Exploring a Satisfying Life in the Community at Birch Tree Inc.

A SATISFYING LIFE IN THE A SATISFYING LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY COMMUNITY

501(c)(3)organization founded in 1989 with a commitment to offer individuals living with symptoms of a SMI opportunities to pursue a better life What is 80% of funding comes from Medicaid reimbursements Leaders in the state when it comes to crisis de-escalation 5 emergency physical holds in last 5 years Focused on staff retention: 43 employees with at least 15 yrs at Birch 20 with at least 25 years at Birch

Discovering Day Treatment/Program AT BIRCH TREE AT BIRCH TREE COMMUNITIES, INC. COMMUNITIES, INC.

PSYCHOSOCIAL GROUPS & PSYCHOSOCIAL GROUPS & ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES Specific Symptoms Management groups Smoking Cessation Money Management Accessing Community Resources The Kindness Diaries How to Be Resilient Anger Management Self-Care vs Self-Comfort Recognizing and Respecting Boundaries Conversation Starters Mindfulness Menu/Meal Planning Understanding the DLA-20 Bingo Cognitive Strengthening/Brain Games Budgeting Air-Fryer Cooking Making Candles Gardening Arts & Crafts Embracing Other Cultures/Around the World Who Am I? Letting Go of Addictions Find Out Who Would You Rather Motivation Nursing Groups Phobias My Comfort Zones Goal-Setting

FIND OUT WHO FIND OUT WHO Has been to a concert. Has experienced extremely cold temperatures. Has eaten bizarre foods. Has ever met someone famous.

1 DAY AT BIRCH 1 DAY AT BIRCH 0800-0830 Breakfast 0830-0850 Morning Meeting 0900-0945 Journaling 1000-1045 Coping w/ the Voices 1100-1145 Discovering The Marshall Islands 1200-1300 Lunch & Socialization (the Dietary staff will have prepared, to the best of their ability, a meal traditional to The Marshall Islands) 1300-1345 Exercise at the River Center The Kindness Diaries at the PC 1400-1445 Creative Expression (Rm 1) Karaoke (Rm 2) 1500-1545 Wrap-Up & Clean-Up Marshallese pumpkin-baked shrimp w/ coconut rice

VOLUNTEERING VOLUNTEERING Volunteering offers significant mental health benefits, including: Reduced stress & anxiety Improved mood & happiness Increased self-esteem & confidence Greater sense of purpose and meaning Reduced loneliness & social isolation Improved cognitive function Aside from the many personal benefits of volunteering, it s also a giant step in helping to eliminate (or at least reduce) the stigma in our communities surrounding mental illness.

Meals on Wheels Blessing bags for local displaced citizens Blessing bags for parents at ACH Adopt-a-Grandparent Program Local warming centers Holiday cards for patients at local nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and ASH Food drives for needy families Stuffing backpacks with school supplies KTHV Summer Cereal Drive Local animal shelters Trash pickup (Litter Grabbers) Cleaning up local parks and schools Sponsoring Field Day at local schools Cooking for local sports teams, cheerleaders, band, etc. GIVING BACK GIVING BACK

OUTINGS OUTINGS Fridays are typically outing days at Birch, but we re ALWAYS getting members outside our 4 walls and into the community. Some of the places we go include: Public library Fitness center Local stores & restaurants Dave & Busters Top Golf Little Rock Zoo Arkansas State Fair Concerts Rodeos Monster truck rallies Town/county festivals Air shows Museums Hockey, basketball, football, baseball, softball games Bowling Skating Coffee Shops

BIG BIRCH EVENTS BIG BIRCH EVENTS Valentine s Dance Party- February 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament- March Expressions Art Show & Sale- April Field Events Day- May BTC Day at Magic Springs- June An Affair to Remember: A Summer Formal- July Backyard Games at Birch (Coming Soon)- TBD NAMI Walk- October Friends & Family Day Picnic- October BTC Day at the Arkansas State Fair- October Halloween Dance Party- October Chili & Willie Tailgate Party- November Various Holiday festivities at every branch throughout the year

WHY IS COMMUNITY SO IMPORTANT? WHY IS COMMUNITY SO IMPORTANT? Sense of Belonging and Purpose Social Support and connections Skill Development and Learning Access to Resources and Services Challenging Stigma and Discrimination Improved Mental Health and Well-Being Empowerment and Self-Worth Advocacy and Awareness

IN 2024, 65% OF OUR IN 2024, 65% OF OUR MEMBERS WHO DISCHARGED, MEMBERS WHO DISCHARGED, LEFT TO A MORE INDEPENDENT LEFT TO A MORE INDEPENDENT SETTING! SETTING!

THE BIRCH INTENTIONS THE BIRCH INTENTIONS In everything we do. We intend: In everything we do. We intend: To be kind To inspire hope. To respect men and women overwhelmed by life. To be just. To bring a measure of joy into every life we touch. To do no harm. To offer ourselves without discrimination. To serve with patience, persistence and forgiveness, not regarding symptoms of illness as evidence of failure. To create an environment in which dreams are born, encouraged and pursued. To be a beginning, not an end.

THANK YOU THANK YOU Chris Owen 501.772.8720 chris.owen@birchtree.org www.birchtree.org