AnnuAl RepoRt2006-2007

A sponsored ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Wheeling, West Virginia.

partnering with others to address the health needs of West Virginia’s children.

Since its creation in 2001, the Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation has awarded over $4 million in grants. In fiscal year 2006-2007, the Foundation approved approximately $1,059,200 for grant and discretionary funding for the following selected projects:

FY 2006-2007 Grant History

Belington Community Medical Services Association, Inc.$11,549.00The purpose of this grant is to provide fundingfor capital improvements to the Brandon Wellness Center located in Philip Barbour High School.

Cabin Creek Health Center $50,000.00This first year renewal grant supports school-based mental health services at Riverside HighSchool in Kanawha County by subsidizing the salary and benefits of a mental health counselor, travel, equipment and supervisory costs.

Cabin Creek Health Systems$5,000.00This first year grant enables Cabin CreekHealth Systems to work with Marshall UniversityTechnical Assistance Staff to develop and testmodels for the management of overweightchildren and adolescents at Riverside HighSchool in Kanawha County.

Clay Primary Care Systems, Inc.$5,000.00This second year grant enables Clay PrimaryCare Systems to work with Marshall University Tech-nical Assistance Staff to develop and test models for the management of overweight children and adolescents at Clay Elementary School.

E.A. Hawes Health Center $60,000.00This first year renewal grant provides support to maintain school-based mental health services by funding therapist and social worker positions in the East Hardy school complex and in the Moorefield Elementary, Middle, and High Schools.

Harmony House: Child Advocacy Center$50,000.00This grant supports two projects: “RebuildingHope and Harmony” which focuses onexpanding space for services; and “ChildhoodVictimization: Now and Beyond” whichaddresses the need for the continuation ofresources for services.

Lincoln Primary Care Center, Inc. $50,000.00This third year grant supports the school-based mental health program at Guyan Valley Middle School and Lincoln County High school by funding the salary and benefits of the mental health counselor, travel, equipment and supervisory costs.

Marshall University - University Physicians & Surgeons $97,724.00This second year renewal grant supports the School-Based Health Center Technical Assistance and Evaluation Team in expanding its capacity to provide technical support for school-based mental health services and

working with state level policy makers to ensure continuing political and financial support for existing school-based health services. The Team also provides continuing education workshops for school-based health centers and individualized on-site technical assistance to school-based health centers.

Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center$42,500.00 This first year grant provides funding forthe ongoing support of the MonongaliaCounty Child Advocacy Center, a compre-hensive program for children who have been abused or neglected and are involved in the legal system.

New River Health Association$39,400.00This first year renewal grant supports the school-based mental health program at Summersville Wellness Center serving Summersville Middle and Nicholas County High Schools by funding the salary and benefits of the mental health counselor, travel, equipment and supervisory costs. New River Health Association $60,000.00This grant supports the construction of a school-based health clinic within the new consolidated elementary school in Fayette County, West Virginia.

New River Health Association$5,000.00This second year grant enables New RiverHealth Association to work with MarshallUniversity Technical Assistance Staff to develop and test models for the managementof overweight children and adolescents at Mt.Hope Elementary School.

New River Health Association $31,380.00This second year renewal grant supports the school-based mental health wellness and education program in the elementary, middle and high schools of Mt. Hope, WV by subsidizing the salary and benefits of a mental health educator/case manager, travel, equipment and training costs.

Pendleton Community Care $47,500.00This second year renewal grant supports the school-based mental health program at North Fork Elementary School and in the consolidated Middle/High School by funding the salary and benefits of the mental health counselor, travel, equipment and supervisory costs.

Pendleton Community Care $50,000.00This first year renewal grant provides support (salary, benefits, travel, training, and

equipment) for a mental health educator to offer behavioral health classes and small group behavior modification training in North Fork Elementary and in the consolidated Middle/High Schools.

Rainelle Medical Center$54,100.00This first year renewal grant funds the school-based mental health counselor andcontinued development of a substanceabuse/chemical addiction program atMeadow Bridge Elementary and High Schoolsas well as in the Western Greenbrier Middleand High Schools.

Rainelle Medical Center$9,500.00This second year renewal grant is used tostrengthen the capacity for the provision of mental health services by funding supportive services.

Rainelle Medical Center$60,000.00This grant funds the purchase of a double widetrailer for use as the Meadow Bridge WellnessCenter servicing Meadow Bridge Elementary and High Schools.

Ritchie County Primary Care $42,500.00This first year renewal grant supports the school-based mental health counselor (salary and benefits, travel, equipment and supervisory costs) providing services in the Ritchie County Middle and High Schools. Tug River Health Association, Inc.$60,000.00This second year grant provides financialassistance for continued development ofSBHC at Mount View Middle/High School inMcDowell County.

The West Virginia Catholic Foundation$148,047.21This second year grant provides school-based health services for Wheeling Catholic Elementary School and Weirton St. Paul Elementary School.

WV Primary Care Association, Inc. $80,000.00 per year for 3 yearsThis first year renewal grant strengthens the WV School-Based Assembly Infrastructure by funding the Co-Executive Director position. Major strategies of mission expansion, partnership development at the federal and state levels, policy advocacy, communication, awareness strategies, and organizational development will hopefully result in the successful advancement of the WV School-Based Initiative.

