Kentucky.gov: - Excise Tax 09: "In light of tax increases on the purchase of tobacco products, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) is offering assistance to the many Kentuckians who may be considering quitting smoking or smokeless tobacco.
The Kentucky Tobacco Quit Line, 1-800-QUIT NOW, is a public health service that helps residents of the state who are trying to quit smoking. The free service provides ongoing counseling to those working through the quitting process and houses information on other quitting resources, such as the Cooper/Clayton Method to Stop Smoking offered through local health departments."
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Monday, March 30, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
AP IMPACT: Mentally ill a threat in nursing homes
AP IMPACT: Mentally ill a threat in nursing homes
This article is troubling, as it perpetuates the false notion that persons with mental illness are more prone to violence than the general population as a whole.
Carla Johnson, the AP Medical Writer, finds four instances of nursing home violence involving persons with mental illness (she admits there are no kept statistics) and then proclaims that persons with mental illness are "a threat in nursing homes."
Four instances over six years is not a pattern. That's life. How many violent episodes have occurred in nursing homes over the past six years that did not involve a person with a diagnosed mental illness? More than four? I'd be willing to bet on that.
A March 27, 2009 google news search for "nursing home abuse" retrieved articles about more than six episodes of violence against nursing home residents by the staff at nursing homes this month. Wouldn't it stand to reason that the staff at nursing homes are a far greater threat than persons who have been diagnosed as mentally ill?
But no, the AP and Ms. Johnson have gone for the red meat of stereotypes and have seen that red meat picked up by nearly 500 news outlets.
And to what end? Articles like this will be used to shut out persons with mental illnesses from nursing homes, and those persons will likely end up in one of two places: warehouse-like state-run mental hospitals, or on the streets, where they will have little or no access to treatment.
Shame on the AP, and shame on Carla Johnson.
Kentucky.gov: - Oakwood Units Restored
Kentucky.gov: - Oakwood Units Restored
Federal Funding Restored to Three Oakwood Units
Gov. Steve Beshear has announced the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has verbally informed the state that federal funding has been restored to three of Oakwood’s four units.
CMS recertified Units #2, #3 and #4 after accepting plans of correction related to deficiencies identified during a follow-up survey on Jan. 9. Funding was restored to Unit #2 retroactive to March 13; Unit #3 retroactive to Feb. 5; and retroactive to March 4 for Unit #4.
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) is awaiting official word from CMS.
“This is a tremendously significant accomplishment in our efforts to restore federal funding for the entire facility,” said Gov. Beshear. “Although a few hurdles remain, I am extremely proud that Oakwood has demonstrated such dramatic progress, and three of the four facilities have now been reinstated to the Medicaid program.”
“Restoring certification is an uphill battle for any facility, but we have never lost sight of our goal of addressing the significant issues Oakwood faced at the beginning of this long road,” said CHFS Secretary Janie Miller. “We’re pleased to be in the position of achieving recertification for three of the four units, and are optimistic that the other unit is close behind.
“The Cabinet has worked hard to place Oakwood on a clear path to recertification, and I commend all the staff for their dedication and commitment. I would particularly like to thank Acting Deputy Commissioner Betsy Dunnigan (Department for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addiction Services) for her tireless efforts on behalf of the facility.”
Gov. Steve Beshear has announced the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has verbally informed the state that federal funding has been restored to three of Oakwood’s four units.
CMS recertified Units #2, #3 and #4 after accepting plans of correction related to deficiencies identified during a follow-up survey on Jan. 9. Funding was restored to Unit #2 retroactive to March 13; Unit #3 retroactive to Feb. 5; and retroactive to March 4 for Unit #4.
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) is awaiting official word from CMS.
“This is a tremendously significant accomplishment in our efforts to restore federal funding for the entire facility,” said Gov. Beshear. “Although a few hurdles remain, I am extremely proud that Oakwood has demonstrated such dramatic progress, and three of the four facilities have now been reinstated to the Medicaid program.”
“Restoring certification is an uphill battle for any facility, but we have never lost sight of our goal of addressing the significant issues Oakwood faced at the beginning of this long road,” said CHFS Secretary Janie Miller. “We’re pleased to be in the position of achieving recertification for three of the four units, and are optimistic that the other unit is close behind.
“The Cabinet has worked hard to place Oakwood on a clear path to recertification, and I commend all the staff for their dedication and commitment. I would particularly like to thank Acting Deputy Commissioner Betsy Dunnigan (Department for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addiction Services) for her tireless efforts on behalf of the facility.”
