Elder Abuse: A Commitment to Awareness and Prevention

• By: Stella V. Pappas, LCSW-R, ACSW Optum
• January 1st, 2015
• 710    0

With an increasing life expectancy and an aging American society, the challenges of later life adulthood are becoming increasingly important. Therefore, it is essential that those who help manage and coordinate care for the elder population be attentive to both normal and problematic issues of...

Innovative Housing Initiatives Support Recovery-Based Care

• By: Stella V. Pappas, LCSW-R, ACSW Optum
• July 1st, 2014
• 670    0

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) identified a safe and stable home environment as one of the key dimensions that support a life of recovery from a mental health or substance use condition.1 That’s why Optum strives to promote healthy living environments as...

Enhancing Behavioral Care Services Via Managed Care

• By: Stella V. Pappas, LCSW-R, ACSW Sandy Forquer, PhD Optum
• April 1st, 2014
• 687    0

The President’s Freedom Commission on Mental Health, under President George Bush and lead by former New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Michael Hogan, has stated “the mental health system is broken.” Great strides have been made in the decade since the Commission’s report in...