cornerst neA NEXUS NEWSLETTERJULY 2014

IN THIS MONTHS ISSUE Nexus 3rd Annual ConferenceAmbassadors of Excellence

Strategic Planning for the Future

Share the WOW! Inspire Excellence in Coworkers

Excellencethe difference between ordinary and extraordinary

from the corner office of the message from the COO

CEO Wolff Calls

JULY 2014 | 21 | JULY 2014

Excellenceisnotaboutbeingthebest;

itisaboutdoingourbest.

Weve come a long way since our humble start as a residential program for boys harmful sexual behaviors. Today, we are a multi-state, multi-site, multi-service line provider of treatment services for youth, families, and communities.

Because we have broadened our focus, I believe it is time to infuse our mission and vision statements with the vitality of the youth, families and communities we now serve. Our goal hasnt changed to help create brighter futures but our means of doing so has grown to include many more individuals and many more service lines.

A mission statement is a powerful reminder of what we do as an organization. The words we include or conversely, omit create a powerful paradigm for our organization.

The same is true of a vision statement, which, by definition, identifies what we want to look like in the coming years.

Taken together, our mission and vision statements give a snapshot of the purpose of Nexus as an organization and our goal as a treatment provider.

We will talk more about our mission and vision at the 3rd Annual Conference, Ambassadors of Excellence, but more importantly, we will discuss how our

employees create the excellence that is Nexus. Each of you is an Ambassador of that Excellence, delivering it to the youth, families, and communities we serve.

I challenge each Nexus employee to create excellence every day. Work to create a memorable and positive experience every time you encounter another person. It doesnt matter what your job function is. You could be answering the phone, serving lunch, dispensing medication, leading a group, talking to a campus visitor it all matters. Every point of contact has the possibility to create a positive customer experience.

Excellence is a verban action we take in everything we do. Excellence is not about being the best; it is about doing our best every single day. We are all Ambassadors of Excellence, and we bring meaning to our mission and vision statements. As Aristotle said, We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.

I hope the theme of our upcoming 3rd Annual Conference Ambassadors of Excellence will inspire you to bring your best to your work. Be an Ambassador of Excellence. Be the difference between doing a task and creating a positive, memorable experience. The children, adolescents, young adults, families, and communities we serve deserve our best every day.

A Strategic Vision for the Future

Over the past several months, our entire organization has been working on Strategic Planning. Every summer, we conduct a strategic planning retreat for leadership. Every three years, our meetings take a longer view of the overall strategic plan for the organization.

This year, as we approached our three-year mark on the current long-term plan, we decided to take a new approach to strategic planning, making it an ongoing process, with regular meetings throughout the year.

In the months preceding this years June meeting, we asked each of the sites and programs to conduct meetings with as many stakeholders as possible, including funders, referral sources, clients, families, partners, and staff. In addition, for the first time, corporate developed its own strategic plan, with an emphasis on developing a single voice and determining when leadership is required and when support is more appropriate. Lastly, in an attempt to gain alignment and consistency in our strategic plan approach, we asked each site and corporate department to identify their 2015 key focus areas from our list of long-term priorities.

After months of prep work, corporate leadership, Executive Directors, and Associate Directors met in Minnesota on June 25-26 to do some meaningful team work.

During our two days together, we discussed stakeholder feedback and findings, examined our Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT), reviewed our mission

statement, vision statement, and 10 long-term priorities, and heard presentations by guest speakers, Kate Johansen and Tom Woll.

Johansen, a Senior Policy Advisor in the Minnesota Department of Human Services and an expert on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), opened our eyes to the complexity of the ACA and the remaining uncertainty surrounding it. She identified opportunities that the law presents for Nexus through expanded Medicaid enrollees, mental health parity, and expanded individual health insurance coverage. She also identified several threats, such as Human Resource challenges, as well as higher demands on Nexus insurance coverage for employees, and greater confidentiality requirements in the law.

Woll, a national consultant on trends in residential and foster care, spoke to the group about what to expect in the next 3-5 years, based on his interviews with leaders in the field. Woll said he believes Nexus programming must be trauma-focused and family-centered, treating families as partners in the care of children and young adults. He said government entities will have less money to spend, so Nexus will be asked to demonstrate accountability through durable and measurable results. And, lastly, he said our stakeholders will demand proof that we create lasting and positive impacts on communities and that we find solutions to their problems.

Following these experts, the strategic planning group engaged in a review of the list of 10 priorities. After much

discussion, the list was focused and refined for the upcoming three-year cycle. 1. To strive for exceptional customer

experience.2. To develop workplace excellence by

investing in training that supports and builds our staff competence.

3. To strengthen more lives in more capacities in more areas of the country.

4. To build a continuum of care with a seamless integration of services, and to be a solution-finder for needs outside of our continuum.

5. To be a leader in trauma-focused care and family partnerships.

6. To adapt our services to better meet the needs of our customers, and to seek solutions that lead to long-term family stabilization.

7. To produce better outcomes and efficiencies through Continuous Quality Improvement.

8. To advocate on behalf of children, families, and communities.

9. To establish an endowment and regional development efforts to support the mission of Nexus.

10. To utilize technology to produce efficiencies and enhance services.

Overall, this years strategic planning endeavor was a huge success. The corporate office, site, and programs will continue to build on that momentum in the coming year.

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Nexus 3rd Annual Conference

This September Nexus will host its 3rd Annual Conference where employees from all across the organization can come together to celebrate, listen, learn and get re-energized. Topics on the agenda throughout the conference range from creating stronger, more innovative programs, to exploring various clinical and leadership approaches, exploring the world of CQI and more.

This years Annual Conference theme is Ambassadors of Excellence, highlighting how each and every member of the Nexus family is an ambassador of Nexus. At this event we will also recognize the first recipients of the new Ambassador Award. One team member from each business unit, excluding corporate, will receive the award for embodying Nexus values and principles.

The conference kicks off on Tuesday, September 16 with a Big Easy style welcome dinner featuring New Orleans food and music. The conference will open with a kick-off message from CEO David Hutchinson followed by key-note guest speaker David Mann. Breakout sessions, presented by fellow employees and guest speakers, will continue through the rest of the day and into Thursday morning and then wrap up the conference with the presentation of the Ambassador Awards and closing remarks by Hutchinson and COO Brock Wolff.

