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OptimumCare and Mission Community Hospital Participate in
Latino Behavioral Health Institute Conference
LOS ANGELES--(BW HealthWire)--Sept. 17, 1998--OptimumCare Corp. (OTC BB:OPMC - news), with headquarters in Laguna Niguel, Calif., Thursday joined with San Fernando-based Mission Community Hospital to participate in the fourth annual Latino Behavioral Health Institute's (LBHI) international conference being held at the OMNI Los Angeles Hotel.
The conference, which began today, runs through Sept. 19.
''Nine of OptimumCare's behavioral healthcare programs are located in Los Angeles and Orange counties where the Latino community is
growing at a rapid rate. In particular, the communities surrounding our inpatient and partial hospitalization sites at Mission Community
Hospital are predominantly Latino,'' said Mulu Michael, OptimumCare's president and chief operating officer. ''Our inpatient hospitalization
program is also the second largest provider of psychiatric services, based on the number of clients served, in all of Los Angeles County.''
A new U.S. Census Bureau report shows that the country's Latino population reached 30 million in 1997 and is well on its way to becoming the largest U.S. minority group in the next century. In California, Los Angeles County, with a population of over 4 million Latinos, is the county with the greatest number of Latino residents in the United States, while Orange County ranks fifth in the United States with close to 800,000 Latino residents.
''By participating and attending the LBHI conference, we can increase awareness among Latino families and consumers about behavioral
healthcare services available in their neighborhoods,'' said Michael. ''And our professionals will obtain specialized training on the cultural aspects of providing behavioral healthcare services to the Latino community.''
In preparation for the conference, OptimumCare and Mission Community Hospital jointly developed Spanish and English brochures and an
exhibit focused on behavioral healthcare services. During the conference, bilingual OptimumCare and Mission professionals will man the exhibit.
Ambrose Rodriguez, president and founder of LBHI, said that this year's conference will be an outstanding success with approximately 700 participants expected from the United States, Mexico, South America and Puerto Rico. Those attending the conference include consumers and family members, medical doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, mental health administrators and workers, government officials, and graduate students.
''I founded LBHI primarily for two reasons,'' said Rodriguez. ''First, I observed that many Latinos receive behavioral healthcare services
from non-Latino professionals or from persons who don't consider the importance of culture as they provide services to the Latino
population. And second, I felt that we, as professionals or consumers, need a common forum to share the latest knowledge and treatment
information with others across the country who provide services to Latinos.''
Laura Span-Bonitto, vice president of LBHI, gave two examples of cultural nuances associated with treating Latinos: ''Latinos believe that all problems should stay within 'la familia', so there's a real stigma associated with reaching out and obtaining mental health services. Also, rather than admitting that they are depressed, Latinos may complain about physical problems. They'll say, 'I have no energy' or 'I'm tired'.''
The conference features 35 behavioral healthcare workshops that discuss topics such as treatment methods, managed care, Medicaid, the
impact of welfare reform, parenting skills, mental illness and substance abuse, and cultural competence training for professionals. People interested in attending the conference can call 213/738-2882.
Five of the workshops given in Spanish include:
1. Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment and Recovery Approaches for
Monolingual Spanish Speaking Latinos.
2. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Evaluation and
Treatment of Latino Adolescents.
3. Megaskills: Parenting Workshop that Works.
4. I Remember When: Workshop on Aging.
5. Group Therapy as a Viable Alternative in the 21st century.
''Since 1986 OptimumCare has helped tens of thousands of people, including Latinos, enhance the quality of their lives and return to being active, productive and happy among family, friends, work and society in general,'' said Ed Johnson, OptimumCare's chairman and chief executive officer. ''It's important that we participate in the LBHI conference because as we learn more about Latino cultures, we improve our ability to address the unique concerns and behavioral healthcare needs of our Latino clients.''
OptimumCare Corp. provides a wide range of inpatient, partial hospitalization, and outpatient services through a network of affiliated hospitals, medical centers, and community mental health centers. The company currently operates three inpatient and seven partial hospitalization programs in California and Arizona. OptimumCare recently launched a new partial hospitalization program in Nevada. For further information about OptimumCare's behavioral healthcare services, call 800/331-COPE, or 800/331-2673. |
