Dr. Brent Sherard, Wyoming Department of Health Director and State Health Officer said, “Matthew became a good example to other clients at the Life House at WYSTAR as he demonstrated positive leadership qualities and the willingness to change his life for the better.” The staff at the Life House of WYSTAR nominated Hill for the award. 

State Rep. Jack Landon presented the award to Matt, saying, “Matt lives in Sheridan where he works at the Hampton Inn as the maintenance manager.  He is highly involved in the 12 step community and returns to WYSTAR each month to conduct the 12 Step Orientation Group.  Matt also makes himself available to others in both the WYSTAR program and to the Sheridan community where he openly shares his experience, strength and hope.”

Don Walthall of Rock Springs is one of this year’s Starfish Thrower award winners. In presenting the award, Dr. Brent Sherard, Wyoming Department of Health Director and State Health Officer said, “Don is a sociable and personable individual who relates well with his peers and others in a very likable manner.  Don continues to enrich his life by learning more about mental health, helping others and continuously raising his quality of life. By simply living his life, Don has served as a role model for others, reducing stigma for those who get to know him and making a statement about life in recovery.”

A Casper resident has been selected for a 2010 Starfish Thrower Award by the Wyoming Department of Health’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division.

Peggy Nikkel, Executive Director of UPLIFT, received the Starfish Thrower Award during a dinner in Cheyenne on February 8. The awards are given annually by the Wyoming Department of Health’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division.

Rodger McDaniel, head of the Division, said, “Peggy Nikkel is this year’s award winner for her successful career as an advocate for children and families. Peggy Nikkel came to UPLIFT about 15 years ago when it was a struggling agency with few resources, not much name recognition, and a very large mission.” McDaniel read from the letter nominating Nikkel, “When I look back from today and see the growth, I am amazed and wish to honor Peggy Nikkel. I believe most, if not all, of the credit for the statewide growth of UPLIFT and advocacy for families dealing with their children’s mental health issues belongs to Peggy’s vision and purposeful steps.  Her work has created a viable and vibrant presence for family advocacy in Wyoming.”

The program is called “The Intensive Case Plan Supervision Program.” In announcing the award, Dr. Brent Sherard, Wyoming Department of Health director and state health officer said, “This an innovative court-based program that has been operating in Laramie County since September 2007 with a goal of reducing the length of out-of-home placements and bringing permanency to the lives of children in foster care. The program has been successful on both counts.”

The program started under the leadership of District Judge Ed Grant and is continuing after his retirement under Judge Tom Campbell. Families in child welfare cases are referred to the program where they meet frequently with a hearing officer. Cheyenne attorney Marci Linde serves as the hearing officer, funded jointly by the Wyoming Department of Health and the Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS).

Rodger McDaniel who heads the division said, “Each year, we recognize a public servant who has made extraordinary contributions to improving the lives of those with mental illness and addictions. As we know, the vast majority of men and women in the criminal justice system suffer from mental disorders and/or substance abuse. That is why the lifetime work of Steve Lindly has made him this year’s Starfish Award winner in the category of public servant.”

Following work with juveniles in detention, long-term residential treatment and crisis center settings, Lindly served as an adult and juvenile probation and parole agent for seven years.  From 1991 to 2003, he was a Department of Corrections Field Service Office administrator.  He is currently the Department of Corrections deputy director; serves as an adjunct instructor of criminal justice at the University of Wyoming; and has served on multiple boards, committees, and national organizations in the area of corrections.

McDaniel said, “Steve was integrally involved in developing Reclaiming Wyoming: A Comprehensive Blueprint for the Prevention, Early Intervention, and Treatment of Substance Abuse, Wyoming’s first comprehensive plan to address this issue.  He was also involved in drafting legislation to create the first statewide drug court program and has been an effective advocate for that program for more than a decade.  Steve is a leader in promoting, developing and successfully implementing offender treatment and re-entry programs.  Steve’s leadership at the Wyoming Department of Corrections has been a crucial element in changing the views of policy makers and the public about the importance of treating substance abuse among the offender population.  He was among the first in the state to recognize the need to provide substance abuse treatment as a mechanism for reducing future risks to public safety.”

A Laramie behavioral health therapist has been selected for a 2010 Starfish Thrower Award by the Wyoming Department of Health’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division. 

Jan Schaad was one of 10 Wyoming people and programs honored at an awards dinner in Cheyenne on February 8. Rodger McDaniel, who heads the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division, said, “Throughout Wyoming there are professionals who have dedicated a lifetime of service to helping those who suffer from mental illness and addiction. We honor these professionals each year with a Starfish Thrower award to therapists who have made significant contributions to individuals and the system.   

“Jan gives back to the community in so many ways: training and consulting other professionals in the fields of developmental and intellectual disabilities, trauma treatment, sexual abuse treatment, sexual offender treatment, and the myriad of family and individual treatment issues.  Her work crosses many disciplines.  She brings an expertise about poverty and addictions in her work with individuals and human agencies including the Departments of Workforce Services and Corrections and through the University of Wyoming.” 