Our first two conferences have gotten rave reviews and we are looking forward again to gathering together to recognize and celebrate our accomplishments, share our ideas with each other, and take a look forward to how we can continue to grow as an organization.

Check out the full list of breakout sessions on the next page to learn more about topics and presenters.

Nexus 3rd Annual ConferenceAmbassadors of ExcellenceMinneapolis, MNSeptember 16-18

If you are planning to attend the Nexus Annual Conference, fill out a registration form and submit it to Nexus Corporate Office Conference Management via fax or email by August 1. Registrations received after August 1 will not be considered for attendance unless space permits.

Fax: 763-553-1637Email: ksankey@nexustreatment.org

Conference registrations will be confirmed approximately three weeks prior to the conference.

First Ambassador Awards to be awarded at Nexus Conference!The Nexus Ambassador Award recognizes individuals who exemplify the values and principles of Nexus, and who exhibit and model behaviors that go above and beyond their job responsibilities. Simply put, a Nexus Ambassador is a shining example for others to emulate in daily life.

ambassadors of excellence

Log on to Nex-Net/Annual Conference for updates and additional information.

Log on!

Nexus 3rd annual conference

Keynote SpeakerDavid Mann presents the keynote address on Wednesday, September 17. David is a speaker, trainer, and professional actor/director. He has a specialized

focus on persuasive presentation for lawyers and is on the faculty of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Professional Education Group, and Loyola School of Law. He is a recipient of a Bush Artist Fellowship for Storytelling, and has appeared on stage, television, and radio locally and nationally. David is a graduate of Northwestern University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.

EventsTuesday, September 16New Orleans Dixieland Welcome Dinner

Wednesday, September 17Off to the Nexus Derby Races and Dinner

Breakout SessionsWednesday, September 17

#1 Collaborative Problem-Solving: Bring applicable techniques and intervention to the programsPresenter: Dr. Michelle K. Murray, Director of Clinical Services

#2 Funding for the FuturePresenter: Mike Chavers, Executive Director of Indian Oaks Academy

#3 Mapping Aftercare ServicesPresenter: Stephen A. Johnson, Aftercare Coordinator at Mille Lacs Academy

#4 Developing Conflict CompetencePresenter: Stephanie McGovern, Consultant, High Performance Systems

#5 Opening the Door to Inclusion of Transgender YouthPresenters: Lisa Watson, Clinical Supervisor at Indian Oaks Academy, and Danielle Kowach, Therapist at Indian Oaks Academy

#6 Outcomes Management, Data-Driven Decision Making, and other CQI Buzz WordsPresenter: Becky Schedin, Director of CQI and Research

Thursday, September 18

#7 Servant LeadershipPresenter: Brock Wolff, Chief Operating Officer

#8 Comparing Positive Sexuality and Abuse: the difference between shooting a bullet and throwing onePresenters: Ryan Weidenbenner, Sr. Sexuality Therapist at Onarga Academy, and Bob Poole, Family Therapist at Onarga Academy

#9 Language Choice Therapy: from school success to clinical excellencePresenters: Adam Reynolds, Training Coordinator at Indian Oaks Academy, and Joseph Grahonya, RTI/Curriculum Coordinator at Indian Oaks Academy

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Family Partnership

Defining Engagement and Involvement Key to Measuring Success

What is the difference between family engagement and family involvement?

As we continue to focus our attention on the work we do with families, it will become increasingly important to distinguish between family engagement and family involvement. Even though the concepts could be viewed as one and the same, there are slight differences.

As we move closer to becoming accountable for outcomes and evaluating whether our work with families makes a difference, it will become imperative to define these concepts so our measurements accurately reflect the expectations we have set for ourselves and for those we serve.

Family engagement occurs when families know and believe that we get it, that we truly understand their familys needs and experiences. It is the actual human relationship that is built with a family, one that demonstrates respect; it is the therapeutic relationship, much like the process of joining. The act of engaging is not about completing tasks. We engage families when we meet them where they are, when we speak their family language, and when we help them meet their needs. Successful family engagement requires us to match our expectations to each familys abilities.

At the risk of oversimplifying, family involvement, on the other hand, is the act of being physically and/or emotionally present at certain events or activities. Families are involved when they attend a meeting, participate in family therapy, show up for family fun day, call their child, reach out to their child when they are distressed, maintain contact even when things get hard, or simply talk to staff about their childs care. Successful family involvement requires us to plan opportunities that accommodate

Dr. Michelle K. Murray, LMFTDirector of Clinical Services

family partnership

Defining Our Success

Family Engagement:Families know and believe that we get it, that we truly understand their familys needs and experiences; the actual human relationship that is built with a family, one that demonstrates respect; the therapeutic relationship, much like the process of joining; not about completing tasks.

Family Involvement:Being physically and/or emotionally present at certain events or activities; attending a meeting, participating in family therapy, showing up for family fun day, calling, reaching out to a distressed child, maintaining contact even when things get hard, or talking to staff about their childs care.

When it comes to organizational evaluation, we must assess our skills and success in both family engagement and family involvement, because having one does not necessarily mean having the other. Ideally, we want both.

families schedules, in places that are convenient, that recognize their personal resource capacity, and that help them balance other family members needs.

Family involvement is one of the many reasons that Nexus residential programs offer the Family Involvement Assistance Program, and why our Minnesota Foster Care programs offer Nexus CARES. Assistance programs such as these help families reduce the resource barriers that might otherwise get in the way of their involvement.

When it comes to organizational evaluation, we must assess our skills and success in both family engagement and family involvement, because having one does not necessarily mean having the other. Families can be involved without being engaged, and they can be positively engaged without being involved. Ideally, we want both.

The challenge will be to determine how to evaluate our efforts. Family engagement will require us to evaluate relationships, which might mean evaluating the relationship between a service provider and family, as well as between a parent and child. Family involvement will require us to determine whether a family can be safely involved. Then we must determine their level, ability, and willingness of involvement. Lastly, we must be mindful about the opportunities we create for families to be involved.

Ultimately, we hope our organizational evaluation will lead us to develop effective skill sets and/or create new interventions that will help us better assist the families we serve.

What is Wellness?

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Live Well

Fit for LifeAugust 4-September 28

Earn 10 points when you get at least 150 minutes (2 hours) of Physical Activity EVERY week for 8 Weeks!

