Heart Story: Advocate for Mental Health Client

This story was submitted by Chuck Davis, Mental Health Ombuds

Mental health Ombuds has a client who presented early in 2010 with a sad story. The client had a history of alcohol abuse and mental illness. He had suffered terrific bodily injury due to things that happened to him while he was under the influence of alcohol. Although he was living in a “clean and sober house” when we met him, the house was neither clean nor sober. He was trying his best to maintain sobriety and was extremely frustrated with that living situation. He had fairly recently been through the court and criminal justice system. He told Ombuds he had received unfavorable treatment, rejection and neglect from a number of community “helping” agencies. He stated that his mental health services were lacking and had set him up for failure. Saddest of all, he was out of options, had nowhere to turn, and was thinking about going back to drinking. He told Ombuds, “I might as well give up and stay drunk until I die, for all the good it does me to try to find real help.”

He found a Skagit County Community Action Agency flyer promising that their mental health Ombuds would do their best to assist him. Shortly after his initial call, Ombuds had obtained a medical release form and was at work helping him. Ombuds initiated complaints and grievances about his treatment through his mental health services agency and arranged several face-to-face meetings with that agency. Ombuds subsequently promoted his interests through an intense grievance process with the North Sound Mental Health Administration, the region’s public mental health authority.

Ombuds empowered him to transfer his mental health treatment to a different provider agency that provided him proper mental health treatment. Ombuds also worked on his behalf between the local housing authority and his new provider agency and found him a suitable home within three weeks. The client is now committed to sobriety, has a very positive outlook, is volunteering at a community drop-in center and is working with an agency to find a job. He recently stated, “This is the absolute best I have ever been!”

Heart Story: Struggle and Hope

This story was submitted by Melissa Self who works in Maternity Support Services at Community Action:

Earlier this year, I worked with a young first-time mom, Sara*, and her infant, Alex*. The father had been sent to drug rehab for heroin addiction. Sara and Alex were temporarily staying with friends with the expectation that she would move out once the Alex’s father was released from rehab. She had no friends other than the people she lives with, and although her family lived in a neighboring county, but they are not supportive as they have many issues of their own.

In addition to receiving services through Community Action, Sara was also connected into WorkSource, and was receiving some support from her case worker at DSHS. She eventually got a part-time job and Alex was enrolled into childcare program. Sara did not have a car so she walked all over town, pushing Alex in a stroller or used the bus for transportation.

I often still see her pushing Alex in the stroller all over town to appointments with case workers and to attend classes.

Despite multiple challenges, Sara was always on time for her appointments in the office and would follow through on any tasks or referrals. Melissa helped her fill out housing paperwork and got her on the waiting list for our agency’s family shelter. She was able to listen to her concerns and frustrations; Sara seemed to look forward to their visits, even though Melissa couldn’t solve all of her problems.

Melissa saw the couple in the office the other day, checking in about some shelter possibilities. Sara always has a smile for Melissa thought the stress of Sara and her boyfriend have not found permanent housing yet. In addition, Sara’s boyfriend has had a difficult time finding a job in this current economy. It is our hope that the connection Sara made during her visits to Community Action has given her hope and that she feels she has somewhere to go when she needs help or someone to listen.

*Names have been changed to maintain confidentiality.

Heart Story: Single Father

This story was submitted by Amy George, Food Access Program Coordinator located at our Mount Vernon office:

Recently, I assisted a single father who had just lost his job. He had full custody of his three children and was trying to provide a stable home environment with the $2,200 per month he received on unemployment. While that may seem like a lot to some, his mortgage payment was nearly $1600 per month. His budget also included the standard water, sewer, garbage, natural gas, electric, and phone bills. In addition, his children were not covered by health insurance. By the time he left my office, I assisted in getting him connected with Basic Food, Energy Assistance, and Apple Health for Kids (a health insurance program for children).

These are just some of the programs that are available to individuals and families who are faced with challenges such as these. Our mission here at Skagit County Community Action Agency is to foster and advocate for self-sufficiency among low-income people in Skagit County.