Houston Galveston Institute News

1.	HGI Annual Meeting 2009... Spring Forward 6/02/02010 File: HGI Annual Report 2009.pdf Type: Acrobat PDF HGI held its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 30, 2010. In attendance were our staff, faculty, board, community supporters and partners. Please see the attached Annual Report we shared in the program. Back to top
2.	HGI's director will be joining leadership class this summer 5/25/02010 HGI's director, Sue Levin, will be joining the American Leadership Forum's Educational Sector Class this summer. Thanks to St. Luke's Episcopal Health Charities for sponsoring this important learning experience. Back to top
3.	The Americanization of Mental Illness 1/11/02010 Interesting article regarding the cultural/social construction, approval and spread of definitions in "mental illness". The Americanization of Mental Illness By Ethan Watters Back to top
4.	IN MEMORIAM: ELLEN LEVIN 12/07/02009 It is with a great deal of sadness that we announce the passing of one of the Houston Galveston Institute's closest friends and outstanding benefactors, Ellen Levin. For more than twenty years, Ellen and her husband, Sandy, have been wonderfully supportive of the mental health research, training and counseling that is at the core of HGI's mission. Without their support, the organization would not be where it is today. Ellen served on the Advisory Board for HGI since its inception. As many of you know, Sue Levin, our executive Director is Ellen and Sandy's daughter. Ellen's support of HGI is a testament to the love, support and pride she had for her daughter's passion. We will miss her smiling face and gentle manner as well as her wise counsel. Contributions in memory of Ellen Levin can be made to the Houston Galveston Institute, 3316 Mount Vernon, Houston, TX 77006. Her obituary can be found by clicking The Houston Chronicle, November 30. Back to top
5.	Chocolate, Champagne & Charity-- an HGI Special Event 9/17/02009 For more information Back to top
6.	Jamie Raser interviewed on Psych Files podcast 9/13/02009 HGI's own Jamie Raser was interviewed about his work "Raising Children You Can Live With". Check it out at Psych Files Episode 103 Back to top
7.	Susan Swim hosts The Work of Community Engagement: Communities in Recovery 8/28/02009 The purpose of this pre-conference to AAMFT in Sacramento is to provide an alternative recovery model to traditional MFT theoretical philosophies on community and recovery oriented approaches. The goal is to focus on the needs of mental health care by providing a panel from two countries to present experiences of providing services to all mental health populations. Discussions will focus on parity to non-parity diagnoses, substance abuse, homelessness, education, wrap around services, work options, and enriched community support and involvement. This pre-conference to the annual AAMFT will be held in Sacramento at the Hyatt on September 30, 2009. For more information, please contact Susan Swim, PhD at Swiminc@aol.com. Back to top
8.	International Journal of Collaborative Practices 8/11/02009 We are pleased to announce the launch of the International Journal of Collaborative Practices. The Journal provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and stories from practitioners, researchers and scholars who utilize collaborative principles in their daily work and disciplines. This forum is intended to help preserve, produce, promote and value dialogical and relational processes and practices which generate new opportunities for collaboration -- toward contributing to greater success in our working and living together locally and globally. The Journal is designed to serve as one part of a timely and valuable response by spotlighting important interconnected issues such as: 1) the juxtaposition of democracy, social justice, and human rights; 2) the importance of people's voices locally and globally; and 3) the fundamental need for professional collaboration. The Journal is an open access on-line bilingual (English and Spanish) interactive publication. We invite your participation through the submission of articles and your responses through the Journal blog. And, don't forget to join our mailing list so that you can receive future issues and updates. Editors: Harlene Anderson and Saliha Bava Back to top
9.	HGI on Facebook 7/09/02009 Please become a friend and join the Houston Galveston Institute- Facebook Cause. This is a good way to network and get to know more. Also, follow Sue Levin on Twitter! Back to top
10.	HGI Annual Meeting 2008... Edges 4/06/02009 File: HGI Annual Report 2008.pdf Type: Acrobat PDF File: 2008 Annual Meeting Stories.pdf Type: Acrobat PDF HGI held its 2nd Annual Meeting on Friday, April 3, 2009. Our clinical, theoretical, research, training and financial edges were presented to an audience of our community supporters and partners. Please see the attached files for the special stories we shared in the program and in our report. Back to top
