This is a nonprofit organization, that provides a full range of mental health.

This is a private nonprofit organization, that provides a full range of mental health, chemical dependency, housing, veterans, domestic violence and sexual assault. As well as community education and other specialized services throughout Yakima and Klickitat Counties. They serve a three county area over 300,000 in population. They encourage individuals impacted by mental disorders to actively manage their symptoms and promote better life styles.

Crisis Services Outpatient therapy Psychiatric Evacuations For parents Suicide Prevention Violence/ Sexual Assault/Crimes Jail Diversion Residential Evaluation Alcohol & substance Abuse Help

Residential –location 1319 Saul rd. Sunnyside WA The Adult Residential Treatment Facility (ARTF) in Sunnyside serve clients who need more intensive 24- hour therapeutic treatment, intervention, and supervision. An ARTF is an alternative to state hospitalization allowing residents to progress to less restrictive living situations, such as a group home or supported living.

What are the positive and negatives about working as residential case manager? Jamie: I’ve been here 18 year and I would have to say seeing the slow deterioration of the client’s diagnosis. The Positive would be seeing the client’s progression to a better unrestrictive living and living independently. What is the most important aspect of your job? Jamie: “Client empowerment” making it a safe environment for clients to rehabilitate to transition for a better living.

What are signs of abuse in a client? Jamie: Isolation, verbal or physical aggression toward staff, fearful of a particular staff, or just a drastic change if client’s behaviors everyone is different and as a case manager you must be very observant. What if it’s a staff member? Jamie: If abuse is suspected on a client from staff. Immediately the staff member is removed from the clients’ environment, so an investigation can take place and for the safely of the client. Regarding the results of the investigation will determine what went wrong; who was wrong; and what can be done so this can be prevented.

What is the most common abuse in this type of environment? Jamie: Because this type of setting is an unlocked facility residents come and go as they wish. They are allowed to interact with the community. So the abuse most commonly comes from people taking advantage of them, coning them out of their money, some have been assaulted in the community. It’s sad what people do out there.

What are some signs of abuse seen there by other residents? Jamie: suspicious; When a client avoids other’s or staff off of his baseline. Noticing client giving his money away off his baseline Client wearing someone else’s clothes and not being vocal One in particular that I notice and have mix feeling is when a client is released by Eastern state hospital and transported to ARTF. The clients are medically sedated our Doctors here adjust their medications to make them more functioning. Know I think this is wrong I’ve addressed this issues many of times.

Are many of these clients sexually abused? Jamie: what I can say is; at least 65% of all mental health cases are and have been abused growing up or a one time in their life. Why? Because of their mental illness, makes them easier target. Sad I know but it’s the truth. Do you offer treatment for sexual abuse? Jamie; my self No; I’m mandated to report it; if it haven’t been all really. I have to add that because of the heavy medication they are currently on many of their repressed memoires take longer to surface.

Call Yakima am to 5pm M-F: For People in Crisis Call 24 Hours a Day: Yakima County (509) Kittitas County (509) or (509) Thanks to Jamie Ortiz for taking the time to answer some difficult questions