Welcome to Transition House, Inc.

Your Support Helps Persons Recovering from Mental Illness Transition to a Better Life! Thank You!

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The following is the narrative from the FY'08 Annual Report:

Transition House, Inc., Annual Report FY’08

The Accomplishments:

TH Clients Report Improvements in Ability to Manage Mental Illness & Quality of Life!

For the first time, Transition House, Inc., has developed an effective outcome measurement tool that allows us to report with evidence based indicators what we have believed for years – Clients who participate in our programs have improved life skills and quality of life that help them live more successfully as members of the community. Additional details from the Client Report on Skill Change and Social and Interpersonal Relationships since coming to Transition House, Inc., can be found on page 2. Most significant – over 90% report better management of their mental illness, improved ability to cope with emotions, more compliance with medications, having more fun in life, and increase in healthy social interactions. All of these indicate that our clients get more than hope for recovery, but many actually make life changes that allow them to experience advances in their recovery from mental illness. Below are some client comments regarding the 3 skill areas that our agency focuses on and some general comments about TH:

Living Skills:	Employment Skills:	Social & Recreational Skills:
· “I'm better taking responsibilities and finish what I start.” · “I have learned to live based on my needs rather than wants.” · “able to manage my living skills much better now” · “better emotional control skills, more tolerant of others”	· “has allowed me to develop skills to seek out jobs.” · “I have job I really like” · “have better work skills and can do more” · “have acquired basic computer skills”	· “I feel a lot better about myself” · “I'm more social with people than before. I'm talking more.” · “can relate better and share emotions” · “better impulse control, have acquired more outside interests”
Comments:
· “I believe the Transition House is giving me tools to live with my mental health and alcoholism problems, without programs like these there is no hope for some.” · “Transition House is assisting me with resources and support to rebuild my life.” · “I feel Transition House has given me the help to have a better outlook and to deal with life and things that have troubled me before.” · “I think Transition House and outreach has helped more going out and meeting other people.” · “The Staff at T. House have been and continue to be helpful and supportive of my efforts.”
These findings were based on responses from 27 TH clients who completed a survey during July 2008. We will continue asking additional clients to complete this survey so we can have an even clearer picture of the impact our work has on their lives. A special thanks to United Way of Norman for sponsoring the intensive training series on Outcome Measurements, with thanks to Denise Caudill, PhD for sharing her expertise during our group and individual training sessions. This training helped guide us through the development and implementation of our Outcome Measurement process.

The Challenges:

97% of the Client in the Transitional Living Program have a Co-Occurring Disorder!

In FY’88, 1 of the 32 clients who participated in the Transitional Living Program had the diagnosis of a Co-Occurring Disorder (mental illness and substance abuse). From FY’88 to FY’02, we typically had from less than 5% to 35% of our clients diagnosed with a Co-Occurring Disorder. Beginning in FY’03, we started to see an increasing number of clients with this diagnosis. This fiscal year, 97% - 29 of our 30 clients were diagnosed with a Co-Occurring Disorder. (See page 7 for more details.) With this trend, we have seen an increase in the challenges our clients face on their road to recovery. Through additional training, our staff has learned that “Personality disorders affect… about 60% of those with substance abuse or addiction. Some of these disorders involve difficulties sticking with and finishing things, a poor tolerance for frustration, difficulty delaying gratification…and becoming easily upset emotionally…” (“Understanding Personality Problems & Addiction” by Weiss & Daley). Given these realities, it helped our staff better understand the new challenges we have been facing with our clients. In addition, we have found that the educational levels of our clients have increased significantly. This year, we had 2 clients in the Transitional Living Program with Bachelors degrees and 6 with Masters and higher degrees. From several Social Workers, Administrators, Lawyers, to a Pharmacist – we are now working with a group of clients who are better educated, yet still need training in skill areas to help them live a life in recovery from mental illness and substance abuse. The TH staff has risen to the challenge, received additional training, and is doing their very best to help this new population of clients on their journey to recovery.

