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What’s
NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2021
Peer-to-Peer
Director’s William “Will” Crittenden
Message “After leaving the Marine Corps I was looking for a job where I could
make an impact in the community. I soon realized that working with
the County of Orange (County) would allow me flexibility and the
Dear OC Health Care
opportunity to help others.” That’s how Peer-to-Peer recipient William
Agency (HCA) Team,
“Will” Crittenden, Service Chief II, with the Jail to Community
Over the past year and a Re-Entry Program (JCRP), transitioned from serving his country to
half, COVID-19 has had an
serving his county. “My first job with the County was with Veterans
overwhelming impact on the
Services. Working with Veterans was a unique experience, but I felt
physical health of many in our
like I needed a greater challenge. I found the challenge working with
community. With cases and
hospitalizations now rising again Behavioral Health Services in the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS)
due to the Delta Variant, we program the Crisis Assessment Team and the Psychiatric Emergency
are still having to take every and Response Team. After working with these programs, I realized I
precaution we can to prevent could make a greater impact as a supervisor.”
the spread of infection, including Will has been with the County for about a
masking indoors, avoiding decade. After promoting through the
crowded spaces, and maintaining
ranks he likes where he’s currently
physical distancing whenever
serving in Correctional Health
possible, among others. Let’s not
forget, however, that many of us Services (CHS). “I don’t see myself
have also had to cope with the as doing anything individually but
mental effects of this pandemic, rather as part of a team. I work with
such as worry, stress, anxiety, four other Service Chiefs at CHS
and depression, both in our who are great at what they do.
Our Service Chief team includes:
. . . continued on page 3
Dr. Addie Tsujiuchi, Coletta
Franciscus, Cathy Speckmann
FEATURED ARTICLES
and Geoff Glowalla. They are all
OC Crisis Response seasoned supervisors
System Forum ..................................... 2 who drive the
Office of Suicide Prevention................4 mental health
services
5 Things You Need to Know............... 4
. . . continued on page 10
COVID-19 Clinic at OC Fair..................6
OC Crisis Response System
W
ith support of the Orange County (OC)
Board of Supervisors (Board) Mental
Health Ad Hoc Committee, represented by
Board Chairman Andrew Do and Supervisor Lisa A.
Bartlett, OC Health Care Agency (HCA) Behavioral
Health Services (BHS) staff, in collaboration with
MindOC staff, hosted a two-day summit focused on
the OC Behavioral Health Crisis Response System.
The two-day event was kicked off with opening re-
marks from Chairman Do and Vice Chairman Doug
Chaffee from the Board of Supervisors; OC Sheriff
Don Barnes; OC Health Care Agency Director Dr.
Clayton Chau; MindOC CEO Marshall Moncrief; Oregon), as well as OCSD who is utilizing the
and the Orange County Behavioral Health Director Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) approach. Both of
Dr. Jeffrey Nagel. Invitations to the summit were these approaches are national models, but indi-
sent to key stakeholders across OC, including: city vidual models across different cities could lead to
managers, police chiefs, OC Sheriff Department confusion and diffusion of messaging around how
(OCSD), Hospital Association of Southern families can access mental health crisis services.
California (HASC), family advocates (NAMI), Mind In light of the competing models, the two-day men-
OC and OC HCA leadership. Forty-five stakehold- tal health crisis continuum summit focused on: (1)
ers were able to attend this event. presentation of our existing system of crisis re-
Law enforcement are often called (via 911 or other sponse and national models (Day 1), and (2) solicit-
means) to respond to individuals who are in a be- ing feedback and developing consensus around the
havioral health crisis. This is a resource intensive strengths, opportunities, aspirations and results that
response, and cities across the nation are look- we want as a community (Day 2). The feedback
ing at different models to respond to these situa- from the cities and hospital association will look at
tions effectively and efficiently. In OC, some cities how we can integrate the different efforts in order to
are engaging in initiatives centered around the have a coordinated approach across the county.
CAHOOTS model (based on work done in Eugene, Following input from key stakeholders, Behavioral
2 What’s Up Newsletter
m Forum
Director’s Message
continued from page 1
professional and personal lives.
When we talk about mental health, suicide prevention has to
be included. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, suicide was responsible for more than 47,500 deaths
in 2019, with 12 million American adults seriously thinking about
suicide, 3.5 million making a planned suicide attempt, and 1.4 mil-
lion attempting suicide that same year.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors (Board) has supported
a number of suicide prevention programs and initiatives over the
years, such as the Be a Friend for Life and Help is Here cam-
paigns. As you will read more about in this newsletter, they have
directed the creation of a new Office to further support these
1
countywide efforts. With that said, I am grateful to announce Dr.
