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Westbrook celebrated 65th year of service

PARKERSBURG – In 2014 Westbrook Health Services celebrated its 65th anniversary, Amity Detox and Treatment Center observed its 20th anniversary and the Genesis Program for Women turned 10 years old.

The Genesis Program is a long-term residential treatment facility for women and their dependent children.

The goal of the program is to provide a drug and alcohol-free environment for recovering women, women with children, and pregnant women while they build life skills needed to reintegrate back into the community.

“We have a wonderful staff, we do our best to meet the needs. I think the longevity of the programs shows stability in the community and we are at a point now financially where we are able to grow and expand,” said JoAnn Powell, Westbrook’s chief executive officer. Powell noted one area of expansion is in youth services in the eight counties the agency serves.

The center, headquartered at 2121 East Seventh St., Parkersburg also welcomed a new clinical director on board last year.

Suzanne Evans, program director said one of the goals for 2014 was to reduce “the stigma of mental illness and improve the general health of the individuals served.”

Along those lines, the agency conducted its first health fair which drew more than 300 participants and provided a variety of information and health screenings last year.

“We also received a Sisters of St. Joseph Charitable Fund grant to purchase medical monitoring equipment and we have applied for another grant to purchase more equipment,” Evans said.

“It’s all part of a holistic approach of treating the mind and working with health care providers on primary health needs at the same time,” said Elizabeth Ford, Westbrook marketing director.

The center provides services to more than 8,000 people struggling with mental health, addictions, and intellectual and development disabilities in the 8-county region.

Rob Dudley, county coordinator for Jackson County said the offices there will be celebrating 40 years of service this year.

“We will have more employees to serve mental health needs, and most recently expanded our offices in Ripley and Ravenswood,” Dudley said. Westbrook has also signed an agreement with Jackson County Schools to have therapy services at Ravenswood High School. “We hope to expand to all the middle and high schools in that county,” Dudley said.

Kendra Johnson, Pleasants, Tyler, Ritchie county coordinator said a program for school-based mental health care used in Pleasants County schools is being eyed as a model for the state.

“We are also growing, in the last two years we have added DUI classes in Pleasants County, substance abuse counselors come to our offices to provide counseling, we have outreach prevention programs and there is a peer support group in St. Marys through the Boys and Girls Club there,” she said.

Westbrook also liason with the Parkersburg Boys and Girls Club.

“Over the past year, we have been enhancing, and coordinating collaborations within the community in a variety of programs,” Ford said.

Karen Schimmel, Substance Abuse Division director said programs received a new grant which targeted Tyler and Roane counties for new prevention staff who will be working with underage drinking and substance abuse issues.

Jolie Kerenick, the new clinical director said a suicide task force is being developed.

“We have seen an increase in the suicide rates in our area,” she said.

Tim Barnett, director of mental health service coordinator said community outreach is being provided to work with those who are at higher risk for hospitalization to try and reduce those rates. The new community engagement specialist started the first of January and is working in all eight counties.

Dave Cisler, quality assurance director said there are also a number of homeless services provided through Westbrook including residential services, transitional and permanent homes for those who qualify.

“We have also received a new grant which will fund five new single units for service,” he said, and Westbrook has been asked to sit on the work group for the West Virginia Area Agency Council on Homelessness making a report to the governor.

“It is hoped even more services will be established,” Cisler said.

Darby Stevens, director of mental health therapy services said more therapists are also being added.

Westbrook is also now working with the Wood County Juvenile Drug Court, providing a gardening program, is working with the Parkersburg Art Center in conjunction with art therapy projects, and providing continuing educational opportunities to the community.

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