The Lost Legacy

© 2012 by Ebelechukwu Elochukwu. All rights reserved.

Bible quotations are taken from The New International Version of the Bible. Copyright © 1987 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Published by AuthorHouse 12/07/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4772-9100-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-9099-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-9098-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012921766

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Cover Impression Design Idea: Ebelechukwu Paulinus Okonkwo Elochukwu

Contents

Preface

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Part 1

The Lost Legacy: The Lost Dreams of Our Founders

Chapter One   The Liberation

Part 2

The Struggles Continued: The Victory is Certain

Chapter Two   The American Dream

Chapter Three   Community Integration Through Conflict Management

Chapter Four   Responsibility & Accountability of a Community Organizer

Part 3

The Public Mental Health Systems: The Way forward

Chapter Five   Performance Paid Community Programs by Objectives

Chapter Six   Designing Strong Community Programs

Chapter Seven   Data Collection by Community Programs

Chapter Eight   Data Analysis by Community Programs

Chapter Nine   Methodology & Measurement in the Behavioral & Social Science Programs

Chapter Ten   Family and Effective & Efficient Communication Centered Evidence-Based Model

Excerpts from the Author’s next book

Bibliography

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The American Dream: How did we get this far off and how do we get back on the road in pursuit of happiness? We are losing the legacy we inherited from our founding fathers and are leaving none to our children.

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True Stories of Struggles: The challenges of organizing evidence-based research and/or community programs in mental health, substance abuse, and behavioral and social science health care, sufferings, trials, families, immigration & the pursuit of the American dream

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Life in the Public: A social and physical solutions’ handbook on issues such as life challenges, mental health, substance abuse and positive youth development research, projects, community programs and practices

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Preface

When we completed our first book, I was not sure how people would respond to it but the Holy Ghost knew. As the information flows through me from the Holy Ghost and as I follow the lead from the events that took place in my life, it was very clear to me what my mission was. It is still very clear what my missions are now. It comes from my passion and commitment to live as who I am—a child of light, a servant of the Lord and man, regardless of where I go, where I am and what I do. Yes, I know there are large numbers of people who believe that there should be separation of private life from public life.

I am not one of those people. I simply do not believe we should live a double life. The life we live in private and the life we live in public should be one. Our lives must not be in conflict with who we are or in conflict with who God created us to be. If we are who God made us to be, everything we think, say or do must be consistent and never contradict with who God is—who is in us and made us to be god. I believe people should be themselves no matter where they are.

The freedom and fundamental rights of any individual is incomplete if such freedom or right is prohibited or infringed upon by another. This includes their environment, space, power, principality or authorities except such instituted by God or adopted by the people in the form of just laws and practices both common and governmental.

I reflected on so many issues, struggles, challenges and problems facing our people and mankind in general. Very few of which passed through me but significant enough for me to research and investigate further; following each lead. The issues, struggles, challenges and problems seem to have no end; as one thing lead into another. Then I realized that it was chains and shackles tied around the necks of our people, our citizens, our brothers and sisters, our families, our communities and our nation.

I thought deeply, trying to figure out how to break these strong chains and shackles, how to set them free, and how to empower them to fight back and fend off anyone or thing that encroaches or crosses the boundaries of their sovereign self.

Personal sovereignty is a God given right. Not even God the creator trespasses our personal sovereignty without our personal invitation—though He can and does only out of Fatherly protection, love, care, kindness, and mercy. How then do some men trespass that with impunity? You will find my perspective on that.

As I began to review the stories of our people, I realized they were telling me the stories of our nation. When I thought deeply about their health challenges, particularly in the areas of mental health and substance abuse, I wept and I cried out to God for help. What disabling illnesses these are! How come many people don’t take mental illness and substance abuse seriously or deny the presence of them in their life—even when all the evidence and professional diagnosis point to them?

Then I saw stigma and stigmatization face-to-face. I saw ignorance and lack of education—no knowledge or understanding among my people, my country men, my fellow citizens about the many mental disorders and psychological challenges. I saw personal and professional negligence or nonchalant service delivery systems.