137 Mount St. Joseph RoadWheeling, WV 26003

(304) 233-4500

www.ssjhealthandwellnessfoundation.org

For more information about the foundation, contact co-directors:

Janice Landwehr, CSJ (304) 233-4500 ssjhwf@aol.comHelen Skormisley, CSJ (304) 599-5174 helenssj@aol.com

Our MissionThe mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Founda-tion is to improve and enhance the spiritual, physical and psychological health of all West Virginians by making resources available that promote and support collaboration and partnering among various local, state, national and government groups.

Mental Health In School-Aged ChildrenGood mental health plays an essential role in a child’s relationships withothers and in their academic achievements. Mental health disorderscan negatively impact the way children learn, feel, and behave. Mentalhealth is as important in a child’s life as physical health. Prevention andtreatment of mental health disorders are important in ensuring scholastic success and, ultimately, a rewarding and fulfilled life.

According to the WV Bureau for Behavioral Health, as many as 13% of West Virginia’s children face mental health issues in any given year, yet only 29% of youth with serious emotional problems are receiving any mental health care at all. In West Virginia, access to mental health services is impacted by many of the following factors: income, health insurance status, geographical accessibility, and lack of mental health care practitioners, among others.

The Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation was formed in 2001 with the intention of investing in specific projects with the most promise to impact the long-term health of West Virginia’s children. The School-Based Health Initiative is a primary focus of the Foundation with funding committed to this issue through 2012. School-Based Health Centers are primary care clinics that provide preventive and primary care services, counseling, health education and dental services to children and adolescents where they are much of the day – in school.

In 25 of West Virginia’s School-Based Health Centers, a master’s level therapist offers mental health services. Direct interventions include individual and family counseling for depression, anxiety, grief, stress reduction, anger management, suicide prevention, substance abuse, and other mental health issues. In addition to individual and family counseling, many of the School-Based Health Centers work with their schools to implement prevention and early intervention programs, such as groups that foster social skills, anger management, and smoking cessation.

The need for mental health services in schools continues to increase. It is the fastest growing component of School-Based Health Centers. During the 2006–2007 school year, over 1,400 students made 9,500 visits to a school-based therapist.

It is clear that the availability of these services makes a positive difference in the lives of West Virginia’s youngest citizens. The time has come for professionals, the public, and policymakers to come together to ensure that these services are well-funded by state and federal governments so that every child who needs mental health support can receive it.

Profile: Pendleton County School-Based Health and Pendleton Community Care

Deep in the heart of West Virginia’s Potomac Highlands, an innovative program to help improve the mental and physical health of children and families is in full swing. North Fork Elementary School in Circleville, WV, offers a behavioral and mental health program which includes a component called “Bal-A-Vis-X.” This is short for “Balance, Auditory, Visual Exercise.”

Chris Roberson, Behavioral Health Educator, heads this aspect of their behavioral and mental health program, which pairs physical exercise and training for extremely fine motor skills. Most of the students he sees would be considered “ADHD,” (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or “ADD” (Attention Deficit Disorder).

ADHD and ADD are mental health issues which can prevent children from being able to concentrate or to follow directions well, and can even literally prevent learning. It is estimated to affect between 3-10% of all school aged children.

“I work with children from about the second grade on,” he said, standing carefully on a balance board, while demonstrating a rhythmic ball-bouncing exercise which helps young children with focus, eye tracking, and, ultimately, reading and comprehension. “Many of them have great difficulty with focus, paying attention, sitting still enough to learn well. These exercises have the effect of helping children to learn to focus, to slow down, and to pay attention. We also help them with learning to work with partners and in groups,” he continued. “We’ve seen improvements in attendance, fewer disciplinary

problems, and better grades for the students who are part of this program,” Chris says.

His colleague, Jennifer Taylor-Ide, is the licensed professional counselor that works with the school-based health program. She sees between 25 and 50 students and family members at any given time for mental health counseling. Jennifer’s personal work focuses more on family support, depression and anxiety issues.

“Our program is extremely holistic and preventive in its approach,” she says, noting that this is possible be-cause the Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation is flexible with its funding requirements. “Case management hours are nearly impossible to fund,” Jennifer says. “But when you’re working with complicated situations, families with multiple stressors, and behavioral problems, the needs are complicated, and case management time is crucial.”

“The Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Foun-dation, and our program, know that in order for there to be healthy development, that both the mental and physical aspects of people must be addressed.”

One of the strengths of school-based health in Pend-leton County is that the community is very concerned with collaboration and works very well with school-based mental health staff members. “We are grateful too that we have a very integrated relationship with the school system. The teachers and administration see our work as being part of the work to educate students. That is not the case everywhere, yet, unfortunately.”

“The Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation have not just contributed to the cause of mental health care in West Virginia,” Jennifer says, “They’ve advanced our understanding of the impor-tance of mental health care, and they’ve advanced our capacity to deliver mental health interventions and services in innovative ways.”

