AUGUSTA — Kennebec Behavioral Health held its 57th annual meeting June 15 at the Senator Inn. The event included recognitions of three area community partners for exceptional community service and partnership, according to a KBH news release.

The Outstanding Community Partnership Award was presented to the Waterville Police Department. Sgt. Dan Goss, Deputy Chief William Bonney, and Chief Joseph Massey were each credited for their engagement and support of the High Hopes Clubhouse in Waterville and its members. In addition to having a Waterville police officer on the clubhouse advisory board, clubhouse members have worked side by side with the police department in assisting in 5K races, working as parking attendants for large community events and working the polls for Election Day, according to the release.

Lisa Soucie, director of High Hopes Clubhouse, noted that Massey embraced the idea of a partnership with the clubhouse and supports his officers to get involved with the clubhouse community.

“He truly understands that a Clubhouse and the entire Kennebec Behavioral Health agency is a cornerstone service in our community,” said Soucie, according to the release.

The Humane Society of Waterville Area and Director Lisa Smith were presented with the James R. Schmidt Award. This award is presented annually to a person or organization that best exemplifies the late Jim Schmidt’s efforts to improve quality of life for adults who experience mental illness. Since 2014, Smith and her team have welcomed 15 High Hopes Clubhouse members into their organization. For many of those members, this was their first chance at work. Several now have jobs of their own and are very grateful for the opportunity that Smith and her team gave them, according to the release.

The Human Society of Waterville Area employs one High Hopes member in a Supported Employment position, and two members in 20 hour a week in a Transitional Employment position. Soucie said, “our partnership with the Waterville Humane Society is successful and here is the reason… Lisa Smith not only employs our members, but she ensures that they are part of her team. She takes the time to get to know the members and assists in any problem solving to help them be as successful in their employment as possible,” according to the release. She is a unique employer that provides an invaluable opportunity for members who may never have worked before.

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Finally, the Transformational Clinical Collaboration Award was presented to Jodi Beck, RN, director of Clinical Integration and Practice Improvement with Kennebec Region Health Alliance at MaineGeneral Medical Center. Beck has been an integral partner with Kennebec Behavioral Health as the organization has transformed its practice and delivery of case management services to becoming a successful Behavioral Health Home organization. KBH is an innovative case management model that supports behavioral and primary healthcare integration and one that is delivered by a team, according to the release.

Carla Stockdale, clinical director at KBH said, “Jodi is a tireless champion of integrated care, health care quality, and the statewide effort to service system transformation through the State of Maine’s Health Home initiatives. Jodi is not only a leader and partner in clinical practice within KRHA but has become one here at KBH in our Behavioral Health Homes and in the state of Maine,” according to the release.

A highlight of the evening was KBH’s keynote speaker Joel D. Corcoran, executive director of Clubhouse International.

Corcoran is responsible for all of Clubhouse International’s operations, programs, finances and communications.

Today, there are 329 clubhouses in 33 countries, reaching more than 100,000 people who live with mental illness every year, according to the release. Clubhouses across the global offer members opportunities for friendship, employment and education, as well as access to quality housing, medical and psychiatric services through a single caring and safe environment.

Corcoran told the crowd that Kennebec Behavioral Health has “some of the best [clubhouses] I’ve ever seen,” according to the release.

KBH was founded in 1960 and operates clinics in Waterville, Skowhegan, Winthrop and Augusta.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment for any KBH service, call 888-322-2136. Information also can be found at www.kbhmaine.org.


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