Friday, March 6, 2009
National Contact: Kara Sweeney, karas@thenationalcouncil.org, 202-684-3723
Local Contact: Kayla R. Giron-Baker, kbaker@jphsa.org, 504-838-5495

Metairie, LA - Vanessa Sweeney, Manager of the Peer Specialist Program at Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority has been recognized by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare as the winner of the "Rookie of the Year" Emerging Leader Award, one of the 2009 Awards of Excellence. Ms. Sweeney was the stand-out candidate in this first-time award category, chosen for her energy, sense of innovation, leadership, commitment and determination to make a difference in the behavioral healthcare field.

Ms. Sweeney has worked in the behavioral health field for five years, beginning her career as a Psychiatric Technician at Kino Community Hospital in Tucson, Arizona. She was the youngest person in the hospital's history to hold this position. She has demonstrated her enthusiasm and dedication, constantly striving to improve herself professionally, and has aspirations of becoming a mental health lawyer and/or and substance abuse counselor.

"Because of her vision, commitment and perseverance, Vanessa Sweeney's future in the behavioral healthcare field holds limitless possibilities," said Linda Rosenberg, MSW, president and CEO of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare. "She stands ready to help individuals living with mental illness and substance abuse disorders as they walk down the road to recovery. We have no doubt that she will continue to have an impact on the lives of those she touches in her community and in her career moving forward."

Under Ms. Sweeney's leadership, the Peer Specialist Program has flourished. She recently completed work with four fellow peer specialists to become Certified Peer Specialists with the Depression Bipolar Support Alliance. In October 2008, Ms. Sweeney began consulting with Seton Jenkins at Metropolitan Human Services District to assist in the creation of a Peer Specialist program and has participated in a statewide initiative to develop a peer specialist program in Louisiana. The state is now looking to implement these services across Louisiana and to develop a fee structure for peer specialist service delivery. Ms. Sweeney has also presented details about the program to other states that are in the process of beginning their own peer specialist programs.

JPHSA's mission is to minimize the existence and disabling effects of mental illness, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities and to maximize opportunities for individuals and families affected by those conditions to achieve a better quality of life and to participate more fully within the community.

At JPHSA, Ms. Sweeney also serves as the program coordinator for Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program, in which she organizes meetings of multiple state agencies involved with the program, such as the Office of Family Services and the Office of Children's Services. These agencies identify women with substance abuse problems and refer these women to JPHSA for substance abuse treatment. Not only have her ideas moved the program in a forward direction, but she was also successful in persuading the state to continue funding in a time of budgetary constraints.

"Jefferson Parish Human Service Authority is both honored and excited that NCCBH has selected Vanessa Sweeney as Rookie of the Year," said Michael E. Teague, JPHSA Executive Director. "Vanessa has embraced our mission of meeting the needs of individuals and promoting the principles of recovery. A highly skilled and caring professional, her dedication to the Peer Specialist and Family Independence Temporary Assistance Programs has made JPHSA and other organizations aware of the necessity and positive outcomes of these programs."

For the first time ever, the National Council Awards of Excellence is recognizing new and emerging leaders in the behavioral healthcare industry who have made a successful impact in the lives of others through their jobs, organizations and/or communities.

The National Council Award of Excellence will be formally presented to Ms. Sweeney on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 during the Awards of Excellence Dinner at the 2009 National Council Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas.

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The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) association of 1,600 behavioral healthcare organizations that provide treatment and rehabilitation for mental illnesses and addictions disorders to nearly six million adults, children and families in communities across the country. The National Council and its members bear testimony to the fact that medical, social, psychological and rehabilitation services offered in community settings help people with mental illnesses and addiction disorders recover and lead productive lives.

Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority provides behavioral health and developmental disabilities services and supports to children, adults and families who are residents of Jefferson Parish and who meet basic eligibility criteria. Services include: screening and assessment; individual, group and family counseling; psychiatric and psychological services; pharmacy services and medication assistance programs; and, employment and housing assistance for people with mental health or developmental disabilities.