In researching the impact of rehabilitation on Scioto County, I found pertinent information about local facilities. I strongly believe we need effective treatment center like the Counseling Center in order to rise from the devastation of the opioid epidemic. Although some have said there are already too many such facilities here and want to limit access, the Counseling Center has a strong, proven record of success. I feel the public should be aware of the wonderful work they do. I write the blog today as a summary of TCC's impact in 2021.
CEO Andy Albrecht confirms
that the fiscal 2021 business year was an unprecedented year of
challenge for the center with the global pandemic and a continued
rise in
behavioral health needs throughout the region. Hurdles
included housing shortages, vaccine access, sanitation demands,
supply chain struggles, and workforce shortages.
Albrecht says …
“All of this made the
increased need for services even harder to manage. I am, however,
both pleased and proud to say that our staff rose to the occasion.
Using creative approaches to infection control and admissions, TCC
was able to maintain full access to care and in many cases increase
access – something that was largely unheard
of in healthcare
this past year.
“In fact, just like the previous year, TCC emerged from fiscal 2021 both a stronger and more comprehensive provider than it entered. Our staff continue to provide the best-available services while remaining flexible and creative to ensure that our clients can receive the assistance they so direly need, assistance that is life-saving.”
(Andy Albrecht. “Year In Review: We Believe in Second Chances.” FY21. https://thecounselingcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/012822_TCC_FY21_YearinReview_Final_Spreads.pdf. The Counseling Center.)
Among improvements made, the Counseling Center expanded operating hours at their Day One location and Case Management Services, opened a new apartment-style living transitional program with Stepping Stones,and opened a new Community Mental Health Group home for step-down care.
Albrecht proudly reports …
“When considering the community-facing portions of our service lines, the Counseling Center's Community Outpatient Program more than doubled in client service volume as a result of improved location, staffing, and transportation resources.
“In addition, the Mental
Health team expanded our community service lines into the non-AOD
(non-substance abuse) arenas, providing mental health-only services
to those in our region that need help with various forms of mental
illness, family struggles, and related case management challenges.
Their jail-based service line resumed in full swing at the invitation
of local law enforcement, providing clinical care and support to
those incarcerated with an addiction struggle and assisting these
individuals transition into
care or into society as they finish
sentencing.
“The Crisis Center
partnered with the Scioto County Anti-Human Trafficking
Coalition,
providing a call center for reports of victims or loved ones.
“Our Prevention Program worked in conjunction with the local ADAMHS Board to reinvigorate school-based service lines, expanding district outreach and engaging further youth in substance use avoidance.
“And impressively, our
clinical leaders worked to develop a completely novel approach to
overdose in collaboration with local EMS professionals, implementing
a Quick Response Team (QRT) that provides front-line response to
overdose emergencies, offering victims an immediate opportunity to
engage in services as appropriate. This resource lessens the burden
on local EMS, hospital, police, and jail resources.”
(Andy Albrecht. “Year In Review: We Believe in Second Chances.” FY21. https://thecounselingcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/012822_TCC_FY21_YearinReview_Final_Spreads.pdf. The Counseling Center.)
Impact
The Counseling Center
employs 450 people throughout South Central Ohio. They added more
than 70 staff as a result of expansions in TCC Health, Residential
Programs, and Mothers/Children Programs.
4,000+ individuals were admitted into care during 2021.
6 healthy babies were born through Stepping Stones. 178 clients were
placed into employment. And, there were 511 completions during FY21.
The center has a total budget of well over $30M with “a strong cash position, allowing TCC to ensure it’s place as the region’s employer of choice in behavioral health.” TCC pumps more than 21 million dollars into local economies in the form of annual payroll and more than 12 million into local economies in the form of service and supply purchases.
(“Year In Review: We Believe in Second Chances.” FY21.The Counseling Center.)
To close, as far as the Counseling Center “busing people in from out of state” – a point of contention by local politicians – the misconception is answered by this statement on their Facebook page: “In FY2021, we had ONE client from out of state. Welcome to MISCONCEPTION MONDAY.”
I commend the Counseling Center for their outstanding work in Scioto County. I pray we see a continuance of rehabilitation and recovery. The community should support these efforts as we continue to fight opioid abuse and its impact on life as we know it.
In his State of the Union Address on March 1, President Biden proposed a "unity agenda" of four items he urged Congress to pass on a bipartisan basis: Addressing the opioid epidemic, providing resources for children's mental health, supporting veterans and ending cancer.
In the address, Biden stated …
“There is so much we can do. Increase funding for prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery. Get rid of outdated rules that stop doctors from prescribing treatments. And stop the flow of illicit drugs by working with state and local law enforcement to go after traffickers.
“If you’re suffering from addiction, know you are not alone. I believe in recovery, and I celebrate the 23 million Americans in recovery.”
(President Joe Biden. “State of the Union.” March 01, 2022.)
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