AnnuAl RepoRt2008-2009

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.

FY 2008-2009 Grant History

Cabin Creek Health Center $ 40,000.00This third year grant will be used to support school-based mental health services at Riverside High School in Kanawha Co; the grant will be used for the salary and benefits of a mental health counselor, travel, equipment and supervisory costs.

Camden on Gauley Medical Center, Inc.$65,000.00 This second year grant will be used to continue services at School-Based Health Center at Webster County High School in Webster County.

Center for Rural Health Development, Inc.$12,832.00 West Virginia School-Based Health Center Practice Improvement Wrap Up ProjectThe grant funds will be used to provide “wrap up” of the project through the development of a single tool that will be used by the Division of Primary Care for both self-assessment and validation of the performance effectiveness of SBHCs in West Virginia.

Center for Rural Health Development, Inc.$50,000.00The grant funds will be used to help implement Phase Two of the WV Adolescent Immunization Project: Take Your Best Shot.

Child & Youth Advocacy Center (CYAC)$15,000.00 The grant funds will be used to support the salary of the CYAC mental health therapist.

Children’s Home Society of WV$22,000.00 The grant funds will be used to help support mental health services at Safe Haven CYAC in Martinsburg, WV.

E.A. Hawes Health Center $54,150.00This third year grant will be used to provide support to maintain mental health services through therapist and social worker positions in the East Hardy school complex.

Harmony House: Child Advocacy Center$20,000.00 The grant funds will be used to help support the Child and Family Advocate position at Harmony House, Inc.

Lincoln Primary Care Center, Inc. $ 50,000.00The grant funds will be used to support a school based mental health program at Lincoln Primary Care Center Inc.; the grant will be used for the salary and benefits of a mental health counselor, travel, equipment and supervisory costs.

Marion County CAC $45,000.00 The grant funds will be used to help provide services at Child Advocacy Center in Marion County, WV.

Marshall University Foundation $92,580.00The grant funds will be used to support the Technical Assistance and Evaluation Unit of the Family and Community Health Center of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine in order to expand its capacity to evaluate, assist, and guide West Virginia’s school based health centers. In particular, the grant is intended to enable the Technical Assistance Unit to provide effective service to those school based health centers which have initiated mental health services.

Monongahela Valley Association of Health Centers, Inc.$ 5,000.00 This second year grant funding will enable the above to work with Marshall University Technical Assistance staff to develop and test models for the management of overweight children and adolescents at East Fairmont High School.

New River Health Association $ 30,100.00 The grant funds will be used to support a school based mental health wellness and education program at the school based health centers (wellness centers) operated by the New River Health Association in the elementary, middle and high schools of Mt. Hope, WV; the grant will be used for the salary and benefits of a mental health educator/case manager; travel, equipment and training costs.

Rainelle Medical Center$ 48,825.00This third year grant will be used for salary and benefits of a full-time School-Based Health Counselor for Greenbrier West High School.

Rainelle Medical Center$8,583.75 The grant funds are being used to support and strengthen the mental health capacity at the Rainelle Medical Center’s School Based Health Center. The grant has been approved to supplement the salary of the mental health counselor, to pay for the cost of training, and to purchase additional equipment and supplies.

Ritchie Co. Primary Care Association$40,000.00The grant funds will be used to renovate/expand space for the School-based health center in Jefferson Elementary Center in Wood County.

Ritchie County Primary Care $ 38,356.00 This third year grant will be used to support a school-based mental health program in Ritchie County; the grant will be used for the salary and benefits of a mental health counselor, travel,equipment and supervisory costs.

Tug River Health Association, Inc.$48,623.00 The grant funds will be used to help provide for BHC at Mount View Middle/High School in McDowell County.

The West Virginia Catholic Foundation$ 151,524.10 The grant funds will be used to help provide school-based health services for Wheeling Catholic Elementary School and Weirton St. Paul Elementary School.

WV Primary Care Association, Inc. $80,000.00 This third year grant will be used for salary and benefits for Executive Directors of the School-Based Health Assembly.

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) 363-4223 helenssj@aol.com

AnnuAl RepoRt2008-2009

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.

