News

April 13, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Carol Carrithers, Vice President
Marketing and Communications
101 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
502-589-8615, ex. 1209
502-245-5782 (h)
ccarrith@sevencounties.org

Seven Counties Services receives grant
for substance abuse programming
for persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

As part of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky's Community Grants Program, the foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) at Seven Counties Services, Inc. The grant, entitled "Breaking Down Barriers to Substance Abuse Treatment for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Kentuckians" will bring together mental health professionals, members of the recovery community, interpreters, and those with hearing loss to begin creating a continuum of care for people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Seven Counties' DHHS program was among 23 organizations that received a community grant from the foundation. The grantmaking strategy of the Foundation seeks to address the unmet health care needs of the people of Kentucky through strategic initiatives designed to improve health status and access to care with influencing public policy as a key component to fostering permanent change. Funding consideration was for projects whose goals fit with at least one of the foundation's focus areas: fitness and nutrition for children and families; youth smoking prevention; youth substance abuse prevention; access to health care for low-income, the uninsured and rural populations; and increased access to integrated mental health services

The continuum of care created under this grant will include education, outreach, enhanced access through materials and interpreters, and a framework for change. Interpreters also will help increase the number of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings with American Sign Language access.

DHHS is seeking volunteers from the Deaf community who are interested in teaching sign language and deaf awareness. Seven Counties also is seeking donation of old TTY's and other equipment that will be loaned to sponsors in AA and to persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and in recovery. Volunteers from the recovery community are also needed in increase awareness in the program.

Persons needing more information about the DHHS project or who would like to volunteer, should e-mail Michelle Niehaus at mniehaus@sevencounties.org or call (502) 589-8723 (V) or (502) 772-7216 (TTY).

Seven Counties Services, Inc. is a private, non-profit corporation providing planning, prevention, treatment, and support in the areas of mental health, alcohol and drug abuse, and mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. It serves Bullitt, Jefferson, Henry, Oldham, Spencer, Shelby and Trimble counties. It is Kentucky's largest comprehensive community mental health center, with approximately 1,400 staff members serving 28,000 persons in the region.