A statewide program providing housing for recovering addicts has been selected for a 2010 Starfish Thrower Award by the Wyoming Department of Health’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division.

The award was announced at an awards dinner in Cheyenne on February 8.  In announcing the award, Dr. Brent Sherard, Wyoming Department of Health Director and State Health Officer said, “The challenges of mental illness and addictions cannot be met by government agencies alone. It requires committed and effective community leadership and coalitions. And so, each year we recognize the efforts of community coalitions with a Starfish Award. This year the award goes to Oxford Houses of Wyoming.”

Sherard said, “One of the greatest needs facing recovering addicts throughout Wyoming is the lack of affordable housing. In recovery, addicts do not simply need a place to live. They also need the support of people who understand the challenge. Oxford House does both. The first Wyoming Oxford House opened fall of 2006.  In three short years, they have expanded to five communities with 14 houses providing supportive and affordable housing for 91 people—with four more houses planned.”

The Oxford House program is supported by the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division. These funds pay for administration of the program; however, the residents of the houses pay all of the living costs.

Dr. O’Anne Fredstrom, a Jackson psychiatrist, has been selected for a 2010 Starfish Thrower Award by the Wyoming Department of Health’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division.

Rodger McDaniel who heads the Division said, “Throughout Wyoming there are professionals who have dedicated a lifetime of service to helping those who suffer from mental illness and addiction. We honor these professionals each year with a Starfish Thrower award to therapists who have made significant contributions to individuals and the system. “         

State Representative Keith Gingery of Jackson announced the award saying, “Dr. Fredstrom has played an important role as an advocate for improved mental health services throughout Wyoming, appearing before legislative committees, effectively explaining the need and how the legislature can help to improve the lives of those with mental illness. Dr. Fredstrom has clearly earned this award.”

The person who nominated her wrote, “She has a wonderful disposition and a charming sense of humor that, many times, lifted my eyes that were heavy with tears, and transformed them into eyes beaming with twinkled laughter that stayed with me in times of sadness, suddenly to erase feelings of doom. Every time I have been around her at an appointment, my mind is transformed with validation of my feelings as a person with mental illness who can recover. Dr. Fredstrom has made a profound difference for me, a starfish drowning in sand.  She has lifted me up with her caring and understanding manners, and now I can swim in this ocean of society, with my head held higher than before. “  

In announcing the award, Dr. Brent Sherard, Wyoming Department of Health Director and State Health Officer said, “One of the biggest threats facing young people in Wyoming today is the abuse of prescription drugs. This Starfish Award winner has taken one of the darkest days of her life and the lives of her family and friends and transformed it into an opportunity to tell a story that will likely prevent many others from making the mistake of experimenting with these dangerous drugs.”

State Sen. John Hastert announced the selection, saying, “Hayley Castillo was an average teenage girl. She enjoyed scrapbooking, photography, being with friends and hanging out with her boyfriend.  She was a junior at Green River High School when she made what she would later call ‘the worst decision of my life.’  Hayley overdosed on prescription drugs.

“Since then, Hayley has developed and shared a presentation that shares how she was an average girl living life to the fullest who just wanted to have fun.  Then she shares how a fateful decision altered her life forever.  Hayley and her mother openly and honestly discuss the overdose and the devastation that was left behind.  She tells of her hopes and dreams for the future and recognizes that those dreams are now considerably different from what they used to be.

“This recognition makes clear how important her message is to other teens. Prevent this from happening to someone else.  Hayley passionately shares this experience to help others.  She has found a mission for her future in public speaking to help prevent drug abuse.  Hayley Castillo and her mother are Starfish Throwers that will continue making a difference for countless young people who need to hear their message.”

State Rep. Rodney “Pete” Anderson announced the award to Wilda Stevens and Randa Sorenson during a dinner in Cheyenne on February 8.  Anderson said, “It is often said that addiction and mental illness are ‘family diseases.’ Indeed…and recovery is a family success. That is why we want to acknowledge the critical role family support plays in successful recovery by giving this Starfish Thrower award to Wilda Stevens and Randa Sorenson.”

Dr. Brent Sherard, Wyoming Department of Health Director and State Health Officer said, “Wilda Stevens is the primary caretaker of her two great grandchildren, Randa and Zoe, ages 11 and 3. At 80 years old, Wilda takes great pride in Randa and Zoe being raised by family. Wilda is a strong advocate for those who struggle with addiction and instills healthy values in her great grandchildren. Randa often helps her great grandmother with Zoe.

“Randa is a resilient, bright, adaptable young lady who strives to lead a wholesome and healthy lifestyle. She is a good student and remarkable athlete. Randa has strong values in that she often states that she wants to stay out of the drug scene and make good choices in life. She often asks meaningful questions for an 11 year old, showing wisdom beyond her years. This family deserves recognition for their hard work and dedication to what family stands for. They stand strong as a team. Beyond the heartache and grief that addiction and loss has caused their family, they carry on with bright attitudes and fortitude.”