Keep track of your points by logging into your Wellvation account weekly and checking that you completed your 2 hours of physical activity for the week!

Accumulate 30 points during either the first 4 weeks or the last 4 weeks to be eligible to win one of ten XFit Fitness Bands!

Accumulate 60 points by the end of the 8 weeks to be eligible to win one of two $100 Target gift cards!

Everyone who enrolls in the FIT FOR LIFE challenge receives a free gift!

Contact Dan Ulland with any questions: dulland@nexustreatment.org

The latest installment from the Nexus wellness initiative starts August 4 and runs through September 28. Fit for Life is a program for individuals from all fitness levels and with varying interests. To participate in the Fit for Life challenge, simply track your weekly physical activity on the provided tracking sheet and enter your activity on the managewell.com site during the eight-week period.

Physical activity can range from typical exercise to everyday household chores. Anything that gets you moving and increases your heart rate counts toward your weekly fitness goal. Try walking, gardening, cleaning, biking, or whatever activity you enjoy!

Participants are aiming to get at least 150 minutes or 2 hours of physical activity each week. Every week that you complete this goal, log on to the managewell.com website and add it to your Fit for Life weekly activity to receive your well-earned points.

Every week you complete the activity goal and add it to your tracking sheet, you are awarded ten points! Throughout the program, if you can rack up 60 points, you are eligible to win one of two $100 Target gift cards! If you can earn 30 points in either the first or last four weeks of the program, you are eligible to win one of ten XFit Fitness Activity and Sleep Monitoring Wristbands.

To get started, print off the Tracking Spreadsheet August & September 2014 from the managewell.com website. Use this sheet to track your physical activity during each week of the event. For each week that you complete 150 minutes (2 hours) of physical activity, go onto the managewell.com site and click on the Fit For Life event. When the event screen appears, click on the Add 1 Weekly Activity button and you will receive 10 points. Continue to do this for each week of the program that you complete 150 minutes of physical activity.

Fit for LifeA Physical Activity Challenge

Live Well this Summer

Enjoy outdoor exercise opportunities.Hiking, biking, walking, running, gardening, and yard work are all great activities to get you moving outside. Remember to stay hydrated when exercising in warm weather.

Widen your produce horizon.Select produce of various colors to expand the array of vitamins and minerals in your diet. Fruits and vegetables are also high in fiber and naturally low in fat, with many antioxidants that help protect against cancer and heart disease. Grab varieties that arent available year-round, like honeydew and sweet corn.

Boost your health with aquatic activity.Swimming is more than just good exercise: water-based activity is gentle on joints, and may ease arthritis and fibromyalgia symptoms. Swimming also helps reduce stress levels and improve mood.

De-stress in a natural setting.Take in the sights and sounds of summer. Spending time in a natural setting can sooth and reduce stress: read a book on your porch, rest in a hammock, or spend time at a park or the beach.

Gain the health benefits of tea.Iced tea is a popular summer drink. Tea contains antioxidants and polyphenols that can reduce cancer risk and protect heart health. It has less caffeine than coffee and soda, and gives you a boost without leaving you jittery.

For a new twist, try making sun-brewed tea: use 4 to 6 tea bags and fill a 2-quart glass container with water. Place the container in sunlight for 3 to 5 hours to brew.

live well, everyday

Fit for Life Sign-Up

Log on to www.managewell.com

If you visited ManageWell in the past and are already registered, be sure to log in using the same email and password you signed up with. Once logged in, follow the directions beginning with number 5 below.

If you have visited the site before, but cannot remember your password, click on Forgot Your Password. A link will be emailed to you to reset your password.

New Visitors:Go to www.managewell.com then follow the directions below:

1. Click on the Sign Up button under the Create an Account heading.

2. You will then be asked to enter your Unique I.D. and date of birth. The unique I.D. is the NEXUS plus your ADP file number from your paystub (NEXUS123456). NOTE: If your ADP file number starts with a zero, drop the zero.

3. The next screen will ask you for a valid email address and some additional registration questions.

4. After youve completed this registration page, click agree at the bottom of the page. This will lead you to the ManageWell homepage.

5. On the homepage, youll see an area labeled Activities.

6. From the list of activities, click on the Fit for Life event to see instructions and to register.

Live Well this Summer

Enjoy outdoor exercise opportunities.Hiking, biking, walking, running, gardening, and yard work are all great activities to get you moving outside. Remember to stay hydrated when exercising in warm weather.

Widen your produce horizon.Select produce of various colors to expand the array of vitamins and minerals in your diet. Fruits and vegetables are also high in fiber and naturally low in fat, with many antioxidants that help protect against cancer and heart disease. Grab varieties that arent available year-round, like honeydew and sweet corn.

Boost your health with aquatic activity.Swimming is more than just good exercise: water-based activity is gentle on joints, and may ease arthritis and fibromyalgia symptoms. Swimming also helps reduce stress levels and improve mood.

De-stress in a natural setting.Take in the sights and sounds of summer. Spending time in a natural setting can sooth and reduce stress: read a book on your porch, rest in a hammock, or spend time at a park or the beach.

Gain the health benefits of tea.Iced tea is a popular summer drink. Tea contains antioxidants and polyphenols that can reduce cancer risk and protect heart health. It has less caffeine than coffee and soda, and gives you a boost without leaving you jittery.

For a new twist, try making sun-brewed tea: use 4 to 6 tea bags and fill a 2-quart glass container with water. Place the container in sunlight for 3 to 5 hours to brew.

live well, everyday

Fit for Life Sign-Up

Log on to www.managewell.com

If you visited ManageWell in the past and are already registered, be sure to log in using the same email and password you signed up with. Once logged in, follow the directions beginning with number 5 below.

If you have visited the site before, but cannot remember your password, click on Forgot Your Password. A link will be emailed to you to reset your password.

New Visitors:Go to www.managewell.com then follow the directions below:

1. Click on the Sign Up button under the Create an Account heading.

2. You will then be asked to enter your Unique I.D. and date of birth. The unique I.D. is the NEXUS plus your ADP file number from your paystub (NEXUS123456). NOTE: If your ADP file number starts with a zero, drop the zero.

3. The next screen will ask you for a valid email address and some additional registration questions.

4. After youve completed this registration page, click agree at the bottom of the page. This will lead you to the ManageWell homepage.