11.	Ike Behavioral Health Response Team Notes 10/20/02008 HGI along with Baylor College of Medicine, Family Services, and Mental Health America of Greater Houston has been convening a team of responders with the purpose of assessing needs, mobilizing resources and organizing and planning a behavioral health response in Houston. We started this effort on September 22, 2008. The reports from these meetings are posted here for access to anyone who is interested in these efforts. Contact: Saliha Bava, PhD at sbava@talkhgi.com or 713-526-8390. 1. Meeting Notes: 9/22/08 2. Meeting Notes: 9/29/08 3. Meeting Notes: 10/6/08 Back to top
12.	After Ike: HGI offers Community Counseling Services 9/26/02008 File: RCP Weekly Schedule, 10-01-08 EDITED.pdf Type: Acrobat PDF 1. Individual, Family, Group and Couples Counseling- HGI offers sliding scale based on income in 2 office locations as well as on a mobile unit offering pro bono mental health counseling focused on disaster response. Contact: HGI Office and/or Cathy King. 2. Emotional Support and Systemic Services- HGI offers consultation and on-site services to offer emotional support during disaster relief activities addressing basic needs (see attached) Contact: Sue Levin or Saliha Bava 3. Trauma and Resiliency Training- An intensive series of 2 hour workshops will address trauma and resiliency for mental health professionals and others in the helping professions beginning October 9, 2008. Contact: Saliha Bava ========================= Contact Information Phone: 713 526-8390 Emails: Office: admin@talkhgi.com Cathy King: cking@talkhgi.com Sue Levin: sue@talkhgi.com Saliha Bava: sbava@talkhgi.com Back to top
13.	Dr. Harriet Harris Roberts Inspiration Scholarship 4/14/02008 File: African_Americans_and_Psychotherapy.pdf Type: Acrobat PDF File: Harriet_Harris_Roberts_Scholarship_Application.pdf Type: Acrobat PDF We are honored to have hosted the Second Annual Fundraiser for the Dr. Harriet Harris Roberts Inspiration Scholarship on April 10, 2008. The scholarship is dedicated to inspire African American therapists to explore possibilities and provide innovative therapeutic services to individuals, families, and the community through training, supervision, consultation, and research at HGI. The scholarships will be awarded twice a year (May and October) to African American postgraduate MFT trainees to cover expenses such as supervision, training at HGI, consultation, and professional association conferences registration fees. A selection committee consisting of Marriage and Family Therapists and community members will review applications. To apply for the scholarship please contact Dr. Sue Levin or download the form. We invite you to support the scholarship. Back to top
14.	HOUSTON'S LONG TERM MENTAL HEALTH* RESPONSE TO KATRINA/RITA: SUMMARY REPORT 1/30/02007 File: Nov 2 report.pdf Type: Acrobat PDF The summary report (click link) is based on the roundtables that we conducted on November 2, 2006 at United Way to discuss the successes, unmet needs and lessons learned about the mental health response to Katrina/Rita. The program was part of Community Partnership for Resiliency project funded by United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast, Houston & The Houston Katrina/Rita Fund. *Mental Health includes wellness, behavioral health, substance abuse & mental illness For more information contact: Saliha Bava 713-526-8390 sbava@talkhgi.com Deborah Scott 713-861-6667 dsscott@sageways.com Back to top
15.	Parenting Coordinator: Texas Model for Collaborative Systems 2007 Dates 1/23/02007 File: Nov 2007 PC Training Brochure.pdf Type: Acrobat PDF Parenting Coordination legislation which took effect 9-1-2005 is a call for family therapists to step up to the plate and use our skills to help high conflict families in the legal system. Texas is leading the way in defining the role of the parenting coordinator by educating through a fact sheet and training to more than meet the statutory standards by developing a cohesive family systems model. Training Presented by: Dr. Lynelle C. Yingling and Gay Cox, JD Training Objectives ·Understand the role of the parenting coordinator ·Develop parenting plans and practice parenting coordination in compliance with Texas Family Code ·Better understand the co-parenting process and the emotional needs of parents and children ·Practice screening and appropriately responding to family violence using a national model ·Explore the ethical challenges of working in an interdisciplinary context Schedule TRAININGS: November 1-3, 2007; Houston CEUs and Fees 24 hrs mental health CE, including 8 hrs family violence & 3 hrs ethics Download attached Brochure for more information, or call HGI at 713 526-8390. Back to top
16.	Dr. Sue Levin presents on Mental Health Needs of the Gulf Coast after the Hurricanes 1/06/02007 File: Focus Group Report for Service Providers.doc Type: Word Document File: NYRAG PPT.pps Type: PowerPoint Sue Levin is one of five presenters who spoke to a task force of funders from the New York Regional Association of Grantmakers, in Manhattan, January 10, 2007. Sue spoke about the many lessons learned in the work she and colleagues have done through HGI, Project Resiliency, and the City of Houston's Disaster Mental Health Crisis Response Team. Sue's presentation covered the unique situation of displaced people in the Houston community, and how the cultural, geographic, demographic and other difference between New Orleans and Houston make recovery and emotional wellbeing a challenge. The powerpoint file can be downloaded, however it does not include Sue's talking points. To hear Sue's talk, as well as the other presenters, and for more information about the Learning Forum go to NYRAG's website. Also available, Deborah Scott's report on needs identified by case managers who participated in focus groups in Fall, 2006. For more information, email Sue at sue@talkhgi.com. Back to top
