Your Journey Begins Here
BI
BI--MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
March / April, 2010
COMMUNITY MENTAL
HEALTH CENTER
106 Highland Park Plaza
Covington, LA 70433
FREE & CONFIDENTIAL
ASSESSMENTS PROVIDED
March 20, 2010
Sheraton Metairie-
New Orleans Hotel
Learn more at
www.alz.org/louisiana
For more information:
Elena Lacour GNO Director
2605 River Road New Orleans 70121
504.849.9081
elena.lacour@alz.org
MARCH IS NATIONAL
SOCIAL WORK MONTH
The work of the Social Worker has been the cornerstone of
treatment in a Community Mental Health Center. In the
Partial Hospital Program (PHP) intense daily group
psychotherapy (and individual psychotherapy as needed)
along with medication management affords the patient the
best chance for recovery from the acute symptoms associ-
ated with their mental illness diagnosis. At QUEST
Behavioral Health’s PHP program, there is a strong focus on
active treatment using a multi-modal approach of group
psychotherapy, psycho-education groups, individual and
family therapy performed by our Licensed Clinical Social
Workers. To best address individual problems, our Social
Workers complete a comprehensive psychosocial assess-
ment for all patients as part of their multi-disciplinary
assessment. Led by the psychiatrist, our Social Work team
coordinates realistic treatment goals for each patient so that
each individual reaches their maximum potential and re-
turns to their highest level of functioning. Each patient is
given the opportunity to be involved in their treatment plan
as they meet individually with their Social Worker (and
Psychiatrist) to discuss their goals and expectations of
treatment.
Family and/or caregiver involvement is strongly encouraged
in the assessment, treatment and discharge process.
During treatment, families and caregivers are invited for
family therapy Family/Caregiver input and involvement
since our Social Workers understand that the family dynam-
ic is oftentimes so important to a patient’s recovery. In the
discharge process, since the family caregiver is often pivotal
in ensuring patients follow-up with their discharge plan to
prevent relapse, Social Workers ensure the plan is realistic
and understood by the family and that resources to
complete the post-discharge work are in place. In cases
where support is limited, Social workers must assist patients
to build support systems by linking patients to community
resources that can help them succeed in their recovery and
improve their lives overall.
At Quest, the social workers are dynamic and must function
in various roles throughout their patient’s treatment includ-
ing Therapist, case manager and patient advocate. Their
work is purposeful, worthwhile and makes a difference in
people’s lives. We would like to thank our own Social
Workers at Quest for their important work. We’d also like
to thank the many social workers in the community who
give back daily to make a difference in the lives of others.
WHAT’S HAPPENING (985) 626-8581
IN ST. TAMMANY! SPOTLIGHT 1401 Hwy 190
ON THE COMMUNITY
Mandeville,
Louisiana
70448

STOPS offers safeTALK

Presentations available regarding suicide

awareness & intervention roleplay
2.5 CEUs are available for this training.
Cost is $20 per person, minimum of $300.
Call 985-237-5506 to learn more.
ASIST for 2010
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
A two day suicide first aid interactive workshop
for community caregivers. Learn more at
www.stops-la.org
This program has been approved for 12.5
Clinical CEU’s by the National Association of
Social Workers, Louisiana Chapter.
No partial credit is available
The Washington Parish Commission on Human
Services meets on the fourth Tuesday of each
month at YWCA, 409 Plaza Dr , Bogalusa 10 AM.
BIALA BIALA (Brain Injury Assoc of La)
Third Annual Conference
The Greater Covington Center
March 25 & 26th
7 CEUs will be available for professionals
Learn more at www.biala.org
Last Wed of every month - Lakeview Regional
Medical hosts NAMI Connection a free recovery
support group program for adults living with
mental illness. Information- 985-626-6538.
Our 127 bed skilled nursing facility offers a
“Spectrum of Services” to the St. Tammany
Parish and Greater New Orleans areas.
The Mission of our staff is to offer the
highest quality of care forour residents with
in a clean, safe environment. Just a few of
our services that we offer at Pontchartrain
Health Care Centre (PHCC) are our re-
nowned Alzheimer’s unit named
THE RICHERSON PROGRAM, our post
acute unit which caters to those residents
needing IV therapy, extensive wound care management and
other rehabilitation services (Physical Therapy, Occupational
Therapy, and Speech Therapy, provided in-house by PROVIDER
ADVANTAGE REHAB, to restore functional independence).
It would be a great pleasure for our Administrator and/or our
admissions counselor to tour you through our skilled nursing and
rehabilitation center. We encourage you to visit our facility and
meet our staff. Our staff (Administrator, Social Service Director,
and Director of Nursing) is more than willing to share with you
the admission process.

MEET THE STAFF OF PONTCHARTRAIN HEALTHCARE CENTRE

Heather Nelson, RSW Heather is the Admissions Coordinator at Pontchartrain Health Care Centre. She has been working
there since September 2009. She received her Bachelor’s of Psychology from University of New Orleans and later received her
Master’s of Social Work from Southern University of New Orleans in 2004. Heather has worked in Nursing Home and Hospital
settings for the past 6 years. “I love working with the senior population, they are wonderful to work with.” She utilizes her Social
Work skill set to determine appropriate placement of residents to Pontchartrain Health Care Centre (PHCC). She always has a
smiling face and is exceptionally friendly to residents who reside there and their families. She exemplifies a great positive attitude
and customer service. “The staff and residents are most enjoyable and I could not imagine being anywhere else.”

Rhonda Berger, SSD Rhonda graduated from Nicholls State University in May 2000 with a BS in Family and Consumer
Sciences (with a concentration in Child and Family Social Services). She has worked in long-term and rehabilitation since May of
2000. She has served as Social Services Director at Pontchartrain Health Care Centre since October of 2007. Rhonda is instrumental
in assessing the needs of her residents and assist them in accessing the resources that will enrich their lives further. “I find working
with the geriatric population and their families very rewarding, my children tell me that their mommy takes care of all the grandmas
and grandpas”.