Human Services Center staff went “blue” on Friday, April 6th to support Child Abuse Prevention Month’s “Wear Blue Day 2018”.  This day is a chance to highlight the ways that people can help great childhoods happen across Lawrence County as it brings awareness to the efforts being made to prevent child abuse, locally and nationally.

Human Services Center will be recognized this year as the 2018 Slippery Rock University recipient of the President’s Community Partner Award. This award is for a community-based
organization that has enhanced the quality of life in the community by enriching learning and community outcomes through reciprocal partnerships with Slippery Rock University.  You were nominated as a result of my recent campus-wide call for nominations and recommended to me by a review committee comprised of SRU students, staff, faculty, and community partners. Your selection for this recognition is based on the achievement of community outcomes through engagement with SRU social work students throughout the entire course of their education.  Honorees of our SRU President’s Awards for Civic Engagement will be recognized and the nature and results of the exemplary work celebrated at a special awards luncheon to be held at the President’s House at Slippery Rock University on Monday, April 9 at 11:30 AM. Award winners will receive a plaque of recognition and the NHSC’s profile will be posted on the SRU website.

Slippery Rock University  http://www.sru.edu/news/032818a

Introducing M. McCray Ashby, M.D.

McCray Ashby was born and raised in Cox’s Creek, KY, attending the Nelson County School System. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biology, graduating Summa Cum Laude, from Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY. He then attended University of Louisville College of Medicine earning his Medical Doctorate in 2005 where he was awarded the S. Spafford Ackerly Award for Outstanding Performance in Psychiatry.  He completed the Adult Psychiatry Residency Program at University of Louisville in 2008 where he was awarded the Martin L. Grossman Award as Outstanding Resident in Consultation/ Liaison Psychiatry, the Community Psychiatry Award, and the Ruby & John Schwab Award for Academic Excellence.  Dr. Ashby completed the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of Louisville in 2010 where he was awarded the Mohammad Shafii, MD Award for Excellence. He enjoys working with children and adolescents by offering personalized care focused to the diverse needs of each individual. Dr. Ashby is Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Introducing Keelin Garvey, M.D.

Keelin Garvey, MD, CCHP has joined InnovaTel as the Director of Forensic Psychiatry. Dr. Garvey is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Medical School. She completed her general psychiatry residency at Brown University and her forensic psychiatry fellowship at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Garvey is board-certified by the ABPN in general adult psychiatry and forensic psychiatry.  Dr. Garvey has worked in correctional settings for almost ten years, serving as the Chief Psychiatrist for the Massachusetts prison system prior to joining InnovaTel. She has presented nationally on correctional healthcare topics, at the National Commission on Correctional Health Care and the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. She has also published on the topic of risk assessment and authored a chapter on psychotherapy in correctional settings in a correctional psychiatry textbook.  Dr. Garvey’s expertise includes the evaluation and management of suicide risk in a correctional setting and the treatment of gender dysphoria among incarcerated individuals, and she provides consultation on diagnostic clarification and appropriate levels of care within the correctional setting.

Human Services Center is excited to participate in Westminster College upcoming event, “Fresh Check Day” on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.  Fresh Check Day aims to create an approachable and hopeful atmosphere where students are encouraged to engage in dialogue about mental health and helps to build a bridge between students and the mental health resources available on campus, in the community, and nationally.  Just another way….#HSC can help!!

What is Fresh Check Day?

Human Services Center is a proud sponsor of the upcoming 115th Annual Dinner, “Transforming Lives Together”,  presented by the Lawrence County Regional Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, March 14,2018.  The dinner will be held at Scottish Rite Cathedral featuring Keynote Speaker, Gray Swoope, President & CEO, of Vision First Advisors.

Human Services Center is a proud sponsor of the upcoming 11th Annual Lawrence County Women’s Conference presented by United Way of Lawrence County Women’s Initiative on Saturday, March 10, 2018.  The conference features guest speaker, Darieth Chisolm, an Emmy Award winning TV Host, as well as access to upscale shopping from Local Women Owned Businesses, Tips from Professionals, Shopping Tote, and much more!  The conference will be held at Shakespeare’s Restaurant & Pub.  https://www.facebook.com/lawrencecountywomensconference/

With the new year right around the corner, now is the time to take action and HSC can help!!  Check out 2 upcoming groups being offered starting in January!!

Chronic Pain Group Flyer – Jan 17 2018

Teenager Stress Management Group

Human Services Center (HSC) was recognized with an exceptional provider award by Value Behavioral Health- PA at their Annual Provider Appreciation Breakfast on Friday, December 1, 2017. The staff of Human Services Center received recognition for their use of an open access model for intakes to begin services. HSC began the use of walk-in intakes in September, 2016 in order to be more responsive to those who are ready to begin services without delaying the process of scheduling appointments that were a week or more in the future. Approximately 50 % of the previously scheduled intake appointments were missed while HSC staff resources were diverted to prepare for those appointments.

HSC staff from the Diagnostic Assessment Center, Outpatient Therapy, Crisis and business office all work together to triage those individuals and families who walk in Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. to provide an immediate face-to-face initial assessment, identification of individual needs and subsequent actions that may include an intake assessment with a therapist who will provide ongoing treatment for continuity of care purposes. Individuals and families who present for walk in intakes should plan to be at HSC for approximately two hours. HSC recognizes that it is often difficult to ask for help so the opportunity to come directly to the agency without scheduling helps those who may be struggling with transportation or other support issues. Referral sources report that it is helpful for care coordination as part of hospital discharge planning.

Human Services Center, with the help of St. Vincent De Paul, St. John Maronite, New Hope Wesleyan, and Two Fat Guys and an Oven were able to provide over 100 children with presents from their wish list!!  Alicia Craig and Amy Rispoli coordinated the effort and with the help of case managers, made wishes come true.  In addition to the help from the community, a consumer from years ago reached out with a monetary donation to “pay it forward” as she remembered the help that was given to her in a time of need.  Thank You to all of those who took time to participate and give back to the community!

On May 2, 2017, Lawrence County Peer Leadership, a program of the Human Services Center, celebrated its annual Peer Leadership Recognition Banquet. This event marked twenty-one years of the Lawrence County Peer Leadership Program and over one thousand students that have been trained. The event was held at The Villa Banquet Center. Daniel Barnes, Director of Lawrence County Peer Leadership and Director of the Human Services Center Student Assistance Program (SAP), served as the moderator for this celebration. Seventy-three sophomore students from all of the Lawrence County schools districts were recognized for their service to their schools and community. Each of these students participated in three days of training this past school year. The training was designed to educate the students in the qualities of leadership, empathy for others, communication, and multi-cultural awareness. Students were then challenged to “make a difference” in their homes, schools, and communities. Students also learned to identify problems and pursue solutions to the issues that challenge teenagers today. At the banquet, selected students from each of the Lawrence County schools, were asked to speak about “What it means to be a Peer Leader,” an important highlight of the evening.

The Human Services Center has provided the administration and coordination of this program since 1995. A dedicated staff from Lawrence County Drug and Alcohol Commission and Cray Youth and Family Services, work with this program as well. Back in their schools, these peer leaders collaborate with others already trained, also members of a Peer Leadership Club. Each club has committed advisors who provide them guidance and help coordinate activities that benefit the Lawrence County community. Below is a list of the 2016/2017 Peer Leaders and Advisors that were recognized at this banquet.

*Speakers