Thank you! - Open Arms Center Fundraiser Made Special ... by You!

An Enchanting Afternoon Unveils Open Arms Center


As midday sprinkles gave way to balmy sunshine, the inaugural Open Arms Center fundraiser gave attendees a special look at the agency earlier this afternoon in Miami Springs.

[Photograph by José Pérez]

Open Arms Center is grateful for the support of everyone that came out and is thrilled to hear the wonderful feedback about the fundraiser from everyone.

[Photograph by Thomas Jimenez]

[Photograph by José Pérez]

An eclectic and mouth-watering array of Asian-fusion food was served and the place-setting was the richly-textured backdrop of an enchanting garden.

[Photograph by Thomas Jimenez]

[Photograph by José Pérez]

Open Arms Center is very grateful to all of the individuals and businesses that generously gave their support to the first-ever OAC Fundraiser which includes but is not limited to:

• Costco of Miami
• Winn Dixies of California Club and NW 112 Street & 7 Avenue
• Mama Jennie's Italian Restaurant 
• and more

We are also very appreciative of Haitianista and Rasha Cameau for coming out and setting up a booth offering a dazzling array of authentic, made-in-Haiti jewelry, art, and more.

[Photograph by José Pérez]

Another highlight of the Open Arms Center fundraiser was a charming mix of music provided by the talented and hard-working Stanley Thevenin.

[Photograph by José Pérez]

As if all of the scrumptious treats enjoyed by guests were not enough, Karen at Enchanting Creations personalized designer cakes provided a cake whose stunning look was only eclipsed by its sublime taste and texture.

[Photograph by José Pérez]

Guests were all captivated by the dazzling hues and sizes and shapes of the garden.

[Photograph by Thomas Jimenez]

[Photograph by José Pérez]

  

The garden setting for the Open Arms Center fundraiser was the ideal backdrop for a fascinating and intimate introduction to aromatherapy, provided by psychotherapist Anita.

[Photograph by José Pérez]

The Open Arms Center fundraiser also offered attendees introductions to art therapy and music therapy.     Roslyn's informal seminar on art therapy explored different ways that artistic exploration and expression can offer therapeutic support.   Marc Joseph of  Ayabonmbe was also on hand to demonstrate and educate how music, too, can offer help with something as simple and universal as a drum.

[Photograph by José Pérez]

As an added treat, fundraiser attendees were given a special parting gift:  Marc having an impromptu jam session with fast-rising star musician Jowee Omicil who also came to offer his support.  Open Arms Center was already a big fan of Jowee's before the fundraiser and as we bade "See you all again soon!" to our guests, that sentiment was only cemented further.

[Photograph by José Pérez]

As stated above, Open Arms Center is very, very grateful to so many people that helped make our first fundraiser a success in so many different ways.  We look forward to your continued support and friendship and for all of the wonderful people that were not able to make it today, fret not - with all of your help, Open Arms Center is only just getting started!

[Photograph by Thomas Jimenez]

[Photograph by Thomas Jimenez]  

We love you all!

Open Arms Center's first-ever fundraiser is only two weeks away!

Don't look now but the first-ever Open Arms Center Fundraiser is almost here and you don't want to miss it!


The Open Arms Center Fundraiser will be held in the charming setting of an Asian garden party in the lush gardens of Miami Springs' Casa Zwick.  Tickets are only $30 and proceeds benefit the work Open Arms Center provides for Miami's underserved communities.  

The Open Arms Center Fundraiser will be Saturday, February 25th, 2012 from 3pm to 6pm. (please RSVP by no later than Saturday, February 18th, 2012).   Casa Zwick is located at 264 Navajo Street in Miami Springs, just minutes north of Miami International Airport.   


For more information or to RSVP, please contact us via email (openarmscenter.exrel@gmail.com) and/or telephone (305-244-0971) today.

State Medicaid Programs Continue to be Privatized

Louisiana rolls out new Medicaid managed care program

BATON ROUGE, La. –  Louisiana's Medicaid program on Wednesday started providing health care through private managed care networks in nine parishes around New Orleans, the first step in a sweeping revamp of the program that provides care to the poor.


Nearly 246,000 Medicaid recipients, mostly children, across southeast Louisiana were switched to the managed care networks in this first phase of the insurance-based model, called Bayou Health.


The roll-out hasn't been without problems, including an overloaded call center and low participation from enrollees in choosing their own health plans.