Rebecca Stacy is a licensed professional counselor and social worker who provides mental health counseling for students at the

Rainelle School-Based Health Center in Meadow Bridge, which is one of three centers sponsored by Rainelle Medical Center. She is a passionate advocate for mental health services for children.

“There’s an overwhelming demand for these services,” she says. “That’s the challenging thing, knowing that no matter what we do, at the end of the day, that there are still children and people from the community who need mental health support.”

She smiles, and adds, “But we are doing critical prevention work, and it matters.” The program she works for is sponsored by Rainelle Medical Center.

“I attend graduation ceremonies every year, and each year, so many of the kids are my ‘success stories.’ Very often I got to know them when they were in the seventh grade, and they would have told me then that they were going to drop out and not finish school. Every single year I see several students with those circumstances get their diplomas and walk across the stage. Some of them wouldn’t have made it if not for the mental health services we are able to provide here.”

“That’s quite a reward, seeing them get their diplomas, knowing that we’ve made a positive difference,” she says. “I can’t imagine anything better.”

Rebecca grew up in the Meadow Bridge area and attended the school where she now provides services. At any time, she’ll have a caseload of about sixty students, who she will counsel approximately once a week.

“We have a waiting list,” Rebecca said. “We could use another full time counselor.”

In addition to individual, group and family therapy, providers conduct classroom and community education on mental health issues and have implemented a number of outreach and prevention screening programs. A substance abuse screening program is also integrated into the School-Based Health Center services.

“In our community,” Rebecca says, “due partly to the economic conditions, the incidence of depression is higher. Almost all of the children in this school qualify for free or reduced lunch, and that economic suppression and depression can also lead to high levels of substance abuse. A large part of our work here is preventing, identifying and obtaining the proper treatment for substance abuse.”

“There is also, unfortunately, a very high suicide risk for our students here,” she adds.

The benefits of providing mental health services to young people is clear to Rebecca, who has seen struggling students begin to thrive once they get the support they need.

“Early in my work here, I had a student who was orphaned as a result of an accident. She developed a lot of emotional issues and also got involved with drugs. She also became suicidal. We were able to do an intervention, and helped her get the in-patient treatment that she needed. She finished high school and is now going to college. She recently came to visit and told us we literally saved her life. She’s studying to go into medicine now.” The School-Based Health Center where Rebecca works is currently located in a few small rooms that were the boys’ locker rooms fifty years ago, but thanks to funding provided by the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation, the center will soon be relocated to a brand new building. It will be accessible for people with disabilities when it is complete. They expect to hold a “Grand Opening” in their new facility in the early spring of 2008.

“I literally thank God daily for the Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation,” Rebecca says. “There is a serious lack of available mental health services in our community, and because of the Sisters, we are able to fill that need.”

Profile: Rainelle School-Based Health Clinic Mental Health CounselorRebecca Stacy, MA, LPC, LSW, CCAC

“I have nothing but praise for this (mental health) program. My son has ADHD and has been very difficult to handle. Jennifer Taylor-Ide has been a Godsend for all of us, she’s worked with me, my son, and my daughter. She has helped us to know the right techniques to help each other. I don’t know where our family would be if it were not for these services.”

– Pendleton County Mother

North Fork Elementary in Circleville, West Virginia offers a program to help improve the mental and physical health of children and families.

Chris Roberson demonstrates an exercise using a balance board.

The School-Based Health Center in Meadow Bridge will be relocating to a brand new building thanks to funding provided by the Sisters of St. Joseph’s Health and Wellness Foundation.

Our MissionThe mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Founda-tion is to improve and enhance the spiritual, physical and psychological health of all West Virginians by making resources available that promote and support collaboration and partnering among various local, state, national and government groups.

Mental Health In School-Aged ChildrenGood mental health plays an essential role in a child’s relationships withothers and in their academic achievements. Mental health disorderscan negatively impact the way children learn, feel, and behave. Mentalhealth is as important in a child’s life as physical health. Prevention andtreatment of mental health disorders are important in ensuring scholastic success and, ultimately, a rewarding and fulfilled life.

According to the WV Bureau for Behavioral Health, as many as 13% of West Virginia’s children face mental health issues in any given year, yet only 29% of youth with serious emotional problems are receiving any mental health care at all. In West Virginia, access to mental health services is impacted by many of the following factors: income, health insurance status, geographical accessibility, and lack of mental health care practitioners, among others.

The Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation was formed in 2001 with the intention of investing in specific projects with the most promise to impact the long-term health of West Virginia’s children. The School-Based Health Initiative is a primary focus of the Foundation with funding committed to this issue through 2012. School-Based Health Centers are primary care clinics that provide preventive and primary care services, counseling, health education and dental services to children and adolescents where they are much of the day – in school.

In 25 of West Virginia’s School-Based Health Centers, a master’s level therapist offers mental health services. Direct interventions include individual and family counseling for depression, anxiety, grief, stress reduction, anger management, suicide prevention, substance abuse, and other mental health issues. In addition to individual and family counseling, many of the School-Based Health Centers work with their schools to implement prevention and early intervention programs, such as groups that foster social skills, anger management, and smoking cessation.

