This Week's Program:  Mr. Johnnie Bolin, Executive Director, Arkansas Good Roads Transportation Council, will be our speaker on the council and it's efforts to improve our transportation system in Arkansas

Last Week's Program:

Led by President-Elect, Rick McLeod, the club opened with the singing of “America” and saying the “Pledge of Allegiance”. The invocation was given by Skip Carnine. Joe Mills led singing of the familiar, “America the Beautiful”.

Chad Kumpe introduced our newest Rotarian, attorney Jason Owens. Owens is the legal representative for 45 of Arkansas 75 counties, among various other assignments in his law practice. He and his wife are proud parents of a three month old. David Thrasher gave the charge reminding Rotarians of our impact on the communities and the world. With 1.2 million members, Rotary has over 32,000 clubs meeting in over 200 countries. Over $70 million per year is raised by Rotary for projects such as Polio irradiation, disaster and recovery assistance. The Rogers club founded in April 1917 has a long history of leadership in Rogers. Currently our club supports the Adult Development Center, RYLA, NWA Children’s Shelter, dictionaries for 5th graders, Frisco Festival, Rotary Foundation, ONSC, Wheelchairs internationally, and volunteer service at the Rogers Christmas Parade, United Way, and at Frisco Festival. “Rotary Shares” is our motto this year. Thrasher reminded us of two of his favorite mottos of past years” “You Are The Key” and “Service Above Self”.

In his introduction of the speaker, Dick Trammel reflected on the changes in the public perception and understanding of Mental Health over the past 50 years. He then introduced Tom Petrizzo, CEO of The Ozark Guidance Center, who was also Past President of the Thorton, Colorado Rotary Club. Petrizzo echoed Trammel’s introductory comments adding that through the help of several high-profile public figures who have shared their struggles with depression in recent years, that the pubic understanding of mental health is changing. Today, treatment is primarily out-patient based. He added that 1 of 5 adults will experience a mental disorder this year. One in ten children between the ages of 6 – 12 will experience a time of extended sadness in the next 12 months.

OGC serves people with all levels of need, and all levels of ability to pay. Payment is usually through insurance, Medicare or Medicaid. He added that OGC provides services to business, industry, and the schools in a 4 county area. OGC is the only non-profit, non government agency providing mental health care to the public, and has been serving NW Arkansas for 40 years. Most patients that contact OGC are in acute episodes of mental illness: a crisis. Many services are provided through the school systems, with OGC staff serving in the schools.

For adults, Ozark Guidance offers treatment for depression, anxiety, stress and more. Programs include anger management, counseling for grief, abuse and emotional difficulties.

OGC has the largest school-based therapy program in the state, with 200 staff out in the community. It is also one of the few community health centers in the country with a foundation and an endowment.

Services are available through Head Start, the Jones Center, and various community centers. Petrizzo praised the dedicated professionals that love their work. We change and save lives daily. For so many it is a beautiful gift in life to just have what many of us would know as a “normal day”. For many, both the patient, and the families, living with Mental Illness is like living in a “war zone” because you never know when the next shoe will drop. It truly impacts the entire family.

Services for business & industry include: Employee Assistance Programs (for 50 companies), Human Resource Development, Training Opportunities, and Critical Incident Stress Management.

Last year 14,000 people were helped through OGC. Petrizzo was excited to add that he is pleased the OGC is serving the Latino community as well. OGC is supported through a $33 million budget annually. The OGC Foundation helps provide funding through an Endowment, Annual Fund, special funds (such as for medications), and Special Events including an annual golf tournament at this last year a May Butterfly Release.

Petrizzo encouraged members to help themselves to the “Brains” on the table (stress balls) as a reminder of OGC. He said science is learning that most mental disorders have a brain disorder of some type connected with the illness. That research is learning about the various parts of the brain and their functions and their relationship to mental disorders. He added that someday patients will not need hospitalization if we can I.D. a biological source for the mental illness, and treat it accordingly.

A short video described success stories for several patients, as well as the passion and dedication of the OGC staff.

Questions followed:

• Q: How are children identified in the schools as candidates for care?
  
  A: Students in need are usually by a teacher that notices a particular behavior that is inappropriate or disruptive. Sometimes it may be other staff or family that will make the observation of a need for mental health care.

• Q: What about the cost of care?
  
  A: If treatment is needed, then OGC opens an account for the client, and usually care is paid through Medicaid or Health insurance.

• Q: What hospitals provide care with OGC?
  
  A: None currently, as the in-patient hospital care unit was closed in 2002. OGC is currently working with NW Medical in Springdale in cooperation with 3 hospitals (UAMS, Mercy, and Northwest), to open again in Springdale. Currently OGC is working on completing funding to remodel two floors at Northwest in Springdale and to cover initial start up costs. There will be 36 beds for adults, and OGC is hoping to have facilities open sometime next year. Currently there are only 5 beds at Vista. All other patients requiring hospital treatment are sent out of the region, which is not particularly beneficial to a patient as he or she tries to transition from a hospital setting to home.

For further information contact: Tom Petrizzo at 479.695.1240 or look up www.ozarkguidance.org

The meeting was closed with President-Elect, Rick McLeod leading the club in the Four-Way test.

Announcements:

• Kurt Cecil, Coordinator for the NWACC Youth for Understanding Program for International Exchange Students, announced that there will be 6 students coming to the US to attend NWACC next fall. Host homes are needed for the students. If you are interested in being a host family, and would like a profile on the students, contact Kurt at 479-986-4019, or email: Kcecil@nwacc.edu

Visiting Rotarians and Guests:

Guests were introduced by: August Rushing

Visiting Rotarians:
Jane Guyton, Fayetteville, Downtown
Dina Rega, Springdale
Linda Hankins, Springdale
Jean Anderson, Assistant Governor

Guests:
Dick Trammel introduced Kurt Cecil
Susan Jasan introduced Diana Eikenberry
Jeremy Portmann introduced Josh Portmann

In the News:
None this week.

Atta Boys and Girls (makeups):
Tina Winham x 5
Nathan Cash
Mark Curtis x 2
Kathryn Gough

Upcoming Programs:

TBA