Oakwood, the state’s largest facility for adults with developmental disabilities, is located in Somerset. Its current census is 201.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Mental Health Conference in Northern KY in May
Kentucky.gov: - Mental Health Conference: "The Department for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addiction Services (MHDDAS) and the Northern Kentucky Criminal Justice/Behavioral Health Advisory Committee are hosting the “Recovery, Responsibility, Resiliency for Justice Involved Persons with Behavioral Health Disorders Conference” in May to bring together various agencies and professionals serving people with mental health needs.
The event will be May 4 and 5 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington and will feature national speakers on a variety of topics pertaining to behavioral health. Professionals such as� law enforcement, jailers, prosecutors, public defenders, the judiciary, corrections, probation and parole, academics, human services and paraprofessionals, as well as students, families, consumers and youth are encouraged to attend."
The event will be May 4 and 5 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington and will feature national speakers on a variety of topics pertaining to behavioral health. Professionals such as� law enforcement, jailers, prosecutors, public defenders, the judiciary, corrections, probation and parole, academics, human services and paraprofessionals, as well as students, families, consumers and youth are encouraged to attend."
Friday, March 13, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Two Community Presence Caregivers Plead Guilty in Connection with Death of Mentally Disabled Patient
Kentucky.gov: - Two Community Presence Caregivers Plead Guilty in Connection with Death of Patient: "Attorney General Jack Conway today announced a plea agreement in the case of two Kentucky caregivers arrested last year on charges relating to the abuse and death of a patient at Community Presence, Inc. Matthew Bortles from Soldier in Carter County pled guilty to Manslaughter II, Tampering with Physical Evidence and Knowing Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult. Branden Starostka from Grayson in Carter County pled guilty to Tampering with Physical Evidence and Wanton Abuse and Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult. The pleas occurred on Tuesday, March 10, in Carter Circuit Court.
“This was a shocking and egregious case and through the hard work of our investigators and prosecutors, working together with local law enforcement, these two men were brought to justice,” General Conway said.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Bortles will serve 8 years and Starostka will serve 5 years in the Kentucky Department of Corrections.
Bortles and Starostka were indicted in Carter Circuit Court in connection with the death of Michael Price, a mentally handicapped adult who was under the care of and resided at Community Presence, Inc. On October 14, 2007, Bortles laid on the victim’s back for more than 30 minutes using an improper restraint. This caused the victim to stop breathing and ultimately caused his death. While this was occurring, Starostka watched television and failed to intervene. After the victim died, Bortles and Starostka attempted to conceal evidence by cleaning up the victim’s blood, concealing a bloody pillow and placing a blood-stained washcloth in the washing machine.
“This was a shocking and egregious case and through the hard work of our investigators and prosecutors, working together with local law enforcement, these two men were brought to justice,” General Conway said.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Bortles will serve 8 years and Starostka will serve 5 years in the Kentucky Department of Corrections.
Bortles and Starostka were indicted in Carter Circuit Court in connection with the death of Michael Price, a mentally handicapped adult who was under the care of and resided at Community Presence, Inc. On October 14, 2007, Bortles laid on the victim’s back for more than 30 minutes using an improper restraint. This caused the victim to stop breathing and ultimately caused his death. While this was occurring, Starostka watched television and failed to intervene. After the victim died, Bortles and Starostka attempted to conceal evidence by cleaning up the victim’s blood, concealing a bloody pillow and placing a blood-stained washcloth in the washing machine.
Elyn Saks presentation
The fine folks at U of L Law School have made Elyn Saks presentation from October 2008 available online. Enjoy.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Kentucky.gov: - Nutrition Month 09
Kentucky.gov: - Nutrition Month 09: "As part of National Nutrition Month, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) is working to raise awareness about the importance of a healthy, well-balanced diet in maintaining long-term health and wellness. In addition, DPH is working to recognize the contributions of nutrition and dietary professionals on March 11, which is recognized as National Nutrition Health Professionals Day.
Developed by the American Dietetic Association, National Nutrition Month is a�nutrition education and information campaign�recognized annually in March. The campaign�focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.�"
Developed by the American Dietetic Association, National Nutrition Month is a�nutrition education and information campaign�recognized annually in March. The campaign�focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.�"
Friday, March 6, 2009
Lieutenant Governor Mongiardo delivers Keynote Address at National Healthcare IT Conference
Kentucky.gov: - Press Release: "Lieutenant Governor Mongiardo joined healthcare leaders from across the country this morning to deliver the keynote address at the Health Information Safety and Privacy Collaboration (HISPC) National Conference in Bethesda, Maryland."
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