April 2022 Open Line

Mental Health Awareness Month

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Suicide Awareness Month

Topic: “Stress and Self-Care”
Date: Thursday, May 26, 2022
Time: 1:00 pm, Central Daylight Time (Chicago, GMT-05:00)
Register for this training session.

Topic: “Mental Health 101 for DCS Staff”
Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Time: 1:00 pm, Central Daylight Time (Chicago, GMT-05:00)
Register for this training session.

Topic: “The Importance of Individual, Team, and Agency Self-Care for Vicarious Trauma”
Date: Friday, May 20, 2022
Time: 12:00 pm, Central Daylight Time (Chicago, GMT-05:00)
Register for this training session.

2022 Human Trafficking Courses

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2022 Human Trafficking Annoucement

De-escalation Tip of the Week 

Breathing Strategies

Weekly_Wellness

April 29, 2022

WEEKLY WELLNESS TIP:  No bones about it, bone health is important! May is National Osteoporosis Month?  Read WFHTN’s Bone Health Basics handout to learn more about taking care of your bones!

AVOIDING WALKING/EXERCISE “MIS-STEPS” on Thursday, May 5 from 11:30-11:50 a.m. CT.  Join Certified Athletic Trainer and WFHTN Assistant Director of Population Health Kayla for tips on stretching, finding the right shoes, proper walking posture, how to gauge exercise intensity, how to set an achievable goal, and you’ll also have an opportunity to ask questions!

IT’S GONNA BE MAY!  During the month of May, the DCS Wellness Council invites you to embrace our mission of “Making 2022 the Year of YOU” and join in on one or more of these free health and wellness activities designed just for you...

  • MAY THE COURSE BE WITH YOU.  It’s not too late to join WFHTN’s virtual 5K series to help you get or stay active! Race when you want, where you want, and how you want! Beginners, experienced runners and walkers are welcome. Sign up for races, connect with other participants, and more here. (Check out our WFHTN Wellness Coordinator, Lindsey Joe, to demonstrate how you can join our 5K series!)
  • MAY THE 4th BE WITH YOU.  Let’s use Wednesday, May 4th as a reminder to be kind.  (Did you know there are scientifically proven benefits of being kind?)  Random acts of kindness can be as simple as giving someone a cup of coffee or pushing the shopping cart back into the store.  Show us YOUR pictures of kindness for a chance to win a prize. (Please submit to dcswellness.council@tn.gov.) We’ll give out three prizes to participants at random! 
  • IT’S GONNA BE MAY CHALLENGE.  Join the DCS Wellness Council’s "It's Gonna Be Me Challenge" to practice simple acts of self-care to help relieve your stress. Remember, self-care is NOT selfish - it's essential!  Complete 10 acts of self-care and redeem your challenge “Reward Card” for a wellness prize!
    • If you’re up for this challenge from Sunday, May 1 to Tuesday, May 31, please sign-up for the challenge communications HERE. (**Note: You do not have to sign-up for these communications to participate in this challenge. You can let us know you participated in this challenge & submit your completed challenge Reward Card to dcswellness.council@tn.gov by EOD Friday, June 3.)

 

April 22, 2022

WEEKLY WELLNESS TIP:  The days are getting longer, you’ve put your heavy coat away for another year and that frozen tundra out back is beginning to resemble your yard again. Spring is finally here.  It’s time to start gardening! If you’re ready to start your own garden, check out these resources:

 WEEKLY WORKDAY WORKOUTS

RECIPE OF THE WEEK:  This Easy Indian Creamed Spinach (Saag) is a deliciously simple variation of the traditional Saag dish.  Made with fresh tender baby spinach, this dish can be on the table in 20 minutes!

SUCCESS STORY SPOTLIGHT:  These co-workers helped each other quit tobacco with friendly competition. Did you know the benefits of quitting tobacco are almost immediate? Read 100 reasons to quit tobacco. Have you or a family member quit using tobacco? Share your success story with your DCS Wellness Council using this form. You can choose to remain anonymous!

 

April 15, 2022

WEEKLY WELLNESS TIP:  Financial wellness is an important part of your overall well-being! Check out these free financial resources:

RECIPE OF THE WEEK:  These Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins are naturally sweetened with banana and honey or maple syrup for an insanely delicious, perfectly moist muffin!

UPCOMING EMPLOYEE WELLNESS EVENT:

  • Trivia Break with Morgan: Tuesday, April 26 from 12 – 12:15 p.m. CT
  • Let’s take a mental health break and play trivia! The top three participants will win a prize. 🏆
  • >> CLICK HERE to download the calendar invite. <<
  • Can't join us live? These resources are available on-demand: 7-minute Desk Yoga
  • Like to look ahead? Grab a complete calendar of all our upcoming WFHTN events HERE.

READY TO ENJOY THE WARMER WEATHER? It’s not too late to join the DCS Wellness Council for their current workplace wellness challenge – the Pick 5 in 30 Challenge.  We’ll aim to explore more physical activity outdoors at different local greenways and parks over the month. You can walk, run, bike &/or hike – whatever is enjoyable to you!  Sign-up for the challenge communications HERE. (Note: You do not have to sign-up for these communications to participate in this challenge.)

