WHAT'S NEW AT NCCMHC?_____________________________________

May Is Mental Health Month

On May 8th the Newport County Community Mental Health Center held the first of its four events for May Is Mental Health Month, the screening of "The Soloist".  The purpose of this event was not only to raise much-needed funds for NCCMHC but, almost more importantly, we hoped to raise the community's awareness about mental illness and homelessness. 
Thanks to the efforts of a dedicated event committee, the screening of "The Soloist" was a success.  Funds were raised, there were many questions asked by attendees directed to our expert panel, and the feedback has been most gratifying of people thinking differently about those individuals who are homeless and suffering symptoms of mental illness.
We want to thank our Moderator--Dr. Joseph Bevilacqua, Panelists--Pam MacFarlane, Attorney Robert Sabel and Chris Reidy, and our Guest Cellist--Michael Garvey.  Also deserving of our appreciation is Salve Regina University for the use of its beautifully renovated Antone Academic Center. 
Of utmost importance to the success of our event and deserving of our deep gratitude are our Sponsors.  Thank you one and all for your generous support:

NCCMHC Board of Directors; J. Clement Cicilline, MS;
Newport Prescription Center; CMIT Solutions;
Brian J. Hubbard, LICSW; PDQ; Heckart~Weiss Family;
Aquidneck Restaurant & Pizzeria; Susan Jacobs Reidy, MSW, LICSW & Chris Reidy, MSW, LICSW; Suzanne S. Borstein, Ph.D.; Newport Athletic Club; Hallman's Septic & Portable Toilets; Drs. Susan & Chris Erstling;
Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant; BR Arnold Construction Company;
Brewski's Food & Friends; Ben & Jerry's Thames Street; The Red Parrot;
KJ's Pub & Restaurant; TAM--Turning Around Ministries; Christine Vollaro, PMH, CNS, BC; Dale Blumen, LMFT; Dunkin Donuts; Pamela Warner de Montoya;
Jennifer M. DeWolf, MSW, LICSW; Tumbleweed Landscaping;
ABC--Atlantic Beach Club; Gary's Handy Lunch; Pour Judgement; Long Wharf Seafood; One Eighty; Eneida Melo; Tucker's Bistro; Mello Construction Co., Inc.; LaForge Casino Restaurant; Fatulli's Bakery & Deli; Asterisk Restaurant and Broadway Sunoco.
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MHRH Director Craig S. Stenning
Visited the NCCMHC Board of Directors on April 19, 2010

L to R:  David Kelly, Chair; J. Clement Cicilline, President & CEO; Craig S. Stenning, Sandra Oxx,    Joseph Palumbo, Charles Hayes, Judy Jones, Vice Chair; and Barbara Audino, Secretary

Craig S. Stenning, Director of MHRH, visited with the Board of Directors at its April meeting.  Mr. Stenning spoke about the history of MHRH and the many changes that he has seen in his ten years working for the State.  He acknowledged these ten years have seen consistent budget reductions to MHRH and its program, but said that change is unavoidable as we move forward.  No longer can it be "Business as Usual."  With funding cuts and competition, Community Mental Health Centers will need to adapt to change.  As an example, he noted the advancement of "Network Providers" wherein smaller agencies can continue to provide their particular services but as part of one larger Provder.  Mr. Stenning spoke about the current focus by State Legislators on "Reform and Consolidation."  In response, he said budgets must be transparent and spending easily explained.  There must be equitable distribution of Provider funding and services must be based on the needs of clients and not on funding sources.

Board members asked a range of questions from whether the State was offering incentives for Provider consolidation to whether such consolidations were in the best interest of clients.  In response, Mr. Stenning said that the State had no such money, but hopes that such consolidations would result in efficiencies in operations. 