FY 2008-2009 Grant History

Cabin Creek Health Center $ 40,000.00This third year grant will be used to support school-based mental health services at Riverside High School in Kanawha Co; the grant will be used for the salary and benefits of a mental health counselor, travel, equipment and supervisory costs.

Camden on Gauley Medical Center, Inc.$65,000.00 This second year grant will be used to continue services at School-Based Health Center at Webster County High School in Webster County.

Center for Rural Health Development, Inc.$12,832.00 West Virginia School-Based Health Center Practice Improvement Wrap Up ProjectThe grant funds will be used to provide “wrap up” of the project through the development of a single tool that will be used by the Division of Primary Care for both self-assessment and validation of the performance effectiveness of SBHCs in West Virginia.

Center for Rural Health Development, Inc.$50,000.00The grant funds will be used to help implement Phase Two of the WV Adolescent Immunization Project: Take Your Best Shot.

Child & Youth Advocacy Center (CYAC)$15,000.00 The grant funds will be used to support the salary of the CYAC mental health therapist.

Children’s Home Society of WV$22,000.00 The grant funds will be used to help support mental health services at Safe Haven CYAC in Martinsburg, WV.

E.A. Hawes Health Center $54,150.00This third year grant will be used to provide support to maintain mental health services through therapist and social worker positions in the East Hardy school complex.

Harmony House: Child Advocacy Center$20,000.00 The grant funds will be used to help support the Child and Family Advocate position at Harmony House, Inc.

Lincoln Primary Care Center, Inc. $ 50,000.00The grant funds will be used to support a school based mental health program at Lincoln Primary Care Center Inc.; the grant will be used for the salary and benefits of a mental health counselor, travel, equipment and supervisory costs.

Marion County CAC $45,000.00 The grant funds will be used to help provide services at Child Advocacy Center in Marion County, WV.

Marshall University Foundation $92,580.00The grant funds will be used to support the Technical Assistance and Evaluation Unit of the Family and Community Health Center of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine in order to expand its capacity to evaluate, assist, and guide West Virginia’s school based health centers. In particular, the grant is intended to enable the Technical Assistance Unit to provide effective service to those school based health centers which have initiated mental health services.

Monongahela Valley Association of Health Centers, Inc.$ 5,000.00 This second year grant funding will enable the above to work with Marshall University Technical Assistance staff to develop and test models for the management of overweight children and adolescents at East Fairmont High School.

New River Health Association $ 30,100.00 The grant funds will be used to support a school based mental health wellness and education program at the school based health centers (wellness centers) operated by the New River Health Association in the elementary, middle and high schools of Mt. Hope, WV; the grant will be used for the salary and benefits of a mental health educator/case manager; travel, equipment and training costs.

Rainelle Medical Center$ 48,825.00This third year grant will be used for salary and benefits of a full-time School-Based Health Counselor for Greenbrier West High School.

Rainelle Medical Center$8,583.75 The grant funds are being used to support and strengthen the mental health capacity at the Rainelle Medical Center’s School Based Health Center. The grant has been approved to supplement the salary of the mental health counselor, to pay for the cost of training, and to purchase additional equipment and supplies.

Ritchie Co. Primary Care Association$40,000.00The grant funds will be used to renovate/expand space for the School-based health center in Jefferson Elementary Center in Wood County.

Ritchie County Primary Care $ 38,356.00 This third year grant will be used to support a school-based mental health program in Ritchie County; the grant will be used for the salary and benefits of a mental health counselor, travel,equipment and supervisory costs.

Tug River Health Association, Inc.$48,623.00 The grant funds will be used to help provide for BHC at Mount View Middle/High School in McDowell County.

The West Virginia Catholic Foundation$ 151,524.10 The grant funds will be used to help provide school-based health services for Wheeling Catholic Elementary School and Weirton St. Paul Elementary School.

WV Primary Care Association, Inc. $80,000.00 This third year grant will be used for salary and benefits for Executive Directors of the School-Based Health Assembly.

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) 363-4223 helenssj@aol.com

Our MissionThe mission of the Sisters of Saint Joeseph Health and Wellness Foundation 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.

Since 2002, the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation’s primary funding focus has been the West Virginia School Based Health Initiative. During that time the Foundation has subsidized several Mental Health Education projects throughout the state.

