Program at The Neighborhood Center is more than helping people with mental health, says supervisor at Adult Recovery Services
David L. Podos
Q: What services does the Adult Recovery Services and Employment Services at The Neighborhood Center Inc. provide and who are the recipients? Is Utica the only center that you provide services?
A: We actually have two locations one here in Utica and the other in Rome. We serve people 18 and older, they have to reside in Oneida County and they have to have a mental health diagnosis. We are a drop-in center for anyone who fits the above criteria and there is no cost to our clients. We provide a safe and supportive place for peer-to-peer communication and meetup, so the center is really a support system.
Q: In addition to mental health, what other problems are bringing people to this center? For instance, do any of your clients have drug and or alcohol addiction issues?
A: Yes, we do have people that stop by that are dealing with those substance abuse issues. While our program is built on what we call a psycho-social rehabilitation model as a form of socialization therapy, we do see a lot of our clients with duo diagnosis such as mental health issues and substance abuse issues.
Q: In regards to the substance abuse issues do you have staff on site like a therapist for example who works with your clients who are struggling with drug and or alcohol addictions?
A: No, not here at the site. However, we are able to make referrals to area professionals that are trained to assist and provide services. Before taking this position, I was a case manager so I know many of the social service agencies and staff, who are best to call etc., so we do act as a conduit for referrals to get our clients seen. Just as a side note, while we do not have licensed therapists here, we do offer our clients a number of group “sessions” where my staff and I lead. For example, we have a group session that will talk about anxiety issues or safe boundary issues or depression issues, to name just a few.
Q: If there wasn’t this safe place, this social center where your clients can go to and talk with other peers, what do you think would happen to these people?
A: That is scary to think about. I know that many of our clients wish we were open all the time 24/7 for access, that’s how much this center means to them. If they didn’t have this place to come to, I believe many would be isolated in their apartments which ultimately would be detrimental to their mental health.
Q: I am sure there have been people who after coming here for a period of time it changed their life for the better. Can you provide a case that stands out to you?
A: There have been many but the one that pops to my mind is our advisory board president who started coming here about a year and a half ago. This client had lost everything, job, home, etc. literally the client was homeless. We arranged for services and an apartment. This center is so important to him, as he often says, and without his affiliation with the club he wouldn’t know where he would be.
Q: How many staff do you have?
A: We have three staff at each location, two are full-time, one is part-time.
Q: Where does your funding come from?
A: Our funding is primarily through grants from the New York State Department of Mental Health. We also look to other grant sources for additional funding as well as a number of fundraisers.
Q: Please give our readers some background information about yourself. How long have you been supervisor, what additional professional titles have you held and finally what is your educational background?
A: I have been in my current position as supervisor for almost two years here at the Adult Recovery Center, but have been with the agency for nearly five years. In other professional capacities I worked as a youth residential counselor at a homeless shelter for youth 18 and under in North Carolina, as well as a special service unit residential counselor for children being discharged from hospitals in Colorado.
Q: What is your educational back ground?
A: I have a bachelor’s in social work as well as a minor in psychology. I attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
For more information about The Neighborhood Center call 315- 941-3971, email: CaitlinB@neighborhoodctr.org or visit www.neighborhoodctr.org — search behavioral health services.