I looked again, then I saw substance abuse disorders right by the corners of our streets, on every corner of our urban communities, trailer park communities, and in our homes. I see the faces of their victims; they are children, adolescents and adults alike. I said, these diseases are no respecter of mankind, race, gender, age, nationality, disability, creed, belief or religion—mental illness and substance abuse simply care about no one.

They continue to bind and eat deep into the ravaged bodies and souls of our people, our citizens, our brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, families, communities and our nation—deep into their finances too. What can I do to help? The more I meditate about them, the more solutions come to me in my dreams, visions, prophecies, thoughts, words and actions.

There are many people who do not know how close these illnesses are to everyone else. Some of them believe it takes the God given free will to engage in risky behaviors that contribute to many of them, therefore, they should have and use same will to get out of it. I wish it is that simple. Mental health and substance abuse are brothers and sisters; very powerful, very strong, very domineering, very controlling, very imposing, very disabling, and on the other hand very attractive, very beautiful, pretty or handsome, so many shapes and shades.

They take any form that best fits their victims. If you are already enticed and sucked into any of them, who can resist such qualities on their own free will? What of those who are biologically born with it; forced upon them by nature or others? Free will may take you to the helpdesk but certainly will not keep you there. Through the journey of recovery or healing, we need each other and every talent at work—if we are to win the battle to reclaim our lives, our parents, brothers, sisters, and family lives.

Although these challenges are overwhelming to anyone and you may be lonely and abandoned by your loved ones, family, and friends in such struggles in life—and sometimes feel abandoned by God, too—you should always be assured that while others may abandon you, God is always there and He is all you need in order to overcome any situation. God will give you the strength to seek help whenever you need it and will place people in your life to support you personally and professionally but you have to do the work of faith. Get to a help desk now; that is your first step.

Sometimes business owners, entrepreneurs, and individual, hard-working Americans at one point or another suffer unjust treatment at the hands of others, those in authoritative positions or by government agencies, for whatever reason(s). Sometimes people with lots of wealth or influence abuse the powers and resources God bestowed upon them to use to serve others while poor people abuse their position of trust by stealing or dispossessing the wealthy of their resources. These types of abuses come in different forms. The most common are discrimination, profiling, prejudice, and stereotyping.⁵³

All forms of injustice are a form of evil that undermines the most sacred of all God’s commandments: Love one another as you love yourself. Sharing part of my story, and the struggles facing many others, is designed to let my readers know that whatever challenges or trials they are going through, they are not alone and they should have hope, remain faithful, and trust God. They will always win, because God always comes through. He has never failed anyone who has faith and trust in Him. I want my readers to remember that overzealous acts; passionate, aggressive approaches; the I got you mentality; the selfish interests of any person in power, wealthy person, or anyone in a position of authority with a self-centered agenda; anyone using you to make a professional advance in their career or for selfish gain—all are usually examples of the perpetrator’s agenda, which will come to pass. The world is as beautiful as God created it. We, the people, are what has changed from the way God created us.⁵³

I point out that life could be better for all, if we often step out of our comfort zone to take risks for one another. Take risks by sacrificing any part of ones life—having moments of unselfishness—a moment of self given to others and being compassionate by simply putting ourselves in the place of those in front of us or behind us.

I wish to point out the failure of the government to protect us from the crimes and violent acts some people commit against each other, particularly in our urban communities. Considering our enormous resources and the sacrifices we are making around the world—especially the lives of our citizens sacrificed in defending and promoting our American values, and the rights of mankind to life and justice—we should do more at home. I suggest we start with protecting our urban population (which leans toward being wasteful) rather than the major productivity and growth of our nation.⁵³

In this book, I discuss the responsibilities, irresponsibilities, accountabilities and unaccountabilities that are becoming prevalent in our culture and among mankind to the extent that if not contained, will destroy our great nation. I point out some decision making challenges in public service—making moral decisions rather than making decisions based on what is culturally popular. I question the goodness of such decisions if it ends up destroying us all instead of uplifting us. I also discuss the educational crisis; highlighting how it is affecting us individually, as a family, community and as a nation. I further raise issues with the political and corporate greed and social irresponsibility in the wake of our declining wealth individually and nationally.

