News & Events

Porter-Starke Services Presents 'Social Security Disability and Medicaid'
On Tuesday, July 21, Porter-Starke Services will host its Learn @ Lunch series with an informative educational lecture entitled, "Social Security Disability and Medicaid" from 11:30am - 1:00pm at the United Way of Porter County, located at 951 Eastport Centre Drive in Valparaiso, Indiana. Randall Zromkoski, Attorney and Partner at Blachly, Tabor, Bozik & Hartman, LLC and Doreen Witte of GMW Consultants will be the featured presenters.

Applying for Social Security Disability can often be an intimidating, time consuming and difficult process. Attorney Randy Zromkoski will provide an overview of the Social Security Disability program, how it is administered and what evidence is necessary to prove disability and obtain benefits. His presentation will focus particularly on the obstacles facing those suffering the effects of mental illness in the hope of making the disability benefit process more understandable, manageable and less frustrating. Ms. Doreen Witte will provide an overview of the Medicaid program and discuss issues, timing of the application and information needed before applying.

Porter-Starke Services Learn @ Lunches are monthly educational seminars featuring informative and practical mental health and wellness topics. Seminar locations alternate between Valparaiso, Portage and Knox and are open to the general public as well as clinicians and educators. Mental Health America of Porter County offers 1.5 Continuing Education Credits for $5.00.

There is no charge for the presentation. A boxed lunch can be purchased from our Wall Street Cafe for $6.00 or you may bring your own. RSVP is required for attendance and to place a lunch order. For more information, please call Amanda at 219/476-4502 or e-mail info@porterstarke.org.

Rocco Schiralli Appointed as President/CEO of Porter-Starke Services
The Board of Directors of Porter-Starke Services today announces that Rocco Schiralli is named as the organization's next President/CEO. Schiralli becomes the organization's third CEO in its 34-year history, succeeding David J. Lomaka. Lomaka announced his resignation on November 24, 2008, and will depart in late-January to become CEO of Directions for Mental Health in Clearwater, Florida.

"The Board unanimously endorsed Rocky as the next CEO of the agency," said Randall Zromkoski, president of the Porter-Starke's board of directors. "He has demonstrated through his years of service his commitment to the organization and community. I am confident that under Rocky's leadership, Porter-Starke will continue to grow as the leading provider of mental health services in Northwest Indiana and that it will remain financially sound and innovative."

Lee Grogg served as the organization's only CEO in its first 25 years. Grogg left in 2000 when he moved to Washington for a CEO position in Seattle. Lomaka arrived in July, 2001 and led the non-profit community mental health center through seven financially sound years.

"Porter-Starke is a far better organization because of Dave Lomaka, and I am proud to have worked with him for the past seven years," Schiralli said. "I'm both humbled and excited to step into this role, and look forward to continuing to build on our successes and meet the challenges we're sure to face."

Schiralli is a past vice president of The Caring Place board of directors, and continues to serve as a member of the board. He also served as president of the Community Action Drug Coalition, and was named as the 2008 Outstanding Agency Professional Award by the United Way of Porter County. Schiralli also serves on the Community Corrections Advisory Board.

Mental Health Alliance Recognizes Congressman Visclosky and Others At Award Banquet
The Mental Health Alliance of Porter County on Thursday, September 18, 2008, recognized several people with awards for their efforts in promoting mental wellness in the community. The Alliance is made up of the Boards of Directors from Porter-Starke Services, the Porter-Starke Services Foundation, and Mental Health America of Porter County.

Congressman Pete Visclosky was awarded the Aled P. Davies Award for Public Policy on Health. Representative Visclosky advocated to Federal officials on Porter-Starke’s behalf to help expedite the licensing procedure when the organization assumed operation of the psychiatric inpatient unit in 2007, and has been a staunch supporter of the Mental Health Parity Act. Accepting for Rep. Visclosky was Mark Lopez, District Director, and Chuck Brimmer, Chief of Staff.

Porter County Sheriff Dave Lain accepted the Porter-Starke Award for Service to Community Mental Health along with Sandra Carlson, Porter-Starke’s Vice President of Clinical Services. Lain and Carlson teamed up with several community groups to co-host the Crisis Intervention Training for police first-responders last spring.

Dr. Anand Popli received the Robert A. Anderson Award for Community Education and Service, and urged the 50 guests to continue their advocacy and support of mental health, especially mental health coverage parity and employment opportunities for those with mental illness.

Dr. Larry Baas of Valparaiso University received the Porter-Starke Foundation’s Community Impact Award for his assistance and leadership with the young adult alcohol prevention program and his assistance with the Behavioral Health/Primary Care Integration project.

Others receiving awards:
Jeff Good, Good Hospitality Services – the Gale C. Corley President's Award for his service on the Porter-Starke Board of Directors.
Todd Van Buskirk, Porter-Starke Services – the Mental Health America Award for Patient Care and Advocacy.
Don and Joy Johnson, Duneland Resale Shop – the Friends of Mental Health America Award.
Marilyn Fagg – the United Way of Porter County Volunteer of the Year Award.

"All of the award winners provide selfless service without seeking gratitude or recognition, said Lomaka. "They are the backbone of community mental health and need to be recognized for the great things they do."

Casual for a Cause
Porter-Starke Services recently expanded its "Casual for a Cause" program. Employees of Porter-Starke Services choose to dress casual each Friday for a small fee and the money raised from this program is donated to other local not-for-profit organizations that promote mental wellness. To apply for a donation, download the "Casual for a Cause" Donation Application.

For more information, please contact 219.476-4556 or email info@porterstarke.org