The need for mental health services in schools continues to increase. It is the fastest growing component of School-Based Health Centers. During the 2006–2007 school year, over 1,400 students made 9,500 visits to a school-based therapist.

It is clear that the availability of these services makes a positive difference in the lives of West Virginia’s youngest citizens. The time has come for professionals, the public, and policymakers to come together to ensure that these services are well-funded by state and federal governments so that every child who needs mental health support can receive it.

Profile: Pendleton County School-Based Health and Pendleton Community Care

Deep in the heart of West Virginia’s Potomac Highlands, an innovative program to help improve the mental and physical health of children and families is in full swing. North Fork Elementary School in Circleville, WV, offers a behavioral and mental health program which includes a component called “Bal-A-Vis-X.” This is short for “Balance, Auditory, Visual Exercise.”

Chris Roberson, Behavioral Health Educator, heads this aspect of their behavioral and mental health program, which pairs physical exercise and training for extremely fine motor skills. Most of the students he sees would be considered “ADHD,” (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or “ADD” (Attention Deficit Disorder).

ADHD and ADD are mental health issues which can prevent children from being able to concentrate or to follow directions well, and can even literally prevent learning. It is estimated to affect between 3-10% of all school aged children.

“I work with children from about the second grade on,” he said, standing carefully on a balance board, while demonstrating a rhythmic ball-bouncing exercise which helps young children with focus, eye tracking, and, ultimately, reading and comprehension. “Many of them have great difficulty with focus, paying attention, sitting still enough to learn well. These exercises have the effect of helping children to learn to focus, to slow down, and to pay attention. We also help them with learning to work with partners and in groups,” he continued. “We’ve seen improvements in attendance, fewer disciplinary

problems, and better grades for the students who are part of this program,” Chris says.

His colleague, Jennifer Taylor-Ide, is the licensed professional counselor that works with the school-based health program. She sees between 25 and 50 students and family members at any given time for mental health counseling. Jennifer’s personal work focuses more on family support, depression and anxiety issues.

“Our program is extremely holistic and preventive in its approach,” she says, noting that this is possible be-cause the Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation is flexible with its funding requirements. “Case management hours are nearly impossible to fund,” Jennifer says. “But when you’re working with complicated situations, families with multiple stressors, and behavioral problems, the needs are complicated, and case management time is crucial.”

“The Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Foun-dation, and our program, know that in order for there to be healthy development, that both the mental and physical aspects of people must be addressed.”

One of the strengths of school-based health in Pend-leton County is that the community is very concerned with collaboration and works very well with school-based mental health staff members. “We are grateful too that we have a very integrated relationship with the school system. The teachers and administration see our work as being part of the work to educate students. That is not the case everywhere, yet, unfortunately.”

“The Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation have not just contributed to the cause of mental health care in West Virginia,” Jennifer says, “They’ve advanced our understanding of the impor-tance of mental health care, and they’ve advanced our capacity to deliver mental health interventions and services in innovative ways.”

Rebecca Stacy is a licensed professional counselor and social worker who provides mental health counseling for students at the

Rainelle School-Based Health Center in Meadow Bridge, which is one of three centers sponsored by Rainelle Medical Center. She is a passionate advocate for mental health services for children.

“There’s an overwhelming demand for these services,” she says. “That’s the challenging thing, knowing that no matter what we do, at the end of the day, that there are still children and people from the community who need mental health support.”

She smiles, and adds, “But we are doing critical prevention work, and it matters.” The program she works for is sponsored by Rainelle Medical Center.

“I attend graduation ceremonies every year, and each year, so many of the kids are my ‘success stories.’ Very often I got to know them when they were in the seventh grade, and they would have told me then that they were going to drop out and not finish school. Every single year I see several students with those circumstances get their diplomas and walk across the stage. Some of them wouldn’t have made it if not for the mental health services we are able to provide here.”

“That’s quite a reward, seeing them get their diplomas, knowing that we’ve made a positive difference,” she says. “I can’t imagine anything better.”

Rebecca grew up in the Meadow Bridge area and attended the school where she now provides services. At any time, she’ll have a caseload of about sixty students, who she will counsel approximately once a week.

“We have a waiting list,” Rebecca said. “We could use another full time counselor.”

In addition to individual, group and family therapy, providers conduct classroom and community education on mental health issues and have implemented a number of outreach and prevention screening programs. A substance abuse screening program is also integrated into the School-Based Health Center services.

“In our community,” Rebecca says, “due partly to the economic conditions, the incidence of depression is higher. Almost all of the children in this school qualify for free or reduced lunch, and that economic suppression and depression can also lead to high levels of substance abuse. A large part of our work here is preventing, identifying and obtaining the proper treatment for substance abuse.”

“There is also, unfortunately, a very high suicide risk for our students here,” she adds.

The benefits of providing mental health services to young people is clear to Rebecca, who has seen struggling students begin to thrive once they get the support they need.

“Early in my work here, I had a student who was orphaned as a result of an accident. She developed a lot of emotional issues and also got involved with drugs. She also became suicidal. We were able to do an intervention, and helped her get the in-patient treatment that she needed. She finished high school and is now going to college. She recently came to visit and told us we literally saved her life. She’s studying to go into medicine now.” The School-Based Health Center where Rebecca works is currently located in a few small rooms that were the boys’ locker rooms fifty years ago, but thanks to funding provided by the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation, the center will soon be relocated to a brand new building. It will be accessible for people with disabilities when it is complete. They expect to hold a “Grand Opening” in their new facility in the early spring of 2008.

