June, 2015

6-1-15 HH – Visited Veteran at TLC who’s in our Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support Program… ROBERT J. DOLE VA MEDICAL CENTER www.wichita.va.gov

6-2-15 HH – United Methodist Open Door (UMOD): Homeless Veterans Outreach. 9 to 12:00 www.umopendoor.org

6-2-15 HH – Meeting with Sandy at VA Physical Therapy… ROBERT J. DOLE VA MEDICAL CENTER www.wichita.va.gov

6-2-15 HH & PG attended VA/Round Table Discussion Group, led by Robin Madson, Compensated Work Therapy Program Coordinator, Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center 3:00 p.m. http://www.wichita.va.gov/

HH & PG led Life Skills group at PROJECT INDEPENDENCE, INC. OF SEDGWICK COUNTY Rene Strunk/Executive Director/310 S. Ida/Wichita KS…

6-3-15 HH attended the Kansas Joining Community Forces (JCF) Regional meeting in Hutchinson, KS, organized by Jennifer Villarreal (JCF), Regional Leader: jennifer.l.villarreal10.ctr@mail.mil. Mr. Hutchison discussed becoming a partner organization with Kansas Joining Community Forces Region 3 Director Renee Henry: renee.m.henry6.ctr@mail.mil

In attendance:

6-4-15 PG & HH attended Compeer Advisory Board, which included updates and feedback on the Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support Program and VPCSC happenings.

6-5-15 HH & PG toured the Passageways home for Veterans transitioning from homelessness, visiting with three veterans and Susan Moellinger, Director of Passageways, Ltd. PG & HH will attend an upcoming Passageways house meeting to discuss Vet-to-Vet participation and any concerns they may have and local resources for additional assistance.

PG received call from VA provider with a concern about a Vet-to-Vet participant; PG called and spoke with veteran, offered sound advice on problem-solving and will check with him over the weekend to be certain it has been resolved.

6-6-15 PG spoke to veteran referred to above and he was able to resolve his problem after receiving coaching from PG, referral provider & his Vet-to-Vet Compeer Friend.

6-8-15 HH worked on website & developing Coalition Facebook page all day and over the weekend.

PG and Vet-to-Vet Compeer volunteer spent time with Shirkmere Apartment residents, including veterans, during their Compeer Socialization Hour.

6-9-15 HH – Open Door Outreach to homeless Veterans & meeting with homeless veteran providers.

HH – attended Continuum of Care (COC) meeting at United Way.

PG & HH – Led Project Independence “Life Skills” Group (includes Veterans)

6-11-15 HH & PG – meeting with veteran providers: Cloud 9 – Jamie; Wichita Team RWB – Matt Kiddo; Passageways, Ltd. – Susan Moellinger, Director of Passageways, & Jennifer at Alpha 1 Drop Zone, organized by Steve Gonzalez and Brad to meet and exchange information with a local veteran involved in nationwide suicide prevention among veterans.

6-11-15 PG & HH – meeting with Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support Program funder to share mid-year data and highlights of the program, including being a key member of the VPCSC.

6-12-15 HH – attended Suicide Prevention Coalition meeting; asked Jason Scheck, LSCSW, LCAC, Director of Outpatient Services, COMCARE, to attend the next VPCSC meeting as a guest speaker with an update on the Community Crisis Center (CCC), which he will. Hutch also visited with Dr. Jason Deselms, Ph.D., Suicide Prevention Coordinator for Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center about attending the next meeting. Although he has a scheduling conflict on July 24, he suggested the meeting might be held at the Dole VAMC in the auditorium and will check on availability of space.

PG & HH – Introduction of two new Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support Program female friends.

PG & HH – meeting with James Riley (Vet-to-Vet Compeer volunteer) & Thom Hamilton, both veterans working with veterans at Wichita Work Force Center.

6-15-15 HH & PG – Presentation to U.S. Air Force Airmen in the TAPS course regarding VPCSC, Vet-to-Vet Program & other local veteran resources, and Veterans’ Behavioral Health Advocacy Council (VBHAC).

PG & HH – WSU – Visit with veterans at the Student Veteran Center. Met with Vet-to-Vet Compeer volunteer regarding how his friend is doing and activities they are enjoying.

6-16-15 HH – Recovery Conference to pick up Project Independence literature to share at VA’s Round Table Employment meeting.

