County Care Team to reach out to families affected by drug addiction

The Perry County Drug Prevention Coalition has announced a partnership with the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board to make Care Team a reality. The Perry County Care Team is a collaboration with local law enforcement and behavioral health counseling agencies to reach out to families affected by drug addiction. Teams will start their service to the community on Wednesday, May 2.

Teams will be led by law enforcement, will include a counselor, and a support staff member. Because of the large geographical territory of the county the New Lexington team will be under the direction of New Lexington Police Chief Scott Ervin. His primary counselor will be Perry Behavioral Health Choices, Inc. (PBHC) Youth & Family Services Program Supervisor, Lisa Harper. Serving as back-up counselor will be Corinne Braglin, who serves as PBHC's Stanton Villa program supervisor.

Support services for the New Lexington team will come from Allwell. Lead support member will be Kelly Valentine and back-up will be Deidra Storts. The remainder of the county will be covered by the Perry County Sheriff's Office. The county team will be headed by Patrol Sergeant Doug Gill. His primary counselor will be Allwell New Lexington Site Director, John Johnston. Serving as back-up will be Allwell counselor Amanda Jennings. Support services for the County team will be provided by Perry Behavioral Health Choices, Inc. Lead support will be Penny Maxwell and back-up, Venus Newell.

Kelly Valentine will coordinate Care Teams. Valentine was selected to coordinate teams because of her ties to Perry County New Direction's Court under the leadership of Judge Dean Wilson and her collaboration with the various service agencies of Perry County.

Law enforcement and counseling organizations will determine on Mondays. Teams will devote Wednesdays between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. to conduct visits.

New Lexington's group will meet at the New Lexington Administration Building on Main Street. The County group plans to convene at the Perry County Sheriff's Office on Brown Street. Both teams will go out with Law Enforcement officers in uniform, the remaining members will wear blue denim pants and teal blue shirts with the 'Perry County Care Team' logo.

Any law enforcement or helping organization in the county can make a referral to the Care Team. All referrals will be made directly to Care Team Coordinator, Valentine. Her work phone is 740-342-5154, and her mobile number is 740-607-0244.

The coordinator relays the referrals to the team and it will be their decision as to where the team visits. The goal of the group is to get family members "at risk" for substance use disorders direct linkage to needed resources, for the individual and their families.

Teams will go on site prepared to educate families and offer choices that best suit their individual needs. Follow up visits are being planned to ensure that people get resources they need to improve their quality of life. Care Teams are devoted to combating the drug epidemic.

For other information on the Perry County Care Team please call Valentine at 740-342-5154.