“I literally thank God daily for the Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation,” Rebecca says. “There is a serious lack of available mental health services in our community, and because of the Sisters, we are able to fill that need.”

Profile: Rainelle School-Based Health Clinic Mental Health CounselorRebecca Stacy, MA, LPC, LSW, CCAC

“I have nothing but praise for this (mental health) program. My son has ADHD and has been very difficult to handle. Jennifer Taylor-Ide has been a Godsend for all of us, she’s worked with me, my son, and my daughter. She has helped us to know the right techniques to help each other. I don’t know where our family would be if it were not for these services.”

– Pendleton County Mother

North Fork Elementary in Circleville, West Virginia offers a program to help improve the mental and physical health of children and families.

Chris Roberson demonstrates an exercise using a balance board.

The School-Based Health Center in Meadow Bridge will be relocating to a brand new building thanks to funding provided by the Sisters of St. Joseph’s Health and Wellness Foundation.

Our MissionThe mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Founda-tion is to improve and enhance the spiritual, physical and psychological health of all West Virginians by making resources available that promote and support collaboration and partnering among various local, state, national and government groups.

Mental Health In School-Aged ChildrenGood mental health plays an essential role in a child’s relationships withothers and in their academic achievements. Mental health disorderscan negatively impact the way children learn, feel, and behave. Mentalhealth is as important in a child’s life as physical health. Prevention andtreatment of mental health disorders are important in ensuring scholastic success and, ultimately, a rewarding and fulfilled life.

According to the WV Bureau for Behavioral Health, as many as 13% of West Virginia’s children face mental health issues in any given year, yet only 29% of youth with serious emotional problems are receiving any mental health care at all. In West Virginia, access to mental health services is impacted by many of the following factors: income, health insurance status, geographical accessibility, and lack of mental health care practitioners, among others.

The Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation was formed in 2001 with the intention of investing in specific projects with the most promise to impact the long-term health of West Virginia’s children. The School-Based Health Initiative is a primary focus of the Foundation with funding committed to this issue through 2012. School-Based Health Centers are primary care clinics that provide preventive and primary care services, counseling, health education and dental services to children and adolescents where they are much of the day – in school.

In 25 of West Virginia’s School-Based Health Centers, a master’s level therapist offers mental health services. Direct interventions include individual and family counseling for depression, anxiety, grief, stress reduction, anger management, suicide prevention, substance abuse, and other mental health issues. In addition to individual and family counseling, many of the School-Based Health Centers work with their schools to implement prevention and early intervention programs, such as groups that foster social skills, anger management, and smoking cessation.

The need for mental health services in schools continues to increase. It is the fastest growing component of School-Based Health Centers. During the 2006–2007 school year, over 1,400 students made 9,500 visits to a school-based therapist.

It is clear that the availability of these services makes a positive difference in the lives of West Virginia’s youngest citizens. The time has come for professionals, the public, and policymakers to come together to ensure that these services are well-funded by state and federal governments so that every child who needs mental health support can receive it.

Profile: Pendleton County School-Based Health and Pendleton Community Care

Deep in the heart of West Virginia’s Potomac Highlands, an innovative program to help improve the mental and physical health of children and families is in full swing. North Fork Elementary School in Circleville, WV, offers a behavioral and mental health program which includes a component called “Bal-A-Vis-X.” This is short for “Balance, Auditory, Visual Exercise.”

Chris Roberson, Behavioral Health Educator, heads this aspect of their behavioral and mental health program, which pairs physical exercise and training for extremely fine motor skills. Most of the students he sees would be considered “ADHD,” (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or “ADD” (Attention Deficit Disorder).

ADHD and ADD are mental health issues which can prevent children from being able to concentrate or to follow directions well, and can even literally prevent learning. It is estimated to affect between 3-10% of all school aged children.

“I work with children from about the second grade on,” he said, standing carefully on a balance board, while demonstrating a rhythmic ball-bouncing exercise which helps young children with focus, eye tracking, and, ultimately, reading and comprehension. “Many of them have great difficulty with focus, paying attention, sitting still enough to learn well. These exercises have the effect of helping children to learn to focus, to slow down, and to pay attention. We also help them with learning to work with partners and in groups,” he continued. “We’ve seen improvements in attendance, fewer disciplinary

problems, and better grades for the students who are part of this program,” Chris says.

His colleague, Jennifer Taylor-Ide, is the licensed professional counselor that works with the school-based health program. She sees between 25 and 50 students and family members at any given time for mental health counseling. Jennifer’s personal work focuses more on family support, depression and anxiety issues.

“Our program is extremely holistic and preventive in its approach,” she says, noting that this is possible be-cause the Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation is flexible with its funding requirements. “Case management hours are nearly impossible to fund,” Jennifer says. “But when you’re working with complicated situations, families with multiple stressors, and behavioral problems, the needs are complicated, and case management time is crucial.”

