Monterey Bay Forum

Cameron Jackson, Ph.D. DrCameronJackson@gmail.com

A peer-staffed crises residential program located in a three bedroom residence in a toney area of Aptos is slated to open March, 2011 to assit persons with major mental illness. These clients, without a high level of support, would require hospitalization.

The federal government dangles moeny and Santa Cruz County accepts — without prior consultation from the neighborhood or public at large and no imput by taxpayers who pay the bill.

Why did our local Santa Cruz County government representatives purchase 5 years of top of the market residential housing in one of the most expensive areas in Santa Cruz County ($3,900 for a 3 bedroom house with ocean view and two jacuzzis) to provide mental health housing for 1,116 visitors a year? (Someone should find out whether the 5 year lease agreement with the owner picks up the costs of utilities and taxes as well.)

Supervisor Pirie who represents Aptos states that she did not know. So who did decide?

How about some belt tightening by local Santa Cruz government? Did the results of the November, 2009 elections sink in here in Santa Cruz County — that the public wants to cut government costs?

Approximately 1,116 visitors at risk of psychiatric hospitalization due to symptoms of hallucinations (e.g., hearing voices or seeing things that aren’t there), delusions (false beliefs), agitation and impaired functional abilities will be housed at the proposed peer-staffed crises residential program.

At any one time, up to 8 persons will be at 218 Claudius with staff of 7.35 Full Time Equivalent (FTE). So there will be almost a one to one staff to patient ratio at 218 Claudius on a 24 hour 7 day a week basis.

Why 218 Claudius? Well, yes indeed, 218 Claudius in Aptos, CA has a magnificent view of Monterey Bay. It is a quiet, residential neighborhood. A resident at 218 Claudius can readily walk to Rio del Mar Beach which is only a few blocks down the hill. Likewise, it is a short 15 minute walk to Deluxe Market located on Rio del Mar Blvd. Should there be some life endangering situation — some resident goes out of control — the Fire Department is about a mile away and there are no speed bumps in between.

Public transportation to and from 218 Claudius is a bit iffy however. Say a person wanted to get from the River Street shelter in Santa Cruz, CA to 218 Claudius in Aptos, CA using public transportation. The last bus from Santa Cruz to Cabrillo College (#71) leaves at 4:00 pm and a person must catch the 4:45 pm #55 bus to get to Rio del Mar near Claudius. That is the last bus. Thus, people must drive their car or be driven if arriving after 5 pm. And there are few street lights in Aptos.

The Santa Cruz Metro bus telephone number is 831 425-8600. Expect a 15 minute wait if calling as I did around 3:30 pm. That kind of wait is not good for persons suffering from mental illness and seeking immediate crises assistance.

As there is no bus after 5 pm, persons in crises coming to 218 Caudius must either drive, be driven or walk. There are no street lights. And parking is quite skimpy. Will the 7.3 Full Time Equivalent persons working drive their vehicles? Probably.

How well thought out was this decision? Who were the key players making the decision?

written by Cameorn Jackson DrCameronJackson@gmail.com (more…)

Another Aptos, CA psychologist:

Jo Ann Riniti, Ph.D. specializes in infant attachment, developmental issues with young children, family therapy and adolescents with Asperger’s issues. She provides individual, couples and family sessions as well as group therapy. Her California License Number is PSY 12418.

Dr. Riniti facilitates various educational talks including: Knowing What We Know: How to Cultivate and Communicate Our Truth; What is Your Hurry? – The Disappearance of Creativity and Play; A Sense of Play: The Value of Active Engagement and Emotional Attunement.

Dr. Riniti’s office is located at 9099 Soquel Drive, Suite 11, Aptos, CA 95003. Telephone 831 427-8282

When I look around the Feb. 13, Sat. 5 pm service at Resurrection Catholic Church, Aptos, CA I see many of the same people sitting in the same pew as the week before. The Liturgy has a sameness that provides a reassuring security. And I see many people I have never seen before.

I see a diverse congregation: families, and singles, old and young, many different ethnicities. One woman looked like she might have come in a horse and carriage. Wearing a red jacket, she is formally dressed with a striking black hat and veil. There were visitors from other cities and states.

Fr. Ron Shirley presided. He opened with a few brief remarks about what it is to be holy – to know our holes and weaknesses and to seek God to be made whole.

His homily was brief: two toasts to a couple at a marriage feast. He holds a wine glass up to make the toasts. The first toast, made by a friend of the bridegroom, included comments such as, may you always be rich and well thought of. And may you always be happy… The second toast, offered by someone not well dressed nor invited to the celebration, was quite different. May you be poor at times and turn to God… May you feel empty at times …and be filled by God. May you at times cry …

Fr. Ron’s brief messages connect the gospel and biblical readings to a Christian, spiritual life. He tells stories that are easy to remember. And worth remembering.

Pastor Shirley concluded the service with the words, The Mass never ends…it must be lived! Go forth to serve…” Ah, yes!

For more information go to:

Resurrection Catholic Church

from Peter Wardon on Sept. 14, 2009:

“In response to my last letter dated September 3, several people initiated communication with each Florence Drive Association homeowner. Ninety-three percent of the households surveyed support moving forward with the patch and slurry seal procedure.