The Mental Health Educator is responsible for teaching workshops and hosting events at the school and within the community. The goal of this program is educating the students, parents, staff and community members by raising awareness of health and social issues. Some topics include bully prevention, tolerance and character education. Other areas of interest focus on needs that may be prevalent in the community such as nutrition education, obesity and diabetes education. The training is accomplished through in-class workshops and partnering with other community organizations to assist with educating the students and their families.

The Mental Health Educator position provides students with stability throughout their elementary, middle and high school years. Many Mental Health Educators start visiting classrooms at least once per week when children are in elementary school. These visits allow the students to learn hygiene skills as well as nutritional skills which they can utilize throughout their lives. Children learn about their Body Mass Index (BMI) and how to calculate their range. They are also taught the importance of washing their hands throughout the day in order to prevent the spread of germs. As the children get older, lessons are altered to accommodate issues that may be going on around them as they grow and mature. In 2008-2009, the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation provided funding to four school-based Mental Health Educators in West Virginia. Two positions were funded through New River Health Association (Mt. Hope and Summersville), one for Pendleton Community Care and one through Cabin Creek Health Center. The grant money covers salary and benefits of a mental health educator, travel, equipment and supervisory costs.

Profile: Pendleton Community CareSince 2004, the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation has provided funding to Pendleton Community Care to provide a Mental Health Educator for Pendleton County schools. Chris Roberson has been the Mental Health Educator for five years. During each week he visits every elementary school in the county.

The Mental Health Education Program, which originally began in only two schools, is now offered in all Pendleton County public schools. The program targets new approaches each year and focuses on the specific needs of the students as well as the community. Today, over 200 children are visited each week by the Mental Health Educator who teaches a variety of programs including obesity, diabetes education, self-esteem, multi-cultural awareness, concentration, nutrition, social skills and tobacco cessation classes. One of the early very successful programs, “Great Young Men,” focused on 5th and 6th grade male students and provided them with skills to grow into strong, responsible men.

“Because of the funding from the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation, we are able to provide health education in the school curriculum. Without this funding more of our students would probably fall into an unfortunate situation such as obesity or diabetes, which is prevalent in many of our local communities” says Roberson.

Elementary students become involved in the Mental Health Education Program by participating in the Healthy Lifestyles Program. This program utilizes a holistic approach to encourage students to become responsible for their own health and well-being. At the beginning of the year, students record their height, weight and BMI (Body Mass Index). Each student learns how to calculate his/her BMI to determine an

acceptable range for his/her age, height and weight. Students create their own goals for the year regarding their own personal health and what changes they feel they need to make for themselves. Throughout the year students meet with the Mental Health Educator to evaluate their height, weight and BMI while also re-evaluating their personal goals for the year. The Mental Health Educator provides the students with the skills and ideas necessary to improve their overall health and lifestyle. Students who rank above the 90th percentile are offered a more advanced program which allows them to meet with a dietician to evaluate their nutritional needs.

The partnership with Pendleton Community Care and the school system of Pendleton County is what makes this program such a success. The school system receives a full time employee which provides a level of education to its students that would not be possible otherwise. “Without the funding from the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation the county would lose this position, and the students would lose a variety of educational tools that will help them in their future. The parents, teachers and students of Pendleton County are blessed to have the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation to support this program. The students would not have these life skills and healthy lifestyles education without their help,” says Roberson.

In 2002, New River Health Association was one of the first organizations to receive funding from the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation for a Mental Health Educator position. The Mental Health Educator is responsible for conducting workshops and hosting events at the school and within the community with the goal of increasing awareness of health and social issues in students, parents, staff and community members. Since 2005, Rosalie McCauley has been the Mental Health Educator at Mt. Hope Elementary and Mt. Hope High School.

“There are many children in this community from at-risk backgrounds. When given access to caring adults, they are not only resilient to life’s challenges, but also become successful young people.” says McCauley. The program starts by teaching elementary school children about basic health issues. Several weeks are spent teaching the children about nutrition, oral health, hand washing, stranger danger and disease prevention. McCauley uses The OrganWise Guys program which brings science-based nutrition, physical activity, and other lifestyle behavior messages to the children. The purpose is to instill a healthy habit mindset early in childhood which will hopefully continue to grow into adulthood.

