April 2023 Issue
Volume XLIII
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A Note from our President & CEO
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Medicaid funds health coverage that is available to the financially neediest members of our community.
Through the Affordable Care Act of 2010, states were encouraged and incentivized to expand Medicaid to cover the healthcare needs of individuals that otherwise did not qualify for traditional Medicaid. In New Hampshire, Medicaid expansion reduced the state’s uninsured rate by 43% between 2010 and 2019.
Despite the cost of a state’s share for this expanded coverage, I have no doubt the long-term financial cost to the state has been readily recouped through its citizens receiving timely care. More importantly, this coverage ensures that most Granite Staters can receive quality physical and behavioral health care. At this time there are bills in the statehouse with the intent to not only renew the Medicaid expansion, but to make that expansion permanent. In these coming months, I encourage all residents to let your elected officials know your thoughts about Medicaid expansion and its permanency in New Hampshire.
With our our warmer weather and extended daylight, I also encourage you to participate in our local mental health-related events happening this spring, and to consider advocacy on another level by becoming a member of our West Central advisory group.
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It is our pleasure to announce that Caitlin Lennon, LICSW has been promoted to Director of Child Services at West Central. Caitlin received her BA in Psychology from the University of New Hampshire where she also received her Master of Social Work degree. Among her many responsibilities as a clinician, Caitlin is also one of our dedicated Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructors.
Caitlin has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring that we provide high-quality, effective treatment to the children and families we serve. We especially appreciate the high value that she places on collaboration with our child leadership team.
Congratulations Caitlin!
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West Central's Mobile Crisis Response Team works with Local School for a Successful Outcome
On a rather sunny Tuesday in New Hampshire, a dispatch came through from a local high school. The school social worker reached out to the New Hampshire Rapid Response Access Point (NHRRAP) regarding a student who was expressing statements relating to suicidal ideations (SI). Our Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) contacted the school social worker prior to arriving on scene to coordinate a front office contact and a safe space for us to meet with the social worker and the student.
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View Mobile Crisis Response Data from
January & February 2023
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Save these Dates in May for Mental Health
Awareness Month!
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Credit: twilight sisters and firefly stars, Oil on canvas, Anonymous
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On exhibit: an assemblage of breaths | May 12-June 17 at AVA Gallery and Art Center. A group exhibition inspired by Mental Health Awareness.
Artist reception: Saturday, May 20, 5-6PM. Following Artist reception
Generously sponsored by:
The Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation
Mt. Roeschmore Foundation
Doug and Leslie Williamson
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During the month of April, Debra Monk, West Central's Coach for the Critical Time Intervention program in Adult Services, will be hosting several book signings & poetry readings at Jakes Coffee shop in Lebanon.
Says Monk, "Empowering others through my own personal experience is not only impactful, but meaningfully important, for others in their recovery and healing. I look forward to the day when all survivors are able to stand up and tell their stories without fear of retaliation, revictimization and rejection."
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Congratulations to Dawna White, Arbor View's Residential Manager, for her 30th Anniversary with West Central Behavioral Health!
Dawna started her career with us as a Clinical Secretary/Receptionist. Since then she has been promoted several times until her most recent promotion of Arbor View's Residential Manager.
Dawna is dedicated and committed to West Central’s mission, her staff, and the residents at Arbor View. Congratulations Dawna!
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Thank you to our Maintenance Coordinator, Nick Decato, for installing our new signs at our Rivermill Clinic! |
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Choose Love & Recycled Percussion to Blast Away Bullying!
This event will be at the Newport Opera House on April 20th for Newport School District families & staff.
Choose Love Founder Scarlett Lewis will deliver an important keynote message on Courage, Gratitude, Forgiveness, and Compassion in Action!
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Thank you to the Employees of Adimab!
West Central is the non-profit recipient of Adimab's silent auction proceeds from their party earlier this year. We are grateful to have benefitted from their employee-driven philanthropic efforts. West Central was chosen by an Adimab committee for our
selfless and impactful work in the community. Thank you, Adimab!
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A "crisis" doesn't have to rise to the level of a life-threatening event to call or text the NH Rapid Response helpline at 833-710-6477, or to chat online with a crisis clinician at NH988.com.
When needed, the NH Rapid Response call center will alert our mobile crisis response clinicians. They'll visit you in-person, 24/7 wherever you are in NH. We say, "call early, call often" to avoid a life-threatening situation. Or when you just need to hear another person's voice.
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We need your voice!
Do you have lived experience?
Are you a family member of a person experiencing behavioral health issues?
Are you a community stakeholder interested in getting involved?
We are looking to increase the involvement of individuals with lived experience, mental health/substance use issues, their family members and community stakeholders and partners to support our organization’s leadership and to ensure our services are culturally competent, accessible to all, and of the highest quality. The WCBH Advisory Group gives participants the opportunity to have a voice in order to better impact the way we meet their needs and the needs of the community.
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Join our Team!
Would you like to help others? There's no more gratifying work than in community behavioral health. Learn more at our careers page about our available positions.
We provide a generous benefits package including our own, newly-launched Student Loan Assistance Program (SLAP). Eligible employees can receive up to $10,000 over 3 years in loan assistance! West Central is also an approved STAR LRP facility for federal student loan repayment assistance up to $250,000. These two programs are separate from one another. Our staff can apply to one or both!
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#nhgives is a statewide 24-hour online fundraising event that is designed to build community, connect donors to local nonprofits & generate excitement about the
nonprofit sector.
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Do you like what we're doing in our community? We're a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) charitable organization serving clients in the Upper Valley and Sullivan County, NH with clinics in Lebanon, Claremont, and Newport. Each year, on average, we offer $600,000 in unreimbursed charitable services to clients who can't otherwise afford care. No gift is too small. Visit our Giving page to learn more about gifts of stock or securities, real estate or other property, or to designate West Central as a beneficiary in your will or estate plans.
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West Central Behavioral Health’s mission is to promote the health and quality of life of individuals, families and communities by providing treatment for mental illness and substance use disorders, while helping to reduce the stigma associated with these challenging conditions. |
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