“Asphalt patching will occur on Monday, September 28 by Earth Works. The street will remain open but be sure not to park near the white painted areas. The street will be slurry sealed on Monday, October 19, and will be closed for 24 hours. Prior to the October 19 slurry seal, I will be more specific with exact times. Call Earth Works (475-1223) if you want work done at your house.

“For more efficient communication we are in the process of setting up a website. email the Smith’s for further information. ibsmith317@bcglobal.net from Peter Wardon 9-14-09

Portions of second reading read by Alliee DeArmond last Sunday:

“So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord – for we walk by faith, not by sight….For all of us must appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil….

“From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view, even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ there is a new creation, everything old has passed away; see everything has become new! from 2 Corinthians 5: 6-17

For information about The Word Shop go to Company of Saints Alliee DeArmond is on Twitter

No budget crises apparent here! Today, 5-28-09, its a Thursday afternoon about 2:15. The Rio del Mar beach is largely empty. The parking lot is empty. Yet there sits a a State employee in her cubicle waiting to collect fees from potential visitors. She has nothing to do and nowhere to go. But she is paid taxpayer money to sit. And wait.

What she could do that would be useful is TAKE A SHOVEL and FREE THE BEACH. The water from the creek is AGAIN backed up.

Blue day tomorrow, Memorial Day at Aptos beach? Hope so. Nice day for a backyard barbacue? Hope so. Remember what Memorial Day is all about.

Remember to keep faith with those who died in Flanders Field, World War I.

“In Flanders field, the poppies blow…

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies blow
In Flanders Field.

A lot of young people have died to keep America safe and the world safe from terrorists. How best to keep faith with them?

written by Dr. Cameron Jackson, Ph.D.. L.D. Licensed Psychologist 831 688-6002

Children with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, NOS) have major social and communication difficulties.

Families need to be given the TOOLS how to have fun and be spontaneous with their children as they teach them. It is very hard on families to be social and engaging with ASDD children who seem to be in their own world, who seem to ignore their parents, who seem unaware of brothers and sisters.

The P.L.A.Y. project’s goal is to teach parents to PLAY in a fun way in developmentally appropriate ways. Not only the child – the whole family can benefit. Currently available in Monterey County, P.L.A.Y. is also available to Santa Cruz County parents. P.L.A.Y. is a vendor of San Andreas Regional Center which covers the four counties of Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Clara. Pl.L.A.Y. is a regional center vendor for under 3 children. It is appropriate for children before attending school.

The following information comes from the Easter Seals site. There is a link to the site at the bottom.

“Easter Seals P.L.A.Y. Project (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters) program started in 2006. The mission of the project is to help young children (up to age 6) with autism spectrum disorders and their families obtain interventions that consist of 2-3 hours of intensive, individualized therapy per day, and are integrated with other therapies saving the parents time and money.

“The P.L.A.Y. Project is unique in that it provides training for the parents of children with autism so they can implement therapy at home. Easter Seals has home consultants, including specially trained occupational therapists and speech pathologists, to implement the P.L.A.Y. Project, enabling them to teach parents how to initiate therapy in the home setting. A child with autism needs 20-30 hours per week of therapy to learn and grow as quickly as possible. This project is highly cost effective for families and enables the child to receive a continuum of service throughout their day.

“The P.L.A.Y. Project was founded by Dr. Rick Solomon, who has diagnosed and treated children with autism for over 15 years. Dr. Solomon’s initial study of 70 children with autism demonstrated that 65% of the children in the P.L.A.Y. Project made good to excellent progress. Solomon’s study has been given tremendous credibility with its recent acceptance for publication in the Journal of Autism and receipt of a National Institute of Health grant.

Goals of the P.L.A.Y. Project include:

Improving parent/child relationships.
Improving behavior of the child reducing stress within the home.
Including siblings in coaching and training.
Creating strong families including improved spousal relationships
Improving child development so children are ready for school.
Improving systems for families so services are integrated, accessible, culturally-appropriate and of high quality.The P.L.A.Y. Project is partially funded by First 5 Monterey County, First 5 Fresno County and the Fansler Foundation.

“If you or someone you know would like information regarding the P.L.A.Y. Project, please contact Drea Martinez at 559-267-3952 in Fresno and Mark Wenzler at 831-684-2166 in Monterey.

“For more information about the P.L.A.Y. Project, you can also visit www.playproject.org.

Above comes from Easter Seals

The 7th Wave is playing at the Cafe Rio in Aptos. Aptos has few live music bands on the weekend so that is GREAT to hear. But what is the FISH special of the day? Ah, well, guess I will go and see since last time the food (mussels) were excellent. I hear they have some new Big Bite appetizers to try.

The Sparrow restaurant. The old JJ Piza that is now Italian or continental. Carried Away. The Blue Spoon. The Cafe Rio for seafood anyway you like it cooked. Five great restaurants right in Aptos. How can I know their DAILY SPECIALS? One TWEET!! That’s what Aptos needs! www.freedomOK.net/wordpress