Some of these same issues are addressed once the children reach high school. However, the main focus at this level are the Six Pillars of Character. The Six Pillars of character include: trust, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. Each of these traits are addressed

and reinforced throughout the year through constant reminders about the importance of possessing each of these characteristics in their life. As other issues arise, McCauley has the flexibility to add topics to the curriculum based on the needs of the students and the community. Bullying, anger management, conflict resolution, and weight management are just some of the topics that may be covered during the school year. With the help of local law enforcement, the Mental Health Educator has developed workshops which address hate crimes, legislation, school violence prevention and safety at parties. The Health Educator continues to provide small group and classroom presentations on issues such as alcohol awareness and substance abuse. “We want the children to be safe but we also want them to realize the consequences of their actions,” says McCauley.

Funding from the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation has provided the students of Mt. Hope with a staff they can talk to about their problems and who will address any problems and concerns throughout the year. The Mental Health Educator is not only a teacher, but a counselor, friend and confidant. “The schools in Mt. Hope are already understaffed, so without the funding for this position the children wouldn’t have anyone to talk to and it would put additional responsibilities on the teachers,” says McCauley. “We are extremely grateful for the funding that the Sisters of St. Joseph provide.”

Profile: New River Health Association

Our MissionThe mission of the Sisters of Saint Joeseph Health and Wellness Foundation 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.

Since 2002, the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation’s primary funding focus has been the West Virginia School Based Health Initiative. During that time the Foundation has subsidized several Mental Health Education projects throughout the state.

The Mental Health Educator is responsible for teaching workshops and hosting events at the school and within the community. The goal of this program is educating the students, parents, staff and community members by raising awareness of health and social issues. Some topics include bully prevention, tolerance and character education. Other areas of interest focus on needs that may be prevalent in the community such as nutrition education, obesity and diabetes education. The training is accomplished through in-class workshops and partnering with other community organizations to assist with educating the students and their families.

The Mental Health Educator position provides students with stability throughout their elementary, middle and high school years. Many Mental Health Educators start visiting classrooms at least once per week when children are in elementary school. These visits allow the students to learn hygiene skills as well as nutritional skills which they can utilize throughout their lives. Children learn about their Body Mass Index (BMI) and how to calculate their range. They are also taught the importance of washing their hands throughout the day in order to prevent the spread of germs. As the children get older, lessons are altered to accommodate issues that may be going on around them as they grow and mature. In 2008-2009, the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation provided funding to four school-based Mental Health Educators in West Virginia. Two positions were funded through New River Health Association (Mt. Hope and Summersville), one for Pendleton Community Care and one through Cabin Creek Health Center. The grant money covers salary and benefits of a mental health educator, travel, equipment and supervisory costs.

Profile: Pendleton Community CareSince 2004, the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation has provided funding to Pendleton Community Care to provide a Mental Health Educator for Pendleton County schools. Chris Roberson has been the Mental Health Educator for five years. During each week he visits every elementary school in the county.

The Mental Health Education Program, which originally began in only two schools, is now offered in all Pendleton County public schools. The program targets new approaches each year and focuses on the specific needs of the students as well as the community. Today, over 200 children are visited each week by the Mental Health Educator who teaches a variety of programs including obesity, diabetes education, self-esteem, multi-cultural awareness, concentration, nutrition, social skills and tobacco cessation classes. One of the early very successful programs, “Great Young Men,” focused on 5th and 6th grade male students and provided them with skills to grow into strong, responsible men.

“Because of the funding from the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation, we are able to provide health education in the school curriculum. Without this funding more of our students would probably fall into an unfortunate situation such as obesity or diabetes, which is prevalent in many of our local communities” says Roberson.

Elementary students become involved in the Mental Health Education Program by participating in the Healthy Lifestyles Program. This program utilizes a holistic approach to encourage students to become responsible for their own health and well-being. At the beginning of the year, students record their height, weight and BMI (Body Mass Index). Each student learns how to calculate his/her BMI to determine an

acceptable range for his/her age, height and weight. Students create their own goals for the year regarding their own personal health and what changes they feel they need to make for themselves. Throughout the year students meet with the Mental Health Educator to evaluate their height, weight and BMI while also re-evaluating their personal goals for the year. The Mental Health Educator provides the students with the skills and ideas necessary to improve their overall health and lifestyle. Students who rank above the 90th percentile are offered a more advanced program which allows them to meet with a dietician to evaluate their nutritional needs.