Major Events of FY’08:

Below is a list of some key events and activities for FY’08:

· Clinical Policies and Procedures: After years of testing and revisions, the updates to the Clinical Policies and Procedures that reflect the Recovery Model are completed. Katie Bottoms did a great job heading up this effort with outstanding work and support from the entire staff and members of the Board.

· Serenity Project: the Drop-In Center received a major facelift -

thanks to our Day of Caring volunteers and a Norman Regional Health System grant, the Center now has new flooring; thanks to our agency wide retreat – the Center has been re-painted, and thanks to Coltrane Properties, also has new baseboards. Clients, Staff, Board, and Volunteers did an outstanding job and the Drop-In Center is a much more inviting, serene space thanks to everyone’s efforts!

· Recovery Group: Thanks to a collaborative effort between NAIC and our agency, the Recovery Group has a better format and contents.

· Double Trouble in Recovery: The DTR meetings held in the Drop-In Center have been better supported thanks to the efforts of – Becky Grisby, RSS from COCMHC.

· Computer Updates: Donations of laptops from OG&E helped replace outdated computers in our office and the Firehouse Art Center donated computers for our clients. Purchasing updated, licensed software through TechSoup helped us update our software at a very reduced cost.

· United Way Funding Changes: During FY’08, UW informed all Norman UW funded agencies that they were changing to a RFP process and fund programs rather than agencies for FY’10. UW is a primary funding source for the Community Outreach Program and any decrease in this funding would have a major impact on our Outreach Program.

· Suite 4: Through the Music Wellness program, the Drum Circle nurtured the evolution of a group of talented clients in combination with a talented volunteer into the performing group - Suite 4. This group of talented people had their stage debut at the June Bug Jam 2008. Their performance can be seen on the agency’s new MySpace at www.myspace.com/transitionhousejunebugjam.

· JBJ’08: More than any other show, this year’s event connected our volunteer performers with our clients and the experience of mental illness and recovery. This connection made for one of the most moving and powerful fund raising/advocacy events in our agency’s history. The financial results: to date Gross = $11,947 and Net = $10,072. The advocacy results: Priceless! Clips from the event can be seen at www.myspace.com/transitionhousejunebugjam.

· Group Changes: After our annual DMHSAS site visit, we realized the need to re-focus some of our groups on skill development so we now have a better balance of skill development groups and process groups.

· Staff Changes: At the end of FY’08, Elizabeth Kuhlman turned in her resignation to pursue a nursing degree. Fortunately, we had an outstanding Social Work student who turned out to be our best candidate for the Recovery Coordinator position. Jessica Williams is our new Recovery Coordinator effective in early FY’09.

FY’08 has been an exciting, growth filled year at Transition House, Inc. As an agency, we are coming to terms with the change in clients we serve – and along with that, their changing needs. We are growing thanks to training opportunities and wonderful consultation. Jacki Millspaugh from DMHSAS Central Office and others from DMHSAS have provided wonderful support, guidance and training for which we are extremely grateful. This has helped us stay focused, and occasionally helped us refocus on our work and mission. Our clients are amazing people, and their sharing of wisdom and life experience has been a wonderful training opportunity for staff as well. We have been very fortunate to have Bob Shahan, LCSW, as a consultant for our agency. Bob has given his time and talent freely to our agency for years as a consultant – a huge thanks to Bob for all of his support. Our many volunteers have been amazing. From our outstanding Board of Directors, our OU students, our Day of Caring volunteers, to the many who are a part of making June Bug Jam a huge success – each is an integral part of what makes Transition House, Inc., so amazing and special. Of course a huge thank you goes to the many who support our agency through in-kind and cash donations. From the clients, our staff, professional supporters and collaborators, volunteers, donors, to our many diverse funding sources – each contributes a special piece that makes Transition House, Inc., the wonderful and unique agency that it is. Working together, we can all be a part of helping people find the path to recovery. Thanks to everyone who has shared, cared, and given to help our clients on their journey to recovery from mental illness and substance abuse!

Bonnie L. Dunn, MHR

Executive Director

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