At Telecare, our vibrant community of peer professionals are doing great work to help our members on their recovery journey. Listen to their stories about lived experience in the mental health systems and why they chose to work at Telecare inside this post.
Read MoreIn June, some of Telecare’s Orange County peer professionals came together to share their recovery journey during a panel workshop titled Resilience & Recovery: PTSD, Grief, and Loss. Watch the workshop inside this post!
Read MoreThe team at Orange County AOT did a fun socially distanced team-building activity where team members created their own t-shirts incorporating the Telecare logo with some cool screen prints.
Read MoreOC AOT received a generous donation of food items from a local room and board operator, Michael Rosenberg of the Chalet House. The donations were shared with members so that no one has to go without a meal.
Read MoreTelecare’s Mike McKinsey (PSC II/Benefits Specialist at the Orange County AOT program) was part of a special group of employees who helped the Orange County Health Care Agency provide clinical assessments to more than 700 individuals experiencing homelessness. Mike, who previously dealt with homelessness himself, used his lived experience to help elevate others in need.
Read MoreThe Western Recovery Conference is by and for people in recovery, mental health consumers, clients, and survivors. Presented by SHARE! and Peers Action 4 Change, the conference took place on March 9 in Culver City, CA and included over 400 attendees with more than 70 workshops.
Presenting "Peers of the Roundtable" was Lei Portugal Calloway, Peer Team Lead at Orange County AOT in Santa Ana. Participants shared their journey, successes, and challenges as they maneuver through their lives and careers. The 75-minute discussion included what's going on with peer roles in our communities and within our organizations, giving and receiving support, and brainstorming about the future of peer support.
Shown in the group picture are Telecare employees Jude Martinez (first from left), who is a Peer Recovery Coach at TAO Central and Jorge Camacho (second from left), who is a Peer Support Specialist at TAO North. Photo taken by event attendee and Telecare employee David Calloway (Housing Specialist at STEPS).
In Orange County, 30 Telecare staff members showed up to help the county’s Health Care Agency provide clinical assessments to more than 700 individuals experiencing homelessness who were being transitioned from the Santa Ana Riverbed to motels throughout the county.
“We were proud to be able to respond to their call,” said Ed Bienkowski, Telecare’s Regional Director of Operations in Orange County. “I got a request on Saturday night over President’s Day weekend to see if we had anyone available to assess the mental health needs of people being moved the next week. I texted our administrators, and within an hour they all got back to me with staff lined up to help.”
That Sunday and Monday, staff members and interns from Telecare’s TAO, TAO South, STEPS, and Orange County AOT programs came with their cars and trucks to assist the county with moving belongings and providing clinical assessments.
"I was there to offer compassion and support for those who wanted to take advantage of the opportunity of getting into a motel," said Jyoti Gustafson, Personal Service Coordinator (PSC) II at Orange County AOT. "Some had jobs, some had pets and family, others had not been homeless for long and just needed a place to regroup. They were people in their community who would benefit from linkage to a variety of resources. By us being there on a united front with the county and interacting with those who needed placement, we may be a familiar face down the line if that person is ever referred to our program or in need of services."
"Going to the riverbed was a reminder of why it is so important to do what we do every day," said Angela Pierce, PSC II at TAO South. "It was a humbling experience and a great reminder of the cultural diversity of both our members and Orange County in general, and the need to provide resources and the support to allow people to have fulfilling lives. It was also a reminder to be mindful of each other's uniquenesses and to be present when engaging with individuals—comforting people when they express sadness, celebrating people when they achieve their goals. We were able to show people we are there to support as best we could, even if it was just to ease the stress, anxiety, fear, or whatever they were experiencing at the time."
We are grateful to have such a committed team of Telecare staff members who respond with great heart to help others in times of need. We are honored to be a helpful resource to our customers and in our local communities.
Orange County program’s came together for one festive 50th anniversary party earlier in June. STEPS and AOT staff attended a party with Telecare leadership, county service chiefs from their respective program types, and Mark Refowitz, agency director for Orange County Health Care Authority, who had some very kind words about Telecare.
Party planners added some fun by affixing trivia about 1965 to their 50th balloons, and guests were treated to some entertainment from a member playing acoustic guitar and singing. The party also included a touching speech from a staff member and member–and let’s not forget about the 50th anniversary cupcakes!
Thank you to the staff and guests that helped make this party fantastic!
50 Years of Services to People With Serious Mental Illness