“The Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Foun-dation, and our program, know that in order for there to be healthy development, that both the mental and physical aspects of people must be addressed.”

One of the strengths of school-based health in Pend-leton County is that the community is very concerned with collaboration and works very well with school-based mental health staff members. “We are grateful too that we have a very integrated relationship with the school system. The teachers and administration see our work as being part of the work to educate students. That is not the case everywhere, yet, unfortunately.”

“The Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation have not just contributed to the cause of mental health care in West Virginia,” Jennifer says, “They’ve advanced our understanding of the impor-tance of mental health care, and they’ve advanced our capacity to deliver mental health interventions and services in innovative ways.”

Rebecca Stacy is a licensed professional counselor and social worker who provides mental health counseling for students at the

Rainelle School-Based Health Center in Meadow Bridge, which is one of three centers sponsored by Rainelle Medical Center. She is a passionate advocate for mental health services for children.

“There’s an overwhelming demand for these services,” she says. “That’s the challenging thing, knowing that no matter what we do, at the end of the day, that there are still children and people from the community who need mental health support.”

She smiles, and adds, “But we are doing critical prevention work, and it matters.” The program she works for is sponsored by Rainelle Medical Center.

“I attend graduation ceremonies every year, and each year, so many of the kids are my ‘success stories.’ Very often I got to know them when they were in the seventh grade, and they would have told me then that they were going to drop out and not finish school. Every single year I see several students with those circumstances get their diplomas and walk across the stage. Some of them wouldn’t have made it if not for the mental health services we are able to provide here.”

“That’s quite a reward, seeing them get their diplomas, knowing that we’ve made a positive difference,” she says. “I can’t imagine anything better.”

Rebecca grew up in the Meadow Bridge area and attended the school where she now provides services. At any time, she’ll have a caseload of about sixty students, who she will counsel approximately once a week.

“We have a waiting list,” Rebecca said. “We could use another full time counselor.”

In addition to individual, group and family therapy, providers conduct classroom and community education on mental health issues and have implemented a number of outreach and prevention screening programs. A substance abuse screening program is also integrated into the School-Based Health Center services.

“In our community,” Rebecca says, “due partly to the economic conditions, the incidence of depression is higher. Almost all of the children in this school qualify for free or reduced lunch, and that economic suppression and depression can also lead to high levels of substance abuse. A large part of our work here is preventing, identifying and obtaining the proper treatment for substance abuse.”

“There is also, unfortunately, a very high suicide risk for our students here,” she adds.

The benefits of providing mental health services to young people is clear to Rebecca, who has seen struggling students begin to thrive once they get the support they need.

“Early in my work here, I had a student who was orphaned as a result of an accident. She developed a lot of emotional issues and also got involved with drugs. She also became suicidal. We were able to do an intervention, and helped her get the in-patient treatment that she needed. She finished high school and is now going to college. She recently came to visit and told us we literally saved her life. She’s studying to go into medicine now.” The School-Based Health Center where Rebecca works is currently located in a few small rooms that were the boys’ locker rooms fifty years ago, but thanks to funding provided by the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation, the center will soon be relocated to a brand new building. It will be accessible for people with disabilities when it is complete. They expect to hold a “Grand Opening” in their new facility in the early spring of 2008.

“I literally thank God daily for the Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation,” Rebecca says. “There is a serious lack of available mental health services in our community, and because of the Sisters, we are able to fill that need.”

Profile: Rainelle School-Based Health Clinic Mental Health CounselorRebecca Stacy, MA, LPC, LSW, CCAC

“I have nothing but praise for this (mental health) program. My son has ADHD and has been very difficult to handle. Jennifer Taylor-Ide has been a Godsend for all of us, she’s worked with me, my son, and my daughter. She has helped us to know the right techniques to help each other. I don’t know where our family would be if it were not for these services.”

– Pendleton County Mother

North Fork Elementary in Circleville, West Virginia offers a program to help improve the mental and physical health of children and families.

Chris Roberson demonstrates an exercise using a balance board.

The School-Based Health Center in Meadow Bridge will be relocating to a brand new building thanks to funding provided by the Sisters of St. Joseph’s Health and Wellness Foundation.

AnnuAl RepoRt2006-2007

A sponsored ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Wheeling, West Virginia.

partnering with others to address the health needs of West Virginia’s children.

Since its creation in 2001, the Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation has awarded over $4 million in grants. In fiscal year 2006-2007, the Foundation approved approximately $1,059,200 for grant and discretionary funding for the following selected projects:

FY 2006-2007 Grant History

Belington Community Medical Services Association, Inc.$11,549.00The purpose of this grant is to provide fundingfor capital improvements to the Brandon Wellness Center located in Philip Barbour High School.

Cabin Creek Health Center $50,000.00This first year renewal grant supports school-based mental health services at Riverside HighSchool in Kanawha County by subsidizing the salary and benefits of a mental health counselor, travel, equipment and supervisory costs.

Cabin Creek Health Systems$5,000.00This first year grant enables Cabin CreekHealth Systems to work with Marshall UniversityTechnical Assistance Staff to develop and testmodels for the management of overweightchildren and adolescents at Riverside HighSchool in Kanawha County.

