Employee
Assistance Program Services
The Community Health Center understands the needs of both the employer and
the employee in dealing with potential and existing health and substance abuse
problems. Our mission is to aid the business community in developing the employee's
full potential through training and workshops, medical services, drug prevention
and testing. Services include corporate wellness programs, drug policy development
and implementation. Other services include management and supervisory training
and employee education as related to substance abuse issues in the work place.
Health
Promotion Program
The Health Promotion Program at the Community Health Center, funded through
the Summit County Health Department, provides HIV/AIDS education, as well
as a wide range of health topics and prevention to area youth and substance
abusers. Our Health Educator serves as an extension of our physician by providing
age-appropriate education and prevention on numerous health topics through
interactive approaches. These include: educational talks, learning activities/games,
discussions, videos, role-playing and question and answer sessions. Educational
materials are made available to youth and their parents on a broad array of
health issues.
KidSpace
The Community Health Center operates a state licensed childcare facility (KidSpace)
in RAMAR, our residential housing facility, as well as a child day care center
in our North Campus facility. KidSpace enables mothers to receive residential
treatment, as well as intensive outpatient treatment, who otherwise would
not be able to participate due to family obligations. This program eliminates
one barrier that prevents women from receiving treatment.
Early
Start Program
Early Start is a free home-visitation program that supports families of children
from birth to age three. The goals of Early Start are simply to strengthen
the child's development and to give them the best chance possible to achieve
success. Early Start is the program that helps to form a partnership between
parents, children and the community. A trained outreach worker is provided
to help families get the services and assistance they need in the community.
Early Start also provides the resources and support to develop the skills,
time and energy needed for positive parenting. In 2001 the Early Start staff,
funded by Summit County Children and Family First, were involved with 102
children.
Children
Are Special
The Community Health Center's "Children are Special" groups target children,
ages 5 through 12, who are growing up in chemically dependent families and
address issues of feelings, problem solving, coping skills and self esteem.
These groups consist of eight sessions and are offered at various times and
locations throughout the year. Offering a flexible schedule demonstrates our
belief that all clients should be afforded quality, timely, clinically sound
and cost-effective services.
Wellness
Block Grant (WBG)
This teen program funded by the Summit County Children and Family First is
intended to give teenagers a forum to face and deal with peer pressures. Issues
include pregnancy prevention, STD and HIV/AIDS awareness. anger management,
anti-smoking messages, and communication skills The purpose of the Wellness
Block Grant is to foster a future full of healthy choices.
Project
PANDA
PANDA is an education/prevention program designed for middle school students,
grades 6, 7 and 8. The goal of PANDA is to begin to educate young people,
not only about the dangers of drug/alcohol abuse and use, but also about peer
pressure, decision-making and self-esteem. This goal is accomplished during
a Friday through Sunday educational camp experience. The 3-day weekend and
week-long prevention camps directly serve over 500 adolescents per year.
Adolescent
Treatment Program
During 2001, treatment was provided for 410 chemically dependent adolescents.
Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy combined with holistic wrap-around service,
the results were most encouraging. This specific treatment modality combined
with strong motivational support successfully addresses many of the concerns
responsible for teenage chemical abuse or addiction.
Akron
Drug Abuse Clinic
The Akron Drug Abuse Clinic (ADAC), a program of the Community Health Center,
is one of only nine methadone clinics in Ohio and offers methadone maintenance
and detoxification treatment specifically for narcotic addiction and, in particular,
heroin. Methadone, the most widely used and studied treatment for heroin addiction
has been identified as the single most effective treatment for opiate addicts.
The methadone program is supervised by a licensed physician who is ASAM (American
Society for Addictions Medicine) certified. When given on a daily basis and
in appropriate doses, methadone blocks the effects of street heroin and effectively
reduces the craving for heroin and other illicit narcotics. Another benefit
of methadone is that it is safe and produces no significant side effects.
Health services are provided to those who might not otherwise seek treatment
of related disorders, such as Hepatitis B and C viruses. Methadone treatment
reduces the incidence of HIV/AIDS, as drug users often share contaminated
needles. Methadone clinics are on the front lines providing education, medical
services and risk reduction information.
Representative
Payee Program
The ability to manage money and a budget appropriately is a critical skill
for client independence. Most of our representative payee clients are senior
citizens who are affected by dementia or Alzheimer's and are referred by the
Summit County Adult Protective Services. In the Representative Payee Program
a budget is established, but a member of the staff of the Community Health
Center actually makes the payments in conjunction with the client. This vital
service insures that clients can maintain a sense of independence.
