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"Project Respond - A Program of Mental Health Services West" in Portland, Ore., received the 1997 Psychiatric Services Achievement Awards $10,000 Gold Award at the opening session of APA’s Institute on Psychiatric Services in October.
Project Respond was recognized for its achievement in helping persons with mental illness, particularly those who are homeless and obtain treatment, housing, and other needed services through a comprehensive program of outreach; crisis management; effective collaboration between agencies; and community education.
In addition to the grant provided by U.S. Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Inc., and presented by Kristen Murray, marketing manager at Pfizer, the Gold Award includes a plaque presented by Ruth Frydman, M.D., chair of the 1997 Achievement Awards Board. The award was accepted by Kristin Angell, CEO of Mental Health Services West, and Neil Falk, M.D., and Julie Larson of Project Respond, Mental Health Services West.
Three other outstanding mental health programs were honored with Certificates of Significant Achievement. The Medication Compliance Improvement Program of the Riverside (Calif.) County Inpatient Mental Health Facility, represented by E. Richard Dorsey, M.D., and Deborah Johnson, M.S.W., was recognized for its development and implementation of successful medication compliance strategies in an inpatient psychiatric treatment center.
The Soft Environment, a program of the Walter P. Reuther Psychiatric Hospital of Westland, Mich., represented by Norma C. Josef, M.D., received recognition for its creative and compassionate program for reducing the risks and consequences of falls among geriatric patients, which has significant potential for use in other settings.
The third program, Project B.A.S.I.C. (Better Attitudes and Skills in Children) of Nashville, represented by Louise Barnes, Ph.D., and Diane Oman, M.Ed., was selected for its innovative school-based program integrating prevention and intervention services to improve the mental health of children.
The Psychiatric Services Achievement Awards, presented annually since 1949, recognize innovative programs that deliver services to the mentally ill or disabled, provide a model for other programs, and have overcome substantial obstacles.
Applications for the 1998 competition are available from Mary Ward at (202) 682-6173; fax: (202) 682-6348; e-mail: mward@psych.org. Applications must be postmarked by January 16.