The partnership with Pendleton Community Care and the school system of Pendleton County is what makes this program such a success. The school system receives a full time employee which provides a level of education to its students that would not be possible otherwise. “Without the funding from the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation the county would lose this position, and the students would lose a variety of educational tools that will help them in their future. The parents, teachers and students of Pendleton County are blessed to have the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation to support this program. The students would not have these life skills and healthy lifestyles education without their help,” says Roberson.

In 2002, New River Health Association was one of the first organizations to receive funding from the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation for a Mental Health Educator position. The Mental Health Educator is responsible for conducting workshops and hosting events at the school and within the community with the goal of increasing awareness of health and social issues in students, parents, staff and community members. Since 2005, Rosalie McCauley has been the Mental Health Educator at Mt. Hope Elementary and Mt. Hope High School.

“There are many children in this community from at-risk backgrounds. When given access to caring adults, they are not only resilient to life’s challenges, but also become successful young people.” says McCauley. The program starts by teaching elementary school children about basic health issues. Several weeks are spent teaching the children about nutrition, oral health, hand washing, stranger danger and disease prevention. McCauley uses The OrganWise Guys program which brings science-based nutrition, physical activity, and other lifestyle behavior messages to the children. The purpose is to instill a healthy habit mindset early in childhood which will hopefully continue to grow into adulthood.

Some of these same issues are addressed once the children reach high school. However, the main focus at this level are the Six Pillars of Character. The Six Pillars of character include: trust, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. Each of these traits are addressed

and reinforced throughout the year through constant reminders about the importance of possessing each of these characteristics in their life. As other issues arise, McCauley has the flexibility to add topics to the curriculum based on the needs of the students and the community. Bullying, anger management, conflict resolution, and weight management are just some of the topics that may be covered during the school year. With the help of local law enforcement, the Mental Health Educator has developed workshops which address hate crimes, legislation, school violence prevention and safety at parties. The Health Educator continues to provide small group and classroom presentations on issues such as alcohol awareness and substance abuse. “We want the children to be safe but we also want them to realize the consequences of their actions,” says McCauley.

Funding from the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation has provided the students of Mt. Hope with a staff they can talk to about their problems and who will address any problems and concerns throughout the year. The Mental Health Educator is not only a teacher, but a counselor, friend and confidant. “The schools in Mt. Hope are already understaffed, so without the funding for this position the children wouldn’t have anyone to talk to and it would put additional responsibilities on the teachers,” says McCauley. “We are extremely grateful for the funding that the Sisters of St. Joseph provide.”

Profile: New River Health Association

Our MissionThe mission of the Sisters of Saint Joeseph Health and Wellness Foundation 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.

Since 2002, the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation’s primary funding focus has been the West Virginia School Based Health Initiative. During that time the Foundation has subsidized several Mental Health Education projects throughout the state.

The Mental Health Educator is responsible for teaching workshops and hosting events at the school and within the community. The goal of this program is educating the students, parents, staff and community members by raising awareness of health and social issues. Some topics include bully prevention, tolerance and character education. Other areas of interest focus on needs that may be prevalent in the community such as nutrition education, obesity and diabetes education. The training is accomplished through in-class workshops and partnering with other community organizations to assist with educating the students and their families.

The Mental Health Educator position provides students with stability throughout their elementary, middle and high school years. Many Mental Health Educators start visiting classrooms at least once per week when children are in elementary school. These visits allow the students to learn hygiene skills as well as nutritional skills which they can utilize throughout their lives. Children learn about their Body Mass Index (BMI) and how to calculate their range. They are also taught the importance of washing their hands throughout the day in order to prevent the spread of germs. As the children get older, lessons are altered to accommodate issues that may be going on around them as they grow and mature. In 2008-2009, the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation provided funding to four school-based Mental Health Educators in West Virginia. Two positions were funded through New River Health Association (Mt. Hope and Summersville), one for Pendleton Community Care and one through Cabin Creek Health Center. The grant money covers salary and benefits of a mental health educator, travel, equipment and supervisory costs.

