July 15, 2006
WMR starts statewide training

Ohio’s mental health system is changing and Wellness Management and Recovery (WMR) is part of that change.  So, “What is it?”, you ask... 

• WMR is Ohio’s newest Coordinating Center of Excellence.
  
• WMR is a Psycho-educational program aimed at supporting individuals in their recovery and wellness.
  
• WMR is a 10 week curriculum based in Social Cognitive Theory.
  
• WMR is team taught with an employee of the provider agency and a Peer Specialist.
  
• WMR emphasizes the importance of Multi-Cultural and Linguistic Competency.
  
• WMR utilizes many adult learning styles with a focus on Group Work and having fun.
  
• WMR is Wellness.  A Holistic View of support for one’s recovery
  
• WMR is supported by a staff of Trainers that provide hands-on training, role modeling, and on-site technical support.
  
• WMR is HOPE!
  
• WMR is Wellness Management & Recovery.
  

In May, the WMR Advisory Board awarded six agencies with a chance to pilot the WMR curriculum.  Pilot sites will assist with initial implementation of the WMR Curriculum, as well as, collection of evaluations and outcome data.  This data will help Wellness Management and Recovery establish itself as a best practice.  The WMR CCOE Advisory Board and staff kindly thank all those agencies that applied for the Pilot.  Pilot sites include:

• Southeast Inc., Franklin County
• Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services, Hamilton County
• Daymont Behavioral Health Services, Montgomery County
• Bridges: Mental Health Consumer Empowerment & Neighboring, Lake County
• Gathering Hope house, Lorain County
  

Although based at Southeast in Columbus, the WMR staff bring a definite all around flavor of Ohio. 

• Kelly Wesp, Program Coordinator, is a resident of Columbus.
  
• Deborah Wilcox, Trainer / Consultant, comes to us from the Dayton area.
  
• Stephanie Rich, Peer Specialist /  Trainer, is a native of Marion, Ohio who lives in Columbus.
  
• Valerie Bryant, Peer Specialist / Trainer, lives in Youngstown.
  
• Gregg Pieples, Trainer / Consultant, resides in Cincinnati.

The Larry Burkett Peer Support Award is jointly given by MHAFC (Mental Health America of Franklin County) and Southeast Inc.  It is named after Larry Burkett, a long-time MHAFC volunteer and Southeast staff person.  It recognizes a consumer who has demonstrated outstanding effort to help others on their path to recovery.  This years Honoree was Stephanie Rich, WMR’s very own Peer Specialist.
Congratulations Stephanie, well deserved!

CCOE stands for a Coordinating Center of Excellence.
In 1999, Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH) implemented the CCOE Model as a part of their Quality Care initiative. 
CCOE’s serve as expert resources responsible to promote, implement and sustain evidence-based and clinical best practices in the state of Ohio. 
They typically target agency-based mental health providers, but may also work with consumers, family members, other health providers in the community.
Services include promoting best practices, training on these best practices, and also consulting with agencies on how to sustain these practices.
For further information on CCOE’s, please contact the ODMH Website, under Tools for Transformation.

After surviving the 24 Hours of Train the Trainer, the fun now gets to begin.
As of the end of Oct, 12 Groups have begun at the various sites across the state.  Well over 70 participants are experiencing the 10 week curriculum. 
Starting in January, with assistance form the University of Toledo, WMR hopes to have some initial data back about its impact on Recovery.
Thanks to the many facilitators who have put forth a lot of time and effort to get WMR off and running.
For information on Groups please feel free to contact Kelly Wesp at 614-225-0980 or visit our website at www.wmrohio.org

Pilot Sites = 6 Miles traveled = 22,095 Facilitators Trained = 77 Number of Peers = 37 Groups Running = 12 Group Participants = 70

 These numbers just include the first 3 months since finalizing Pilot Sites. 
We look forward to many additional sites, facilitators, and group participants.

Ann Marie comes to us from the BRIDGES Program in Painesville, Ohio.  She is one of many of our Peer Facilitators trained in WMR in our Pilot Phase of implementation. 

Ann Marie, who resides in Willoughby, has been a part of the BRIDGES Program for over 10 years, says that she enjoys the Groups and much of the programming there, but mostly returns because of the people.  “Everyone treats you nice and you feel welcome”.

 Ann Marie chose to become a WMR Facilitator so she could help people with their problems.  “I feel that I can help people learn some coping skills and other things that I have learned over the years to help them feel better about themselves. I’m enjoying the chance to be with others and to become more informed about myself and mental health issues.”

 Ann Marie felt that the training to become a facilitator was long, but good.  She now feels more comfortable with the material and speaking in front of others.  Ann Marie believes that WMR will continue to add to her self-confidence. She adds that she will continue to give herself more credit about taking chances.

 Ann Marie hopes that consumers aren’t afraid to participate.  “Give yourself a chance – get involved”.

 Thanks Ann Marie.  We are looking forward to seeing you leading groups at BRIDGES.