Before leaving, Mr. Stenning thanked Mr. Cicilline for the invitation to speak to NCCMHC's Board of Directors and thanked Board members for their contribution towards helping clients challenged by mental and behavioral health disorders.
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Newport Hospital Executives Visit
Newport County Community Mental Health Center
on March 17, 2010

L to R:  Francis "Butch" Paranzino, NCCMHC VP & COO; Cathy Duquette, NH VP-Nursing & Patient Care Services; J. Clement "Bud" Cicilline, NCCMHC President & CEO; August "Gus" Cordeiro, NH President & CEO; Barbara Arcangeli, VP-Human Resources; and Terrence R. McWilliams, MD, NH VP of Medical Affairs

Executives from Newport Hospital (NH) toured the facilities of Newport County Community Mental Health Center (NCCMHC) on March 17, 2010.  NH and NCCMHC have been genuine partners in providing much-needed mental and behavioral health services to Newport County for the past 45 years.  There has been a rich history between these two organizations with NH being very supportive in helping the Newport County Mental Health Clinic get started in 1964, and with the clinic, establishing the first comprehensive community mental health center in the state in 1973.

NH and NCCMHC continue to join ranks in seeing that the highest quality of care and treatment is available to people in need.  The clinical staff of both organizations are dedicated to the highest standards of care and collaborate every day to assure that patients receive the services they need so they are able to get back on the road to recovery.
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NCCMHC CELEBRATES 46TH ANNUAL MEETING

From L to R:  Deanna J. Casey, Treasurer; J. Clement Cicilline, President & CEO; William E. West; paul L. Gaines; Sheila A. Cory, Barbara J. Audino, Secretary; David L. Kelly, Chair; and Judy K. Jones, Vice Chair

PUBLIC STATEMENT

The Newport County Community Mental Health Center conducted its 46th Annual Meeting on February 22, 2010, at the Atlantic Beach Club, Middletown.

Officers who were elected include:  David L. Kelly, Chair; Judy K. Jones, Vice Chair; Barbara J. Audino, Secretary; Deanna J. Casey, Treasurer; J. Clement Cicilline, Clerk.  Delegates to RI Council of Community Mental Health Organizations elected were Sheila A. Cory, Barbara J. Audino and J. Clement Cicilline.

Receiving Outstanding Community Service Awards were Senator M. Teresa Paiva Weed, RI Senate President; Cheryl G. Robinson, TAM President; Mary Leveillee, PhD(c), RN, PCNS, URI Instructor, College of Nursing; and Nancy Guertin, LICSW, Clinical Director of Family Development, Head Start.

          
Sen. Teresa Paiva Weed, J. Clement Cicilline and Sen. Charles J. Levesque


Mary Jane Creely, VP & QIO; Paul L. Gaines, Chair; Mary Leveillee, URI Nursing Instructor and J. Clement Cicilline, President & CEO

Consumer Achievement Awards were presented to Joan Price, Michael Bowley, Joel Robinson and Bruce J. Ferdinand

L to R:  J. Clement Cicilline, Joan Price, Michael Bowley, Joel Robinson, Bruce J. Ferdinand, and
Francis L. Paranzino, VP & COO

Long-serving Chair, Paul Gaines and Vice Chair, William West, both stepped down from these offices and passed the baton of leadership to David Kelly, Chair and Judy Jones, Vice-Chair.  Also, NCCMHC welcomed the return of previous Board member, Joseph R. Palumbo, Jr. and new member, Sandra Oxx.

Attendees enjoyed the sun-filled event venue of the ABC, looking out on the Atlantic Ocean , a delicious buffet, and the shared purpose of clients, staff and community leaders in recognizing the need for and benefits of
mental and behavioral health services.

We thank all who attended.

For futher information call 846-1213, Melissa Seifert X103 or J. Clement Cicilline, M.S. X110.
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NCCMHC HOSTED ITS 1ST ANNUAL BIKE-A-THON ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2009.  

The event was a great success with spectacular weather, enthusiastic Riders and dedicated volunteers.