Featured Projects

The art of storytelling as a healing art is a tradition that has been passed down over the centuries in many different cultures. During a Digital Story Workshop, individuals share their personal stories in a facilitated story circle and then bring their stories to life by writing their story, recording it in their own voice and supporting it with images and music. Stories help individuals symbolize their experience and contribute to their healing in the process. In addition to the process, the workshop results in a wonderful community outreach tool. For example, Digital Stories developed by youth were screened at a movie theater as part of a community event raising awareness about the importance of funding programs for youth with mental health needs.

“Personal Stories are a powerful medium to encourage the community to listen to youth and family voices – an integral part of our system of care.” – Dana Edgull, Monterey County Children’s Behavioral Health

"Our Digital Stories Workshops were an amazing experience for our families - they were able to tell their story and send their message in ways they never expected they could. They were empowered by the workshop and excited by the results. They told the stories they never told before because they didn't think that anyone was listening. People are listening now! These stories have been heard by policy makers, providers and a whole host of others and were instrumental in Project ABC 's recent LA County Quality and Productivity award for our Family Support Program" - Fran Goldfarb, Director Family Support Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
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Prevention and Early Intervention 2010 Art Calendar
The calendar is part of the Monterey County ’s Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) efforts. The bilingual calendar features artwork from community members receiving or providing mental health services, along with information about mental health, wellness and PEI initiatives.

MHSA Fact Sheet in English, or Spanish

The MHSA Fact Sheet was developed for community stakeholders who provided input during the community feedback process. It provides at-a-glance information about the MHSA and all funded strategies.

MHSA Community Newsletter

The bilingual MHSA Community Newsletter was developed for community members interested in, or already receiving, public mental health services in Monterey County . The original format and layout was developed with a focus group of mental health consumers. Each edition highlights several programs funded with MHSA dollars.

MHSA Older Adults - English

The Older Adult MHSA Fact Sheet was developed for older adult service providers, especially those involved in the MHSA older adult planning process. Content development included the review of the Older Adult Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan and
personal interviews with the program managers of the projects highlighted in the document. In addition, several personal interviews were conducted to add “Personal Perspectives” to the document.

MHSA Did U Know - English

MHSA staff “Did U Know?” emails provide brief highlights about MHSA funded programs and strategies relevant to county mental health service providers and Behavioral Health staff. They are distributed electronically on a monthly basis.

Reference: Alica Hendricks, MHSA Coordinator, Monterey County Health Department, Behavioral Health Division; (831) 796-1295. Monterey County Health Department, Community Health Division.
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The bilingual, annual Score Card reports on outcomes for Monterey County ’s System of Care in community-friendly language and layout. It is distributed to policy makers, Governance Boards, mental health service providers, community stakeholders, libraries as well as families and youth involved in the system transformation process. Services provided included:

• Discussion of general report format & layout
• Submission of several drafts and revisions until the final look was selected.
• Audience research to determine which outcomes were most relevant to the community as well as how to present outcomes in easy-to-understand language and with easy-to-understand graphs.
• Submission of content outline.
• All research, copy writing and design.
• Several rounds of editing and review.
• The Score Card includes actual pictures of children, youth and families receiving services (or providing services) as part of Monterey County ’s System of Care. My responsibilities also included taking and selecting pictures and coordinating release forms for all pictures.
• Coordination of translation.
• Coordination of final review and approval.
• Coordination of printing.
• Development of distribution plan.
• Assistance with implementation of distribution plan.