Page 12 - SFHN0918FINAL.qxp_SFHN 0608 Friday 5.0

Mental Health... ADDICTION... Mental Health... ADDICTION...

Jerome Golden Center’s Co-Occurring Disorders Program

is Unique in Treating the Whole Person

Integrated co-occurring is bringing change to what help clients build resiliency, facilitate none were arrested, convicted or incarcer-
disorder treatment is an has been an under-funded recovery and achieve reintegration into the ated in the 180 days following discharge,
evidence-based practice and under-utilized approach. community. Every client develops individ- nor were they hospitalized in a psychiatric
that improves quality of The center launched its co- ual treatment plan objectives, including a unit. Services to support their reintegra-
life for people with co- occurring unit in 2015 and is commitment to complete 90 AA/NA meet- tion in the community helped clients
occurring severe mental currently the only evidence- ings in 90 days. Trusting relationships are secure employment and register for impor-
illness and substance use based, licensed Level II established by securing and maintaining tant social services such as food stamps. By
disorders by combining Residential Treatment sponsors throughout a client’s treatment diverting mentally ill patients from jail and
mental-health and sub- Facility in Palm Beach and through working with case managers hospitalizations, the center created
stance-abuse services. County for the adult under- who provide support during residential $740,000 in state and local savings.
While treating both con- served population. Eighty treatment and after graduation. “While the center’s co-occurring pro-
ditions simultaneously is percent of Jerome Golden While in the residential program, indi- gram has proven its effectiveness, funding
effective, rarely is it Center clients have incomes vidual and interactive group activities, challenges remain,” said Dr. Linda De
offered. BY LINDA DE PIANO, of $11,000 or less. including life skills groups and meditation Piano, CEO of the Jerome Golden Center.
Studies show that PHD Treatment of co-occurring or creative arts, promote spirituality, well- “It is an underfunded treatment constantly
approximately 50% of disorder has a significant ness and support reintegration into the in need of support to change—and save—
individuals with severe mental disorders impact on the individuals treated, and on community. Clients are assisted with after- lives.”
are affected by substance abuse. At the avoiding the costs incurred for these care planning for housing, employment Clients have shared their belief in the
same time, only 7.4% of people with co- patients who might otherwise be sent to a and supportive services, and work with program, including one named Chad: “It
occurring disorder receive treatment for state mental hospital or jail. Annually as the clinical team collaboratively to address was very rough dealing with depression
both conditions and 55.8 % receive no many as 125,000 people with a mental ill- treatment objectives as well as proper dis- and addiction most of my adult life. The
treatment at all, according to the ness requiring treatment are arrested and charge planning. Following program grad- Jerome Golden Center was there for me
Substance Abuse and Mental Health booked into Florida jails. uation, most clients continue to access when I had nowhere else to go and accept-
Mental Health Services Administration. The center’s program is a voluntary services at the center and retain their rela- ed me without having insurance or any
Clients often find themselves excluded short-term (30- to 90-day) structured liv- tionships with their case managers who financial contribution. If it wasn’t for
from services in one system because of ing environment with 16-bed capability, support their ongoing recovery and assist them, I wouldn’t be alive today or celebrat-
their comorbid disorder and told to return but funding provides support for only 12 with other services such as housing and ing eight months clean on July 3, 2018.”
when the other problem is under con- beds through the fall. The center is cur- employment as needed.
trol—a confusing challenge for clients try- rently seeking funding to continue its pro- This approach has been very effective. Dr. Linda De Piano is CEO, Jerome Golden
ing to navigate the behavioral health sys- gram in the coming year. During the center’s 2017 fiscal year, the Center for Behavioral Health.
tem. Best-practice, evidence-based compo- center’s 12 beds were consistently full, and For more information, call
The Jerome Golden Center for nents comprise the program, which are 72 clients were treated. 100% of clients (561) 383-8000 or visit www.goldenctr.org.
Behavioral Health in West Palm Beach, FL consistent with the center’s mission to were discharged to stable housing, and

12 September 2018 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News