Keystone Mental Health Agency - Assignment Example

Keystone mental health agency Introduction Keystone Services is a mental health agency. Keystone Services has a mental therapy program for kids and adolescences. Keystone Services offers services that facilitate the development of an persons daily living and communal skills, including the ability to make decisions concerning self care and life, communication skills, problem solving, disagreement resolution, anger organization, annoyance tolerance, goal setting, peer interaction, directorial skills, nourishment, reduction in impulsive behavior, rational sensitive theory, skill streaming, option thinking strategies, and make opportunities for option regarding home, teaching, and community contribution. (Walker R., Peach H.G., MacDonald M., & Donald K, 2000) Role with other health agencies Keystone is at present working with a variety of organizations in the United States in health sector especially in psychological health. The agencys dream is to create an atmosphere where all public, regardless of setting and "ability", can grow, make choices, and be esteemed and contributing members of our group of people. And, their mission statement, which is similar is to "Create opportunities for growth and meaningful life choices so that all people can be valued, contributing members of their community." Ms. Whitson has three positions that she is responsible for. Ms. Whitson is the clinical director of the agency, keystone Services of Maryland. In addition, she is the program director and rehabilitation director of the Children and Adolescence Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (Walker R., Peach H.G., MacDonald M., & Donald K, 2000) organization primary responsibilities of these positions are to employ, hire, train, and administer employees, assess and discuss job performance with employees, chair weekly program meetings, ascertain that employees receive all necessary training within required time frames, ensure services are provided in a manner that incorporates the vision, mission, and guiding principles of the organization, ensure quality assurance activities are developed and completed, ensure policies and procedures are followed in daily operations. (Walker R., Peach H.G., MacDonald M., & Donald K, 2000) To develop and maintain an adequate work schedule to meet regulatory requirements, complete all required program and service reports within required timeframes, develop and implement budget, oversee fiscal operations of the program, provide leadership in the planning, development and refinement of the program model, provide direction and support in crisis situations, participate in activities and committees outside the organization which enhance the service of the agency, develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with other mental health service providers, present specialized learning modules for clients, maintain a caseload of participants that are seen on a weekly basis or more as needed, develop and implement individual rehabilitation plans, maintain records to include documentation of participant progress, ensure rehabilitation plans and records are reviewed at a minimum of every twenty treatment days, conduct intakes with new participants, conduct regular assessments of participants new to and already receiving services, and maintain high standards of quality in the areas of rehabilitation plans, goal planning, progress notes, report writing, professional conduct, team work, relationships, crisis intervention, and values and attitudes. Her typical day consist mainly of managing employees, checking clinically that the childrens treatment plans are being applied, and many of the other duties that were listed above. (Walker R., Peach H.G., MacDonald M., & Donald K, 2000) Key stone has launched a campaign incorporated with national agency of mental heath and sciences recently that is the main substance that allows this company to achieve its goals in working with people who have mental illnesses. Not only communication between clients and staff, but also communication between staff and many other professionals inside and outside of the agency such as Doctors and Psychologist just to name a few this agencies does have a communication policy. Among employees, they use direct and open communication. Since the Westminster office only consists of 18 workers, it is essential that employees and managers can comfortably discuss work issues or employment concerns. Good communication means a healthy environment of mutual trust and respect exists. Because communication is so essential to their agency, Keystone has established a formal Communication Policy. (Walker R., Peach H.G., MacDonald M., & Donald K, 2000) Structure Keystones Communication Policy features several tools; the most important is the Open Door Policy. This is a commitment from managers and supervisors to listen and respond to employee concerns. Following are the basic steps employees should follow under the Open Door Policy. Discuss the concern with your immediate supervisor. If the problem cant be resolved with the supervisor, (Walker R., Peach H.G., MacDonald