Submitted by Nicky Chavez on
REFLECTIONS FROM 2013
We would like to congratulate our newest POST graduates, Spencer Oliverson and Jared Simpson. Spencer started at Five County in June of 2012 and Jared started on June 2013. They put in a lot of hard work at the POST Academy and we want to congratulate them. We also want to thank them for their hard work and dedication at our facility!
DBT Skills Corner
Have you ever noticed that when you don’t take proper care of yourself, it affects how you deal with others? The skill I’d like to introduce you to is the PLEASE Skill:
PL : Physical Illness: I don't know about you, but when I have a cold, I get very grumpy. Any ailment, from a hangnail to a terminal illness will affects our mood and sensitivity. Following your doctor's guidance by taking prescribed medications, and doing what they recommend to cure or manage whatever might ail you improves your mood.
E: Balanced Eating: Certain foods, and the amount of food you eat have a direct connection with your emotions and mood. Depending on what we eat, our bodies create brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. We know that three of these (Norepinephrine, Dopamine and Serotonin) affect our mood. In fact many antidepressants work to change these in our bodies. Even without medication, though we can take advantage of certain foods to improve and even stabilize our mood.
A: Avoid Mood Altering Drugs: While many of us use drugs and/or alcohol to feel better, these substances have an adverse effect on our minds and bodies. Aside from causing various physical ailments and decreasing how our organs function, it can negatively affect our brain chemistry making our moods more difficult to manage.
S: Sleep: Sleep is a biggie. About 50% of all adults have had, or still have problems sleeping. A good night sleep means getting enough (6 - 9 hours for healthy adults), high quality sleep (staying asleep the whole time), regular times (getting to bed and waking up about the same time each day).
E: Exercise: Rigorous exercise can stimulate neurotransmitters in the brain, and act as an antidepressant. With regular rigorous exercise (20 - 30 minutes each day), our bodies process nutrition better giving us better access to necessary vitamins and minerals, we use calories more efficiently keeping our weight down, and improves the quality of our sleep.
If we use this skill, we minimize our vulnerabilities and can all be more pleasant to be around. We think clearer, have better people skills and feel a whole lot better! Dedicate yourself to give this a try. You won’t be sorry!
Director of the Year
Five County Youth Rehabilitation is very proud of their Director Nicky Chavez! Mr. Chavez attended the IJJA (Idaho Juvenile Justice Association) Conference and was in for a big surprise during the annual banquet. He was announced the District 7 Administrator of the Year for 2013, which was nominated by his peers in the Juvenile Justice field. This is a prestigious award in the state of Idaho that recognizes those leaders who go above and beyond their duties and gives them the recognition they deserve. We are all so proud of him. He has dedicated so much of himself to our facility. He is a great leader and genuinely cares for his employees and the residents at the facility. He puts high quality training and quality treatment at the top of his priorities and it shows with the success of the residents that receive treatment at 5-C. Congratulations Nicky Chavez! We are proud to call you our leader!
Picture of our fearless leader Chavez
Employee of the Quarter
We are pleased to announce our Employee of the Quarter as Emma Flores. Emma started working as Reserve status in June 2013 . She has helped us out in many areas of the facility. Emma speaks fluent Spanish and is great to translate for us whenever the need arises. She has filled numerous shifts for us at the last minute when we are in need of extra help, shift coverage and vacations for full time employees. She has proven to be a very valuable employee to our facility. Thank you Emma for all your hard work! We would also like to mention our Honorable Mentions: Janeen Elliot, MoNee Harrigfeld and Patricia Asper. Our staff and their hard work are greatly appreciated!
Mountain Man Rendezvous Activity