Bhuvana Rao as the Division Manager for the new Office of
Health Staff will incorporate Suicide Prevention within Behavioral Health Services. The Office
the feedback and develop a of Suicide Prevention will focus on increasing awareness and ac-
template for mapping attainable cessibility to available resources, coordinating suicide prevention
action items and bring the efforts at the HCA, and taking the lead in our Agency’s stigma-
recommendations generated by reduction efforts related to mental illness.
community stakeholders to the
The creation of the Office is timely, in light of the week of
Board of Supervisors Mental
September 5 being designated as National Suicide Prevention
Health Ad Hoc Committee for
Week and World Suicide Prevention Day recognized on
their review, input and direction.
September 10. These dates allow us to remember that suicide is
preventable and that there are specific ways we can support one
another in prevention, including: understanding the signs, know-
1. Dr. Chau leads a Q&A session after the
CAHOOTS model presentation. 2. Board of ing how to talk to someone we know who may be contemplating,
Supervisors Chairman Andrew Do provides and knowing where to reach out for more resources and support.
opening remarks at the Crisis Response System
Forum event Let’s continue to support one another in doing what we can to
Anthony Padilla, prevent suicide. Learn more at suicideispreventable.org, view
Administrative Manager I, Behavioral a calendar of suicide prevention awareness events throughout
Health Services - Contributor
this month at stigmafreeoc.com, and remember that the Suicide
Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255) is available 24/7 to anyone
who might be thinking about suicide or concerned about a loved
one who might be at risk.
Stay Well,
Dr. Clayton Chau, MD, PHD
2
HCA Director and County Health Officer
SEPTEMBER 2021 3
Announcing the Office of
SUICIDE PREVENTION
The OC Health Care Agency On October 6, 2020, the Board
(HCA) is excited to announce directed the County Executive
the creation of the Office of Officer and the HCA Director
Suicide Prevention (OSP). This to create an Office of Suicide
is a timely announcement since Prevention to further support
September is when the HCA these countywide efforts.
promotes suicide prevention Dr. Jeffrey Nagel, Orange
awareness. One suicide death County Behavioral Health
is too many, and Orange County Director reflected that “The
(OC) averages about 330 suicide Office of Suicide Prevention will Bhuvana Rao
deaths a year. To address this coordinate suicide prevention Division Manager,
issue, the Orange County Board efforts at the HCA and interface Office of Suicide Prevention
of Supervisors (Board) has with local and statewide initiatives
supported a number of suicide to identify and facilitate the Division Manager over the
prevention programs and initia- implementation of evidence- OSP said Jeff. “Bhuvana brings
tives over the years. On March based and promising suicide a wealth of experience and
12, 2019, the Board directed the prevention activities in OC. This knowledge into the position,
HCA to allocate funds to create Office will also take the lead having served for the past seven
a countywide suicide preven- in the HCA’s stigma-reduction years as the Program Manager
tion initiative with the goal of efforts related to mental illness.” overseeing all contracted
increasing awareness and acces- Bhuvana Rao (pictured) was programs within the Behavioral
sibility to available resources. promoted to the position of Health Services Prevention and
5 Things You Need to Know Abou
1 2
On August 26, the Centers for Disease Control Ivermectin is Human exposures
and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory not currently and adverse effects
against the use of a prescription medication authorized or associated with iver-
called ivermectin, used to treat certain infections approved by mectin reported to
caused by internal and external parasites, for the U.S. Food and Drug poison control centers have
prevention or treatment of COVID-19. Here are Administration (FDA) for increased in 2021 compared
five things you need to know about ivermectin: treatment of COVID-19. to the pre-pandemic base-
line. These reports include
increased use of veterinary
products not meant for
human consumption.
4 What’s Up Newsletter
Intervention Division, including prevention and stigma reduc- as protective factors to help us
services such as the OC tion.” Bhuvana said the OSP will navigate transitions (Each Mind
WarmLine, Suicide Prevention coordinate data collection and Matters),” said Bhuvana. The
Crisis Line and Survivors analysis efforts around this topic. Office of Suicide Prevention
Support Services.” has created a calendar of
The Week of September 5th
suicide prevention awareness
Mark Lawrenz, Division is National Suicide Prevention
events, which is available on the
Manager, Prevention and Week, and World Suicide
homepage of the Stigma Free
Intervention said Bhuvana will Prevention Day is on September
OC website at: www.stigma-
serve as subject matter expert 10th. This year’s theme is
freeoc.com.
on suicide prevention and “Supportive Transitions,” which
stigma-reduction, and he looks reminds us, during this time of Remember that resources,
forward to partnering with the many transitions, that disrup- such as the Suicide Prevention
OSP in these efforts, “Stigma tions can have a profound Lifeline (800-273-8255) are
is a primary barrier resulting impact on our mental health. available 24/7 to anyone who
“Positive coping skills, resilience might be thinking about suicide
in untreated/delayed mental
and connectedness to family, or concerned about a loved one
health treatment, resulting in
friends and community can act who might be at risk.
devastating consequences
including suicide.”
