The Wellness Committee hosted its second

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The League of Women Voters - Janesville www.lwvjvl.

on March 17. We heard about the experience of mental health crises from three different perspectives.

Mike Jones from Rock County Crisis employee talked about the role of Crisis Services. Jenny Kleinert from Sometimes the individual in crisis can reach out and obtain help on their own.

Mercy Hospital s Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit spoke about managing patients with mental health crises in a hospital setting.

1 The League of Women Voters - Janesville April 2016 The Front Line Experience in a Mental Health Crisis Mary Buelow Wellness Committee The Wellness Committee hosted its second forum, The Front Line Experience in a Mental Health Crisis, on March 17. We heard about the experience of mental health crises from three different perspectives. Parent Rose Helms spoke about her experience trying to get help for her daughter during a particularly dangerous manic episode. Mike Jones from Rock County Crisis employee talked about the role of Crisis Services. Jenny Kleinert from Sometimes the individual in crisis can reach out and obtain help on their own. Other times a mental illness interferes with their understanding that anything is wrong. Mercy Hospital s Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit spoke about managing patients with mental health crises in a hospital setting. A crisis is defined as any situation where a person s behaviors puts them at risk of hurting themselves or others, or when their usual coping strategies are overwhelmed and they need urgent support. Sometimes the individual in crisis can reach out and obtain help on their own. Other times a mental illness interferes with their understanding that anything is wrong. When that happens their family, friends, and community members need to reach out and connect them with the help they need. In crisis situations everyone involved wants Page 2 Page 2 Page 3 Page 5 What s Inside this Issue Mental Health Public Meeting City Council Candidates Forum City Council & Calendar School Board Forum what s best for the person and many pieces of the response go smoothly. But there are frustrations and gaps in the process as well. Our panel members pointed out a number of those gaps and frustrations. One gap is communication. Family members play an important role helping an individual through crisis, but medical privacy laws can shut them out of the treatment process. Other gaps occur because crisis tend to occur in clusters. There are times a patient needs an inpatient bed and all beds are in use by other people in crisis. Many gaps are economic. Inpatient psych beds are not profitable and so hospitals are reluctant to increase their numbers. Insurance will cover some services but not others, and some services are paid for only if certain specific conditions are met. Recent events are putting additional strain on the system. Kleinert reported that since the State closed Mendota Mental Health Institute to civil commitments, they ve noticed patients showing up in the Emergency Room who are State Annual Meeting Informa- Page 4-6 tion Page 7 H See Front Line, Page 2 Tuesday, April 5, 2016 Polling Places are open 7 a.m. Until 8 p.m. Acting on Awareness Form

H Front Line Continued from page 1 sicker and need higher levels of care. Also, the heroin epidemic is overwhelming AODA services. (AODA is an acronym for Alcohol and Other Drug of Abuse.

Mary Buelow Mental Health Committee At our third forum on Mental Health issues we will be discussing The Legal System and Mental Illness.

CIT Training is a training program to help police officers react appropriately to situations involving mental illness or developmental disability.

2 H Front Line Continued from page 1 sicker and need higher levels of care. Also, the heroin epidemic is overwhelming AODA services. (AODA is an acronym for Alcohol and Other Drug of Abuse.) We did hear some good news. One problem with the opiate/heroin epidemic has been that addicts have been able to shop around and get prescriptions from The Legal System and Mental Illness. Mary Buelow Mental Health Committee At our third forum on Mental Health issues we will be discussing The Legal System and Mental Illness. Sgt Michael Blazer from the Janesville Police Department will talk about local Crisis Intervention Team initiatives. CIT Training is a training program to help police officers react appropriately to situations involving mental illness or developmental disability. Linda Scott-Hoag will talk about the legal multiple physicians, without those physicians being aware of the actual number of opiates that individual was taking. Assembly Representative Deb Kolste was in the audience and reported that the Governor had signed a bill that very day which would create a central tracking system for opiate prescriptions. The forum was recorded by Norm Aulabaugh. We will forward the link as soon as it becomes available. Third Mental Health Committee forum scheduled process in Rock County for involuntary commitment to psychiatric care. Judge Michael Fitzpatrick will speak about his experiences from the bench. The forum will be held Thursday April 14, 6:00 pm at the Rock County Job Center. The Legal System and Mental Illness April 14, :00 7:30 p.m. Location: Rock County Job Center 1900 Center Ave, Janesville Carol Herzig Photos City Council Forum held March 9th The Janesville League of Women Voters, Forward Janesville and JATV co-sponsored the City Council Forum on March 9, 2016 in the program room at the Hedberg Public Library. The candidates vying for three positions, are: (Left to Right) James Farrell, Richard Gruber, Jens Jorgensen, Steve Knox, Billy McCoy, Paul Williams and Spencer Zimmerman. H See City Council, Page 3 2

