MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

We have all heard about the importance of taking care of our bodies to promote good physical health.  Participating in regular activities such as exercising, getting enough sleep, and eating healthy foods are known to be important aspects of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  However, not all of us consider the importance of caring for our mental health.  Good overall health involves caring for our minds as well as our bodies.

Mental health is the ability to cope with the challenges of daily life.  An individual with good mental health is able to cope with these daily challenges in healthy ways, whereas an individual with poor mental health might feel overwhelmed by daily life.  Having poor mental health can contribute to physical problems such as high blood pressure, weight gain, headaches, and sleep disturbances.  It can also exacerbate existing mental health and substance abuse conditions, including depression, anxiety, and alcohol or drug abuse.  Fortunately, there are steps we can take to improve our mental health.  Steps such as building a healthy support network, recognizing the signs of stress, and knowing when to reach out for help are positive ways to improve one’s mental health.

The mind and body share a powerful connection.  So take a moment to reflect upon the condition of your mental health, and take a step to strengthen it.  If you find that you need help, the Professional Counseling Team at Human Support Services is available to assist children, adults, and families with developing positive mental health. 

The mission of Human Support Services (HSS) is to provide high quality, comprehensive services to Monroe County residents with mental health or substance needs, or developmental disabilities.  HSS is a private, non-profit community resource founded in 1973, providing confidential COA-accredited services.  Thanks to the United Way of Greater St. Louis and the local Monroe County Community Mental Health Funding Board (H.B. 708), HSS can set fees that are affordable.  For further information, call 618-939-4444, visit www.hss1.org or become a friend on Facebook.   

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

 

Athletes from Human Support Services participated in the Region 12 Special Olympics meet held Saturday, April 26 at SIU-E.  Many returned with first place (seven winners), second place (ten winners) and third place (six winners) medals and all 24 returned with participation medals.  Those placing first have the opportunity to advance to the Summer Games held June 13 to 15.  Summer Games is Special Olympics Illinois premiere sports competition with more than 4,000 athletes and Unified Partners competing in six different sports, along with 1,600 coaches, 2,500 volunteers and 3,300 family members.  The Summer Games are held at Illinois State University in Normal and the Illinois Wesleyan University campus in Bloomington.  A variety of activities are provided for the participants in addition to the sports competitions.

 

GROW COMING TO WATERLOO

GROW, an international organization is coming to Waterloo!  GROW was founded in Australia in 1957 by people with mental illnesses for people with mental illnesses with the focus to reach out into the community to offer support for everyone.   Meetings and social activities are planned by the members.  Meetings are held weekly and will start on Wednesday, May 7 at Human Support Services from 12 noon to 2pm.  Sharon Pochek, the area’s fieldworker will be present to help with the onset.  Please, come and join this wonderful organization.  It’s FREE and everyone is welcome.  For questions, contact Dawn Garner at 939-5716.

HSS GETS NEW VEHICLES

As the Hecker group homes nears completion we recently added some new vehicles to the HSS fleet.  These three brand-new Dodge mini-vans were just purchased at significant savings through a group purchasing program operated by the State of Illinois.  Instead of purchasing used vans, the great savings we were able to receive through this purchasing group purchasing program allowed us to buy new vehicles with full warrantees.  One of the new vans will go to the Hecker group homes, one will replace an old van at our Bradford site and the third we will swap with one of  the wheelchair lift vans, sending the lift van to Hecker and assigning the new van to whichever program gives up their lift van

KARI DOYLE - DIRECT CARE WORKER

Human Support Services (HSS) is pleased to announce the hire of Kari Doyle as a direct care worker at the “Waterloo and Main” apartment sites.  Kari resides in Waterloo and enjoys spending time with her family.  Kari will teach developmentally delayed clients daily living skills to help them live as independently as possible in the community.  In this role, she will teach/assist with daily living skills, pass medications, and provide social skills training.  She will be supervised by Site Manager Bobbi Walters.  HSS provides 24-hour supervision to nearly 40 developmentally delayed or mentally ill clients.

The mission of HSS is to provide high quality, comprehensive services to Monroe County residents with mental health or substance abuse needs, or developmental disabilities.  HSS is a private, non-profit community resource founded in 1973, providing confidential COA-accredited services.  Thanks to the United Way of Greater St. Louis and the local Monroe County Community Mental Health Funding Board (H.B. 708), HSS can set fees that are affordable.  For further information, call 618-939-4444, visit www.hss1.org or become a friend on Facebook.  

DIRECT SUPPORT WORKERS

Human Support Services, a non-profit community mental health agency located in Monroe County seeks direct support workers.

We are looking for part time dependable caring workers to teach daily living skills and assist adults with mental illness and/or developmental disabilities in agency housing.  Must be 21 or older, high school diploma or GED, driver’s license, pass criminal background check, willing to work shifts other than days.  DSP training a plus but not required.  Part time weekend workers will not be offered the benefits package, but will be paid $15.00 per hour.

Send cover letter and resume to

Direct Support Worker
Human Support Services
988 N Illinois Route 3
P O Box 146
Waterloo IL 62298-0146
Or e-mail to dwood@hss1.org         
EOE/ADA

ALEXIS MCCANTON - PRODUCTION TRAINER

 

 

Human Support Services (HSS) is pleased to announce the transfer of Alexis McCanton from the “Waterloo/Main” residential sites to the sheltered workshop.  Alexis is a member of the Service Employees’ International Union Local 1 Missouri Division.  She joined HSS in May 2012 as a direct care worker at the Main Street apartments.  Alexis resides in Dupo and enjoys spending time with her daughter.  As a production trainer, Alexis will be assisting clients in the workshop, helping them focus on work, learn job skills and earn a paycheck.  She will also perform quality control on the items produced by the client workforce and will be supervised by Production Manager Rik Taylor.  The workshop includes six employees who oversee nearly 70 clients; projected contract income for FY2014 is $90,000. 

 The mission of HSS is to provide high quality, comprehensive services to Monroe County residents with mental health or substance abuse needs, or developmental disabilities.  HSS is a private, non-profit community resource founded in 1973, providing confidential COA-accredited services.  Thanks to the United Way of Greater St. Louis and the local Monroe County Community Mental Health Funding Board (H.B. 708), HSS can set fees that are affordable.  For further information, call 618-939-4444, visit www.hss1.org or become a friend on Facebook.