Four staff members of SERV Centers of New Jersey recently were honored by The New Jersey Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association during its annual recognition dinner.

Vanessa Arias-Martinez, program supervisor of the Adapt Partial Care Program in Passaic County; and Union County staffers, senior residential counselor Karla Ranucci, senior counselor Elaine Adams and senior residential counselor Mary Kay Spiliotis all received a Certificate of Recognition Sept. 22, 2009, during a dinner at Mastoris Restaurant in Bordentown. SERV Behavioral Health System President/CEO Gary van Nostrand and SERV Centers COO Bill O’Brien were in attendance for the ceremony.

The awards are given to individuals who are members of NJPRA or are working in an organizational member site and have demonstrated outstanding abilities, achievements, and commitment in their organization.

Vanessa Arias-Martinez was nominated for the award by Kim DeRosa-Budrewicz, director of the SERV Centers Passaic County. In her nomination, she commended Vanessa for wholeheartedly embracing the Recovery Philosophy and for leading her team by example.

“Vanessa has been working with her team to modify the partial care’s curriculum to meet the different needs of those we serve,” Kim wrote. “She actively participated in the Complete Wellness Program with UMDNJ and brought back an enthusiasm that her team found contagious. She embraced this initiative to target physical health issues that mental health consumers are particularly at a higher risk for than the average population, specifically weight gain and medical conditions as a result of smoking. She has encouraged her team to start actively discussing the Solutions for Wellness group weekly, participate in healthy cooking classes, weight management, and individual medical information tracking by our psychiatrist, which allowed many aspects of their physical health to be monitored for progress, such as Body Mass Index, cholesterol levels, fasting glucose and abdominal circumference. This allowed the clients to gain a better understanding of the various components that make up their physical well-being. It also encouraged them to take control over their conditions and ultimately, improve them.”

In addition, Kim lauded Vanessa’s efforts in tailoring the Adapt program curriculum to include a “Benefits and Finance” group dedicated to improving financial literacy and stability, as well as improving access to financial, benefits and entitlements resources for consumers. Kim also acknowledged Vanessa for arranging numerous staff and consumer trainings by other mental and physical health organizations and for providing “in-house’ training for SERV staff after attending seminars about interventions.

“Vanessa has provided her team and consumers with hope, support and encouragement that their goals are attainable,” Kim wrote.

Nominations for the three winners from SERV Centers Union County were submitted by their director, Pauline Simms.

About Karla Ranucci, supervisor Erin Kang commended her for her exceptional work at SERV’s cluster supervised apartment program where there are 22 residents. “Ms. Ranucci’s compassion and dedication have helped her to build a strong rapport with the residents. On a daily basis, she incorporates and fosters the key components of recovery: hope, support, education, personal responsibility, and self-advocacy.”

Erin said the residents have been inspired and enlightened by Karla’s guidance, “from minor aspects such as their ADLs (activities of daily living) or major issues such as their insight into their mental illness. There is no doubt she has made an enormous difference in their lives.”

Karla also is co-facilitator of the Resident Planning Committee for SERV’s annual Recovery NJ Conference. “She is a role model in her enthusiasm, which serves to motivate the residents and their families,” Erin wrote.

Elaine Adams is an inspiration to others, said her supervisor Penny Beil. “She consistently demonstrates a commitment to our organization and to the residents’ recovery and wellness,” she wrote. “Ms. Adams is an active member or our Health Fair Committee and co-facilitator of our peer Support Group. She regularly provides a hopeful environment to our residents in the form of encouragement and support to follow their dreams.”

Working in partnership with the residents, Elaine “advocates for educating residents on choices/alternatives; encourages them to take personal responsibility for their actions; and inspires through personal example.”

Mary Kay Spiliotis has been with SERV for 24 years, during which she has participated in many committees supporting the residential programs, residents and staff, including the annual Recovery NJ Conference in the spring.

“Ms Spiliotis has taught staff how to empower our residents and achieve self-sufficiency,” wrote her supervisor Alex Loce.

Recently, a resident’s parents wrote a letter praising Mary Kay’s special talents. “Ms. Spiliotis’ way of interacting with others is particularly encouraging and supportive. … She is enthusiastic about successes, even small ones, and is proud of any recovery progress.” Ms. Spiliotis treats individuals “with kindness and dignity,” they wrote. “She has the ability to bring out the best in residents. We will never forget her tireless service and commitment to serving our family.”

"I congratulate all of our winners for their fine work and dedication as they assist our consumers on their road to recovery," said Mr. van Nostrand.