Mission & Philosophy

Human Services Center is a progressive behavioral health care provider committed to meeting the individual needs of persons within its service area.  This commitment is demonstrated by:  Providing a continuum of high quality, efficient, and cost-effective behavioral health care services.  Maintaining partnerships with other public and private service providers.  Enabling individuals to increase their self-esteem, to enhance their lifestyles, and to become independent and integrated members of the community.  Improving the quality of life.  Offering services to persons of all ages regardless of their race, color religion, creed, disability, sex, or economic condition.  Adapting to changing needs of the behavioral health care industry.  Increasing the understanding and awareness of mental illness and other behavioral health care difficulties.  Reducing the stigma of mental illness and behavioral health care difficulties.

Human Services Center respects and protects the rights and inherent dignity of all persons regardless of health or social status.  Human Services Center is mindful and respectful of the ethical principles inherent to the health provider-patient relationship in all treatment settings.

The heart of Human Services  Center is its physicians and personnel.  Human Services Center is dedicated to affording just, honest, and respectful treatment to all persons who offer their time and effort in service to our Mission.  Human Services Center promotes mutual respect among personnel, endeavors to inform its personnel of the standards through the active leadership of its Board Members, officers, supervisors, and managers.

Vision Statement

The Human Services Center recognizes the importance of a strong leadership role, given the rapidly changing healthcare context.  As such, it is fundamental that the Center serve as a proactive agency for the development of a broad array of services whose goal is to enhance the quality of life for adults, children, and families.  As a leading behavioral health service provider, this goal will be accomplished via a broad array of treatment, consultation, education, and preventative services.  These will be provided by highly qualified professional staff with distinctive competencies valued by those we serve.  Where desired and appropriate, these services will be provided in a concert with, and in collaboration with, other key public and private service providers, organizations, and institutions.

Clinical Services’ Philosophy

The Sanctuary Model – This conceptual model was developed in the early 1980s. It was formally adopted as the Center’s model for clinical practices in 2008. The overall focus of the Sanctuary Model is to address the needs of our clients and staff in a caring, respectful manner, to develop and maintain a welcoming and positive environment, to offer recovery-oriented services that empower individuals to determine their goals and outcomes, and to encourage staff by promoting the Seven Sanctuary Commitments an fostering an atmosphere of personal and professional growth. For further information on the Sanctuary Model go to: http://sanctuaryweb.com/

The Recovery Model – The Center has adopted the Recovery Model clinical practice model that focuses on the needs of seriously mentally ill patients. “Recovery is a self-determined and holistic journey that people undertake to heal and grow. Recovery is facilitated by relationships and environments that provide hope, empowerment, choices and opportunities that promote people reaching their full potential as individuals and community members. (Pennsylvania OMHSAS definition of recovery) For further information on the Recovery Model go to: http://parecovery.org/

Everyday Lives Model – The Developmental Services will use the recommendations of Everyday Lives to support individuals and their families to achieve an everyday life.   The foundation of Everyday Lives:  Values in Action is two statements.  1.   We value what is important to people with disabilities and their families, who are striving for an everyday life.  2.  People with disabilities have a right to an everyday life; a life that is no different than that of all other citizens  For further information on Everyday Lives go to:  http://www.dhs.pa.gov/publications/EverydayLives/

Residential Programs’ Philosophy

Fairweather Lodge Housing Model – The basic tenets of this housing model were developed by Dr. George Fairweather in 1963. Fairweather emphasized the involvement of residents in establishing their own house rules including the selection of new tenants. Peer support and active involvement of residents in a training or vocational endeavor are cornerstones of this housing model. Staff are available to provide assistance on an “as needed” basis. For more information go to www.pahousingchoices.org.

Fair Housing Practices — The Center Fair Housing policy is consistent with HUD guidelines and can be accessed at www.hud.gov.

Employment Practices’ Philosophy

Equal Opportunity/Cultural Diversity – The Human Services Center is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to making employment decisions based on merit and value. HSC is committed to complying with all Federal, State, and local laws providing Equal Opportunities, as well as all laws related to terms and conditions of employment. HSC desires to keep a work environment which is free of harassment or discrimination because of sex, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, marital status, age, or any other status protected by Federal, State, or local laws. HSC values diversity and encourage men and women of all ethnic, racial, national origins to seek employment at the Human Services Center. The Center is responsible for upholding this Equal Opportunity policy.

Property Development Philosophy

The Human Services Center owns numerous properties in Lawrence County. In the development of these properties, the Center has followed the Keystone Principles for Growth for Pennsylvania. The core principles of renovating existing properties and incorporating sustainable building practices have guided the Center in its acquisition and development of property.

Facilities’ Philosophy

The Human Services Center has endorsed the philosophy of sustainability as advanced by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), the Green Building Alliance of Pittsburgh and Energy Star . The Center developed Lawrence County’s first and only LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certified building and is in the process of seeking LEED certification for two additional properties.

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