Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches News

OAKWOOD CENTER RECEIVES $50,000 PALM HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION GRANT FOR PROGRAM ENTITLED “COPING WITH ECONOMIC STRESS”

The Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches, Inc. announces the award of $50,000 from the Palm Healthcare Foundation for an inaugural program “Coping with Economic Stress.” Without strong systems in place to help families and individuals whose lives have been disrupted by job loss or significant income reduction, the community cannot adequately cope with economic stress. This grant will support a program to provide individuals with the necessary coping skills to deal with the negative implications due to the current economy. “We are truly grateful to Palm Healthcare Foundation for supporting this important and timely initiative” said Dr. Linda DePiano, Chief Executive Officer of the Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches. DePiano credited Barbara E. Golden, Ph.D. and Kristin McCabe, MS, with the development of this innovative program after reading the extensive research of Dr. Rand Conger and Dr. Glen H. Elder on families in economic crisis.

Through a series of 5 free workshops the participants will engage in activities including group discussions, education, and role play designed to identify stressors, increase resilience, improve coping skills, improve family communications and strengthen ties to the community. Individual and family therapy will also be offered to maximize the benefits of the workshop.

To find out more information on this program please call 561-246-0834

Oakwood Center’s Show Reveals the Power of Art
Center’s clients gain self-confidence, self-awareness through unique program

The Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches held their annual “Art at Oakwood” show on April 27, 2009. The art show featured more than 60 pieces of art using multi-mediums including acrylic paintings, ink and stick creations, clay designs, textile art and collages. The exhibition was presented by Oakwood’s talented clients under the direction of teaching artists: Ruth Amiel, Nancy Rossi, Maryellen Shafer, Kathy Azeez, and Oakwood Center’s Chairman of the Board, art class director Barbara E. Golden, Ph. D.

The Oakwood Center art program allows clients to express their thoughts and creativity through the unique classes as a way to help manage symptoms of stress; to cope with traumatic experiences; to enhance cognitive abilities; and to enjoy the life-affirming pleasures that come with creating artwork.

“The art process is just as important as the end product,” said Dr. Barbara Golden. “When you come to the show and see the remarkable displays, you are witnessing the result of months of hard work. The students spent time expressing their thoughts and feelings through their art objectively, which leads to a greater sense of self-awareness, and will help them in their future endeavors.”

“The art program is one of the most rewarding achievements for both the artists and for the instructors,” said Dr. Linda DePiano, CEO of Oakwood Center. “The artists see their pieces during the show and realize the incredible achievements they have accomplished. This is more than a typical art show, and we are thrilled with the creativity and the efforts the artists put into their exhibition.”

Oakwood Center provides treatment for adults and children with behavioral disorders to help them restore and maintain their productive lives in the community. Its mission is to help clients build resiliency, facilitate recovery and achieve reintegration into the community by designing and delivering behavioral health care services that meet their needs and expectations. For more information on Oakwood Center and its services please contact (561) 383-5725 or www.oakwoodcenter.org.

10th Annual Oakwood Center Luncheon Honors Local Senator, TV Personality

On Wednesday, December 3, 2008 local business leaders and philanthropists gathered at The Marriott City Place in West Palm Beach for the annual Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches Walter D. Kelly Award luncheon. The 10th annual luncheon packed the room in support of the local behavioral health facility and their honorees. The annual luncheon raised $27,000 to benefit the Center and its ongoing programs and services.

Emcee Pat Murphy, of WPEC News Channel 12, kicked off the luncheon by welcoming to the stage Paul Gionfriddo to lead the spectacular live auction which raised funds for Oakwood’s ongoing programs and services. “We are very thankful to those who support us by attending the luncheon. The support we receive at this luncheon helps us reach out to the community and help those in need our services,” said Dr. Linda DePiano, CEO of Oakwood Center.

Guests were treated to a keynote address by guest speaker, Carole Marks. Marks, CEO of Focus Communications and host of the nationally syndicated daily radio show titled, “A Touch of Grey: The Talk Show for Grownups,” spoke of the importance of supporting Center’s like Oakwood and reducing the stigma around mental health. Senator Dave Aronberg was presented with the Walter D. Kelly award for his hard work on behalf of those with mental illness in the State of Florida. “As your Senator it is my duty, and my honor, to represent everyone,” said Aronberg. “I have made it a top priority to fight for those with mental illness and it is a great privilege to be recognized for something I believe in. I will keep working to represent you in Tallahassee and I invite everyone to join me.”

