Community Outreach
Whether providing traditional behavioral health services in community settings or establishing new initiatives to improve wellness in the community as a whole, Middle Flint Behavioral Healthcare focuses upon partnerships– with businesses, families, schools, and the medical community.
- Services without walls.
Rather than relying completely upon facilities in which to deliver services, we are reaching out to provide services where the need is found. The concept of “services without walls” is not a new one – but in our eight counties, we are demonstrating the value of this service philosophy like never before. For example, many children are referred to services because of learning or behavioral problems that are exhibited in a school setting. By placing counselors in actual classrooms, we are able to both help identify problems earlier, and to treat them in the environment in which they most frequently occur. We also provide supported employment opportunities in our communities. Our consumers have held community-based jobs in settings ranging from the Jimmy Carter Presidential Historical sites to a gourmet dog biscuit company!
- Community education and awareness.
While many individuals contact us to refer themselves to our program in order to deal with specific problems, a larger number of our referrals are coming from employers, teachers, friends, and neighbors. They spot problems in the natural environment in which the individual lives, rather than an artificial treatment setting. Greater community awareness will lead to increased identification of individuals and families in need. We also wish to reduce the stigma often associated with the presence of a behavioral, emotional, or cognitive disability. Increased awareness leads to reduced stigma, as individuals tend to stigmatize those they do not understand. Through newspaper articles and columns, public speaking opportunities, and educational events, Middle Flint provides leadership in bringing community understanding to the problems of mental illness, addictive disease, and developmental disabilities.
- New community initiatives.
It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child. We subscribe to the belief that it takes an entire community to raise healthy young people to adulthood. Treatment and recovery programs are not just about paid professionals, but about a community offering opportunities – for service, employment, housing, recreation, and inclusion. To create a community service partnership, we have recently established the Middle Flint Rural Behavioral Health Planning project. This initiative brings together business leaders, clergy, agency managers, volunteers, and service providers to look at community needs, particularly in the area of behavioral health. One of the first projects identified by this initiative is the establishment of a Crisis Intervention Team (C.I.T.). This team will involve law enforcement officers and behavioral health providers in joint efforts to reduce the impact of life-threatening emergencies, through training in community interventions.
- Community service.
Middle Flint now offers community-based services to individuals who may not meet the more strict criteria for enrollment in clinic services but have immediate needs. Examples of available services to the community include:- HIV testing – Our trained nursing staff can provide education and testing for individuals and groups upon request.
- DUI school – Our first driver safety program has been established in Oglethorpe, and is accepting referrals throughout the eight-county area.
- EAPs – Employee assistance programs can be established with any local business that is interested in screening and treatment services for employees. Two of the largest causes of absenteeism are depression and substance abuse. Concerned employers can serve both employees’ needs and their bottom line through our programs.
If you would like further information on our community outreach and partnerships, please contact us at
229-931-2470.
