Contact- Chad Backus 214-871-2420 ext. 110

John Dornheim 972-701-3607

Mental Health Association of Greater Dallas

….changing minds, improving lives

624 N. Good-Latimer, Suite 200

Dallas, Texas 75204

214- 871-2420

214- 954-0611 Fax

www.mhadallas.org

Hurricane Mental Health Services Coordination TASK FORCE

For Immediate Release

Dallas, Texas -September 30, 2005 – The Mental Health Association of Greater Dallas has organized a community-wide response to the on-going mental health needs of Hurricane Katrina and Rita evacuees by establishing the Mental Health Services Coordination Task Force.

The formation of the TASK FORCE, which has been initially funded by the Meadows Foundation, will provide long-term mental health services to the Hurricane Katrina and Rita evacuees. Peter Polatin, M.D., Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Mary Hearon, Vice President of the Mental Health Association of Greater Dallas, are coordinating the effort. Mental health professionals have been meeting regularly the last two weeks strategizing the future and current needs of the hurricane evacuee community.

“We always knew that once we (UT Southwestern and Parkland Hospital) started providing services at Reunion Arena and the Dallas Convention Center that we would have to come up with a plan to provide continuing services in a manner that would work with this new community’s needs,” said Dr. Polatin.

A main goal of the task force is to identify people in need and match them up with community services. Cultural awareness and sensitivity are also key issues that are being addressed. Several professionals from the New Orleans area attended the first general meeting and expressed their hopes and concerns.

Subcommittees are covering the following topics: first responders; children and youth; adults and families; adult with severe mental illness, substance abuse and veterans; outreach; resource development and IT support; data and research and reimbursement and funding.

“The most important aspect of our work is to deliver mental health and chemical dependency services in a culturally-sensitive manner that will bring immediate help,” said Hearon. “Time is so important to us right now.”

The Mental Health Association will serve as the clearinghouse for information on the community’s response in providing mental health services. In addition, MHA will provide a call-in telephone number for referrals to mental health providers and services for Katrina and Rita evacuees and the general public.

For more information and interview opportunities from members of the task force, please contact John Dornheim, Outreach Chair at 972-701-3607, or Chad Backus, Communications Director of MHA, at 214-871-2420 extension 110.

TASK FORCE COORDINATORS

Mary Hearon

Peter Polatin, M.D.

SUB-COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Rebecca Bird-First Responders

John Dornheim-Outreach

Greg Graves-Adults and Families

Jim Pettitt-Training

Peter Polatin – Data and Research

Sandy Potter-Adults with Serious Mental Illness,

Substance Abuse and Veterans

Shellie Pruden-Funding

Martha Stowe-Family Violence

Joe Powell-Cultural Committee

Lori Wagner-Children and Youth

Jim Walton-Resource Development

and IT Support

TASK FORCE PARTNER AGENCIES

ABC Behavioral Health

Adapt, Inc.

American Red Cross

Association of Persons Affected by Addiction

Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Center for Family Care

Child Abuse Prevention Center

Counseling and Consulting of North Dallas

Crisis Intervention - City of Dallas

Dallas Children's Advocacy Center

Dallas County Medical Society

Dallas Federation of Families

Dallas Fire and Rescue, C.I.S.M. Team

Dallas Independent School District

Dallas Metrocare Services

Dallas Psychological Association

Department of State Health Services

Early Childhood Intervention programs

Galaxy Counseling Center

Georgetown University

Green Oaks Hospital

Homeward Bound

InterHealth Management

LifeNet

Meadows Foundation

Mental Health Association in Texas

Parents as Teachers

New Orleans Health Department

New Orleans Metropolitan Human Services

Parkland Health and Hospital System:

Injury Prevention Center of Greater Dallas

Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Center

Telecare

Texas Association for Infant Mental Health

TexProtects

The ARC of Dallas

The Salvation Army

UT Southwestern Medical Center -

Department of Psychiatry

ValueOptions

Veterans Administration Medical Center

Vogel Alcove

The Mental Health Association in Texas and the National Mental Health Association

AN AFFILIATE OF UNITED WAY