Transformation

Transformation's five-year accomplishments presented at TWG's final meeting

With the Transformation grant officially ending September 30, 2011, the state Transformation Working Group (TWG) held its final meeting Friday, September 23, in Jefferson City. A major part of that meeting involved a presentation on the accomplishments of the Transformation Initiative shared with Transformation's stakeholders through a live webcast.

"We have had so much going on the last five years, that we could have gone on for hours, but I believe we got the point across that we've accomplished much, and we are confident that the seeds we have planted will be cultivated and grown to full flower in the Department of Mental Health as well as other state and private agencies," according to Mayme Young, TWG chair.

A video of the presentation is available for viewing on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EemVBN_IH_w.

 

TWG welcomes new members, RESPECT speakers

The Mental Health Transformation Working Group welcomed two new members and heard two personal stories of recovery during its December 17 meeting in Jefferson City.  

Candice Shively represents the Children's Division in the Missouri Department of Social Services. Cindy Wilkinson is the Deputy Administrator of the Healthy Family and Youth section in the state Department of of Health and Senior Services.

The meeting's attendees also heard from two members of the RESPECT Speakers Institute. Joe Heriford and Angie Esser, both from Fulton, shared their personal stories of recovery from mental illnesses with the group. The RESPECT Speakers Institute, an initiative of Missouri's Mental Health Transformation efforts, helps to combat the stigma associated with having a mental illness by providing the public with insight into the lives of people with mental disorders. RESPECT speakers are available in all regions of the state by contacting statewide coordinator Leigh Gibson at the Department of Mental Health in Jefferson City at 751-8088 or 800-364-9687 toll free.

Note: Angie Esser is featured in a YouTube video on the Transformation web site at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE-9W2zMw70.

Miller appointed to lead Transformation Working Group

Governor Jay Nixon has appointed Mayme Young Miller, J.D., to lead the Missouri Mental Health Transformation Working Group (TWG), which guides the state’s efforts to implement a comprehensive plan to transform its mental health delivery system.

Miller previously served as Gov. Nixon’s Director of Constituent Services and as a liaison to the Department of Mental Health. A member of both the Texas and Missouri Bars, she has three years experience in private law practice and five years experience as an assistant attorney general.

Miller earned a juris doctor degree from the of University of Missouri – Columbia School of Law and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.