Bhuvana said she is honored
to serve as the HCA lead and
liaison in the coordination of
suicide prevention efforts,
“including the Community
Suicide Prevention Initiative
(CSPI), and the distribution
of Federal, State and Local
resources pertaining to suicide
ut: IVERMECTIN
3 4 5
Do not swallow Signs and symptoms include Seek immediate
ivermectin prod- gastrointestinal effects (nausea, medical attention
ucts that should vomiting, abdominal pain, and diar- or call the poison
be used on skin rhea), headache, blurred vision, control center
(e.g., lotions and creams) dizziness, fast heart rate, and low blood hotline (1-800-222-1222)
or are not meant for human pressure. Other severe nervous system for advice if you have taken
use, such as veterinary effects have been reported, including ivermectin or a product that
ivermectin products. tremors, seizures, hallucinations, confusion, contains ivermectin and are
loss of coordination and balance, decreased having symptoms.
alertness, and coma.
SEPTEMBER 2021 5
i r
i n i c
1 9 y FaCl
I D - u n t
C OV e C o
r a n g
at O
OC Health Care Agency (HCA) opportunity to spin a wheel to
staff were busy during the OC win Adventure City and Angel’s
Fair by providing COVID-19 Tickets, Girl Scout Cookies, or
vaccinations to fair-goers. The McDonald’s gift cards.
clinic and others like it are the Since the start of Operation
result of a community vaccine Independence, which celebrated
sub-task force that was created a milestone on July 4 by
to address vaccine hesitancy and vaccinating at least 70% of the
help develop strategies to meet eligible population the HCA has
the people where they live, work ramped up vaccination efforts in
and play in order to provide them response to the Delta Variant of
with information and options to COVID-19 which continues to
protect themselves and those spread. The HCA team is focused
around them. on three main areas:
At the OC Fair and Event Center State-identified equity ZIP
a booth was set-up in the Codes 92701, 92805, 92703,
Carnival of Products building. 92844
A small team, consisting of a
pharmacy coordinator, vaccinator Census tracts among cities
below 30% vaccinated
and administrative personnel to
help with registration, offered Cities with increasing test
health information, vaccinations, positivity rate
and a chance to win prizes as There are on average 30 similar
a token of appreciation to those vaccine clinic events per week
who received the vaccine. The at various times and locations
team vaccinated 160 fair-goers throughout the county. Public
during the 12 days the booth was events are listed and appoint-
open. In addition to vaccines, ments can be scheduled on
the team offered clients an Othena.com.
6 What’s Up Newsletter
Reducing Food Waste:
Looks Aren’t Everything!
Imperfect produce are fruits and vegetables that
are not the perfect size and shape, have blem-
ishes and are not uniformly colored. However,
imperfect produce still delivers the same taste
and nutrition as their perfect partners.
The US Department of Agriculture estimates that
a third of all produce from farmers goes uneaten.
Purchasing and eating imperfect produce may
help to change what grocers think the customer
wants and reduce the food waste left in the farm-
ers’ fields.
Try these tips to help you reduce food waste:
1. Cut up your own “Baby Carrots.” Packed
“Baby Carrots” are just imperfect carrots that
have been re-shaped.
2. Broccoli stems are special! Chop and add
stems to soups, or peel & prepare the soft in-
ner parts as a raw vegetable snack.
3. Don’t peel those funny shaped potatoes
and yams! Root vegetables and their skins
are high in minerals and fiber.
4. Use wrinkled tomatoes for homemade pasta
sauce or in soups.
5. Use imperfect fruits to whip up healthy
smoothies. Make apple sauce from older or
funny shaped apples.
Patty Stabile, Public Health Nutritionist II - Contributor
SEPTEMBER 2021 7
ZEST For Health
SNACK HEALTHY!
Healthy snacking is important at every
age. Choosing to snack on fruits and
vegetables is a great way to get the
nutrients you need while avoiding added
sugars. This will keep you feeling ener-
gized between meals.
To make snacking on fruits and vegeta-
bles the easy choice you can:
Prep ahead – Wash and cut up fresh Chickpea Dip with Fresh Vegetables
vegetables and portion them into reus- Ingredients:
able containers so they are ready to
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas ¼ teaspoon salt
grab-and-go.
