Summer 2009

Kind Wordsfrom touchstone mental health

2829 un iver s i ty avenue s e su i t e 400

m inneapol i s mn 5 5 4 1 4 - 3 2 3 0

With the exciting news we have to share, I wanted to include a letter in this quarter’s newsletter. First and foremost, on behalf of everyone at Touchstone, thank you for all you do to support our mission of inspiring hope, healing and well-being. We are lucky to have such supportive and collaborative community, family and professional partners who help make Touchstone Mental Health the innovative mental health provider we are today. Your support allows us to investigate and initiate new approaches of care while maintaining the highest level of service in our long-standing programs.

Over the past two years, a team of Touchstone staff, clients and community partners have spent hundreds of hours researching, administering focus groups and implementing planning sessions to define what a Customized Living & Health and Wellness Center Community could look and feel like. Through this effort we have found ways to incorporate neurosciencific research and healing environment design elements to create architectural guidelines that will enable a building to reduce isolation, nurture the senses, reduce environmental stressors and promote healthy lifestyles while maintaining safety and privacy. We are extremely excited about these findings and what they can mean for the health and well-being of adults with serious mental illness.

We are taking these findings and integrating them into the design of Touchstone Mental Health’s future 40, one-bedroom unit customized living building in the Seward neighborhood in south Minneapolis. When construction is completed, our new home will also include Minnesota’s first

health and wellness center focused primarily on improving the physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual health of adults with serious mental illness. Our intent is to positively impact the life expectancy disparity among adults with serious mental illness by developing, and assisting with the implementation of, individual integrated health and wellness plans that reduce the rate of chronic diseases including heart disease and diabetes.

Our facility would not be possible without the support of our partners Projects for Pride in Living (PPL), UrbanWorks Architecture, Hennepin County Adult Behavioral Health and the Seward Neighborhood.

There is a tremendous amount of information, including architectural renderings, which we will share in the coming months; but we wanted you to know of this exciting milestone in Touchstone’s 27+ year history.

Again, I can’t express enough thanks to all of our community partners throughout all of our programs who have made it possible for Touchstone Mental Health to venture down this new path. I look forward to sharing updates with you regarding our long-standing programs and our newest adventures.

Be well,

Martha LantzExecutive Director

Dear Friends,

Inside this issue

Letter from Director 1

New Integrated Service 2

Consumer Expressions & Art 3

Midwest Shelby Club 4

Healthy Foods 4

Donor Thank You 5

Program Wish List 5

Team Touchstone 6

VOLUME 9

ISSUE 2SUMMEr 2009

Board MembersMerrie Kaas, Ph.D., Chair Katie Lichty, Esq.Bill Cochrane JoAnn MeyerLeslie Connelly Liz SjaastadMichaela Diercks Catherine Stine

Management TeamMartha Lantz, LICSW , MBAExecutive Director

Glen Albert, LICSWDirector of Assisted Living

Lynette AndersonFinance and Human Resources Director

Jennifer BaumgartnerDevelopment Director

Birgit Kelly, LICSWDirector of Outpatient Services

Michelle Wincell, LICSWTreatment Director, Residential Treatment

Editorial StaffJennifer BaumgartnerMartha Lantz

ProgramsASSiSTEd Living APArTMEnTS

7376 Bass Lake roadNew Hope, MN 55428-3861(763) [email protected]

CArE CoordinATion

2829 University Ave Ste. 400Minneapolis MN 55414(612) [email protected]

inTEnSivE rEHABiLiTATion And CASE MAnAgEMEnT SErviCES

2829 University Avenue SE, Suite 400Minneapolis, MN 55414-3230(612) [email protected]

inTEnTionAL CoMMuniTiES

310 East 38th Street, Suite 223Minneapolis, MN 55409(612) [email protected]

rESidEnTiAL TrEATMEnT

2516 E. 24th StreetMinneapolis, MN 55406-1209(612) [email protected]

Navigating a path toward holistic physical, mental and social well-being is tricky at best. Historically, physical, mental and social support services have provided care independent of one another, or a “silo” support model. They operated without a method of information sharing or a collective gathering of support, an integrated support model. Touchstone Care Coordination is working with Cornerstone Solutions, a division of Metropolitan Health Plan, to transition from a model of “silo support” to an integrated model of care.

“We are excited to deliver this new level of care in partnership with Cornerstone Solutions,” shared Birgit Kelly, Touchstone Care Coordination Program Director. “Touchstone Care Coordination is another step Touchstone Mental Health is taking to truly integrate the health care and services it provides.

