Crestwood Behavioral Health

12/24/2025

12/23/2025

PRA 50th Anniversary Celebration!

The Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (PRA) held their 50th Anniversary Celebration and conference at Drexel University, in Philadelphia, November 10 – 11, 2025. It was a very exciting reunion of pioneers and leaders in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation who had not been together like this since the last in-person conference in 2018.

Over the two days, there were three informative panels (research, public policy, and peer support) and 16 amazing workshops. Overall, three main themes were woven through the two-day event that represented the current practices and most urgent needs in the psychosocial rehabilitation field:
* Peer Support
* Transition Age Youth
* Policy and Advocacy

Crestwood was a Gold Sponsor of the event. Speaking was by invitation only, so we were honored to be asked to deliver both a workshop and to participate in a panel discussion. Crestwood’s two presentations fell under the first area listed above – peer support.

Alyssa Torres, Peer Support Specialist at Crestwood Fallbrook Healing Center, participated in a panel focusing on “The Centered Peer: Avoiding the Drift, Embracing the Mission.” While this was the focus of the panel, questions also included other challenging issues currently being experienced in peer employment. Alyssa did a great job of representing West Coast concerns, which were somewhat different from the situations in other states. It was interesting to see the variations in how peer support is implemented in different types of facilities in different geographic areas.

Patty Blum, Alyssa Torres, and Lori Ashcraft from Crestwood presented a separate workshop on the advantages of Peer Support Specialists (PSS) working in crisis settings titled, “The Magic of Peers Working in Crisis Settings.” The workshop was well received, and the team provided several handouts to enable attendees to go deeper into understanding the innovative practices that have been developed with peers in a recovery-oriented crisis setting.

The theme of Transition-Aged Youth began with a panel of researchers followed by many informative workshops. On the second day, the theme of Policy and Advocacy was set in motion by a panel of experts discussing “Federal Policy Shifts and the Future of Recovery.” This panel provided time and space for the audience to ask questions and talk with experts about current issues.

Finally, to round out the theme of Advocacy, Mark Salzer, a long-time friend and colleague of Crestwood presented, “A Just and Necessary Mission: Centering Community Inclusion in Psychiatric Rehabilitation Advocacy.”

Of particular interest was a workshop entitled “INSET: Psych Rehab for People Who Don’t Want It,” presented by Melissa Wettengel, MPH. Rita Cronise, a colleague and researcher from New York State, who came along to support the Crestwood team, introduced us to Melissa, who is operating a program in Long Island (New York) that is very much like the new program Crestwood is offering in San Francisco for people who are uncomfortable in traditional treatment settings. Melissa will be doing a podcast with us, and there may be more opportunities to collaborate with Melissa and this innovative program, so stay tuned.

A special thank you to Pam Norris who accompanied the team, cheered us on, and helped support us throughout the event. And of course, thanks to Crestwood for supporting this event and making it possible for us to attend, present, and participate.

To see photos of the 50th Anniversary Celebration, please visit PRA’s website: https://www.psychrehabassociation.org/50th-anniversary-photos

12/21/2025

A Message from Patty Blum, Crestwood Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President

Gratitude 2025

As we close 2025 and prepare our hearts and minds for the holidays and a new year, we should also take a look back at our past year with gratitude. This year has been challenging for so many of us. It brought new national leadership and changes in legislation impacting the work we do. It brought immigration enforcement challenges to most of us in California and across the US. It also brought gifts with new services and expanded levels of care to California with SB43, SB1238 and Prop 1. Gratitude allows us to focus on the gifts as we face challenges.

The practice of gratitude is very common. A stranger may say, “Bless you,” if you sneeze as you walk past them and your immediate response is “Thank you.” This exchange elicits a heartfelt brief connection between two strangers. This is the product of the practice of gratitude.

Author and researcher, Brené Brown, links the practice of gratitude with experiencing joy. She states that gratitude amplifies our joy. It is the simplest practice and there is no need to learn a script or position or use more than a few seconds of time. The practice can be as simple as waking each day expressing and experiencing gratefulness for a new day and closing your day with a brief thank you for living another day.

Psychology Today points out that practicing gratitude has 7 invaluable impacts on our mental health and wellbeing:

1. Gratitude opens the door to more relationships.
2. Gratitude improves physical health.
3. Gratitude improves psychological health.
4. Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression.
5. Grateful people sleep better.
6. Gratitude improves self-esteem.
7. Gratitude increases mental strength.