(known as garbanzo ¼ teaspoon paprika
Choose vibrant vegetables – Colorful beans), drained and rinsed ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
and crunchy raw vegetables are a
3 garlic cloves 1 medium carrot, sliced
healthy choice. Try dipping broc-
¼ cup plain low-fat yogurt 2 medium celery stalks, sliced
coli, zucchini sticks, or baby carrots
in hummus, guacamole, or a low-fat 1 tablespoon lemon juice ½ cup snap peas
yogurt sauce. 1 teaspoon vegetable or olive 1 medium head of cauliflower,
Wash and enjoy – Fresh fruit make a oil (or nonstick cooking sliced
great go-to snack when you are looking spray)
for a quick sweet treat. Apples, pears, Directions:
grapes, and bananas are always easy
1. Put the first eight ingredients into a food processor and
and fast.
blend until smooth. Serve at room temperature with
Keep healthy options handy – Keep
vegetable slices and snap peas.
fruits and vegetables visible and within
reach in the fridge or on the counter for For nutritional information and additional recipes click here.
a convenient anytime snack. Christine Baun, Public Health Nutritionist II - Contributor
8 What’s Up Newsletter
BHS Partnership with Goodwill Industries
develop the outcomes for the program
and assist in program development,
as well as ensuring collaboration with
referring programs.
Goodwill EWORKS has been a contract
provider “for more than 14 years and
specializes in assisting Adults who are
living with mental illness that are receiving
services through BHS County and
Contracted Clinics. EWORKS provides
necessary skills to gain competitive
employment/volunteer opportunities, build
interview skills, resumes and job skills.
EWORKS has done an exceptional job at
developing relationships with employers
and assisting clients on the job while
advocating for the client in their position
Employment specialist Huy Trinh (center) recently provided assistance to Robert (with their consent).”
Masai (left) and Alexa Hipwell (right) through Goodwill’s EWORKS program.
H
Christina said BHS and Goodwill worked
ealth Care Agency Behavioral Health Services (BHS) together during the pandemic to hold
and Goodwill Industries of Orange County were its first virtual graduation to celebrate
featured in an OC Register article (read here) for the those that obtained employment, as
Adult Supported Employment Works (EWORKS) program. well as developing hybrid Job Club
BHS partners with Goodwill to assist individuals who are for participants to build employment
living with mental illness, with developing the necessary skills remotely. “With years of success,
tools and skills to become employment ready. In the article, BHS and Goodwill of Orange County
the Register reported that over an 18-month period during will continue to provide employment
the COVID-19 pandemic, the program, “made roughly 3,000 opportunities and first-hand experience in
calls to local employers. And in the fiscal year that ended the workforce for those who are living with
(in June), EWORKS had nearly 300 active participants, mental illness.”
with 84 full and part-time placements involved in gainful
employment, and ten others in volunteer positions.”
The program is overseen by BHS said Christina Shelby,
Contract Monitor. “At BHS, we partner and oversee the
Goodwill Adult Supported Employment Contract to ensure
that our clients are receiving high quality services. We
SEPTEMBER 2021 9
Peer-to-Peer
continued from page 1
in correctional health. We all work together to
improve the services patients receive in the
Orange County Jails. Their motivation encour-
ages me to work hard and make the JCRP
program successful.”
The JCRP works on linking patients to programs in
the community once clients are identified as being
in process for release from incarceration. Will says
the team works quickly and collaboratively to link
clients to community-based programs. “I really enjoy
working with experienced peer supervisors and a
motivated clinical team. I’m very fortunate to be
able to say that our team is supportive, driven and
dedicated to the mission of our program. This is the
most positive group of staff and supervisors that I
have worked with since I’ve been employed with the
County.”
Will says he and his team enjoys the challenges
of thinking of creative ways to be even more effec-
tive linking clients to programs. He says he’s proud
of the JCRP program and staff. “They work very
hard to transition clients from incarceration to
the community. We work with a very challenging
population and our role involves coordination with
various external programs. These are all complex
tasks. Our staff do their job very well. They are all Connect with Us
persistent and make a huge effort to link patients
to community providers. I’m proud to be part of this
innovative program and I want to continue to be
part of making it successful.”
When Will has time, he says his hobbies include
working and riding anything with a motor. He has
a few project cars and motorcycles but not always
enough time for them!
The What’s Up newsletter is created and
He does take time to thank his colleagues for being distributed monthly by HCA Communications. We
a cohesive team. “Although I appreciate being welcome your ideas, input and/or insight into HCA
recognized for a portion of my work it really is the people and programs. To contribute, comment or
team that is making our program a success. From connect please email us at hcacomm@ochca.com
the Service Chiefs to the JCRP staff, we’ve worked or call (714) 834-2178. Thank you!
diligently and remain committed to the program’s
mission especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.”You can also read