M., & Donald K, 2000) complete an Employee Complaint Form. Submit the form to your supervisor and send a copy to Corporate Human Resources. If your supervisor is unable to resolve the problem within three working days, the complaint is sent to the Director of Human Resources. If the Director of Human Resources cannot resolve the problem within three working days, the complaint is sent to the Regional Administrator, with a copy to the Senior Vice President. Communication between staff consists of emails, payroll attachments, work procedures and policies, telephone, and postings on bulletin boards throughout the facility. A majority of the emails that are sent, both internally and externally, make up the bulk of the communication that takes place. Using the Lotus Notes system, the emails also allow for the scheduling of meetings and appointments. Payroll attachments, mainly consisting of information regarding employee morale, benefits and payroll information, are provided for those team members that do not have regular access to the email system. These attachments are usually provided, in the case of employee events or benefit changes, at least two to four weeks prior to the date provided. Supervisors are required to sign a statement that all team members have been provided with the attachments. (Walker R., Peach H.G., MacDonald M., & Donald K, 2000) Many, if not all, of the procedures and operations are documented in the Policy Manual. Additionally, if new policies are implemented, they are provided via e-mail until the hard copy of the new policy manual is distributed. Keystone believes that ongoing communication usually prevents problems from arising in the first place. Thats why Keystone holds Employee Meetings at least once a week. In addition, another important tool for communication at Keystone is the Suggestion Program. Ideas that can improve daily operations are welcomed and discussed at the weekly employee meetings. ( Wohlleb, J. C., Harvey, S. S., Cranford, C. O., & Anderson, A. C, 1997) Besides verbal communication, other important types of information that Ms. Whitson uses to communicate in her work are referrals from hospitals, assessments from hospitals and assessments from other psychiatric agencies. The major source of information she uses in her work is the use of community resources to help integrate the client back into the community. And also, the DSM-4 TR to help diagnose clients and PDRs which a psychiatric medical guide is. She said that 100% of all the decisions that she has made is based on things that she has seen, heard, read, or learned while obtaining her degree. ( Wohlleb, J. C., Harvey, S. S., Cranford, C. O., & Anderson, A. C, 1997) Communication is an immeasurable force in this agency. The process that the employees choose to communicate by with others will determine how people interact with them, how people interpret information, if they are knowledgeable, if they are trusted, respected, or even how people perceive their attitude. Since this program provides a wide range of services for clients and their families who are affected by a mental disorder, it is essential that their communication is one that sets a good example ( Wohlleb, J. C., Harvey, S. S., Cranford, C. O., & Anderson, A. C, 1997) Funding Federal aid for Keystone Services would help establish the center, but the major proportion of their funds would come from state and local sources and from health insurance and other third party payments. The funds would be forward from institutional to society based care as the institutional inhabitants reduced. ( Wohlleb, J. C., Harvey, S. S., Cranford, C. O., & Anderson, A. C, 1997) The recent legal act also facilitate various accommodations for the Keystone Services The act provided for community mental health centers, comprehensive services, and education and consultation to upgrade the nations services. In respect to supporting antagonism from the professional leadership of the American Medical Association, the bill originally omitted funds for employment, but authorized the assembly of psychological health centers Keystone believes that Constructive feedback in this field of healthcare is the terminal point of effective communication. Since communication is interactive, one of the most important tasks of managers/directors should be to provide constructive and powerful feedback to others. Constructive feedback is absolutely essential to organizational affectivity; people must know where they are now and where to go next with reference to the common goal of the organization. Feedback can be powerful, if given properly; it is usually appreciated and motivates people to improve. Keystone Services is a beneficial program to many people and its purpose is a positive contribution to the community References Walker R., Peach H.G., MacDonald M., & Donald K. (2000). The establishment of an industry-based education program in public health. Aust N Z J Public Health, 24(6), 627-9. PubMed 11215014 Wohlleb, J. C., Harvey, S. S., Cranford, C. O., & Anderson, A. C. (1997). The Master of Public Health program for Arkansas. J Ark Med Soc, 94(4), 155-9. PubMed 9308314 Read More