5. On the homepage, youll see an area labeled Activities.

6. From the list of activities, click on the Fit for Life event to see instructions and to register.

What is Wellness?

JULY 2014 | 10 9 | JULY 2014 5 | JULY 2014JULY 2014 | 4

Nexus Annual ConferenceThis months crossword clues refer to Nexus culture and organization, and words associated with the Nexus 3rd Annual Conference.

Complete the puzzle and email your results to cornerstone@nexustreatment.org. All correctly completed puzzles will be entered in a prize drawing!

cornerstone crossword

Down1) Demonstrated genuine interest, compassion, and support.

3) One who is under the protection of another.

4) A leadership style that is values- and relational-based.

5) Appreciating, developing, and promoting the wise use of resources.

6) Also known as The Big Easy.

7) A type of hat; also a sporting contest.

9) A treatment framework that involves understanding, recognizing, and responding to the effects of trauma.

11) Step up and do the right thing.

12) A person with an interest or concern in something, esp. a business.

15) A person who acts as a representative or promoter of a specified activity.

17) Truthful and genuine with self and others.

18) Face fear and take action.

20) An optimistic vision for the future.

Across2) A Nexus program that demonstrates our promise to support positive family interactions during a childs treatment.

3) From the Latin to bring together.

8) Produced or conducted by two or more parties working together.

10) An important quality or feature on which a particular thing depends or is based.

13) Treating others with dignity and equality.

14) Something you imagine: a picture you see in your mind.

16) The publishing schedule of the Cornerstone magazine.

19) A pre-established and self-imposed objective or purpose.

21) A type of planning that identifies long-term goals and how to achieve them.

EXCELLENCE Stories

Today, Beth made bracelets for each of the girls in her program. Now the girls have something special to remind them about their time here.

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Jerry always makes time to joke with the kids and make them smile. He tells the greatest stories!

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We went on a fishing trip with some of our kids and one of our boys didnt have sunglasses. I went to the dollar store and picked up a pair for him and grabbed a few extras to have on hand in a bunch of different colors. I let him choose which color he wanted, and the excitement he had for his new blue sunglasses made my day!

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Tom always takes extra time during intake to really get to know families and introduce them to the site and process. He makes the effort to show how much he cares and wants the family to be involved during their childs treatment.

u

One of our residents has never had apple pie, so for the Fourth of July, I made sure to bring in an apple pie for the unit to share. Weve successfully added another apple pie fan to the world!

acts of excellence

ACTS OF EXCELLENCE

Were sharing your ACTS OF EXCELLENCE so everyone can hear about the amazing things staff is doing at Nexus. All we need is a little help from you!

Heres how it works:When you notice a coworker going the extra mile, or you do something great for a client, send us the story. Well share the stories in each edition of Nexus to show that excellence is in all of us. In return, youll be entered into a drawing for some cool Nexus gear.

Send ACTS OF EXCELLENCE to cornerstone@nexustreatment.org

Share your story today!

Excellent

Mille lacs acadeMy

Mille Lacs Academy

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New Clinical Director Brings a Wealth of Experience to the Job

On July 1, Mille Lacs Academy welcomed Michael Robertson as its new Clinical Director. We are excited to have him on board and to see him partner with Nexus team of clinical directors.

Robertson grew up in Minnesota and has lived in Princeton, MN

for more than 20 years, raising and launching his own children into adulthood. He holds a BA in English, an MS in Counseling Psychology, and a PsyD in Clinical Psychology. He specializes in working with behavioral problems in latency to adolescent-aged children, within the context of milieu and family systems, with specialized skills in testing and assessment, sex offender treatment, and personality disorders. Robertson brings a strong developmental and cognitive behavioral focus.

Before joining Mille Lacs Academy, Robertson worked within the Minnesota Department of Corrections, supervising chemical dependency programs as part of Triad, a therapeutic community at the Lino Lakes Correctional Facility, providing psychological assessments in the sex offender treatment program. He also provided intake assessments and testing at the St. Cloud Correctional Facility for the past four years.

Earlier in his career, Robertson worked as the director for multiple sites of Sheriff s Youth Ranch Programs of MN. He also ran a private practice, was clinical director for Lutheran Social Services, and a psychologist at St. Davids Child Development Center, providing CTSS oversight and assessments for 4- to 8-year-old children with autism-spectrum disorders. His background also includes roles as therapist, foster care provider, and direct care staff in residential treatment facilities, starting in 1986 at what is now Gerard Academy.

After years in the field, Robertson had this to say about his philosophy of working with troubled youth, Sometimes I think there are only two stages in life: childhood and overcoming your childhood. Obviously, that is a tongue-in-cheek simplification, but the shadows cast by early experiences and conditions can be very long. Those experiences and conditions do not need to define people, but often do. However, the family systems and the automatic beliefs we develop are like the most powerful forces of gravity and just as invisible. Reaching escape velocity can require an entire team of help, coordination, and support.

a superb summer

Directors Report MLA is pleased to announce we are adding a new billing and coding specialist position to help navigate the complexities of insurance funding and augment our efforts to capture payment for services provided to our youth and families. We have also responded to several requests from counties for our new Community Assessment and Testing Services (CATS), which has been very well-received to date. Our new clinical director, Michael Robertson, has joined our team as of July 1. He brings a wealth of experience to Nexus as a licensed psychologist and supervisor within the state correctional system for the past several years working with adults with sexual offenses. Michael also brings prior experience as Director of Sheriffs Youth Programs and Clinical Director for Lutheran Social Services.

MLA youth and staff are in the midst of numerous summer activities, including preparations for our annual summer camping trips at local state parks, which is always the highlight of the summer! Our boys are having fun fishing, hiking, biking, gardening, and doing outdoor photography. After the long, cold winter, its wonderful to see their energy and appreciation for the outdoors.

MLAs New Trails Group Home successfully completed its biennial licensing site inspection after a full day of thorough review by our new Department of Corrections licensor, Julie Snyder. New Trails met the mark on 315 out of 316 licensing standards, and was described by our licensor as an exceptional program. Julie was particularly struck with our homelike environment and her interviews with our staff and youth. Kudos to the entire New Trails team, as well as MLAs Quality Improvement Coordinator, for a job extremely well done!