Only about a quarter of those shifted to the new insurance model chose how they will get that care. The state health department had to assign 73 percent to their new health plans because they didn't select their own among the five options offered. Health and Hospitals Secretary Bruce Greenstein said the self-chosen enrollment was higher than figures seen in other states.


New Orleans pediatrician Rachel Dawkins said the start of the Medicaid changes was marked with confusion about how to get patients registered, how to ensure they were seeing a primary care doctor within their networks and how to refer them to specialists.


"It's been a bit stressful," said Dawkins, whose practice is primarily Medicaid patients. "The patients don't understand the changes, the physicians don't understand the changes, the office staff doesn't understand the changes. It is a lot of growing pains and a fast learning curve. Hopefully, all the kinks will be worked out."


Gov. Bobby s to their health plan once a year in an open enrollment period similar to what happens in private insurance systems, Greenstein said.


The first parishes transferring to Bayou Health were Jefferson, Plaquemines, Orleans, St. Bernard, Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes.


Ashley Politz, executive director of the Louisiana chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said doctors were trying to work through the changes on the first day of the new system, hoping it will improve health care. She said no one reported immediate difficulties beyond the expected adjustments of working with patients to determine their networks.


"It's such a big change. I think everybody anticipated some bumps and glitches," she said.


As the New Orleans region and the parishes north of Lake Pontchartrain started the changes Wednesday, the Department of Health and Hospitals began education and outreach efforts to the next round of Medicaid recipients who will be switched to managed care networks April 1, those in the Baton Rouge and Acadiana regions, in south central Louisiana.


Greenstein said the state is estimated to save $135 million in the upcoming budget year that begins July 1 because of the Medicaid changes, and he said the revamp is expected to slow down the rate of growth in the Medicaid program in later years.


Lawmakers and a nonpartisan watchdog group have questioned whether the savings and improvements promised by the Jindal administration will happen. Among the questions raised are whether the changes will cause administrative headaches or will lead to more claims being rejected as the private companies seek to control costs and increase profits.


The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, which did a recent report on the planned Medicaid changes, noted that similar private managed care Medicaid programs in other states have received mixed reviews, with some states improving health care and creating savings while other states have had trouble with fraud and increased administrative costs.


Medicaid recipients who won't be covered by the networks include nursing home residents, disabled and elderly residents who receive home- and community-based care, those enrolled in specialty service programs and recipients who receive both Medicaid and Medicare services.


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Bill Proposes to Have Tax-funded Pro Sports Stadiums Give Back to Communities

Stadiums as homeless shelters?

by Ann Regan 

For years, the Trillium property was known as a haven for Pensacola’s homeless population. Construction on the Maritime Park forced them off, but could the new stadium actually serve double duty as a homeless shelter?

That’s what State Senator Mike Bennett wants for Florida’s other sports facilities. He recently introduced SB816, which would update an existing (but largely unenforced) statute that requires professional sports complexes built with state money to function as homeless shelters on non-event nights. According to the statute, which has been on the books since 1988:

Any professional sports facility constructed with financial assistance from the state of Florida shall be designated as a shelter site for the homeless … except when the facility is otherwise contractually obligated for a specific event or activity.

If the law is amended by Bennett’s bill, non-compliant sports facilities and their teams would be forced to pay back any capital or operational funding they received from the state if the owner cannot prove that the facility has been used as a homeless shelter in the off season.

State sports franchises that would be affected include the Miami Dolphins and Heat, the Florida Marlins, the Tampa Bay Rays and Buccaneers, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and many more. All told, Florida’s professional sports facilities have received over a quarter billion dollars in state money.

“They hire refs and umpires to enforce the rules of the games they play,” Senator Bennett said. “So I just want them to play by the rules of the state, and if they don’t, I want my money back.”

Could this law affect Pensacola? Not by itself. The Blue Wahoos facility was built primarily by using local taxpayer dollars, not state funds. And while the Civic Center was built in the 1980s with $12.5 million in state funds, it is not primarily a sports facility and doesn’t qualify under the law.

Still, some Pensacolians would like to see a similar law passed locally. Father Nathan Monk, a longtime advocate for the homeless, says he has been aware of the existing statute.

“It’s unfortunate that the law hasn’t been enforced,” Monk said, noting that the approximately 500-person capacity of Pensacola’s homeless shelters is easily exceeded on harsh winter nights. “In an extreme cold situation, there’s not enough room for everyone to sleep safely.  The good thing about the Civic Center for cold night situations is that it might result in a reduction of casualties that result from fires from people who use non-traditional heating.”

