October 2023

 DMARSPA OCTOBER 27, 2022, MINUTES
1. In lieu of President Marla Carr’s absence, Mike Walag welcomed DMARSPA members and
guests to the October 27, 2022, meeting.
2. Gail Soesbe introduced Amber Rand from Orchard Place, who presented “Mental Health
and Youth.” Amber is Vice President of Orchard Place and has degrees in substance
abuse, criminology. She has worked at Orchard Place since 2013. Drawn to this field by
family substance abuse, she works in several areas with youth with emotional problems.
Belief that Pandemic’s effects are going to last for 5+ years on our youth. We are at the tip
of the ice berg in terms of youth mental health. Twenty percent of kids will have mental
health issues. Fifty percent of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14 and 75
per cent by age 24. The average delay between the onset of symptoms and intervention is
8010 years. Approximately fifty percent of students age 14 and older with a mental illness
drop out of high school. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for ages 15024
and for youth ages 10-14 — both nationwide and in Iowa. Polk County has had a
disturbing rise in suicide of young people this past year. Just in one month, Polk County
has had five youth suicides compared to five in all of 2021. It’s typically three per year.
Orchard Place started in 1886 as orphanage-named Des Moines Children’s Home, founded
by women. Transitioned to youth mental health care in 1964 with opening of Campusbecame
Orchard Place. Added Child Guidance Center in the 90’s-youth outpatient
community mental health center and school-based therapy programs. Added PACE in the
90’s juvenile justice programs, in-home community service programs, substance use
program and case management program. Today, they served around 7,000 Iowa youth.
Employed 350 staff members; engaged 335 volunteers. Eighty eight beds for males and
females, ages 10-17. Kids can stay until 18. Consists of four buildings on a six-acre
campus. Treatment team consists of psychiatrists, therapists, milieu staff, nurses,
recreational therapist, dietician, psychologist. Kids receive weekly individual therapy.
Weekly family therapy is a program requirement. Residents receive 15 hours of skillbuilding
groups per week. Goal-Assist youth in managing mental health symptoms to
safely return to home, school and community. Partnership with DM Public Schools for over
50 years. Serving youth from 4th grade to 12th grade in one comprehensive school
setting. Small class sizes - less than 10 per room. Most rooms have teacher and
associate. Have Interventionist and ?Associate Principal on-site. Instruction and learning
fully aligned to DMPS guidelines. Serve special education and regular education youth.
Many youth have significant school issues with attendance, behavior, credit deficiencies.
Despite these challenges0-youth excel in our classrooms due to small classroom sizes,
individualized support and welcoming environment. Often, this is the first time youth are
not bullied and are accepted for who they are. Every student has transfer meeting with
campus school, therapist and home school to hand off successful interventions and
support for the youth. Able to offer Summer School on campus for six weeks, four
mornings per week. Youth scan earn an entire credit if attend full session. Personnel are
DMPS employees. All youth apply for Medicaid for admission and to qualify after 30 days
in residence, retroactively effective back to their admission date. In 2015, Iowa transitioned
to Medicaid - managed care organizations. Thirty percent of youth also have private
insurance which typically covers 30 days of care. Remaining 70 percent is paid by
Medicaid. One hundred forty youth admitted in first year of 2022. Average 68 referrals per
month - 815 referrals received for first year of 2022. Average wait is 63 days. Average of
12 admissions/discharges per month. Youth are voluntary or DHS or JCS involved.
Average length of stay six months. Who do they serve? Significant safety issues at home,
school or in community; such as aggression, self-harm or suicide or elopements. Tried and
failed outpatient treatments; such as therapy, medication management. Problems -
depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder, attachment- related concern, significant family stress or discord.
Referrals are climbing. Sanctuary Model - first facility that has been certified for theSanctuary Model. It creates a trauma=-responsive community; recognizes that trauma and
adversity are pervasive experiences-impacts clients, and also service providers and
organizations as well. It is a blueprint for clinical and organizational change. Community
Meeting starts every meeting. Three questions: How are you feeling? what is your goal for
the day? Who will you ask for help if needed? Sanctuary Commitments - emotional
intelligence, growth and change and social responsibility, social learning. Another tool is
the five step safety plan. List five things you can do when feeling unsafe to maintain your
own safety. The list should always include fail-safe items, such as; calling 911 or your
therapist. These should be at the end of the list. Include things that can be done without
much thought. Carry this list in your wallet, post it on your refrigerator, mirror or keep it in
your pocket, wear it on your lanyard. Show your list to your contact person, therapist, and
doctor. Also use Trust Based Relational Intervention. It is a model designed to help kids
heal in relationships. Designed for kids from hard places. They have lots of opportunities
for volunteers. Ninety eight percent of youth discharge to a lower level of care-vast
majority going home. Seventy six percent show a decrease in overall difficulties upon
discharge. Severity five percent show increased ability to regulate emotions. Finished with
an example of a success story.
3. Celebration of October/November birthdays
4. Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silence.
5. Lunch
6. Introduction of visitors.
7. BUSINESS MEETING:
A. Secretary’s report: Sherry Wilkinson. Minutes were approved as read with
correction - Director of Philanthropy, Refugee and Immigrant Services, not Lutheran
Social Services.
B. Treasurer’s report: Sandra Petree
1. BALANCE ON HAND September 22, 2022 - $4727.04.
a. Deposits - $1195.00
b. Expenses - Baratta’s $1240.00, Mailings - $113.26
2. BALANCE ON HAND October 27, 2022 - $4568.78
3. SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNT:
a. BALANCE ON HAND September 22, 2022 - $366.39
b. Deposits - $276.00
c. BALANCE ON HAND October 27, 2022 - $642.39
4. TOTAL ON HAND October 27, 2022 - $5211.17
C. Courtesy report: Dee Fleischacker
1. Betty Atwood, turned 100; three thank you cards for scholarship donations,
get well card to Janet Mills for hand surgery, Bob Easler for broken arm;Cheryl
Cunningham for husband’s surgery, Elva Pitman, whose son is seriously ill,
sympathy and a sympathy card to Dan Ketchum upon sister’s death.
D. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Thank you note for the donation of school supplies read from last month’s
Ukrainian speaker .
2. Beginning in January, our meetings will be held at HyVee on Euclid Avenue.
Lunches will be reduced to $15.
E. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Encourage newly retired teachers and any of your school friends to become
members of DMARSPA.
2. Gail Soesbe - early voting. If you live in DM area, there are only three sites.
The site next to the Franklin Library is still open NW Community Center. Early
voting today and tomorrow until 3 pm. Then it will move to suburbs.
a. Turn ballot over - Constitutional amendment for gun control.
8. Door Prize winner - Gary Thelen
9. Cashiers for December: Dee Fleischacker and Mary Kurtz.

10. Table decorations by Fran Ganoe.
11. No meeting in November.
December Program - December 8. Jolly Holidays. Optional gift exchange. There will be info
on December things in the newsletter.
Respectfully submitted,
Sherry Wilkinson`
Secretary