Jan Gibson TalbotExecutive Director

Follow Mille Lacs Academy: A Nexus Family Member on LinkedIn

Dr. Michael Robertson, New MLA Clinical Director

19th Annual Charity Golf Tournament is a Soggy Success! On Friday, June 20, Mille Lacs Academy held its 19th Annual Charity Golf Tournament, and even though the course was a bit spongy, golfers enjoyed a gorgeous day on the greens. Fiddlestix Golf Course had record rainfall in June, reporting almost 11 inches, with 5 inches falling the week prior to the tournament, and adding 2 more inches in the days before.

More than $5,000 was raised at this years tournament, all of which will go to building the next phase of MLAs ongoing playground project. The playground provides more than just recreational activities for MLA youth; it is also a place away from the programs where the boys can unwind. Last year, MLA added a swing set and jungle gym to the on-campus playground, thanks to the money raised from previous golf tournaments and a grant from the Mille Lacs Health System.

Thank you to all of the volunteers, golfers, and donors who graciously helped make the annual golf tournament such a success! MLA received donations from 86 donors, many of whom gave multiple items, trumping the last two years donation amounts.

>MLA employees Jenna

and Jenny were the photo crew at this years event.

Nexus CFO Alan Nordby, Wayne Bogatzki of Lee F. Murphy Insurance Group, Nexus CEO David Hutchinson, and Brian Becker of Lee F. Murphy Insurance Group show off their golf muscle!

Future golfers and MLA supporters also joined in on the fun!

Gerard acadeMy

Gerard Academy

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Bringing Heroes to Campus

One life can tell the tale That if you make the effort, you cannot fail By your life you tell me it can be done By your lifes the courage to carry on.

The use of dormitory themes is commonplace in residential treatment programs across the country. However, at Nexus, they are not simply there as dcor. Nexus Vice-President of Clinical Operations, Patrick Rookey, explains their significance in the residential treatment program: The theme is a symbolic representation of the culture and is constructed to reflect and teach the values and behavioral norms we would like our youth to learn and incorporate while with us.

The Cherbourg theme, Gerard Academys home to girls ages 12-14, teaches the value of overcoming struggles and holds a special story of connectedness between the theme and the people who have perpetuated it.

Lynn Smithwick, the clinical supervisor for the Cherbourg program was working in Florida at the time the theme idea first presented itself. At the time, Florida typically had a very correctional and punitive undertone to their residential programs; the dorms were simply numbered.

In 2006, Smithwick returned to Minnesota for a conference, and one of the keynote speakers was folksinger Ann Reed. Oddly enough, Reed and Smithwick had graduated just one year apart in the same high school, but they had never met. Smithwick said, I never knew Ann until then. Now, to have formed a bond

for years has been just incredible. Reed and Smithwick connected through their passion for working with young women, and Lynn returned to Florida with a theme idea based on Reeds song, Heroes.

I asked my first admissions of girls to help name the dorms. They researched the women in Anns song and they came up with Ann Frank, Lucy Stone, Sacajawea, and many others.

Heroes appear like a friend To clear a path or light the flame As time goes you find you depend On your heroes to show you the way.

There are so many empowering statements that resonate with young women and girls, says Smithwick. From a simple heartbreaking journal to being a leader of a country, all of the chosen women had their own struggles and overcame these to become our heroes.

The connections didnt stop there, however. Recently, through a coworker, Smithwick met Karen Farrand, who happens to be a member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), a group that unites women to celebrate the advancement of women and motivates women to achieve their highest aspirations. Smithwick brought up the idea of incorporating womens biographies into her programs theme, and Farrand went to work.

After speaking with my chapter about Lynns request, the ladies felt that providing a small library of books would provide an educational

bringing heroes to campus

opportunity for these girls, in keeping true to PEOs aim to be a source of encouragement and support for women to realize their potential in whatever worthwhile endeavor they choose, Farrand said. As a result, the organization is donating about 50 books to the unit, featuring many of the women from Reeds song.

Ultimately, however, a theme is only as good as its incorporation into the fabric of daily life. As Rookey says, All youth want to belong. Its a human need. We provide a clearly visible entity for them to belong to. We basically teach the youth how to live pro-socially in a culture, which is directly transferable to the outside world.

There is a lot of integration, says Smithwick. We frequently review the women and their journeys in Life Skills Groups, we have our Heroes Group which is a leadership group for the dorm, and we have a Woman of the Week in which we recognize some outstanding work with a particular girl.

Most recently, Lynn used The Diary of Anne Frank with a group of girls. I wanted to show them how momentous one little diary was. The theme has a strong start, but its just the beginning according to Smithwick. I am very excited to do more in years to come. There is so much more to come.

HeroesWords and music: Ann Reed 1992 Turtlecub Publishing

Directors ReportGerard Academy had a very successful Family Day on Friday, July 18. Clinical Supervisor, Kristin Danielson did a spectacular job in organizing the day. Between youth, family members and staff, a total of 315 people attended and participated. A lunch was provided and a variety of fun activities were scheduled as well. This was our most successful Family Day.

We have begun our strategic planning process for Gerard Academy. This has been the most extensive process that we have ever done. Not only did we complete a SWOT analysis, we have also received feedback from staff, parents, counties, and other significant individuals as to how they defined successful treatment, our strengths and weaknesses, along with what would make Gerard Academy more successful. The Gerard Management Team went off campus for a half day to discuss this feedback and to create the vision for the Academy for the next 3-5 years. The vision that was created is: Gerard Academy will become the leader in mental health services in Southeastern Minnesota, with a major focus on family stability. The focus over the next 3-5 years will be adding outpatient services.

Gerard Academy has had an extraordinary past; we have experienced 210% growth since 2000 and we look forward to an exciting future.

Brent HenryExecutive Director

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Onarga Academy

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Honoring Achievement & Celebrating SuccessOnarga Academy recently celebrated its Annual Staff Appreciation Week and kicked the whole thing off with this message from Human Resources Manager Sheri Ritchie:

Congratulations and Welcome to Employee Appreciation Week! The talent, patience and skill each and every one of you brings to the Academy every day is truly something to be proud of! Our residents are fortunate to have individuals in their lives who care about their success and recognize that they matter! Your loyalty to the boys success is apparent and appreciated. This week is all about you! We hope you enjoy the activities planned each day this week and that you take time to reflect upon your success over this past year.

