News

February 8, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Dean Johnson
Public Information Officer
DJohnson2@sevencounties.org
502-589-8615, ext. 1297 Office
502-439-9461 Cell

Highlights from Your Comp Care Center:
Regional Community Mental Health, Behavioral Health
and Developmental Services

Meeting our Mission

Recently, a 16-year-old girl came to our children's crisis stabilization unit (CSU) with acute auditory hallucinations and exhibiting bizarre behavior. There was great concern that she might be experiencing the onset of a psychotic break and hospitalization was strongly considered for her, even though she'd had no prior treatment.

Fortunately, our staff and her family worked together to get her stabilized and began searching for the causes for her behavior. She steadily improved over several days. By the end of her stay on CSU, it was theorized, with input from her family, that she had been slipped a "club drug" in a non-alcoholic drink at a party she attended two nights prior to her admission.

Thankfully, she was able to avoid taking any medication and was discharged after all symptoms subsided. She will remain in follow-up treatment to continue monitoring her progress.

The children's crisis stabilization unit is the only short-term (4-7 days), 24-hour alternative to hospitalization for this population in our region. The number of clients with no payer source continues to climb: As of January 1, the CSU had served 92 more clients without means to pay compared to the same period one year earlier. Without additional funding, admission procedures will continue to tighten - increasing the likelihood of hospitalization for many children - and increasing overall system costs yet again.

Extreme Home Makeover Crew Helps SCS

Last month, Four Mercy High School students offered to volunteer their time and talent to assist in refurbishing the play therapy room at one of our clinical sites. The students enthusiastically raised funds to buy therapeutic toys and supplies. In addition to the huge success of their initial efforts, one of the students consulted with a workman on the Extreme Home Makeover program, which was building the Hughes family home at the time. This led to the offer of a brand new constructed sand tray as a gift from the staff of Extreme Makeover. In the photo at left, notice the Louisville Slugger legs and the entire Extreme Makeover crew autographs on the side.

We are pleased the students from Mercy were so enthusiastic and productive in their efforts to turn this "play room" into a professional "play therapy" room.

Shelby Clubhouse Evaluation Shows Member Progress

A recent program evaluation by the members of Welcome House in Shelbyville - a Seven Counties' therapeutic rehabilitation program, shows high levels of satisfaction and progress among the participants. Welcome House is a day program serving adults with severe mental illness. Members complete tasks essential to daily clubhouse operations that help them assess and strengthen their own skills. Progress is measured by reductions in hospitalizations, enhanced daily living skills, and increased independence. Some of the evaluation highlights:

• I believe my input/suggestions are important at the clubhouse: 97% agree
  
• I believe that I am actively involved in setting my goals and objectives: 97% agree
  
• Clubhouse staff gives me the support and assistance that I need when I ask for it: 100% agree
  
• My involvement in the clubhouse has helped me stay out of the hospital: 87% agree
  
• I have gained skills that help me improve the way I live: 90% agree
  
• I have reached a goal that I set for myself with the help from the clubhouse: 90% agree
  
• I believe that I have increased my involvement in the community since attending the clubhouse: 93% agree
  

Shawnee High School Recognizes SCS Efforts

Shawnee High School M.C.A. bestowed the honor of "Champion for Children" upon Seven Counties Services at its 10th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast on January 5th. Seven Counties Services' work in contributing to positive academic achievements through behavioral, emotional and other counseling at our area high schools is widespread. SCS services are present in 90 schools across our region. The work of two dedicated SCS clinicians at Shawnee led to this recognition and distinction.

Seven Counties Services, Inc. is a private, non-profit corporation that provides planning, prevention, treatment and support in the areas of mental health, alcohol and other drug abuse, and mental retardation and other developmental disabilities in Jefferson, Bullitt, Shelby, Spencer, Henry, Oldham, and Trimble counties. It is Kentucky’s largest comprehensive mental health center, and one of the nation’s largest. More than 1,400 clinical and administrative staff members provide services to approximately 25,000 persons each year.