CENTER UPDATE

Monthly Newsletter for The Counseling Center of Wayne and Holmes Counties

Edition: April 2010

WAITING LIST GROWS

Every person who comes to the Counseling Center is assessed by a master’s level mental health professional and linked to the most appropriate mental health or community services.  In March, the Center assessed and admitted 171 new clients and is currently managing a community caseload of 3,347 persons.  Unfortunately, as a result of budgetary limitations, many Counseling Center programs are not able to readily absorb new clients.  Some of the programs with a current waiting list include: community psychiatric support services for adults and youth with severe mental illness or emotional problems, individual counseling services, psychiatric services and residential care.  In March, the total waiting list for persons in need of specialized services was 338 persons.  While there may be a wait list for some services, the Center’s crisis team is available 24-hours a day to deal with psychiatric emergencies and some clients who are waiting for a specialized service may be offered alternative interventions in the interim.  “It is a daily struggle to provide our clients with the assistance that they need and deserve, when we do not have the resources to recruit and retain the necessary staff,” noted Buchwalter.  “We are hopeful that the May 4 Mental Health Levy will pass so we can return to a normal level of operations.”

REFERRAL SOURCE SATISFACTION INCREASES

Each year the Counseling Center conducts a survey of key referral sources, using a survey tool developed by the Mental Health Corporations of America (MHCA) and used by similar organizations across the United States.  According to results for the current year, the Counseling Center’s referral sources report higher satisfaction than those in the national sample.  Local referral sources rated the Center most highly on items related to the confidentiality of services, the respect shown to clients by staff, the friendliness of staff, the professionalism of staff and the financial arrangements made with clients.  Overall, 87% of the respondents rated their relationship with the Counseling  Center as good, very good, or excellent.  According to CEO, Susan Buchwalter, “improving relationships with our referral sources has been a focus of attention for the last several years and this survey documents that our efforts are paying off.  We will continue to try and maintain this success in the current year.”

April is Alcohol Awareness Month.  Underage alcohol use is more likely to lead to death than all other drug abuse combined.  Public information is available at www.samhsa.gov.