The events scheduled during the week included a Freebie Day, featuring giveaways and a silent auction; shoulder massages by a certified massage therapist; Awards Day, honoring employee service and achievement; an Employee Picnic, complete with amazing food and a variety of games; and an afternoon at the Cornerstone Cafe for special treats. Youth SuccessFamilies, staff, and youth celebrated Grand Prairie Schools graduation ceremony on Friday, May 30, at the Onarga Methodist Church, right across from the Academys campus. Graduates included 14 seniors and 8 eighth graders, for a total of 22 students.

This years graduation poem contest winner was Brad L. for this inspirational message about change.

ChangeWe hold on to things the tightest,When we are forced to let them go-We always want things a certain way,When we know they cant be so.

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Dreams always last the longest,When they are farthest from our reach-And the lessons we can learn the most from,Are often the very ones we teach.

The grass is always the greenest,When it lies on the other side-And the truths we preach to others,Are often those we cant abide.

We hold fast to the things in a storm,Which are most likely to blow away-And yet we neglect to wear sunscreen,On a bright and sunny day.

We spend our time trying to see things,When perspective is one thing we lack-And we never appreciate what weve got,Until we cant get it back.

We expect the whole world to give us a break,And yet ironically well find-That when others come asking the same of us,We tell them theyre out of their mind.

We tell everyone whats wrong with this world,And we do nothing to make it right-We complain about families falling apart,And yet do nothing to keep them tight.

We preach about loving our neighbors,And we teach children right from wrong-But we never set good examples for them,When real changes come along.

We complain about not having enough time in our lives,To do what we must do-Yet if we were given more hours in the day,Wed use up all that too.

We desire to be close to all those we love,Yet all too often look on from afar-And when it comes to the truth, do we want to change...Or remain forever as we are?

achievement & success

Directors Report Big Time Audits: The May COA recertification results for Onarga were very positive. The Academy also went through an extensive two- day Medicaid recertification process, also resulting in a positive outcome. A special thanks to the Quality Improvement team for managing ongoing Medicaid documentation requirements (The Beast) throughout the year.

Grand Prairie School Graduation: Between eighth grade and high school, Grand Prairie School had 22 graduates this year! The Academys auditorium is under construction, so the graduation ceremony was held at the Methodist Church across from campus. The Grand Prairie School received excellent support from staff, family, and community members for this event. Several kids will be attending Parkland College this fall, and that partnership continues to grow. What an overall great job Grand Prairie staff are doing!

Staff Recognition Week:Also during May of this year, Onarga Academy continued its tradition of recognizing its staff by providing Years of Service Awards, Cornerstone Awards, and many fun activities. We also gained positive ground by resurrecting Youth Without Resources Fund recruitment efforts with well over 20 new staff sign-ups.

Dennis WileyExecutive Director

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Executive Director Dennis Wiley encourages and congratulates graduates, while Assistant Principal Jessie Marquis and Principal Sandy Krekeler look on.

Employee Years of Service Awards

3 YearAbby Johnson, Anne Pace,

Rolando Alvarez, Philip Boehl, Lucy Gonzalez, Kristin Meents, Dave

Maisonneuve, Jessi Haas

5 YearAurelia Guardiola, Gwen

Chivers, Rose Weber

10 YearCarl Robbins, Dean Price,

Rebecca Hanson, Dale Bush

15 YearSharon DiGiacomo, Jamie Kozma, Matt Honeycutt, Jane Christie, Jim Herder,

Sandi Johnson

20 YearJim Kearney, Mary

Guardiola, Jean Rousey, Bill Gullquist, Leann Talbert, Steve Greenlee, Dennis

Wiley, Tom Ritzma

Cornerstone Award Recipients

AdministrationJames Roth, Donna Ryan,

Jim Reed

TLPSarah Thomson, Jim Herder

Group HomeSarah Slimmer, Kathy Styck

Program IThom Showers, Tracy Gray

Program IIGerald Rieken, Mark Zinger

Program IIIKhari Myer, Mike Ornelas

Program IVPashia Cashaw, Pam Foust

Hoop DreamsSirena Pintelon, Gary Bishir

Night StaffBill Poppie, Rolando Alvarez,

Roy Bauer, Ron Provine

SchoolJeff Crosswell, Ryan Wells

Recipients of 15 and 20 years of service awards: Jamie Kozma, Jean Rousey, Jane Christie, Leann Talbert, Dennis Wiley, Jim Kearney, Steve Greenlee

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Indian Oaks Academy

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a second chance

I went to jail because I was being physically aggressive to female nurses at the hospital, Marquette said. One of them took my belt from me because I was trying to hang myself.

Thirty days in jail gave Marquette the time to determine he wanted another change this time for good. After a few more stops, he came to the Journey Home.

I was nervous coming here, but I was ready for change, he said.

Since his arrival in September, Marquette has had classes to help him find a job. He also takes comfort in practicing his basketball shot at a hoop set up by the parking lot.

I have had a rough road to get here and got frustrated a lot, but I have started going to my therapy sessions, and Im working on getting out of here, he said.

A huge grin came across Marquettes face when he pulled out a letter from Kankakee Community College informing him of his financial aid.

I know that everyone makes mistakes, he said, but here they tell us that we can restart our journey and plan it the right way.

Steven, 21After setting off to start college as a pre-law student, Stevens world turned upside down when he was sent to a juvenile detention center in Kewanee for past criminal sexual abuse to his stepbrother and stepsister. After being locked up for eight months, he was ready to find a way to put his life back on track.

Coming from Kewanee to here was a weight off my shoulders, Steven said. But since I had to be out by the time I was 21, we knew I needed to get help fast.

Aside from an early misstep going outside without permission on his first day, Steven was very cognizant of the house rules, allowing him to gain bonus privileges.

They have a ranking system here, and if you are a high enough rank, you have more abilities, like determining your own sleep schedule, Steven said.

Now Steven is considered a successful graduate of the Journey Home he lives in his own apartment in Kankakee and is working. He said that lessons at the Journey Home helped him develop social experience, money management skills, and the motivation to work.

Directors ReportMike Chavers, Executive Director of Indian Oaks Academy, was recently appointed to the Governors Office of Health Innovation and Transformation.