HH & PG – VA Round Table Employment meeting. HH gave brief presentation about Project Independence, encouraging providers and employers to let veterans know about this resource. PG reported that due to PG’s connections, a female veteran was employed at Carlson Products and announced the immediate need for skilled Tool & Die Makers. Networked with numerous attendees, including two veterans seeking employment about the Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support Program. HH shared information about VPCSC with attendees.

6-17-15 HH met with Vet-to-Vet Compeer Friend; PG met with VA referral provider.

6-19-15 HH – Community Crisis Center (CCC) planning committee meeting. HH – VA visits with Vet-to-Vet program participant and VA media guru.

PG – Update with VA referral provider regarding a veteran’s needs.

6-20-15:

• VPCSC veteran providers: Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support Program, Veterans Upward Bound (VUB), TEAM RWB, Cloud 9 and Passageways hosted information booths at Alef’s 3rd Annual Veterans Appreciation Day event. Information about these providers was posted on Alef’s customer bulletin board.
• HH in contact with Donna Fisher and Carol Hirsh confirming their request for him to make a presentation to 2 Sunday school classes at 1st United Methodist Church on July 5 as a Patriotic Honor for 4th of July. (This is the same location of our last VPCSC meeting.)
• PG & HH Visited Vet-to-Vet participant in the VA hospital.
• 6-22-15 HH met with County Commissioner Jim Howell regarding the VPCSC and invited him to speak at the meeting on July 24, which he gladly accepted.
• PG interacted with female veteran participant in Compeer Vet-to-Vet Support Program regarding her needs for transportation to the VA for a medical appointment, which was resolved.

6-23-15 HH, Board of Directors member and PG, group facilitator attended Board meeting at Project Independence.

PG & HH visited Vet-to-Vet program veteran at the VA; PG visited Vet-to-Vet program veteran in the community.

6-24-15 PG, HH and Jamie & Aubrey Wohlgemuth (Cloud 9 Therapeutic Equine) met with Sr. Director of Children’s Services at MHA regarding services provided by Cloud 9.

HH & PG met with Neil Fogg, Master’s Student Consultant, Friends University regarding organizational development of the Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support Program.

6-25-15 PG attended Wichita in Mind press conference/fundraiser for awareness event, along with Cody Herrin, President of the WSU Student Veteran Organization and Sarah Sell, Executive Director of WSU Student Veteran Affairs; a representative from the Vet Center.

6-26-15 HH – visit veteran and providers at VA; Vet Center – John Henshell; 1st UMC – check out larger space for July 24 VPCSC meeting.

6-29-15 PG & HH visited veteran being served in Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support Program; met with referral provider at VA about program participant; met with referral provider at the Vet Center. HH secured location for next VPCSC meeting: 1st UMC, Meredith Hall on Friday, July 24 at Noon. PG & HH met with and interviewed new WSU practicum student, (female veteran), who will be working at MHA in Compeer under PG’s supervision, primarily working with the Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support Program and participating in VPCSC activities.

6-30-15 PG visited veteran in VA hospital who is in Vet-to-Vet program; HH worked on July 24 VPCSC meeting. PG & HH worked on Nation of Patriots event where they will be guest speakers on Friday, July 10 at 6 p.m. at American Legion Post 136 in Mulvane to welcome flag/tour.

July, 2015

7-1-15 PG & HH – Meeting with veteran newly interested in volunteering as a Vet-to-Vet Compeer friend.

7-2-15 PG & HH – Interview and MHA tour with Sara, new veteran practicum WSU student.

7-5-15 HH – Patriotic Honor guest speaker to 2 Sunday School groups at 1st; PG presented Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support Program as well.

7-6-15 HH: Presentation to U.S. Air Force Airmen in the TAPS course regarding VPCSC, Vet-to-Vet Program & other local veteran resources, and Veterans’ Behavioral Health Advocacy Council (VBHAC).

PG – On Howard’s recommendation, PG spoke to Deputy Narciso Narvais, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department to request he arrange for PG, HH and 2 Compeer practicum students to tour the Mental Health Pod at the Sedgwick County jail.

PG – Spoke to Steve Gonzales VP Marketing and Public Relations from Alpha 1 Drop Zone regarding hosting an information booth for Vet-to-Vet Compeer and HH for VPCSC at a Veteran Appreciation event at Kia car dealership on August 15…a car will be given away to a veteran at this event.