H City Council Continued from page 2 Christy Marsden, Voter Services Janet

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hulm-bymmtm Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e92yjohiao Part 3: https://www.

v=xz8yktefkx8 Calendar Upcoming Activities 2015-16* *Additional events may be

m. to 8 p.m. April 12 @ 6:30 p.m. Board meeting April 14 @ 6:00-7:30 p.m.

3 H City Council Continued from page 2 Christy Marsden, Voter Services Janet LaBrie, moderator Here are some YouTube links where you can watch the forum. Part 1: Part 2: Part 3: Calendar Upcoming Activities * *Additional events may be planned. Check website: lwvjvl.org/calendar April April 5 Spring Elections 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 6:30 p.m. Board meeting April 6:00-7:30 p.m. Mental Health Program - The Legal System and Mental Illness May May 10 Annual Meeting Cedar Crest Social Room

4 H See State Meeting, Page 5

H State Meeting Continued from page 4 The deadline for registration

If you would like to attend the state annual meeting and represent

There are funds available to reimburse your expenses for the

Carol Herzig, Photos School Board Forum held March 16th The

candidates vying for three seats, they are: (Left to Right) *Karl

Millard and *Cathy Myers *Incumbent Moderator, Laura Boettcher

5 H State Meeting Continued from page 4 The deadline for registration is April 28th. If you would like to attend the state annual meeting and represent our league, please contact Katie Kuznacic. There are funds available to reimburse your expenses for the registration and travel. Use the form on the next page. Carol Herzig, Photos School Board Forum held March 16th The Janesville League of Women Voters and JAC-PTA held a forum for five candidates vying for three seats, they are: (Left to Right) *Karl Dommershausen, Michelle Haworth, Stephanie Kortyna-Rapach, Jim E. Millard and *Cathy Myers *Incumbent Moderator, Laura Boettcher reviewing questions before the forum. Voter Services Coordinator Christy Marsden reviewing things with our time keepers Tom and Linda Stehura. Thank you Tom and Linda for working both forums.

7 Acting on Awareness: An Inclusive Workplace The workshop will be held on Friday, April 29 from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm at the Mercy Health Mall, 1010 N. Washington Ave., Janesville, WI Thanks to news media, the entertainment industry, and educational efforts, awareness of past and present racial and cultural injustices continues to climb. How can we build on this new sensitivity to effect real change, especially in the work world? Now that we recognize some of the hidden prejudices that surround us, how can we make sure our workplaces welcome all potential employees? Once our hiring practices are truly inclusive, what can we do to ensure respect and encourage retention? This interactive workshop will help participants evaluate and choose positive steps toward making inclusion a reality. Large and small group discussions and videos will make this an empowering experience for all stakeholders. Registration Form Name: Address: Home Phone: Work Phone: Employer/Organization: How did you learn about this workshop? Registration Fee - $30.00 DUE DATE for is April 25 Mail to: Barbara Fett 548 Bostwick Ave. Janesville, WI bmfett@charter.net Sponsors Diversity Action Team of Rock County YWCA Rock County Community Action of Rock and Walworth Counties

8 Are you reading this newsletter as a guest? Joining the League of Women Voters is easy simply fill in this form and mail. Name Address Phone Number o Individual $65.00 o Household $95.00 o Student $30.00 o I am unable to join the League at this time but enclosed is a contribution of $. Please make your check payable to: League of Women Voters - Janesville, P.O. Box 8064, Janesville, WI o I request consideration for a LWV scholarship. Web addresses of National, State and Local Leagues: To check out the action go to: LWV-US < LWV-WI < org> Janesville League <

The. League of Women Voters - Janesville March What s Inside this Issue. President Linda Reinhardt s Column Page 2

The. League of Women Voters - Janesville March What s Inside this Issue. President Linda Reinhardt s Column Page 2 The League of Women Voters - Janesville www.lwvjvl.org March 2018 What s Inside this Issue President Linda Reinhardt s Column Page 2 Susan B, Anthony Birthday Party Page 3-4 New Members Page 7 Calendar