The Governors Office of Health Innovation and Transformation (GOHIT), created by the Governors Executive Order, is responsible for directing Illinois health reform initiatives, particularly those related to the States Alliance for Health Innovation Plan. The Alliance for Health developed out of a six-month planning grant awarded from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation.

The Alliance for Health brought together all of the states health insurance plans, large provider organizations, public health practitioners, and more than 80 business, consumer, provider, and association stakeholders, to identify the innovations needed to achieve the triple aim: achieving better health for our residents, improving the effectiveness of the delivery system, and lowering costs so health care and insurance is affordable for everyone in the state.

GOHIT is responsible for leading and coordinating implementation of the transformation principles in the Innovation Plan, supporting stakeholder engagement, and creating and operating an Innovation and Transformation Resource Center to provide technical assistance.

Chavers was also selected to co-chair the Provider Contracting and Network committee of GOHIT. This group will make recommendations regarding the development of the provider network to serve children with behavioral health needs in accordance with system of care principles. Topics will include evidence-based and effective practice; provider network; and human resources management.

Mike ChaversExecutive Director

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How much is a second chance worth?Indian Oaks Journey Home celebrates 1-year anniversary

Walking into the house, a former funeral home on South Washington Avenue in Kankakee, one easily can forget theyre standing inside the Journey Home. An extension of Indian Oaks in Manteno, the Journey Home is designed to help at-risk kids transition from living in a group home to living out on their own.

Group photos of residents line the halls, and colorful poster boards illustrate schedules, tips, and responsibilities.

It feels like a college dorm, said Mayor Nina Epstein after a tour of the facility Thursday, when the Journey Home celebrated its one-year anniversary. It really is impressive. Its providing an environment for these young men to improve themselves. This is the sort of thing we should be doing for our community.

Life at the house isnt perfect one young man has been kicked out, and tempers can flare from time to time. But two have graduated, and more than a dozen other young men are looking to follow suit. Here are three of their stories.

Kyle, 19Im going to KCC (Kankakee Community College) to train to be a paramedic, and I want to run track, Kyle said. The former St. Louis resident graduated high school in May and has had help from staff and mentors to figure out his new plans.

Kyles road to Journey Home started as a child.My parents didnt care about me, and they were abusive, he said. I was in DCFS and went from foster home to foster home, none of them good.

I wasnt really motivated when I got here, but I started to think that maybe I need to find something to get me straight, he said.

His mentor and therapist have helped him curtail the anger issues that had gotten him into trouble in the past, and manageable goals like staying fit, running track and choosing potential colleges have given Kyle a more positive outlook.

A lot of the other guys that come in here dont have the right attitude to start, he said. I was the same way. Now, Kyle feels encouraged to be a mentor of sorts to help newer residents right their path in a similar fashion.

Marquette, 20Marquettes journey has been one filled with roadblocks. From treatment centers to hospitals to jail, Marquettes youth has been a time of rapid change something he hasnt been fond of.

As a 7-year-old, Marquette was abused by his sisters father, who also abused his mother and brothers. When he was 13, he turned to abusing his 5-year-old sister. After that came to light, he was sent from facility to facility around the area.

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Marquette, a 20-year old resident at the Indian Oaks residential facility on South Washington Street in Kankakee, has a dream to make the NBA. On Thursday, the Journey Home celebrated its one year anniversary.

This article and image was originally published in Kankakee Daily Journals Weekend Edition, July 1213, 2014, after the Journey Home Boys TLP anniversary celebration. They are reprinted here with permission of the Kankakee Daily Journal.

WOOdbOurne center

A Summer of Growth and Change Great things have been happening at Woodbourne Center this summer. The campus added some hard-working, influential staff, and we have continued to build our community partnerships. Woodbourne even received a Best of Baltimore award.

Our team has grown to include new Human Resources Supervisor Rosa Montgomery, CQI Supervisor Steven Schreiber, and Communications and Fundraising Assistant Sarah Weissman. Montgomery and Schreiber have joined us with great enthusiasm as we work toward an integrated campus and strive to make Woodbourne Center a Best Place to Work organization in Baltimore.

The Development Department is thrilled to have Weissman on board, and she has really hit the ground running. She has been working to update all of Woodbournes social media platforms, stay abreast of trending topics, develop and distribute

mailers to potential donors, and help to update marketing materials.

With the expansion of the Development team, donations continue to grow. Year-to-date cash donations are $33,692, and in-kind donations are $40,226. Check out our 2nd quarter results in the chart, below.

Under Armour Volunteers Kick Up Fun at Woodbourne

Woodbourne recently had almost 20 volunteers from Under Armour stop by our campus for a day of fun. Volunteers played kickball, did arts and crafts, and organized a scavenger hunt for our youth. Everyone at Woodbourne is grateful for Under Armours generosity. The organization continues to encourage our kids to be active and provides them with sports gear and clothing.

Woodbourne Named Best of Baltimore in Charities

Woodbourne received the 2014 Best of Baltimore Award in the Charities category from the Baltimore Award Program. The award honors organizations for their service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Baltimore area a great place to live, work, and play.

Woodbourne Center

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growth and change

Celebrating Our GraduatesWoodbourne celebrated the success of our students in an uplifting and beautiful graduation ceremony, where one student graduated from high school and one received a certificate of completion. We also celebrated four youth moving from the middle school up to the high school. Our Director of Development, Bill Mojica, and IT Coordinator, Jovani Patterson, contributed their musical talents to the band and helped create an outstanding ceremony.

Campus Upgrades for Youth and Staff

Several campus upgrades and projects were recently completed. Old, bolted-down tables were moved to the courtyard and swapped out for more home-like tables and chairs. Now, we are able to move the new tables around to make a group area when needed. Youth and staff also completed a mural by adding the saying Striving to be above the rim.

The new recreation room was opened with an event to honor 36 Direct Care Professional staff for completing a 12-week training on restorative healing practices and reviewing 70 strategies for dealing with difficult youth.

We began upgrading the Lynx unit and converting part of it into a dual-use area to house a conference room for peer reviews, team meetings, and a staff lounge.

Directors ReportOur Direct Care Professional (DCP) staff started a series of trainings with Nexus Director of Clinical Support Services Michelle Murray. Staff were trained on other disciplines to foster integration and create a multi-disciplinary approach. Staff requested that the process for reporting restraints and seclusions be clarified and simplified. After meeting with the clinical and nursing staff, we outlined situations that are considered immediate danger and require physical intervention. We also set a plan to recertifying our DCP staff for Safe Crisis Management through the trainings we offer each month. We hope to complete this initiative by July 31.