Profile: Pendleton Community CareSince 2004, the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation has provided funding to Pendleton Community Care to provide a Mental Health Educator for Pendleton County schools. Chris Roberson has been the Mental Health Educator for five years. During each week he visits every elementary school in the county.

The Mental Health Education Program, which originally began in only two schools, is now offered in all Pendleton County public schools. The program targets new approaches each year and focuses on the specific needs of the students as well as the community. Today, over 200 children are visited each week by the Mental Health Educator who teaches a variety of programs including obesity, diabetes education, self-esteem, multi-cultural awareness, concentration, nutrition, social skills and tobacco cessation classes. One of the early very successful programs, “Great Young Men,” focused on 5th and 6th grade male students and provided them with skills to grow into strong, responsible men.

“Because of the funding from the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation, we are able to provide health education in the school curriculum. Without this funding more of our students would probably fall into an unfortunate situation such as obesity or diabetes, which is prevalent in many of our local communities” says Roberson.

Elementary students become involved in the Mental Health Education Program by participating in the Healthy Lifestyles Program. This program utilizes a holistic approach to encourage students to become responsible for their own health and well-being. At the beginning of the year, students record their height, weight and BMI (Body Mass Index). Each student learns how to calculate his/her BMI to determine an

acceptable range for his/her age, height and weight. Students create their own goals for the year regarding their own personal health and what changes they feel they need to make for themselves. Throughout the year students meet with the Mental Health Educator to evaluate their height, weight and BMI while also re-evaluating their personal goals for the year. The Mental Health Educator provides the students with the skills and ideas necessary to improve their overall health and lifestyle. Students who rank above the 90th percentile are offered a more advanced program which allows them to meet with a dietician to evaluate their nutritional needs.

The partnership with Pendleton Community Care and the school system of Pendleton County is what makes this program such a success. The school system receives a full time employee which provides a level of education to its students that would not be possible otherwise. “Without the funding from the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation the county would lose this position, and the students would lose a variety of educational tools that will help them in their future. The parents, teachers and students of Pendleton County are blessed to have the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation to support this program. The students would not have these life skills and healthy lifestyles education without their help,” says Roberson.

In 2002, New River Health Association was one of the first organizations to receive funding from the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation for a Mental Health Educator position. The Mental Health Educator is responsible for conducting workshops and hosting events at the school and within the community with the goal of increasing awareness of health and social issues in students, parents, staff and community members. Since 2005, Rosalie McCauley has been the Mental Health Educator at Mt. Hope Elementary and Mt. Hope High School.

“There are many children in this community from at-risk backgrounds. When given access to caring adults, they are not only resilient to life’s challenges, but also become successful young people.” says McCauley. The program starts by teaching elementary school children about basic health issues. Several weeks are spent teaching the children about nutrition, oral health, hand washing, stranger danger and disease prevention. McCauley uses The OrganWise Guys program which brings science-based nutrition, physical activity, and other lifestyle behavior messages to the children. The purpose is to instill a healthy habit mindset early in childhood which will hopefully continue to grow into adulthood.

Some of these same issues are addressed once the children reach high school. However, the main focus at this level are the Six Pillars of Character. The Six Pillars of character include: trust, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. Each of these traits are addressed

and reinforced throughout the year through constant reminders about the importance of possessing each of these characteristics in their life. As other issues arise, McCauley has the flexibility to add topics to the curriculum based on the needs of the students and the community. Bullying, anger management, conflict resolution, and weight management are just some of the topics that may be covered during the school year. With the help of local law enforcement, the Mental Health Educator has developed workshops which address hate crimes, legislation, school violence prevention and safety at parties. The Health Educator continues to provide small group and classroom presentations on issues such as alcohol awareness and substance abuse. “We want the children to be safe but we also want them to realize the consequences of their actions,” says McCauley.

Funding from the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation has provided the students of Mt. Hope with a staff they can talk to about their problems and who will address any problems and concerns throughout the year. The Mental Health Educator is not only a teacher, but a counselor, friend and confidant. “The schools in Mt. Hope are already understaffed, so without the funding for this position the children wouldn’t have anyone to talk to and it would put additional responsibilities on the teachers,” says McCauley. “We are extremely grateful for the funding that the Sisters of St. Joseph provide.”