Furthermore, I discuss the significance of families and its role in our modern civilization; including but not limited to the challenges leading to the demise of family life in our culture. I reflect on issues pertaining to our American life such as homicide, suicide, mass murder, ethnic cleansing or racial extermination. I also reflect on other forms of crimes against human dignity such as rape; sexual, emotional and psychological abuses; neglect; domestic violence, gang fights, bullying, assaults and aggressive attacks; subhuman living conditions, homelessness, unjust imprisonment, illegal immigration or deportation, slavery, kidnapping, prostitution, the selling of women and children, serial killing, degrading working conditions, sweat shops, and all other crimes that degrade our modern society and civilization.

Furthermore, I discuss problems of organizing community programs and research such as design, data collection, data analysis, measurement, and communication. I also discuss importance of conflict management in our community services. Above all, I discuss the lost dreams of a better future for all Americans and offer a behavioral and social science model [Family and Effective & Efficient Communication Centered Evidence-Based Model (FEECCEM)] that can help to restore good health, minimize risky behaviors, reduce cost of health care by one half, complies with all laws, increase the quality of care to 100 percent and quality of life by 400 percent and lead to living a fulfilling life.

I do not claim right to any work that is not originally my thoughts or ideas. Therefore, I give credit to all whose works are cited in this book including those listed in the bibliography pages. After seven years of developing my programs and getting approval and licenses to operate, I found great joy and extend my gratitude to the National Institutes of Health and the United States Department of Health and Human Services for the large material texts presented in this book that best describes what I had thought, been saying, been doing, will continue to say, and do for the American people.

Peter and Pinkie represent some of the independent findings from my experiences as a health care consultant for different programs, which are all true. All names mentioned in personal stories in this book are fictionalized and stories mixed up to protect my sources. The incidents or observations were characterized for better clarity and flow. I often interject my beliefs. There are so much useful information, data, and statistics available in this book. This is also an era of social media, therefore to provide quick bookmark, my index is being presented in themes, subject matter, objectives, idea, quotes, and short phrases and sentences rather than just words. It will guide you into the right spot in the book. Thank you very much in advance for expecting the next book coming very soon. If you have not read the previous book, please buy one now. I am telling a very long story. May God bless you and America.

Dedication

I dedicate this book to the United States of America, United States Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and above all, God the Father Almighty, the Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Acknowledgments

I am grateful to those who took time to read and critique any part of this work, especially, Cris Wanzer, Krystina Murray, and Joy Oguntimein (editors) and Judith Lelchook, LCSW-C, LISW (the program director of Care Solutions Corporation’s Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program). Grateful acknowledgement is made to Alison Brown Backus, Esq. ( Independent Counsel); Dikang Wan, PhD, Dickson Ozokwelu, PhD, PE, FNSChE, MBA, Prof. Jerome Adepoju, PhD, Gwendola Taliaferro, Ed.D; Leon Levin, MD, Marvin Darden, Ed.D, Ikechukwu Mbonu, MD, Donna Saunders, PhD, Chere Brown, LCSW, Lucille White, Tawanda White, T’Nia Moore, Uzo Nwokwu, Rev. John Christophel (advisers), Monsignor Edward Miller, (Spiritual Director), Pam Cullen, LCPC (the program director of Care Solutions Corporation’s Outpatient Mental Health Center); George Yossif, MD, PhD (John Hopkins’ trained psychiatrist and the Medical Director of Care Solutions Corporation) in collaboration with the above directors and team members for providing clinical support during my research and investigations.

Ten percent of the net proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Holy Trinity Family Support Center Corporation. More information about Holy Trinity can be found @ www.holytrinitycenter.org. The 501 (3) (c) organization plans to conduct empirical research to prove the author’s theories. Please donate to support our initiative to reclaim the heart of our nation; the great United States of America. Five million dollars is needed for the research.