Clay Primary Care Systems, Inc.$5,000.00This second year grant enables Clay PrimaryCare Systems to work with Marshall University Tech-nical Assistance Staff to develop and test models for the management of overweight children and adolescents at Clay Elementary School.

E.A. Hawes Health Center $60,000.00This first year renewal grant provides support to maintain school-based mental health services by funding therapist and social worker positions in the East Hardy school complex and in the Moorefield Elementary, Middle, and High Schools.

Harmony House: Child Advocacy Center$50,000.00This grant supports two projects: “RebuildingHope and Harmony” which focuses onexpanding space for services; and “ChildhoodVictimization: Now and Beyond” whichaddresses the need for the continuation ofresources for services.

Lincoln Primary Care Center, Inc. $50,000.00This third year grant supports the school-based mental health program at Guyan Valley Middle School and Lincoln County High school by funding the salary and benefits of the mental health counselor, travel, equipment and supervisory costs.

Marshall University - University Physicians & Surgeons $97,724.00This second year renewal grant supports the School-Based Health Center Technical Assistance and Evaluation Team in expanding its capacity to provide technical support for school-based mental health services and

working with state level policy makers to ensure continuing political and financial support for existing school-based health services. The Team also provides continuing education workshops for school-based health centers and individualized on-site technical assistance to school-based health centers.

Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center$42,500.00 This first year grant provides funding forthe ongoing support of the MonongaliaCounty Child Advocacy Center, a compre-hensive program for children who have been abused or neglected and are involved in the legal system.

New River Health Association$39,400.00This first year renewal grant supports the school-based mental health program at Summersville Wellness Center serving Summersville Middle and Nicholas County High Schools by funding the salary and benefits of the mental health counselor, travel, equipment and supervisory costs. New River Health Association $60,000.00This grant supports the construction of a school-based health clinic within the new consolidated elementary school in Fayette County, West Virginia.

New River Health Association$5,000.00This second year grant enables New RiverHealth Association to work with MarshallUniversity Technical Assistance Staff to develop and test models for the managementof overweight children and adolescents at Mt.Hope Elementary School.

New River Health Association $31,380.00This second year renewal grant supports the school-based mental health wellness and education program in the elementary, middle and high schools of Mt. Hope, WV by subsidizing the salary and benefits of a mental health educator/case manager, travel, equipment and training costs.

Pendleton Community Care $47,500.00This second year renewal grant supports the school-based mental health program at North Fork Elementary School and in the consolidated Middle/High School by funding the salary and benefits of the mental health counselor, travel, equipment and supervisory costs.

Pendleton Community Care $50,000.00This first year renewal grant provides support (salary, benefits, travel, training, and

equipment) for a mental health educator to offer behavioral health classes and small group behavior modification training in North Fork Elementary and in the consolidated Middle/High Schools.

Rainelle Medical Center$54,100.00This first year renewal grant funds the school-based mental health counselor andcontinued development of a substanceabuse/chemical addiction program atMeadow Bridge Elementary and High Schoolsas well as in the Western Greenbrier Middleand High Schools.

Rainelle Medical Center$9,500.00This second year renewal grant is used tostrengthen the capacity for the provision of mental health services by funding supportive services.

Rainelle Medical Center$60,000.00This grant funds the purchase of a double widetrailer for use as the Meadow Bridge WellnessCenter servicing Meadow Bridge Elementary and High Schools.

Ritchie County Primary Care $42,500.00This first year renewal grant supports the school-based mental health counselor (salary and benefits, travel, equipment and supervisory costs) providing services in the Ritchie County Middle and High Schools. Tug River Health Association, Inc.$60,000.00This second year grant provides financialassistance for continued development ofSBHC at Mount View Middle/High School inMcDowell County.

The West Virginia Catholic Foundation$148,047.21This second year grant provides school-based health services for Wheeling Catholic Elementary School and Weirton St. Paul Elementary School.

WV Primary Care Association, Inc. $80,000.00 per year for 3 yearsThis first year renewal grant strengthens the WV School-Based Assembly Infrastructure by funding the Co-Executive Director position. Major strategies of mission expansion, partnership development at the federal and state levels, policy advocacy, communication, awareness strategies, and organizational development will hopefully result in the successful advancement of the WV School-Based Initiative.

137 Mount St. Joseph RoadWheeling, WV 26003

(304) 233-4500

www.ssjhealthandwellnessfoundation.org

For more information about the foundation, contact co-directors:

Janice Landwehr, CSJ (304) 233-4500 ssjhwf@aol.comHelen Skormisley, CSJ (304) 599-5174 helenssj@aol.com

AnnuAl RepoRt2006-2007

A sponsored ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Wheeling, West Virginia.

partnering with others to address the health needs of West Virginia’s children.

Since its creation in 2001, the Sisters of Saint Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation has awarded over $4 million in grants. In fiscal year 2006-2007, the Foundation approved approximately $1,059,200 for grant and discretionary funding for the following selected projects:

FY 2006-2007 Grant History

Belington Community Medical Services Association, Inc.$11,549.00The purpose of this grant is to provide fundingfor capital improvements to the Brandon Wellness Center located in Philip Barbour High School.

