October 2015

We’re pleased to launch the Respite Partnership Collaborative E-Newsletter to share news, updates and resources with members and grantees. Please send us updates, photos and other information you’d like to share.

Mental health respite program staff and Respite Partnership Collaborative members came together for a dynamic Grantee Learning Community on August 20. The meeting kicked off with a presentation from the California Office of Health Equity, led by Communications Officer Dante Allen. The presentation sparked conversation around the social disparities of health and how those disparities impact an individual’s mental health.

The meeting continued with respite program staff and collaborative members discussing and sharing learnings around the implementation of respite services. Grantees discussed how insecure housing impacts the mental health of those seeking respite, and shared why it is critical to tell the story of mental health respite services.

The meeting closed with inspirational words from RPC member Iffat Hussain, who acknowledged the programs and their ability to collectively provide mental health respite to more than 4,200 individuals in Sacramento County since 2013.

Note: California’s Office of Health Equity’s statewide strategic plan, Portrait of Promise: The California Statewide Plan to Promote Health and Mental Health Equity, is available on the Office of Health Equity web page.

Photo: RPC grantees, members and staff.

The Respite Partnership Collaborative was excited to send representatives to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) California 2015 Conference last month in Newport Beach. The RPC had exhibit space in which members shared information about the Sacramento County respite programs with mental health consumers and family members from across California. Many conference attendees responded by saying how important mental health respite is and that respite programs are needed in their counties.

NAMI California is a leading organization of individuals working with mutual respect to provide help, hope and health for those affected by serious mental illness.

NAMI Sacramento is a grassroots, family and consumer self-help support and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with severe mental illnesses.

Photo: RPC members Alexis Bernard and Dirulislam Abdullah at the NAMI California Conference.

Respite Partnership Collaborative grantees and staff from American Institutes for Research (AIR) presented at the September MHSA Steering Committee meeting. Committee members heard presentations on the progression of the RPC Project and on the newest available mental health respite services.

AIR reported on the Year 2 evaluation findings of the RPC Project, including summary findings on the three components of the project: the partnership between Sacramento County Division of Behavioral Health Services and the Sierra Health Foundation Center for Program Management, the community-driven process of the collaborative, and the implementation and outcomes of the RPC grantees who provide mental health respite services. See the Year 2 report on the RPC Evaluation web page.

Five grantees who launched respite services at the start of 2015 then shared an overview of each organization’s respite services, and followed up with inspiring written testimonials from respite clients speaking to the need for and the power of respite. The five programs that presented were: A Church for All: Ripple Effect, Gender Health Center, Sacramento LGBT Community Center: Q-Spot and Lambda Lounge, and Wind Youth Services.

Six respite programs currently are under consideration for sustainable funding through Mental Health Services Act funds. Grantee representatives spoke during public comment, thanking the Steering Committee and Sacramento County Division of Behavioral Health Services for their consideration. The MHSA Steering Committee meeting was an exciting opportunity to share with the community the impact of respite services.

Oct. 3 – 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Presented by The Yoga Seed
Learn more

Oct. 16 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Meristem, 9200 Fair Oaks Blvd.
Paper Tigers Film – 7 p.m.
Crest Theater, 1013 K St., Sacramento
Conference fee is $99
Film ticket included in conference fee
Film tickets only are $15
Visit the event website

Nov. 17
8:45 a.m. – Check-in
9 a.m. – Meeting
12 p.m. – Networking Lunch

For management and lead project staff from all respite service grantee organizations. RPC members are encouraged to attend.

Register by Nov. 9

Get involved in Mental Health Awareness Week Oct. 4–10! Thanks to NAMI’s efforts in 1990, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the U.S. Congress establishing the first full week in October as Mental Health Awareness Week. Use resources on the Each Mind Matters web site to raise awareness about mental health.

The Mental Illness: It's not always what you think project was initiated by Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services/Division of Behavioral Health Services to:

• Reduce stigma and discrimination
• Promote mental health and wellness
• Inspire hope for people and families living with mental illness

Learn more and get resources on the Stop Stigma Sacramento web site.