Ebelechukwu’s Theories

Ebelechukwu Simultaneous Theory

In every social, mental health and substance abuse service, the level of healing or recovery of the individual served is contingent upon a Constant & Coefficient of Effective & Efficient Communication of evidence based practices between the provider and the individual served. This is relative to the level of other variable factors of life domain such as compassion, kindness, family & significant other involvement, trust & confidence of the individual served, the individual served’s involvement in every choice, decision & leadership in the procedure, obstacles & barriers, total time spent, provider accessibility as needed by the individual served, individual served’s accessibility as needed by the provider and the exponential relationship between healing or recovery and the variable factors.

Ebelechukwu Healing & Recovery (HR) Theory

Whereas, the entire variable factors of the simultaneous theory increases, the healing or recovery positively increases exponentially in linear programming. Healing or recovery can be achieved any time before the total peak score of 18390 ESU. The lower the total peak score at which healing or recovery is achieved the lower the total cost of the achievement.

Ebelechukwu Alternative Care Theory

If social, mental health & substance abuse services were delivered mostly at high variable factors ESU levels to an individual but failed to achieve healing or recovery after reaching a total peak score of 18390 ESU, then healing or recovery is hardly achievable for that individual and his/her care can only be managed or referred for an alternative service model e.g. inpatient or residential services.

Ebelechukwu Cost Theory (Cause & Effect Principle)

Whenever an individual who is receiving social, mental health & substance abuse services at mostly high variable factors ESU levels reaches the total peak score of 18390 ESU without healing or recovery, diminishing return sets in with very low rate of return per any increase in cost of care. The total cost of services to an individual decreases exponentially with increase in effective & efficient communication as a Constant & Coefficient of evidence based practices between the provider and the individual served in addition to equal amount of increase in other variable factors of life domain.

PART 1

The Lost Legacy: The Lost Dreams of Our Founders

Chapter One

The Liberation

America is the nation of all nations of the world. I see it as the United Nations. Everyone came directly from somewhere, or indirectly through their ancestors, except for the indigenous tribes or aborigines. It is a wonderful union of risk-taking people from all walks of life, who through the act of faith, took their fate into their own hands with a burning Yes to liberate themselves from the shackles and chains of others—every yoke, various principalities, the authorities, and the powers behind them (Ephesians 6:10-12).

The individual struggles between good and evil, right and wrong, the haves and the have nots, the rich and the poor, and legal and illegal activities abound in this world. The right to choose a side is what brought us together and differentiates one from another, if founded on the basis of the spiritual truth of God. This is the spirit of God that resides in each one of us from the day of our creation. The inalienable God-given right to liberty, established not just in our founding documents, but in the beginning, when God said, This matter arose, because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves (Galatians 2:4) greatly abound in our lives as the citizens and residents of this great nation, the United States of America.

It also includes the freedom granted by Him speaking to us. You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. (Galatians 5:13) It is the same freedom Jesus Christ preached to every one of us in Luke 4:18. He expressed the need for us to be free from all forms of prison walls, to recover from all short-sightedness, and be released from all forms of oppression; to be free from all bounds. He desires us to be free from myopic and oppressive limitations of our human development, achievement, progress, blessings, entitlements, claims, rights, and so on—beyond any barriers set by our captives (our mind, body, soul, other people, government, authorities, power, things), and the limitless end of benevolence; a gift of our father in heaven through Jesus Christ. Jesus purchased those liberties for us with His life; making for us a new covenant with God the Father who sent us the Holy Ghost so that all things are possible for us. (Mark 9:23, 10:27, John 14:15-17, :26, 15:26, Romans 5:1-11)

Even the slaves who were forced against their will, and victims of indirect slavery, overcame the bounds to become one with all. We all came together, as it says in the Pledge of Allegiance: One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Like Bill O’Reilly said,