Cabin Creek Health Center $50,000.00This first year renewal grant supports school-based mental health services at Riverside HighSchool in Kanawha County by subsidizing the salary and benefits of a mental health counselor, travel, equipment and supervisory costs.

Cabin Creek Health Systems$5,000.00This first year grant enables Cabin CreekHealth Systems to work with Marshall UniversityTechnical Assistance Staff to develop and testmodels for the management of overweightchildren and adolescents at Riverside HighSchool in Kanawha County.

Clay Primary Care Systems, Inc.$5,000.00This second year grant enables Clay PrimaryCare Systems to work with Marshall University Tech-nical Assistance Staff to develop and test models for the management of overweight children and adolescents at Clay Elementary School.

E.A. Hawes Health Center $60,000.00This first year renewal grant provides support to maintain school-based mental health services by funding therapist and social worker positions in the East Hardy school complex and in the Moorefield Elementary, Middle, and High Schools.

Harmony House: Child Advocacy Center$50,000.00This grant supports two projects: “RebuildingHope and Harmony” which focuses onexpanding space for services; and “ChildhoodVictimization: Now and Beyond” whichaddresses the need for the continuation ofresources for services.

Lincoln Primary Care Center, Inc. $50,000.00This third year grant supports the school-based mental health program at Guyan Valley Middle School and Lincoln County High school by funding the salary and benefits of the mental health counselor, travel, equipment and supervisory costs.

Marshall University - University Physicians & Surgeons $97,724.00This second year renewal grant supports the School-Based Health Center Technical Assistance and Evaluation Team in expanding its capacity to provide technical support for school-based mental health services and

working with state level policy makers to ensure continuing political and financial support for existing school-based health services. The Team also provides continuing education workshops for school-based health centers and individualized on-site technical assistance to school-based health centers.

Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center$42,500.00 This first year grant provides funding forthe ongoing support of the MonongaliaCounty Child Advocacy Center, a compre-hensive program for children who have been abused or neglected and are involved in the legal system.

New River Health Association$39,400.00This first year renewal grant supports the school-based mental health program at Summersville Wellness Center serving Summersville Middle and Nicholas County High Schools by funding the salary and benefits of the mental health counselor, travel, equipment and supervisory costs. New River Health Association $60,000.00This grant supports the construction of a school-based health clinic within the new consolidated elementary school in Fayette County, West Virginia.

New River Health Association$5,000.00This second year grant enables New RiverHealth Association to work with MarshallUniversity Technical Assistance Staff to develop and test models for the managementof overweight children and adolescents at Mt.Hope Elementary School.

New River Health Association $31,380.00This second year renewal grant supports the school-based mental health wellness and education program in the elementary, middle and high schools of Mt. Hope, WV by subsidizing the salary and benefits of a mental health educator/case manager, travel, equipment and training costs.

Pendleton Community Care $47,500.00This second year renewal grant supports the school-based mental health program at North Fork Elementary School and in the consolidated Middle/High School by funding the salary and benefits of the mental health counselor, travel, equipment and supervisory costs.

Pendleton Community Care $50,000.00This first year renewal grant provides support (salary, benefits, travel, training, and

equipment) for a mental health educator to offer behavioral health classes and small group behavior modification training in North Fork Elementary and in the consolidated Middle/High Schools.

Rainelle Medical Center$54,100.00This first year renewal grant funds the school-based mental health counselor andcontinued development of a substanceabuse/chemical addiction program atMeadow Bridge Elementary and High Schoolsas well as in the Western Greenbrier Middleand High Schools.

Rainelle Medical Center$9,500.00This second year renewal grant is used tostrengthen the capacity for the provision of mental health services by funding supportive services.

Rainelle Medical Center$60,000.00This grant funds the purchase of a double widetrailer for use as the Meadow Bridge WellnessCenter servicing Meadow Bridge Elementary and High Schools.

Ritchie County Primary Care $42,500.00This first year renewal grant supports the school-based mental health counselor (salary and benefits, travel, equipment and supervisory costs) providing services in the Ritchie County Middle and High Schools. Tug River Health Association, Inc.$60,000.00This second year grant provides financialassistance for continued development ofSBHC at Mount View Middle/High School inMcDowell County.

The West Virginia Catholic Foundation$148,047.21This second year grant provides school-based health services for Wheeling Catholic Elementary School and Weirton St. Paul Elementary School.

WV Primary Care Association, Inc. $80,000.00 per year for 3 yearsThis first year renewal grant strengthens the WV School-Based Assembly Infrastructure by funding the Co-Executive Director position. Major strategies of mission expansion, partnership development at the federal and state levels, policy advocacy, communication, awareness strategies, and organizational development will hopefully result in the successful advancement of the WV School-Based Initiative.

137 Mount St. Joseph RoadWheeling, WV 26003

(304) 233-4500

www.ssjhealthandwellnessfoundation.org

For more information about the foundation, contact co-directors:

Janice Landwehr, CSJ (304) 233-4500 ssjhwf@aol.comHelen Skormisley, CSJ (304) 599-5174 helenssj@aol.com