Our Childrens Diagnostic Treatment Center had a successful mid-licensing review.

We discharged our last girl from campus and have seen the waiting list for boys also diminish for this unit. We have adjusted our staffing and closed one side to reduce expenses. All boys presented for admission have been admitted.

Executive Director Dania OConnor was appointed to the Maryland Association of Resources for Families and Youths (MARFY) Board of Directors.

JULY 2014 | 20

Dania OConnor Executive Director

Woodbourne Center @ WoodbourneCtrLike Woodbourne Center on FacebookFollow Woodbourne Center: A Nexus Family Member on LinkedIn

kindred FaMily FOcus

Kindred Family FocusOn-Site .......................

Runor Walkto the Timber Dash 5KTimber Dash 5K Trail Run + Walk and Kids KWhen: October 4, 2014Where: Lake Maria State Park, Monticello, MNRegister: online at timberdash.com

Run or walk to the Timber Dash 5K and Kids K trail run, Oct. 4, 2014, at Lake Maria State Park in Monticello.

Each year, the Crisis Nursery serving Wright County holds the Timber Dash, which is a fun, healthy, and kid-friendly event that caters to runners, walkers, and families who seek to raise their heart rates and support a noble cause. All proceeds from the event directly benefit the Crisis Nursery to help support families and provide emergency childcare for residents of Wright County.

The Crisis Nursery expects between 250-500 participants in this years fun run/walk, and the center is hoping to raise more than $10,000 to provide emergency support services and childcare to Wright County families and children, ages birth-12, during a crisis situation. Individuals can support the

nursery by becoming an event sponsor and/or attending the event!

Through this community event, the Crisis Nursery hopes to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect prevention.

The Crisis Nursery is a community-based, volunteer-driven program and is completely funded by the community it serves.

Family Fun Day at ValleyfairKindred Family Focus will host its annual family day and picnic at Valleyfair, August

1, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at Valleyfair, Shakopee, MN.

All staff, foster families, foster kids, bio-kids, respite providers, personal care attendants, and guests are invited to join. Attendees will enjoy a big family picnic before heading into the park for games, rides, and other fun.

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building families

No Smoking Rule Protects Foster Children from Second-hand Smoke

A recent change in legislation protects Minnesota foster children

from exposure to secondhand smoke in licensed foster homes.

The statute contains a subdivision entitled Preventing exposure to secondhand smoke for children in foster care. This addition protects foster children from exposure to secondhand smoke in the licensed foster home or any enclosed space connected to the home, including a garage, porch, deck, or similar space, or in a motor vehicle while a foster child is being transported. Smoking is permitted outdoors, unless a foster child is present and could be exposed to smoke.

This subdivision also creates a new addition to the home study needed for placement; the home study must include a plan to maintain a smoke-free environment for foster children. However, the subdivision should not delay the placement of a child into a relatives care or prevent a placement that is in the best interest of the child.

Kindred Family Focus Announces Dale Yoakum Scholarship Recipients

Kindred Family Focus recently announced the 2014 recipients of the Dale Yoakum scholarships given in memory of Dale Yoakum, a former Kindred foster parent.

Katie G. and William R. were each awarded a $200 scholarship to further their educations. Katie will use the financial help to enroll in the dental assistance program at Central Lakes College. William will use the financial help to pursue an education in law enforcement following time in the military reserves.

Congratulations to Katie and William!

Directors ReportKindred Family Focus is celebrating 6 consecutive months of positive financial results! We have been awarded the Public Private Adoption Initiative adoption contract from the Department of Human Services; significant changes were made to the agency participation and only five agencies were awarded contracts. Given our extensive statewide presence, the contract presents an opportunity to significantly grow our adoption program. We also received the news that our Childrens Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS) mental health program was certified by DHS. We are also expanding clinical mental health services to community clients outside of our foster care programs through credentialing with the private insurance programs.

The state of MN has embraced a new reimbursement tool for foster parents, effective 1/1/15. Kindred Family Focus is orienting foster parents in all established areas by the end of September to the tool. Our annual summer foster parent appreciation day is scheduled for August 1; activities include a picnic and a day of fun at Valleyfair. We anticipate more than 400 to participate.

We continue to actively license new foster homes throughout the state. Our census has experienced the usual summer decline; referrals are strong with significant pending placements. Everyone is very busy!

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George HendricksonExecutive Director

Follow Kindred Family Focus: A Nexus Family Member on LinkedIn

Have an idea for a story? Contact Nancy Baldrica, Cornerstone editor nbaldrica@nexustreatment.orgcornerstone@nexustreatment.org763-551-8671

Nexus: ChangingLivesThroughOurCornerstoneValues

Nexus is a national, nonprofit organization that helps youth rehabilitate and reintegrate through a continuum of diversified services from residential to in-home counseling.

Nexus offers residential treatment programs, group home living programs, transitional living programs, treatment foster care, inpatient acute psychiatric care, in-home counseling services, alternative to residential

treatment services, adoption, referrals to other treatment providers, and ongoing support to youth in our care.

The Nexus Family of Treatment Programs is a group of programsoffering diverse programs and services for children and families that is operated by Nexus, a Minnesota nonprofit corporation and its subsidiaries: Gerard Treatment Programs, LLC. While these programs are operated by separate and

distinct legal entities, they share an underlying adherence to the Nexus Cornerstone Values and Guiding Principles and enjoy the efficiency and economy of coordinated management functions.

Nexus locations include Mille Lacs Academy, Gerard Academy, Onarga Academy, Indian Oaks Academy, Woodbourne Center, and Kindred Family Focus.

Cornerstone is published bi-monthly by Nexus. All articles are copyrighted by Nexus. Reproduction of any part of this publication is prohibited without written consent.

Editor: Nancy Baldrica 505 Highway 169 North, Suite 500 Plymouth, MN 55441-6447

Corporate: 763-551-8640 Editor: 763-551-8671 nbaldrica@nexustreatment.org www.nexustreatment.org

www.nexustreatment.org Like Nexus: A Family of Treatment Programs on Facebook and follow us on LinkedIn to get updates!