mission for individuals, families, communities...for all of Mankind. We are here to serve you. Thank you, Dick Steinberg, President/CEO //-- //-- -- -- //-- //-- NOTICE!! The Miami and St. Petersburg offices in Florida will be open on Wed. Sep 12, 2017. Staff who did not receive a call from their management staff today are requested to call their supervisors or email if you cannot call to report in for accountability. Please remember, safety first. Do not attempt to return to work if you cannot do so safely. WestCare Cares Hurricane Emergency Fund - You Can help!!! Many of our staff, family, and friends are asking how they can help their colleagues across the regions who have been impacted or will be impacted by hurricanes, Harvey, Irma, and now Jose. We will have many staff and family members who will need bridge funding support until they can get assistance from the Red Cross, FEMA or other resources. Gifts distributed from this fund are generally $250.00 or less. A group of volunteers led by our WestCare Nevada Community Action Council have created an emergency relief Facebook Page, "WestCare Cares", for our WestCare Employees who are displaced and may need emergency assistance in the wake of these powerful storms. This fund is not a part of WestCare's routine operations or employee benefits package. It is a voluntary giving fund fully supported by employees and other friends of WestCare, including Alumni, developed to help our WestCare employees through the first few days of this disaster before other traditional disaster relief efforts maybe a readily available. These funds are considered "gift" funds and are not tax-deductible. Small donations add up quickly - give what you can, if you can - $5 and $10 dollar donations can make a huge difference. The WestCare Cares employee emergency relief site may be accessed at: https://www.facebook.com/westcarecares If you are a WestCare Employee and need assistance, please apply on-line through our Intranet and click on "Relief Request" on the left side of the page. You may also access this site through your mobile phone which may prove to be more convenient over the next few days. If you cannot access our website then contact WestCare's Emergency Operations Command Center - 865-221-8150 or email: irma.operations@westcare.com A Message From Dick Steinberg I am sure that all of you, just like myself, are in awe of nature's catastrophic force and destruction in the wake of hurricane Harvey. This, as we prepare for another storm of even greater magnitude. Even as our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to so many affected by these disasters, we must take extra care to ensure those that endure poverty, exposure to violence, homelessness, neglect, mental illnesses and chronic addictions can access services. These are the traumas exacerbated by intense catastrophic weather events that disrupt daily norms. The trauma that occurs as a result can linger long after the physical destruction has been removed. Currently our Dandridge office in Tennessee will function as the WestCare hurricane command center. If assistance is needed to locate resources they can be reached at 865-221-8150. We must, in this time of uncertainty, also practice self-care. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), chronic depression and anxiety are common themes that follow disasters, especially for those of us that work in the behavioral health field. I urge all of you to take care of yourselves and your loved ones not only during the storm but also in the aftermath. Below is a link provided by the US Department of Veteran Affairs that may prove useful. Self Care After Disasters Kindest Regards, Dick Steinberg Hurricane Harvey: The Long View Clean-up from Hurricane Harvey is proceeding and the initial shock to the nation is wearing off as the media turns its attention to Hurricane Irma. Much is left to be done for all affected, but in disasters, the long-term suffering is worst among the poor and the disabled. People who are poor - and many working people - live paycheck to paycheck. When their homes flood, or worse are destroyed, there are no savings or credit cards to turn to. They, along with the disabled, including those with mental illnesses and in recovery from addictions, are the ones in shelters; no clothing but for the kindness of others and no control over their future or the future of their children. ...click here to read more We, along with the rest of our nation, are very proud of the outpouring of help. Donations and volunteers continue to move into Texas, and the government is deploying well-developed response systems honed by the experiences of previous disasters. We are inspired by our Texas members who, as expected, were among the first responders and who continue to work tirelessly. And we applaud the larger mental health and addictions communities in Texas and across the country that are donating and volunteering. But, as the most visible signs of the initial destruction fade, we ask that you remember those who will continue to suffer long after we've moved on - the poor and the disabled. Trauma is a frequent visitor to this group. Living in poverty, exposure to violence, homelessness, neglect, mental illnesses and chronic addictions and the accompanying experiences of involuntary hospitalizations and incarcerations. These are the traumas that have lasting impact; the traumas that take away opportunities and create generations of hopelessness. The National Council has been actively involved connecting people and organizations that want to respond to the Texas crisis - and we will continue to contribute in this role. Unfortunately, donations and volunteers are not solutions to poverty, mental illnesses and addictions. We believe that it is the long-term issues that require our sustained attention. We ask that among the many contributions in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, we evaluate our nation's policies against the needs of those who will suffer the long-lasting effects of this disaster. Linda Rosenberg, President & CEO of the National Council for Behavioral Health For information about crisis counseling and support, SAMHSA's Disaster Distress Helpline operates 24/7, 365-days-a-year. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained counselor. For Spanish, call 1-800-985-5990 and press 2 or text Hablanos to 66746. The Texas Council of Community Centers, a National Council member, provided a link to an extensive list of organizations that are accepting donations and volunteer opportunities. Resources American Red Cross: Donate American Red Cross: Taking Care of Your Emotional Health after a Disaster SAMHSA: Coping Tips for Traumatic Events and Disasters SAMSHA: Press Announcements in Response to Irma SAMHSA: Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event US Dept. of VA: Mental Health Effects after Disaster Westcare Foundation: Coping and Resilience in Tough Times -- -- WestCare : link //-- Hurricane Preparation and Recovery - Daily Operations Report WestCare Hurricane Irma Operations Center is open. Please contact 865-221-8150 or email: irma.operations@westcare.com for assistance. September 11, 2017 St. Pete - The storm passed last night with far less damage than anticipated. Clients are all safe and doing well. Facilities have minimal damage, power outages are the biggest issues. Staff rotation today is the biggest priority and staff are working on a staffing plan to relieve the staff who remained on property over the weekend. Miami - Miami has many downed trees and powerlines along with some flooding creating pro...