7-7-15 HH – Round Table Employment for veterans meeting at Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, led by Robin Madson. HH distributed VPCSC invitation flyer to various providers at this meeting and to Behavioral Health Service Providers at the VA. PG & HH consulted with a Vet-to-Vet volunteer and program participant, offering support.

7-8-15 Talked to vet-to-vet participant regarding concerns. PG – Visited with potential Vet-to-Vet volunteers.

7-9-15 Met with Jen McGill – Catholic Charities SSVF to pick up donated items for veterans. Met with Betsy McCosh – VA, Public Relations Officer – VA, John Orrell; Dr. Bean, Melissa Gronau, Mark – PAV at VA, Bob Emmert – Social Work Dept. – VA, Vet-to-Vet participant and volunteer, VA Peer Support Specialist – Lance, Vet-to-Vet potential female volunteer, representatives from Pyxyx; Anne Corriston – IFM.

7-10-15 Hutch was a guest speaker for VPCSC and Patty for Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support Program at American Legion Post 136 in Mulvane to welcome the flag/tour from 6 – 7 p.m.. 1 Flag 48 States 100 Days, led by Lt. Col. Susan Lee and co-organized by Larry Lee. The flag arrived from Joplin, MO and then headed to Oklahoma City, OK. Sara Mabe, WSU Veteran Practicum Student and Diann Mazurek, veteran advocate, attended event. Both Hutch & Patty received Certifications of Appreciation Awards.

7-13-15 HH will visit VPCSC providers.

7-14-15 HH & PG Attended homeless veteran providers’ meeting to offer support to veterans at UMOD; (attendees: Connie Jarvis, VA; Angie Burnham and Brandi Wright (WFC).

PG & HH and Compeer practicum students, Neil Fogg from Friends University and Sara Mabe from WSU toured the Mental Health Pod at the Sedgwick County Jail.

HH – Attended Continuum of Care (COC) meeting.

7-20-15 HH – Presentation to U.S. Air Force Airmen in the TAPS course regarding VPCSC, Vet-to-Vet Compeer Program & other local veteran resources, and Veterans’ Behavioral Health Advocacy Council (VBHAC)

HH – Had a meeting with Stephanie Jo Dykes & Travis (Last name)

HH – Attended Round Table Employment for veterans meeting at Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, led by Robin Madson.

7-21-15 HH had brief meetings with John Orrell, Public Relations Director at VA, Jan Roberts; Local Recovery at the Dole VA Medical Center; and Barbara Hardyway.

7-22-15 HH delivered information and met with Jason Scheck and Commissioner Jim Howell regarding VPCSC meeting on 24th; also visited numerous VA providers.

7-23-15 HH visited veteran providers, including the Vet Center and United Way. PG visited 1st UMC to confirm needs for meeting.

7-24-15 Outstanding VPCSC meeting with Jason Scheck, Director of Outpatient Services at COMCARE, and Commissioner Jim Howell speaking to over 40 veteran service providers over lunch at First United Methodist Church. Jason Scheck highlighted the brand new location for the Community Crisis Center (CCC) – opened on July 24, at 635 N. Main with a detailed power point presentation and speech addressing the needs of the community regarding mental health/substance abuse care for citizens of Sedgwick County, along with streamlining care for those involved with law enforcement who are in crisis, saving the County millions of dollars by providing a “One Stop Shop” in the CCC.

Commissioner Jim Howell offered attendees insight on who he is…a Christian, native from Sedgwick County, a family man, a U.S. Veteran, former Kansas State Representative, caring deeply for others, with a heart for meeting the needs of Sedgwick County residents, in particular those residing in District 5, which he represents. He focused on the County making informed and sound decisions to provide the best services and care for more citizens. He applauded Jason Scheck’s leadership and COMCARE’s ability to help save taxpayers’ dollars by streamlining services such as providing the CCC.

7-28-15 PG & HH met with a newly referred veteran and his referral providers from Catholic Charities to participate in the Vet-to-Vet Compeer Support Program.

Met with new Vet-to-Vet volunteer at MHA.

HH & PG visited the VA and met with Carl Engle and Athena Williams, Employment Coordinator, both from Compensated Work Therapy (CWT).at the Robert J. Dole VA.

HH & PG attended Project Independence’s Annual Meeting where Howard Hutchison was re-elected to their Board of Directors for a 3-year term.

7-31-15 HH attended the Community Crisis Center (CCC) meeting.