DMIN Portfolio
Portfolio: Culmination Phase Assignement Project I
This paper presents the culmination of a chaplaincy micro‑project focused on creating three practical brochures to strengthen holistic spiritual care at Valley Children’s Hospital. The project addresses a key problem: chaplains often lack clear, consistent tools for responding to the mental health needs of patients, families, and staff. Drawing on Scripture, behavioral health research, and peer feedback, the paper explains how each brochure equips chaplains, community colleagues, and hospital leaders to integrate spiritual, emotional, and psychological support in a more unified, trauma‑informed way
Micro Project II Portfolio; Culmination Phase
This project creates an instructional video for new and practicing chaplains serving children and families in hospice and hospital settings. It responds to a key problem at Trillium Hospice in Fresno, California: chaplains are theologically trained but often lack tools to address mental health needs in the current crisis.
The research argues that chaplains are called to offer holistic care—mind, body, and spirit—by integrating spiritual care with basic behavioral‑health awareness. Drawing on Scripture (Psalm 34:18; 2 Corinthians 1:4; Romans 12:15; Galatians 6:2) and Henri Nouwen’s theology of presence, the project frames chaplaincy as a ministry of “being versus doing,” where deep, compassionate presence is itself a healing intervention.
The instructional video teaches chaplains to:
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Practice ministry of presence, active and reflective listening, and non‑judgmental empathy.
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Use tools like FICA and HOPE to assess spiritual distress and strengths.
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Notice mental‑health red flags (suicidal statements, extreme anxiety, depression, agitation, disorientation, signs of abuse or neglect).
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Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team through clear documentation and referrals to social workers, nurses, physicians, and mental‑health professionals.
Peer and faculty feedback (Dr. Peter Mason, classmates John Mensah and Eric Kelly) affirms that integrating chaplaincy and mental health can make care more holistic and effective. Research from the National Library of Medicine and other sources supports using short educational videos to improve learning and to standardize spiritual assessments and compassionate language.
The paper also reflects on the demanding emotional nature of chaplaincy, the risk of compassion fatigue, and the need for self‑care, community support, and spiritual practices. It concludes that chaplains are “wounded healers” who enter others’ suffering with Christlike humility, helping children and families find meaning, hope, and resilience in the midst of illness and end‑of‑life.
Culmination Phase Assignment Project III
This paper presents the third micro‑project in a larger research journey on integrating mental health strategies into chaplaincy. Building on earlier brochures and an instructional video, it describes an illustrative, interactive teaching message for chaplains that uses the making of “Sopa de Fideo” as a metaphor for holistic care. Set in a home kitchen with local chaplains, the project shows how spiritual presence, mental health assessment tools, and culturally grounded practices can work together to stabilize pediatric patients and families facing end‑of‑life crises, while also forming chaplains as “wounded healers” conformed to the image of Christ.