To provide an increased level of integrated care, Touchstone and Cornerstone Solutions’ care guides serve as a single point of contact for their consumers’ physical, mental and social support

services. Touchstone’s care guides work with each consumer to provide initial comprehensive health and risk assessments in the areas of preventive health, mental health, independent living skills and a wide range of social service

needs. The assessment highlights each consumer’s strengths in the areas of socialization, supports, finances and community involvement. It also encompasses physical and mental health needs to help create a complete picture of each consumer’s support needs.

Based on the assessment’s findings, Touchstone’s care guides work with each consumer to develop individualized care plans that encompass the physical, mental health and social services needs. This will help consumers coordinate services with all of their care providers.

“As our program develops, we hope we can make a difference in our consumers’ lives by addressing all aspects of their health and wellbeing,” added Kelly. “The assessment process and attention to consumer health serve as templates for enhancing our services across the agency.”

For more information about Touchstone’s Care Coordination Program, please contact Birgit Kelly at 612-874-6409.

TouCHSTonE LAunCHES CArE CoordinATion ProgrAM

TOUCHSTONE MENTAL HEALTH | PAGE 2

“as our program develops, we hope we can make a difference in our consumers’ lives by addressing

all aspects of their health and wellbeing.”Birgit Kelly

A Painting by Dawn

“Woman,” a Painting by Nadine

“Waterfall,” a Photo by Levi

By JenniferI wash away my tainted skin, this skin I live in,I feel like a stranger in my own mind,Where can I hide from this pain,I don’t even know who I am, or why I came,I want to know the answers to all the questionslingering in my mind,but I guess you can answerhowever you choose,those endless questionsto the meaning of life, existence and time,the reason why we’re here,and who we truly are,why did we come in this flesh, that is temporary?Are we here to learn lessons?Are we here to remember something we forgot?Are we here because we are just passing through,

to our next destination?

My grandfather said, “we are all fallen angels, that have forgotten our purpose, in which are lost amongst the ashes.”

And why do we come into these bodies,And have these families,And the places in which we were raised,Did we choose all of this, or was this a mistake?Or maybe better yet, is this all a dream, an

illusion, a delusion or even a hallucination of the mind,

Maybe the destination that we go after is our true existence,

After we are rid of our temporary disguisesMaybe this is the just the middle ground,In between the beginning and the end, of

all time.

HungEr SATiSfiEdBy RichardThe object of my sensing is smooth of faceand happily a woman. Kindness lives within her eyes.She wakes a empty part of me, a softness I had missed.Her face reflects graceful understanding.Within those precious moments when herloveliness appears, I put all else aside and know I’m in the presence of a dream.

LingEring QuESTionS

ConSuMEr ExPrESSionS – SuMMEr 2009

PAGE 3 | TOUCHSTONE MENTAL HEALTHA Photo by Armand

THAnk you uPPEr MidwEST rEgion SHELBy AMEriCAn AuTo CLuB260 horse power and community compassion brought the Upper Midwest Shelby American Auto Club and Touchstone Mental Health together.

On June 1st, Martha Lantz, Touchstone’s Executive Director joined Touchstone board member, Bill Cochrane, in accepting the Upper Midwest Shelby American Auto Club’s $1,400 donation from Club President, Dave Smith. The Shelby Club members are avid car enthusiasts dedicated to supporting the needs of the Twin Cities, while celebrating their love of classic American cars. Thank you to all members of the Shelby Club for including Touchstone Mental Health as part of your 2009 community outreach!

According to the State Mental Health Directors and Medical Director’s Council report on the Measurement of Health Status for People with Serious Mental Illness, “people with serious mental illness die 25 years earlier than the general population…. Premature mortality is predominantly due to chronic disease – especially infectious, pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases – and diabetes.”

To help counter this statistic, Touchstone Mental Health has incorporated numerous physical, emotional and spiritual health activities and initiatives throughout its programs including its Healthy Foods and Nutrition group hosted by Kate Mack, Mark Kaufman and Courtnie Kostuik.

Every other week, Touchstone Intentional Community and Intensive Community rehabilitation Service clients work toward incorporating nutritious lifestyles into their routine by participating in healthy foods and nutrition sessions. Each session they explore topics of healthy nutrition and food preparation, broadening options for eating, diabetes management and what nutrition really means.

Based on the group’s interests, the food preparation has included an eclectic array of

cultures. So far, they have made guacamole, tabouleh, falafel, homemade spaghetti sauce (with both whole wheat and regular pasta –voters preferred the whole wheat), minestrone soup, homemade pizza and chili. This fall they plan to tackle Indian foods and flavors.

All meals have emphasized whole grains, fresh vegetables and low sodium. “I have also tried to talk about the simplicity and cost effectiveness of cooking the foods we prepare,” said Kate Mack, a Touchstone Intentional Community Organizer. “Each meal costs between 8 and 12 dollars and is enough food for 4 to 6 meals. I try to reinforce how it is possible to eat well on a budget.”