Also honored at the luncheon was longtime Oakwood Board Member, Bob Critton. Critton has dedicated 16 years to Oakwood Center and has served as Chair of the first annual Oakwood Golf Classic and Chairman of the Board of Directors. The most moving award of the afternoon was the Friend of Oakwood Award. The recipient of this inaugural award was the late Jim Gallagher whose family accepted on his behalf. “Jim was a great friend to Oakwood,” said DePiano. “He was always ready and willing to support us in any way possible. Thanks in large part to Jim we are all gathered today for this luncheon.”

Co-chairs of the luncheon were Barbara Golden, Ph. D. and Richard Wilson. Sponsors of the luncheon were Jerry and Barbara Golden, Richard Wilson, Dr. and Mrs. Suresh P. Rajpara, Burman, Critton & Luttier, LLP.,Grand Bank & Trust of Florida, and Southwest Airlines.

Oakwood Center provides treatment for adults and children with behavioral disorders to help them restore and maintain their productive lives in the community. Its mission is to help clients build resiliency, facilitate recovery and achieve reintegration into the community by designing and delivering behavioral health care services that meet their needs and expectations. For more information on Oakwood Center and its service please contact (561) 383-5725 or www.oakwoodcenter.org.

Third Annual Golf Classic to benefit the Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches, Inc. was held on March 27, 2009

More than 60 golfers joined honorary chairman Pat Murphy, sports director of CBS12 and Fox 29, for a breezy day on the greens on March 27. “It was a little windy, but we played well,” Murphy said after play. His foursome came in a strong third.

The winning foursome was Mike Bianchini, Bob Burke, Mike Caggiano and Jim Longfield. Sam Liebovich was closest to the pin for men; Nancy Rossi won for the ladies. Maria Flamini won ladies’ longest drive.

Co-chairs this year were Oakwood’s board chairwoman, Barbara E. Golden, Ph.D., and Richard Wilson Jr., CTFA, board vice chairman, who won men’s longest drive.

“Thank you for supporting mental health in Palm Beach County, especially in this economy,” Dr. Golden said in her welcoming remarks to patrons at the reception.

“We’re so appreciative of our co-chairs,” Oakwood’s chief executive officer, Linda De Piano, Ph.D., said as she presented them with gifts.

Board member Paul Gianfriddo did a masterful job as the auctioneer for items that included vintage wine, rounds of golf, a croquet party and a golf vacation. The pieces de resistance of the silent auction was a $1,000 set of Cobra golf clubs and a hand-turned wooden bowl made by Jerry Golden.

Ken and Jerry Golden, Dr. Golden’s husband and son, and their business American Paper Recycling, were the eagle sponsors
“Our founder, Jerome Golden, told me, ‘when things get tough, it’s time to step up to the plate,’ Ken Golden said.

Other major sponsors were Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc.; Ingam Retirement Group, Karpus Investment Management, Scott Harris - Group Insurance Solutions, and Richard Wilson Jr., the co-chair.

Committee members also included Jerry Golden, Dr. De Piano, Hank Newman, Nancy Rossi and Joan Schwartzman.

Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches CEO Visits U.S. Congress,
Urges Support for Mental Health and Addictions Services

Linda DePiano, PhD., CEO of the Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach will join nearly 350 public mental health and addictions administrators, psychiatrists, patients and community leaders from 40 states in Washington, DC June 9-10 to add their voices to the growing healthcare reform debate.

The local representatives, members of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (National Council), are meeting with Representative Alcee L. Hastings, Senator Mel Martinez, Representative Ron Klein, Senator Bill Nelson, and Representative Robert Wexler to ask for the resources that people with mental illnesses and addiction disorders need to live full and productive lives.

These advocates arrive in Washington DC as community mental health and addiction treatment organizations nationwide are experiencing a 20 percent surge in demand for services, according to a recent survey by the National Council. Demand is increasing and states are cutting funds -- reducing services, closing programs and imposing hiring freezes.

