CENTER UPDATE

Monthly Newsletter for The Counseling Center of Wayne and Holmes Counties

Edition: February 2009

SERVICE CLOSURE ANNOUNCED

As a result of cuts in support from the Mental Health and Recovery Board (MHRB) the Counseling Center will be closing its Social/Recreational Service Program in March.  Social/Recreational services are available three days a week and provide an opportunity for severely mentally disabled adults who would otherwise be isolated in their homes to become involved in community activities and social opportunities.  The program provides about 9,000 hours of service each year and serves approximately 110 persons. As a result of this closure, the Center will also be laying off two employees and reducing the hours or adjusting the work assignments of seven others.  The MHRB has experienced significant reductions in support from the state and is requiring all supported organizations to make adjustments in their service delivery system. The Center is working to assure that all affected program clients are linked with other appropriate mental health services and supports. The social/recreational program has been serving local residents for over 25 years.

STAFF SELECTED FOR SPECIAL TRAINING

The Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO) has selected Diane DeRue, Vice President/Chief of Rehabilitation and Recovery Services as a candidate to participate in their 5 month Grant Writing Training. This training will prepare participants to submit a 2009 application to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) for a supportive housing and/or homeless program project. 

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GRANT TURNED DOWN

The Counseling Center was recently awarded a $300,000 capital grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health as a partial payment for the construction of durable housing for homeless persons with mental illness.  The grant required that the project be completed within 18 months.  With the current economic situation, the Center’s Board of Trustees determined that it was unrealistic to believe that the balance of the necessary funding could be secured within the timeline and has declined the grant, but requested that it be  reconsidered in a future capital project funding cycle.

STAFF DEDICATION

As a health care provider, the Counseling Center seldom closes – even when the weather is difficult.  One creative and dedicated staff member, Judy Winkler, secretary in the Psychiatric Services Program, made the best of it during the bad weather in January by finding alternative transportation.