If the city council wanted to mirror state law regarding the stadium, they could pass an ordinance that substitutes city funds instead of state funds. Councilwoman Sherri Myers was all for the idea and said she would bring it up at a future council meeting.

“This would be in keeping with the intent and spirit of using the New Market Tax Credits in an impoverished area and would be the right thing to do,” Myers said.

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Sen. Bennett calls foul on sports teams' homeless shelter violations

Gray Rohrer

An obscure state law forcing sports arenas built using state taxpayers' money to be used as homeless shelters or contract for a homeless shelter nearby, gone unenforced for decades, could get some new teeth under a bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton. It passed its first hurdle Monday, as members of the Senate Community Affairs Committee voted unanimously in favor of it.

The legislation, SB 816, takes back state money given to sports teams to build arenas that are not in compliance with the law. Many sports franchises do not have such a facility or a contract for a homeless shelter in place. Bennett said his bill would likely affect the Miami Marlins and the Miami Dolphins the most, since they received $37 million for Pro Player Stadium, even though the Marlins will begin the 2012 season in a new stadium.

“We have spent over $300 million supporting teams that can afford to pay a guy $7, $8, $10 million a year to throw a baseball 90 feet, I think that they can pay for their own stadium,” Bennett said.

Other Florida franchises have received similar amounts for their stadiums or arenas, but Bennett wants them to ante up further. He added an amendment fining sports teams that blackout games in local areas $125,000 per violation. The money would go to the home counties to purchase game tickets for foster children and families, and active duty military children and families. As part of NFL policy, teams are required to black out the game in the local media network if a home game is not sold out.

“We cannot control what the NFL does, but we can fine them the $125,000," Bennett said. "We think that there’s a lot of deserving children out here who would like to go to those professional sports franchises and see those games."

The Jacksonville Jaguars are a perennial offender, with frequent blackouts, and the Tampa Bay region also experienced blackouts from several Tampa Bay Buccaneers home games this year.

Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, voted for the bill and the amendment, but is wary of the fines and the ability of the state to enforce the homeless shelter statute.

“This year I think we [the Jaguars] had more blackouts than any other year,” Gibson said. “I don’t think we can enforce [the homeless shelter provision]. But it was for the people, the vote was for the people. We’ll have to deal with the logistics of it.”

The bill still faces several committee hurdles in the House and Senate, but Bennett said he is committed to getting the money for the stadiums back.

"If I don't [pass this bill] I'll probably talk to one of the attorneys who have contacted me about a class action suit to get the people of the state of Florida their money back,” Bennett said.

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Beer Companies Cited as Cause of Rampant Alcoholism, Sued by Native American Tribe

Indian tribe files $500 million suit against big brewers

By James B. Kelleher

A Native American Indian tribe sued leading beer makers seeking $500 million in damages and accusing them of knowingly contributing to "crippling" alcoholism rates on one of the nation's largest reservations in South Dakota.

The suit, filed by the Oglala Sioux tribe, alleges the brewers are "engaged in a common enterprise focused on assisting and participating in the illegal importation of alcohol" onto the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where the sale, possession and consumption of alcohol is illegal.

The brewers sued include Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc, SAB Miller, Molson Coors Brewing Company and Pabst Brewing Company, as well as four retailers in Whiteclay, Neb., and the distributors who sell to them.

The lawsuit, filed on Thursday in federal court in Lincoln, Neb., claims the defendants have knowingly turned Whiteclay, a small town Nebraska side of the border with South Dakota, into a major source of alcohol smuggling to the reservation. Whiteclay sells volumes of beer "far in excess of an amount that could be sold in compliance with the laws of the state of Nebraska."

The lawsuit says Whiteclay has a population of fewer than 12 people and "no publicly accessible place to lawfully consume alcohol." Yet each day, the four retailers in town sell more than 13,000 cans of beer.

Much of that beer ends up on the reservation, according to the lawsuit, where it has "devastating effects" on the tribe.

The suit says alcoholism is a scourge on Pine Ridge, a 2 million-acre reservation in southwestern South Dakota that is home to an estimated 40,000 people, most of them enrolled members of the Oglala Sioux tribe.

Eighty-five percent of the tribe's members are "affected by alcoholism," according to the suit, and one in four children born on Pine Ridge is diagnosed with either fetal alcohol syndrome or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

The tribe is seeking $500 million in compensation to pay for "all damages it has suffered in the past and in reasonably likely to suffer in the future" as a result of the alcohol sales in Whiteclay.