 

April 8, 2022

WEEKLY WELLNESS TIP:  April is Stress Management Month.  Did you know you have access to help 24/7 through Here4TN?  Find resources to reduce stress, get access to mental health help, financial and legal services, and more.  CLICK HERE to learn more ways to manage stress.

GET THE BEST OF STRESS (WEBINAR) - Thursday, April 14 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CT.  In this Here4TN training, participants will get an overview of stress basics and practical suggestions for coping with stressful situations, like in the workplace. Learn concepts for healthy stress management and get tools to help dial down stress in your life.  CLICK HERE to register.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK:  These homemade Chinese Chicken Dumplings are healthy and great as a light meal or an appetizer!

Congratulations Graduates!

MentorCertificationCohort

Congratulations to the graduates of the first cohort of the new Mentor Certification process! This feat is impressive in and of itself, even more so given all of the challenges faced day in and day out in the field! We would like to thank each mentor for demonstrating best practices and for their willingness to support new hires! In addition, thank you to supervisors for attending graduation to celebrate this accomplishment with their staff. There was a total of 63 graduates of cohort 1 who attended the hybrid (in-person and virtual) graduation on March 31, 2022.

If you are interested in becoming a certified mentor, please complete the application below.
https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/new_mentor_cert_application.

Further, you can contact Myra Winters or Dawn Smith with any questions.

MentorCertificationCake

Productivity Tips

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Video Instructions

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De-escalation Weekly Tip

Melanie Markiewicz

I was contacted earlier this month by Russell Hembree, admissions specialist with Acadia, to log onto a Zoom presentation of Acadia Children’s Behavioral Solutions Award Ceremony. Acadia is a company of 229 Behavioral Health Facilities in 40 locations throughout the US and
Puerto Rico. Services are offered for Mental Health Acute, Detox/Substance Abuse, Residential, IOP, PHP, for children, teens, adults, and geriatric patients.

The company decided to initiate a new award that will be given out annually named the Melanie Markiewicz Patient Advocate Award, for dedication and tireless advocacy for patients. In the description, it explains- the nominated candidates for this award will have made a significant contribution or series of contributions to a significant impact on the lives of people living with mental illness and their families in a local, regional, state, or national community. The award is given based on the nominee's work in the following areas: Leadership, Commitment, Partnership, Breadth, and Depth of efforts and impact.

I am completely honored by this award and recognition of the work I have done, but it was only in conjunction with the teams at Acadia. Working with Ericka Burrini, Russell Hembree, Angie Hass, the business office teams, Leland Lusk, and the UR teams at the hospitals, have given me the ability to receive the information needed and get it to the right person to move the process quickly. Having the relationships with your teams has made the entire state work more quickly and smoothly in regards to getting our patients placed. This not only impacts the well-being of the patient but also the Mobile Crisis of TN, Hospital emergency rooms, which are already filled past capacity. DCS has been a huge portion of my responsibilities, working with their staff all across the state in attempts to keep kids out of custody and get them the treatment they need.

This could not have happened as timely if not for Shay Jones, DCS.

I will not be returning to my position at BCBST as my health has not improved substantially and my MD feels I am not ready to return.

I feel blessed to have been able to work at BCBST, with all the BH staff, providers, and other child advocacy staff across the nation. You are all in my heart

It is a team effort to make things happen!

Be the Hope!!

Melanie Markiewicz, RN,CCM

Award
Award
Make 2022 the Year of 2022_banner

April 1, 2022

WEEKLY WELLNESS TIP: DYK spending time in nature can improve your physical and mental health? Go to http://healthyparkstn.com. You can earn FREE rewards and gear for activities you complete at any park in Tennessee! Find TN State Parks at https://tnstateparks.com/about/find-a-park

GET OUTSIDE WITH US IN APRIL! Join the DCS Wellness Council for their next workplace wellness challenge – the Pick 5 in 30 Challenge. We’ll aim to explore more physical activity outdoors at different local greenways and parks over the month. You can walk, run, bike &/or hike – whatever is enjoyable to you! Sign-up for the challenge communications HERE. (Note: You do not have to sign-up for these communications to participate in this challenge.)

SPRING VIRTUAL 5k SERIES IS STARTING. Celebrate the spring season with us. Join WFHTN's virtual 5k series! Race when you want, where you want, and how you want. Beginners, experienced runners and walkers are welcome.

  • April 1-30: Wildflower Walk/Run 🌼
  • Click HERE to sign up, connect with other participants, and more.

UPCOMING WELLNESS EVENTS NEXT WEEK

  • Live Walking Workout with Kayla – Tuesday, April 5 from 9:30–9:45 a.m. CT
  • Increase Your Health Care IQ Webinar (presented by ParTNers for Health) -Wednesday, April 6 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CT
    • This is one you won’t want to miss if you’re a state health plan member! The mission at Benefits Administration is to deliver comprehensive, affordable, dependable, and sustainable benefits to all plan members. In recent years, we’ve added new and innovative programs and benefit improvements to help our members live their best lives. o 
    • Click here for a flyer with additional information and a registration link.
    • Like to look ahead? Grab a complete calendar of all our upcoming WFHTN events HERE.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK. This vegan Chickpea Egg Salad Recipe is hearty, protein-packed, and lower in fat, calories, and cholesterol than actual egg salad.