Quad
City Eating Disorder Planning Group |
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The Amy Helpenstell Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of
life in the Quad-City area by funding educational programs, youth development activities,
community development and cultural activities.
In the fall of 200 7, the Amy Helpenstell Foundation became a stimulus to convene a variety of
local professionals to study the issue of eating disorders in the greater Quad-City
area. The Foundation contacted the Robert Young Center seeking assistance for a
recommended approach. Dr. David Deopere, President of RYC convened eleven treatment
professionals and community leaders to plan the effort. They are listed below: |
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Derek
Ball, Ph.D., Marriage and Family Counseling Service |
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David Deopere,
Ph.D., Robert Young Center |
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Mr. Dennis Duke,
Robert Young Center |
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Mr. Michael Freda,
Robert Young Center |
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Mr. Bud
Helpenstell, Amy Helpenstell Foundation |
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William Hiebert, D.
Min., Marriage and Family Counseling Service |
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Mr. Jim Horstmann,
Community Foundation of the Great River Bend |
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Mr. Randy Jacobs, TAG Healthcare Marketing |
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Mr. Joe Vermeire,
Rock Island County Regional Office of Education |
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Mrs. Betsy
Zmuda-Swanson, L.C.S.W., Private Therapist; Marriage and Family
Counseling Service |
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Quad
City Eating Disorders Consortium Members
Meets every first and third
Wednesday of the month, from 6-7:00 p.m.
Front:
Mr. William Hiebert, Ms. Betsy Zmuda-Swanson, Ms. Kathy Bowman,
Ms. Mollye VanOpdorp, Ms. Barbara Lynch
Back: Mr. Dennis Duke, Mr. Scott Stange, Mr. Derek Ball, Mr. Joe
Vermeire, Missing: Mr. Bud Helpenstell, Mr. David Deopere,
Mr. Michael Freda, Mr. Jim Horstmann, Mr. Randy Jacobs |
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It
was decided initially to poll citizens from the greater Quad-City area about their
understanding of eating disorders. Based on the results, recommendations would be
made to the Foundation to fill any gaps in prevention, education and treatment programs in
the area related to eating disorders. McKeon & Associates from Chicago, Illinois
was selected to construct and conduct the survey.
The
sample for the Eating Disorders Survey included 800 persons who agreed to participate in a
telephone interview about the topic. The subjects were surveyed during the last week
of April, 2007. The random sample was stratified by residence, gender, age,
socio-economic and race demographics in Scott, Rock Island and selected western portions
of Henry County. Results of the survey were analyzed by Dr. Deopere and submitted to
The Amy Helpenstell Foundation in July.
As a
first step, it was decided to determine community need for a formal eating disorder
program. An initial decision was to decide from whose perspective should research
gauge community need – the community itself or potential program recipients and key
referral agents? The methodology used to survey each of these groups is very
different, and the information gained from interviewing each of these groups would be
different. |
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