Gratitude lightens your load yet keeps you in a place of abundance. It has no negative side effects yet seems to be infectious. At Crestwood, we practice gratitude as often as possible and with as many people as possible. Today and every day we are truly grateful for each of you being a part of our Crestwood Family. You spread joy in all you do for the people we serve. Thank you!

12/19/2025

Selma Wellness Center Open House!

On October 27, 2025, Crestwood hosted an Open House for our newest campus – the Selma Wellness Center! Located at 3800 McCall Avenue in Selma, the modest exterior gives way to a beautifully appointed and Trauma-Informed environment just inside the doors.

The Selma Wellness Center is a justice-informed Mental Health Rehabilitation Center (MHRC), where up to 40 individuals at a time can receive services in a welcoming, home-like environment. Crestwood will provide psychosocial rehabilitation to individuals referred and screened by the California Department of State Hospitals (DSH). These are individuals who are struggling with mental health challenges and who need competency restoration services, as found by a judge. The Selma Wellness Center will be a place to find hope and healing. Upon discharge, individuals will be transferred to DSH for their next level of care.

At the Open House and Ribbon Cutting, several people spoke about the critical need for this program. Special guest, Congressman Jim Costa, addressed the need for mental health services in the Central Valley, noting that too often, fear stands in the way of people talking about mental health issues. He said that the MHRC will be a safe place where people can openly talk about their fears and challenges. Costa presented the Selma Wellness Center with a Special Congressional Recognition from the United States House of Representatives.

The Selma District Chamber of Commerce also presented the Selma Wellness Center with a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting event. Selma Mayor Scott Robertson addressed the need for services in Fresno County, warmly welcoming the partnership with Crestwood and saying that, “Places like Crestwood make all the difference.”

Crestwood Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Patty Blum, spoke at the Open House celebration, thanking everyone for their efforts and partnership to make this vision a reality. “This is a building and a space that’s going to allow healing and wellness every single day,” she said.

More than 100 people attended the Open House and toured the campus. Our Crestwood Executive Leadership Team was present, (including George Lytal, CEO; Derek Dobbins, President; Maria Stefanou, CFO/EVP; and Patty Blum, COO/EVP), along with members from our Start-Up and Home Office Teams.

The Selma Wellness Center will be officially opening to persons served soon!

12/17/2025

Sacramento Out of the Darkness Community Walk!

On Saturday, October 25, Hope and Greg from the Sacramento Home Office participated in the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention’s Sacramento Out of the Darkness Community Walk. Crestwood was once again a proud sponsor of this annual walk for su***de prevention and awareness.

The event was spectacular! Even the rain didn’t stop us and around 1,500 walkers who proudly showed their support to raise awareness and share the message that you are not alone.

With a plethora of powerful speakers and educational booths, this was an extremely powerful event. Everyone is encouraged to participate at some point, as we have all been affected one way or another. It is okay to not be okay. Know that there is a community of support and resources. So, let’s be part of the solution. Get connected!

12/15/2025

Dia de los Mu***os at Crestwood Chula Vista!

Crestwood Chula Vista created an ofrenda to celebrate Dia de los Mu***os, observed November 1st and 2nd, a beautiful tradition that honors the lives of loved ones who have passed. The staff contributed photos, flowers, candles, and small mementos to build the altar, including pictures from coworkers who have unfortunately passed, but whose memory remains. This collaborative effort to create a beautiful ofrenda full of color and traditional symbols allowed for connections, joy, and overall support for one another as everyone shared stories and memories of loved ones.

12/14/2025

Halloween Extravaganza at Idylwood Care Center!

Idylwood Care Center celebrated our Annual Halloween Extravaganza on October 31! We had an all units decorating contest, residents and staff costume contest, pumpkin decorating contest, and our Halloween parade! It was a great success!!

12/13/2025

Halloween Festivities at Crestwood Wellness & Recovery Center in Redding!

Crestwood Wellness & Recovery Center in Redding had a spooky food potluck and costume contest for staff! Persons served picked the best staff costume winner, who was dressed up as "Porcelain Doll." Our persons served also had a Halloween themed carnival complete with games, pumpkin painting, and tons of candy!

12/11/2025

2025 WRAP Symposium!

The 2025 WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) Symposium was held October 5 – 8 in Montana. What a fabulous event! Crestwood was well represented by Shanel Mayo and Greg Parnell, both Directors of Recovery, Education, Advocacy and Leadership, as well as Linda Downing, Recreation Director, and Sheila Schiltz, Recreation Assistant, from the Crestwood Bakersfield campus.