The sessions have taught me how to cook as a single person,” shared Bonita, a group regular. “I have learned how to cook with smaller portions and it’s healthy.”

“I have enjoyed teaching the class,” said Mack. “I think good nutrition is very important. I want to help people achieve what at times may feel unattainable.”

For more information about Touchstone’s Healthy Foods and Nutrition group sessions contact Kate Mack at 612-767-3881 ext. 102

TouCHSTonE CoMBATS nATionAL STATiSTiC wiTH HEALTHy foodS

bill cochrane (c) and martha lantz accept a donation from club president dave smith.


“one cannot think well, love well, sleep well,

if one has not dined well.”Excerpt from A Room of Her Own by

Virginia Wolf

“laughter is the brightest where food is best.”

Irish Proverb

ProgrAM wiSH LiSTThe following items are requests from Touchstone’s residential Treatment, Assisted Living and Intentional Communities. Thank you for your support.

THAnk you donorSYour support helps Touchstone serve as a guide and supporting presence for our clients as they travel their paths of hope, healing and well-being.January 1, 2009 – July 31, 2009

Pinnacle$5000 +Donors providing our Culminated Success

keystone$1000 – $4,999Donors providing our Cohesive StabilityDavid Vicksta in Honor of Patricia CarolanUS Bancorp FoundationUpper Midwest Shelby Club

Pillar$500 - $999Donors providing our Principle Support

Core$250 – $499Donors providing our fundamental HeartMichael & Kate Gardos reidMarshall & Katie LichtyGlen AlbertGary & Barbara Milton

Cornerstone$100 – $249Donors providing our firm BaseWilliam and Connie riggs in Memory of Cynthia riggsLynette Anderson in Honor of Helen raleigh

footholdUp to $99Donors providing our Chief foundationKen & Elaine GundersonBarbara SobocinskiWasil G. FiedorowDon & Betty Cashin in Honor of Kathy CashinBirgit E. BirkelandBill & Susan Cochranerita A Halloran in honor of Kathy CashinMaureen Cashin, John Storm and Sons in Honor of

Kathy CashinMaryann WattersAnelise Sawkins

in-kind SupportMartha LantzLogan and Sharon AndersonFio MacKinneyMinnesota State Fair

Kitchen Items• Blender

Furniture• Small Leather Loveseat

Music and Artistic Development Items• Music Stand• Sheet Music• Flute• Violin• Guitar• Frames for client art

Life Skills and Organization Items• Hygiene items• At a glance calendars

Healing Environment Items• Bird Feeders/Bird Food• Large outdoor flower arrangements• Noise Machines• Outdoor Table Umbrella

Miscellaneous• Gift Cards- Target, Cub, Best Buy,

Starbucks, Borders• Holistic Books, magazines,

resources

PAGE 5 | TOUCHSTONE MENTAL HEALTH

MiSC.

An Inukshuk is built in layers (foothold, cornerstone, core, pillar, keystone, and pinnacle) with each layer serving an integral role in stabilizing the beautiful guiding structure. Just as an Inukshuk needs

every layer to be complete, Touchstone Mental Health needs support at every financial level. Thank you for making it possible for Touchstone to serve as an Inukshuk, or stable guide, in the lives of those we serve. Without you, we are incomplete.

Pinnacle

Pillar

core

Foothold cornerstone

Keystone

2829 un iver s i ty avenue s e su i t e 400

m inneapol i s mn 5 5 4 1 4 - 3 2 3 0

Join TEAM TouCHSTonE Saturday, September 26th at Minnehaha Park at 12:45 p.m.!

Touchstone’s clients, staff, board members, family and friends are banding together to participate in NAMI Walks for the Mind of America, NAMI’s signature walkathon event that is being held in Minneapolis, MN at Minnehaha Park on September 26, 2009 at 1:00 p.m.

our goal:To have a large team participate, celebrate our organization and wear super cool Touchstone T-shirts!

For more information, contact rachel Proctor, Activity Coordinator Touchstone Assisted Living, at 763-536-8134 or [email protected].

TEAM TouCHSTonEMissionTouchstone Mental Health inspires hope, healing and well-being.

VisionTouchstone Mental Health is a center of excellence, providing quality programs, services and products to assure that people living with mental illness can enjoy the highest quality of life and achieve their greatest personal potential. Touchstone builds on its history of innovation to deepen, grow and sustain its programs to meet existing and emerging needs.

organizational excellence is enhanced through:• Effective strategic alliances• Quality staff and leadership• Increased visibility

And is supported by:• Updated technology• Diversified base of funding


Summer 2009

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