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Center for Practice Innovations at RFMH Is Double Award Winner

The awards honor a new training course for mental health professionals who treat co-occurring disorders.

SALT LAKE CITY (July 06, 2010) — The Center for Practice Innovations (CPI) at the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene (RFMH), along with the New York State Offices of Mental Health (OMH) and of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), and Columbia Psychiatry, are the proud recipients of two Omni Intermedia Awards for Spring 2010. CPI and partners are being recognized for their new Focus on Integrated Treatment (FIT) training courses, developed by Allen Communication Learning Services in collaboration with CPI, OMH, OASAS, the Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center, and FireDancer Productions, Inc.

Michael F. Hogan, PhD, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health said, “We are delighted at this honor. Focus on Integrated Treatment (FIT) was designed to address a key gap in use of research-proven treatments–the expense and inconvenience of taking time from work to attend intensive training. Via training modules accessible from any computer, FIT provides a convenient way to provide professional education. But it could not work effectively without exceptional quality in the materials and the presentation. This is why we value this high level of recognition.”

The two silver awards in the Government, and Internal Communication categories were bestowed on FIT. The FIT course is a series of web based training courses that Allen designed in collaboration with CPI and its partners to improve treatment for people coping with Co-Occurring Disorders (COD). COD is the occurrence of multiple disorders, like bipolar illness and substance use disorder, in an individual. COD afflicts 5.6 million people annually.

“There is no need to compromise with well designed online training,” said Ron Zamir, CEO of Allen. We are proud of the RFMH project and our ability to serve the community though a higher standard of professional education.”

National data show that half of the people with COD don’t receive treatment. A third of people with COD get only mental health or addiction care. Only about one in ten get treatment for both disorders, and only about two percent get care that is evidence-based and integrated. CPI and its partners are using FIT to bridge these divides by training practitioners how to provide effective combined COD treatment.

Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) said, “We are pleased to be partnering with OMH to improve the lives of those with co-occurring disorders. Focus on Integrated Treatment (FIT) furthers our talent management goals to increase the learning and development of our providers, and serves as another vital resource along with our web-based trainings called Learning Thursdays.”


Aboth the Omni Intermedia Awards

The Omni Intermedia Awards are owned and operated by Media Corp Inc., which exists to recognize outstanding media productions that engage, empower and enlighten. Awards are given for exceptional work in Film, Video, TV, Internet, Interactive Media, Animation and Audio production.

About The Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene

RFMH, a not-for-profit membership corporation, optimizes the research and training objectives of the New York State Department of Mental Hygiene and its component agencies. Since 1952, RFMH has promoted the widespread availability of evidence-based practices to improve mental health services, ensure accountability, and promote recovery-oriented outcomes for people.

About The Office of Mental Health

OMH, New York State’s mental health authority, plans and delivers high-quality, consumer and family focused treatment and rehabilitative services to adults and children with severe mental illness or emotional disturbance. OMH works closely with government and community mental health services to provide assistance and education that promote recovery and hope.

About Columbia Psychiatry

CP is ranked among the best departments and psychiatric research facilities in the nation. Their distinguished clinicians and researchers are renowned for their outstanding contributions in clinical and research advances in the diagnosis and treatment of depression, suicide, schizophrenia, bipolar and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and childhood psychiatric disorders. Visit http://columbiapsychiatry.org/ for more information.

About the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services

OASAS oversees one of the nation’s largest addiction services systems dedicated to prevention, treatment and recovery, with more than 1,550 programs serving over 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day. Addiction is a chronic disease, but New Yorkers can know that help is available by calling the state’s HOPEline, 1-877-8-HOPENY. Please visit OASAS at www.oasas.ny.gov.

About Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center

The Dartmouth PRC conducts interdisciplinary research on services for individuals who have mental illness. The PRC specializes in developing effective interventions under research conditions, then translating these interventions into actual mental health service practices and evaluating their effectiveness in routine practice settings. PRC research incorporates scientific perspectives, including clinical, economic, and ethnographic. Visit http://www.hprcd.org/ for more information.

About FireDancer Productions

FireDancer Productions is a multi-award winning television production company located in Carbondale, CO. FireDancer provides a wide range of services that will smoothly guide a video production from creative concept to successful program. FireDancer is intensely committed to superior quality productions that are “challenging, compelling, and unquestionably effective.” Visit FireDancer on the Web at http://www.FireDancer.tv.

About AllenComm

For three decades, the learning and development experts at Allen Communication Learning Services () have helped many of the world’s largest companies sharpen their organizational performance. Allen expands their client’s capabilities by using progressive approaches in custom training, e-learning, and blended learning development, as well as learning portal development and technologies. This bold approach results in highly-customized organizational training solutions that help departments scale and achieve more, while improving ROI.