Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
April 12, 2007 issue
Story by Ron Fitzwater
New River Behavioral Health Care (NRBHC) has expanded services to Avery County children, adolescents and their families with treatment for substance abuse, depression and other behavioral problems.
The Child and Adolescent team includes a psychiatrist, registered nurse and psychologist to provide outpatient-based services for medication evaluation, monitoring and treatment along with psychological evaluation and testing.
Student Assistance Program
School counselors can refer students for three visits at no cost to the student’s family. The visits allow NRBHC staff to evaluate the student and begin forming trusting relationships to determine if further treatment is needed.
Students are keeping their appointments. Over the past two years, students showed up for 85 percent of their appointments. Part of the reason for the success is that NRBHC has worked to eliminate barriers to treatment by providing the three visits and meeting with students at their respective schools if transportation is an issue.
In 2004-05, 43 students were referred for evaluation, with 77 percent completing treatment recommendations. In 2005-06, 97 students were referred, with 79 percent completing treatment recommendations. In the current school year, 99 students have been referred. Focus groups such as Peer Pressure, Social Skills and Life Transitions are provided in addition to individual therapy.
Juvenile Justice Substance Abuse Services
Adjudicated youth with identified alcohol or drug abuse or dependence issues and who are considered to be at risk with behavioral and peer relationship problems are the focus of the Juvenile Justice Substance Abuse program. Referrals come from juvenile justice, law enforcement, schools and the Department of Social Services. Initially all referred youth receive a substance abuse screening inventory and drug screening to determine the nature and extent of dependency. Treatment and prevention services are made available to those who require them.
Of the 24 youth served through the program in 2005-06, 79 percent improved in overall functioning and recidivism decreased 96 percent. In addition, 88 percent of clients were in compliance with treatment goals, 83 percent saw a reduction in familial conflict and 54 percent remained clean of mood-altering substances.
Crisis Services for Children, Adolescents and Families
NRBHC offers a 24-hour 7-days per week mobile crisis intervention service. Consultation services are available by telephone at 1-866-333-8545 and face to face. The program works with the magistrate, law enforcement agencies and Cannon Hospital if circumstances require hospitalization or in-home treatment