The event kicked off with Shanel leading a creative activity where participants decorated puzzle pieces that represented Wellness, which they put up on the wall. Next, Linda and Sheila led an activity with smaller puzzle pieces where participants wrote down their triggers and then created action plans on the other side.

On the second day of the symposium, Mary Ellen Copeland, the founder of WRAP, gave some opening comments and encouragement via Zoom. Later, Greg and Shanel presented “WRAP in the Workplace,” with the newly released WRAP at Work workbook in their hands for the first time – fresh off the printer. It was well received, and the bookstore sold out of all 50 copies they had.

Greg also supported Shanel in “The Dynamic Duo: Recreation Therapy and Wellness Recovery Action Planning” – another well received workshop. Linda and Sheila presented, “The Power of Play: Promoting Recovery & Wellness Through Creativity.”

Other conference highlights included great presentations by peer supporters from Japan and the well-known Horton Brothers presenting “WRAP on Reentry.”

The event closed with a Q & A session with Mary Ellen Copeland and her husband Ed. This was such a wonderful reminder of how WRAP is changing the world, offering us a roadmap for wellness, so we all have the opportunity to be the best version of ourselves. Thank you to everyone involved in putting together such an impactful symposium!

12/01/2025

Battle of the Stations at Crestwood Manor Modesto!

It was Friday, the 17th of October and the 17th Annual Battle of the Stations at Crestwood Manor Modesto!

This year’s theme was Tim Burton films and the stations went with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Nightmare Before Christmas, Co**se Bride, and Alice in Wonderland. To say the creativity was phenomenal would be an understatement. The hard work and commitment were evident and even the people we serve were part of the action. The judging was almost impossible… everything was so good!

But then it came to the real battles/competitions in a Minute to Win It Marathon – four games that were not easy, but oh so fun. 1. Paper Dragon, 2. A Bit Dicey, 3. Separation Anxiety, 4. Chocolate Unicorn (which was probably the hardest). This was followed by basketball free throws, Family Feud-Kahoot, and volleyball, with the finale of Bucket Brigade, which was a splashing good time!

What was truly amazing and inspiring was the teamwork, the connection, the competitiveness, and the support. This is the kind of activity that builds strong community and supports wellness at work. This kind of activity really shows the people we serve how we can compete, support and get along, having a good time all the while.

All of this: to raise money for a local nonprofit. This year’s recipient was Family Promise of Greater Modesto whose mission is to help homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response.

Brandi, Leslie, and the entire Leadership Team as well as the Team Captains, you all really do amazing work! This was a spectacular event!!

11/30/2025

Consumer Recognition Luncheon in San Diego

The LS Consumer Recognition Luncheon was hosted by the City of San Diego’s Parks and Recreation Department and is an annual event organized by its Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS) division. “LS” refers to the Leisure Seekers group, which is part of TRS and serves independent adults recovering from mental or behavioral health conditions. The event took place at Balboa Park Club in San Diego.

The luncheon was held in observance of World Mental Health Day (October 10) to honor individuals living with mental or behavioral health conditions and celebrate their achievements. It was a heartfelt celebration of resilience and recovery, offering a supportive space for participants to connect, learn, and be recognized for their progress.

There were inspirational guest speakers, fun and engaging activities, a resource fair with mental health support information, and a communal meal to foster connection and celebration.

Our San Diego and Chula Vista campuses participated in the event, along with the San Diego Home Office and Crestwood Recovery Resilience Solutions (CRRS). Each campus honored persons served for their active engagement in activity groups and their meaningful support of peers, presenting recognition certificates to celebrate their contributions.

11/26/2025

Dream Beautifully: Wellness in Every Snip

Crestwood San Diego’s Organizational Wellness Landscape (OWL), in partnership with Dreamcatchers Empowerment Network, proudly hosted its second “Dream Beautifully” haircut event – a heartfelt celebration of self-care, confidence, and community.

Residents enjoyed complimentary haircuts provided by talented local beauty school students. Turnout was inspiring – 46% of our residents participated in this uplifting experience. The energy was full of laughter and excitement as residents admired their fresh new looks and rediscovered a sense of pride and wellness.

“I look so different…”

“The Barbers did a great job and worked well with me. They let me use a mirror to decide if I wanted adjustments. They were very kind people. I’m glad Crestwood had them come do this for us.”

“The barbers were really good at their job.”

More than just a haircut, Dream Beautifully reminds us that healing isn’t just about treatment – it’s also about empowerment, dignity, and feeling cared for – inside and out.

A heartfelt thank you to all the staff members who helped make this event possible through your organization, support and teamwork.

We look forward to welcoming these amazing barbers and beauticians back to our next event!!