"The motto E Pluribus Unum means ‘From Many, One,’ thereby reflecting the integration of the thirteen colonies into one country. Subsequently, the words took on a deeper meaning as immigrants from all over the world brought their talents and energy and desire for freedom to the United States, fueling its rapid rise in power and prosperity. Yes, it’s an old story that may have put you to sleep in high school, but it’s worth thinking about. The United States is the strongest nation the world has ever seen because so ‘Many’ pulled together to create the ‘One.’"³⁴

Even though we know that freedom and justice are not for all yet, we truly believe in both. We aspire for them, we seek them, we die for them, we hunger and thirst for them, we cannot live without them. It is who we are. Those who have crossed paths with freedom and justice will tell you that it is not cheap, it is not easy, it is distressing and can be disgusting trying to get them. But it is refreshing, rewarding, renewing, motivating, stimulating, encouraging, invigorating, and fulfilling once you find them. These feelings make us yearn for them and make them insatiable to us.

No God-fearing person should, for any reason, try to cross paths with freedom and justice. Everyone should try to avoid this, unless you have very deep resources and a large share of goodwill with God. The conflict that exists when the paths cross is enormous and the pains are great. However, when they find you or cross your path, you fight like a lion, only to find (like many of us who have crossed paths with them) that through no fault of your own, your hands are tied because your resources are shallow and your goodwill with God is all you may have; even though that is all you need. If you have God, you have everything.

Those who are in the minority will understand better what this means. Those of alien status have it even worse, because with so many divisions among us, they have become the 5th class; yet, they are very hard-working and are major players in all aspects of our daily lives.

I know this much to be true: It is not easy being a minority in the United States. Not only are you outnumbered, but the crushing weight of irrational ignorance is, generally speaking, directed toward you far more than it is at the majority. Sometimes whites in the USA overlook racial bias entirely because it does not affect them.³⁴

Therefore, embrace the challenges and be prepared to face what comes out of the crossroads with freedom and justice. I remember the first time I had to engage the services of a lawyer through my prepaid legal service in Maryland for a matter involving the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. I got the lawyer’s answering system, and the music on hold was, If you don’t have a lawyer, you have no rights. I did not understand this until I met with the lawyer and asked him to explain what it meant. Every lawyer defined that concept in a way that drove the point home to me. I also recalled a lesson I learned in business school. As a Business Administrator, do everything you can to avoid litigation and if you have to settle, do so because it might be the cheapest way for you to save the business. Legal cost is one of the main causes of business failure.

We want freedom and justice, but at what cost? No cost is too great. If it is a matter of triviality, you may ignore or endure and not fight insignificant issues due to an injured ego, pride, and principles that will sink you like a ship in the middle of ocean. If you chose to fight for such freedom or injustice, have no regrets, for no price is greater than less of both. It is the principle of the United States of America.

It is better to make peace among yourselves, or find people who can mediate or advocate for you if you know that you cannot do it on your own. If you can do it on your own, do so; this is an investment into your social capital. Mediation services are sometimes available within the judicial system. You can do so amongst yourselves if you believe in our Lord as your savior, in whose principles this nation was founded (1 Corinthians 6:1-8, Romans 2:1-16, Matthew 5:9).

I remember a contractor suing my company, claiming triple damages for unpaid wages; a claim that was contentious between us. After going back and forth in motions and counter motions, the case was scheduled for a hearing. The company was struggling to make the payroll, having suffered over two years of zero funding in the community. The contractor filed the case moments after finding out that funding was to be reinstated. Due to lack of funding, I could not afford to retain a lawyer; the money was not there for legal defense. This particular contractor sued because she wanted another contract when funding came, and had lost her bid for the job before the advisory council that did the selection.

The contractor had asked me not to contact her for any negotiations or mediation, and so did her attorney. Considering that the balance was less than $5,000, I went to court to represent the company. The contractor had inflated her claim to over $5,000. Out of ignorance, I assumed that showing proof that the pending fee was less than $5,000 was sufficient, not knowing that the maximum of $5,000 required by court procedure (for a company to be represented by an officer) was determined by the amount of the claim of the plaintiff, and not by what the defendant’s evidence showed. Secondly,