SAB Miller declined to comment on the lawsuit. Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc and Molson Coors Brewing Company did not immediately respond to request for comment.

The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is one of the poorest spots in the country, according to the U.S. Census. More than 50 percent of its residents live below the poverty line, compared with 15.1 percent nationally. Shannon County, which lies entirely within the reservation, is the third poorest county in the country, the Census says.

The unemployment rate consistently tops 80 percent, according to most estimates. Violent crime and other social ills, including a high suicide rate, are all major problems on the reservation, according to the National Institute of Justice, the research arm of the U.S. Department of Justice.

A 2011 Centers for Disease Control report on the health of racial groups said that Native Americans report more binge drinking episodes per month and higher alcohol consumption per episode than other races.

A number of theories have been suggested to explain why binge drinking -- defined as five drinks in a sitting for men and four for women -- is such a problem among Native Americans, according to a National Institutes of Health survey of literature.

Among those are high unemployment and poverty rates on reservations, NIH said. Of the five counties in the United States with poverty rates greater than 39 percent, four are located within American Indian reservations, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

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Connection between Bullying and Depression Studied

Depression Linked To Adolescent Bullying

A recent study by authors Gary Ladd, a professor in the School of Social and Family Dynamics, Karen Rudolph, University of Illinois, and Karen Kochel, an assistant professor in ASU's School of Social and Family Dynamics and published in Child Development, explains that teens suffering from depression are at a greater risk of being bullied due to difficulties in establishing friendships amongst their peers. 

Kochel states: 

"Often the assumption is that problematic peer relationships drive depression. We found that depression symptoms predicted negative peer relationships. We examined the issue from both directions but found no evidence to suggest that peer relationships forecasted depression among this school-based sample of adolescents."

The research shows that children in 4th grade who were depressed ended up being subjected to bullying in 5th grade, and had a hard time "fitting in" in 6th grade. To discover their findings, the authors collected data from 486 adolescents who were in the 4th - 6th grade. The information was collected through self-assesment surveys taken each year by adolescents, their peers, parents, and teachers.The study began in 1992 and kept going almost 20 years. 

Kochel explains: 

"Adolescence is the time when we see depressive symptoms escalate, particularly in girls.

The researchers believe this may be because of the start of puberty or the social pressures put on adolescence, for example, romantic relationships and pressure to be "popular". 

During the study, parents and teachers of the adolescents were asked if they understood the main signs of depression, for example, low energy and crying more than normal. The parents and teachers told the authors that they believed bullying to be defined as verbal abuse and physical abuse, such as, talking badly about another person or hitting them. Kochel says:

"Teachers, administrators and parents need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of depression and the possibility that depression is a risk factor for problematic peer relations.

She also states that it is extremely important for adolescents to have concrete relationships with their peers because this eventually helps them to adapt to other aspects of life, such as success in school and a healthy psychological mind. 

Kochel concludes: 

"If adolescent depression forecasts peer relationship problems, then recognizing depression is very important at this particular age. This is especially true given that social adjustment in adolescence appears to have implications for functioning throughout an individual's lifetime.  

"We studied peer relationships within the school context. Parents tend not to observe these relationships. Because depression has the potential to undermine the maturation of key development skills, such as establishing healthy peer relationships, it's important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of adolescent depression. "

The authors note that the smartest place to analyze signs and symptoms of depression is at the adolescent's school, because this is a time in their lives when they start to spend most of their time with friends, and not so much time with their parents. In addition, Most U.S states now have laws against bullying. 

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Marijuana Use Doubles Car Crash Chances

Don't smoke pot, drive -- you're twice as likely to crash

People who use marijuana before driving are nearly twice as likely to cause a car crash as those not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to a Canadian analysis of previous studies.

Experts at Dalhousie University in Canada reviewed nine studies of more than 49,000 people involved in accidents on public roads involving one or more motor vehicles, including cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles. Marijuana use was confirmed by blood tests or self-reporting.

Researchers found drivers who had used marijuana within three hours of beginning to drive had nearly double the risk of causing a collision, especially those that were fatal.

Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug worldwide and rates of its use in drivers are increasing. A 2007 study in Scotland found 15 percent of 537 drivers aged 17 to 39 had used marijuana within 12 hours.

Some experts said education campaigns about the dangers of doing drugs before driving wouldn't work.

People "will also need to be persuaded that they are at risk of their cannabis use being detected," wrote Wayne Hall of the University of Queensland in an accompanying editorial.

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