Posttraumatic Stress Management Team (PTSM) Update for March 2008
Background
In mid-January a Posttraumatic Stress Management Team (PTSM) was established on Nantucket by Dr. Robert Macy, the international expert in suicide and trauma recovery who is assisting Nantucket in the aftermath of incidents involving Nantucket High School students. The PTSM is comprised of 25 members, including town officials and school district representatives, as well as local and state health and mental health professionals.
Lead organizations for the PTSM are Nantucket Cottage Hospital, Nantucket Behavioral Health Services, Nantucket Public Schools, the Town of Nantucket and the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health.
Update
The PTSM has moved forward with a number of initiatives during March to lay a solid foundation for the group’s ongoing work in the local schools and the Nantucket community.
New Nantucket Cottage Hospital President and CEO Sylvia Getman has joined the PTSM Executive Committee, bringing her leadership and expertise to the group. Serving with her on the Executive Committee are Board of Selectman Chairman Whitey Willauer, Police Chief Bill Pittman, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Pellicone, Cyrus Pierce Middle School Principal Caryl Toole and Peter Swensen, Director of the Nantucket Behavioral Health Services.
On March 18, Dr. Macy returned to the island to meet with the PTSM committee for the 25-member group’s seventh meeting. Following are the items that were discussed on March 18:
· The committee discussed and agreed upon protocols and procedures to be followed in the event of an incident that would activate the PTSM committee. Although each agency has had protocols in place for some time, it was important to be certain all protocols were coordinated. After thoughtful discussion, the committee established an incident protocol framework and put it into writing for distribution to all participating community organizations. The 75 volunteers who took part in the three-day Advanced Children’s Trauma Recovery Foundation Certificate course in late January under the direction of Dr. Macy will also be contacted to discuss their roles in future incident
response.
· Dr. Pellicone informed the Committee that he would like to establish a Director of Student Services for Nantucket Public Schools. The Director would be responsible for the coordination of most non-academic initiatives K-12. The position would be funded through the NPS operating budget with the Director reporting directly to Dr. Pellicone. The Director would be responsible for coordinating services within the district as well as being a liaison with all of the outside agencies that serve NPS. The Director would work closely with the Student Assistance Program (SAP) that will be provided through Nantucket Behavioral Health Services. The position is
student-centered with emphasis on providing a safe, healthy and nurturing environment both during and after school for all students.
· The Committee will recommend a screening program for high school students to assess their mental health needs. Several programs are under consideration, including SOS (Signs of Suicide) and the Swensrud Prevention Initiative. The Committee is determining the feasibility of and staffing for the programs with the goal of implementation in May.
· The Committee is considering establishing a Drop-in Center on the NPS campus in a space still to be determined. The Center will be staffed by professionals from both NPS and Nantucket Behavioral Health Services during the school year. The Committee is looking at how this may or may not overlap with current services as well as determining a funding source for this initiative.
· Students participating in the monthly Superintendent’s Forum as well as Student Council members have expressed an interest in the need for a Student Lounge on campus where students can go before, during and after school. Students will be an integral part in the planning and daily operation of the lounge.
· Last September Peter Swensen brought the concept of a SAP (Student Assistance Program) to Dr. Pellicone. The SAP Program is a prevention program that already has funding for the first year, thanks to Mr. Swensen and the generosity of the United Way, the Tupancy-Harris Foundation and the Nantucket Golf Club Foundation. The SAP program will be run by Nantucket Behavioral Health Services, with the SAP coordinator reporting to Mr. Swensen. The goal for implementation is to be determined.
· A PTSM Director’s position is a priority and requires salary funding. The PTSM Director will be responsible for coordination of the PTSM committee’s initiatives and will be housed at the Nantucket Behavioral Health Services offices. The Director will report directly to the PTSM Executive Committee.
For more information about the PTSM, the community is invited to visit the Nantucket Public Schools website and the Town of Nantucket website, where regular postings can be viewed. The websites are www.npsk.org and http://www.nantucket-ma.gov . The PTSM primary contacts for the community at Dr. Robert Pellicone, who can be reached at (508) 228-7280, extension 1163 and Nantucket Selectman Michael Kopko at (508) 228-3222.
Submitted by:
Dr. Robert Pellicone, NPS Public Information Officer
Michael Kopko, Town of Nantucket Public Information Officer
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