“Even though Florida’s state funding remains stable, the demand for services has increased by 25% and admissions have increased by 12% in the past four months. The cost of care has continued on the rise even though Medicaid reform has restricted funds for programs,” says DePiano. “Oakwood Center itself is also dealing with a decrease in local municipal funds and donations from private donors. The national healthcare reform agenda must include mental health and addiction services, which are vital to keeping us strong, safe and productive."

Nationwide, the economic, social and human costs of mental health and addictions disorders are staggering:

Mental illness drains our economy of more than $80 billion every year, accounting for 15 percent of the total economic burden of all disease.
Alcohol and drug abuse contributes to the death of more than 100,000 Americans and costs upwards of half a trillion dollars a year.
A quarter of all Social Security disability payments are for individuals with mental illness.

"Legislators representing Florida can bring mental health and addictions treatment to the table as we discuss healthcare reform. We cannot afford to let this historic opportunity pass and we cannot let our most vulnerable citizens go without care," says DePiano.

To prepare for a new era of healthcare accountability while attempting to stem the escalating mortality rates of people with serious mental illnesses, Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches, Inc., along with the National Council, is pursuing four initiatives:

Mental Health and Substance-Use Disorders Included in Benefit Packages: Mental health and substance abuse benefits must be part of any nationwide healthcare reform plan, with equitable insurance coverage for mental health and addiction disorders on par with other health conditions.
"Federally Qualified" Behavioral Health Centers: Create a national standard of evidence-based treatment and supports for persons with mental illnesses and addiction disorders, with reimbursement based upon the cost of delivering services.
Co-location of Primary Care in Community Behavioral Health Organizations: Enable persons with serious mental illness to benefit from one-stop, comprehensive care for behavioral and physical conditions under one roof.
HIT Funding: Ensure that community behavioral health organizations are eligible for any federal health information technology funding made available to help physicians, hospitals and community health centers adopt and use electronic health records.

Oakwood Center provides treatment for adults and children with behavioral disorders to help them restore and maintain their productive lives in the community. Its mission is to help clients build resiliency, facilitate recovery and achieve reintegration into the community by designing and delivering behavioral health care services that meet their needs and expectations. For more information on Oakwood Center and its services please contact (561) 383-5725 or www.oakwoodcenter.org.

The Late Dr. Joseph A. Orr To Be Honored by
Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches, Inc.

Even a year after his death, the great leader and humanitarian, Dr. Joseph A. Orr is still being recognized for his tireless years of service to the community. The Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches, Inc. is proud to announce that Dr. Orr will receive the Friend of the Oakwood Award at the Walter D. Kelly Award Luncheon on December 2.

Dr. Orr was a member of the Oakwood Board of Directors since 1988 until his death in 2008 and Board Chairman from March 2003 to February 2006.

“Dr. Orr embodied the spirit and honor of this award, thus making it a unanimous board decision to recognize him,” said Linda DePiano, Ph.D. Chief Executive Officer. “We are delighted to honor his memory by presenting this award to his widow Linda Free Orr.”
A longtime leader in Palm Beach County public education, Joseph A. Orr, died in November of 2008 after a lengthy battle with prostate cancer.

In addition to his support of the Oakwood Center and other non-profit organizations including Hospice, he enjoyed a 40 year career with the Palm Beach County School District. He was responsible for implementing and developing many advanced programs that elevated the school system, from the international baccalaureate, to magnet schools, finance academy, teaching academy and the gifted education and potentially gifted programs.

Dr. Orr, along with others will be recognized on Wednesday, December 2 at the Walter D. Kelly Award Luncheon at the Marriott Hotel at CityPlace. The awards ceremony is named for the late Walter D. Kelly, a former president of the Board of Directors for the Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches, a community activist and tireless advocate for adolescents with emotional problems and individuals with psychiatric disabilities. The event has been held for 10 years and past honorees include: Rose Meyerowich, Mary Alice Fortin, Buck Kinnaird, Fran Hathaway, The Honorable Harry and Mary Johnston, the Honorable Senators Eleanor Weinstock, Jeffrey Atwater and Dave Aronberg, Mayor Lois Frankel and Congressman Ron Klein. Funds from this event benefit the Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches, Inc.

Since 1970, the Center has made an impact on countless lives by providing a full range of behavioral health services to children, adults and families of central, northern and western Palm Beach County. This year, the Center has served approximately 9,000 residents, with 84% of those clients having an annual income of less than $10,000.