17.	HGI Faculty Margarita Tarragona wins Peggy Penn Award 2/22/02006 The Ackerman Institute for the Family has recognized Dr. Margarita Tarragona with the 2006 Peggy Penn Award. Margarita was honored at a presentation on February 7 in New York City. Margarita integrates her clinical work with writing and her interest in psychotherapy research by documenting how one client describes the role of writing in her therapeutic process. She will present research findings on the effects of writing on well-being, a conceptual framework for writing in therapy and the results of an in-depth interview with a client about her therapeutic process. The Peggy Penn Award is an annual prize awarded to a student, alumnae/i, project staff, or junior faculty member at the Ackerman Institute for the Family. The recipient is honored for a project connoting Peggy Penn's continual commitment to the advancement of writing both as a therapeutic technique and as a vehicle for professional and personal growth and discovery. Back to top
18.	HGI Community Membership- Join or Renew Now! 12/06/02005 HGI has a rich history full of unique and intriguing stories, and a community of people who tell them. People tell their memories of their life at the Institute. They are stories of wonder, of community, of creativity, of fun, complexity, and compassion. There are stories of professional and personal changes as a result of this experience. For over twenty-five years people have been connected to HGI. This community has learned, laughed, loved, lived, and lost together, participating in what has been called "a professional home, and a labor of love and connection". Now, after more than twenty-five years of growth and development, HGI is recognizing this with a special membership program to continue the growth and community of life-long learners. This opportunity benefits HGI by creating new pathways through which our community can participate in growth and development. Benefits to members are outlined below. On behalf of HGI, I would like to thank you for being a member of our community: past, present and future. Sue Levin, Ph.D., Executive Director Membership Categories: The Institute has always been dedicated to expanding conversations and community membership, so everyone is invited to become a member, independent of professional affiliation, vocation, or theoretical orientation. *Full Member $80.00 New Professional* (up to three years, post-graduate) $50.00 Student Member* (enrolled student in college or university program) $30.00 Lifetime Member (one time life membership fee) $1,000.00 JOIN NOW THROUGH DEC. 31, 2005 TO BE A CHARTER MEMBER!** *Renewals are due by January 1, 2006 To join or renew immediately, click the buttons above and use the secure Paypal system to pay your membership dues. You can also download the attached .pdf file link,or Word Document, in blue, above. You may fax or mail the hard copy to HGI in lieu of using Paypal. Back to top
19.	HGI Team Provides Disaster Mental Health Response with City of Houston 9/17/02005 File: Team Notes 9-29-08.doc Type: Word Document HGI is priveleged to be a part of the disaster mental health response to Katrina survivors who have come to Houston. Saliha Bava joined the City of Houston Disaster Mental Health Response Team two years ago, as they developed a team and a plan for such a situation. This team, in collaboration with UT and MHMRA, leads the way in providing Mental Health and Emotional Wellness Services at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Many HGI associates have volunteered countless hours in the mega-shelters at George R. Brown and the Reliant/Astrodome complex. Others have worked in Red Cross shelters across the community from Galveston to Conroe. Valuable contributions include much: "behind-the-scene" and "big picture" planning and administration; shift leaders and administrative directors; roving teams who would visit with people in their living, dining, and recreational facilities; group, individual and family crisis counselors; among others. HGI has a long tradition of interest, involvement and training in disaster response. Sue Levin, Harlene Anderson and Saliha Bava have worked in Bosnia, Croatia, India and Houston, with natural and war-related mental health disasters. We are honored to continue to learn and serve our community, and to join with our many associates, interns, and faculty, who are doing this difficult and valuable work. HGI's Hurricane Katrina Mental Health Response Fund provides reduced fees for counseling for our Gulf Coast guests and neighbors. Please make monetary contributions, using Paypal, below, or contact HGI at 713 526-8390. Back to top

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