Profile: New River Health Association

AnnuAl RepoRt2008-2009

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.

FY 2008-2009 Grant History

Cabin Creek Health Center $ 40,000.00This third year grant will be used to support school-based mental health services at Riverside High School in Kanawha Co; the grant will be used for the salary and benefits of a mental health counselor, travel, equipment and supervisory costs.

Camden on Gauley Medical Center, Inc.$65,000.00 This second year grant will be used to continue services at School-Based Health Center at Webster County High School in Webster County.

Center for Rural Health Development, Inc.$12,832.00 West Virginia School-Based Health Center Practice Improvement Wrap Up ProjectThe grant funds will be used to provide “wrap up” of the project through the development of a single tool that will be used by the Division of Primary Care for both self-assessment and validation of the performance effectiveness of SBHCs in West Virginia.

Center for Rural Health Development, Inc.$50,000.00The grant funds will be used to help implement Phase Two of the WV Adolescent Immunization Project: Take Your Best Shot.

Child & Youth Advocacy Center (CYAC)$15,000.00 The grant funds will be used to support the salary of the CYAC mental health therapist.

Children’s Home Society of WV$22,000.00 The grant funds will be used to help support mental health services at Safe Haven CYAC in Martinsburg, WV.

E.A. Hawes Health Center $54,150.00This third year grant will be used to provide support to maintain mental health services through therapist and social worker positions in the East Hardy school complex.

Harmony House: Child Advocacy Center$20,000.00 The grant funds will be used to help support the Child and Family Advocate position at Harmony House, Inc.

Lincoln Primary Care Center, Inc. $ 50,000.00The grant funds will be used to support a school based mental health program at Lincoln Primary Care Center Inc.; the grant will be used for the salary and benefits of a mental health counselor, travel, equipment and supervisory costs.

Marion County CAC $45,000.00 The grant funds will be used to help provide services at Child Advocacy Center in Marion County, WV.

Marshall University Foundation $92,580.00The grant funds will be used to support the Technical Assistance and Evaluation Unit of the Family and Community Health Center of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine in order to expand its capacity to evaluate, assist, and guide West Virginia’s school based health centers. In particular, the grant is intended to enable the Technical Assistance Unit to provide effective service to those school based health centers which have initiated mental health services.

Monongahela Valley Association of Health Centers, Inc.$ 5,000.00 This second year grant funding will enable the above to work with Marshall University Technical Assistance staff to develop and test models for the management of overweight children and adolescents at East Fairmont High School.

New River Health Association $ 30,100.00 The grant funds will be used to support a school based mental health wellness and education program at the school based health centers (wellness centers) operated by the New River Health Association in the elementary, middle and high schools of Mt. Hope, WV; the grant will be used for the salary and benefits of a mental health educator/case manager; travel, equipment and training costs.

Rainelle Medical Center$ 48,825.00This third year grant will be used for salary and benefits of a full-time School-Based Health Counselor for Greenbrier West High School.

Rainelle Medical Center$8,583.75 The grant funds are being used to support and strengthen the mental health capacity at the Rainelle Medical Center’s School Based Health Center. The grant has been approved to supplement the salary of the mental health counselor, to pay for the cost of training, and to purchase additional equipment and supplies.

Ritchie Co. Primary Care Association$40,000.00The grant funds will be used to renovate/expand space for the School-based health center in Jefferson Elementary Center in Wood County.

Ritchie County Primary Care $ 38,356.00 This third year grant will be used to support a school-based mental health program in Ritchie County; the grant will be used for the salary and benefits of a mental health counselor, travel,equipment and supervisory costs.

Tug River Health Association, Inc.$48,623.00 The grant funds will be used to help provide for BHC at Mount View Middle/High School in McDowell County.

The West Virginia Catholic Foundation$ 151,524.10 The grant funds will be used to help provide school-based health services for Wheeling Catholic Elementary School and Weirton St. Paul Elementary School.

WV Primary Care Association, Inc. $80,000.00 This third year grant will be used for salary and benefits for Executive Directors of the School-Based Health Assembly.

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) 363-4223 helenssj@aol.com