The 2014 Walden Annual Report Released
Posted for Walden Behavioral Health
The 2014 Walden Annual Report shows that Walden Behavioral Health grew and successfully met its mission: Provide a comprehensive array of crisis, behavioral health, trauma, and recovery services dedicated to bringing “Help for today; Hope for tomorrow” to Southern Maryland. But the need for Walden’s services has only increased, said Walden’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Kathleen O’Brien, Ph.D.
“After celebrating our 40th anniversary in 2013, we quickly got to work addressing new challenges facing our community. Services are needed, more now than ever. The opiate epidemic that has affected the country has reached our community. Our Substance Abuse programs have seen dramatic increases in those experiencing the effects of this epidemic, particularly reaching those between the ages of 18 to 30. Our community has seen too many lives ravaged by this devastating brain disease and we are striving to help all those in need.
“Our priority this year is to educate the community about the opiate epidemic, enhance access to care for those in need and to partner with others to expand provision of psychiatric care as well as medically assisted treatment for Substance Use Disorders.
“In 2014, Walden successfully achieved the highest level of accreditation with CARF, demonstrating our commitment to the highest standards of service. We remain dedicated to the many issues of addiction, mental illness, trauma, homelessness and joblessness. Families are often left frustrated and feeling helpless. Our commitment to these families remain steadfast.”
2014 annual report
CARF Accreditation
In August of 2014 Walden again received a 3 year CARF accreditation. CARF, the Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. CARF, a national behavioral health organization, requires accredited organizations to commit to a continual improvement in services, as well as an ongoing focus to meet the unique needs of each individual person.
HEZ (Health Enterprise Zone) Grant
Walden is partnering with MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital and Greater Baden to provide integrated care to individuals in Lexington Park. St. Mary’s Detention Center Walden provides screening, assessment, and recommendations for each potential participant in order to facilitate substance abuse treatment in an adult (18 & over) female Intensive Outpatient Program. Each participant also takes part in the completion of an individualized treatment plan to include goals, objectives, referral recommendations and treatment plan updates.
SBIRT Grant
In November of 2014 Walden was awarded the SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) grant. The SBIRT project “is an evidence-based practice used to identify, reduce and prevent problematic use abuse, and dependence on alcohol and illicit drugs” (St. Mary’s County Health Department, 2014). The grant provides Walden the opportunity to train both local primary care providers and youth educational professionals to facilitate early detection and referral for treatment of substance misuse.
Opiate Epidemic
Walden’s CEO has provided leadership at both state and local levels and a member of the county’s Overdose Prevention Planning Group and Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership, Walden joined with partner community leaders such as the St. Mary’s County Sheriff and the St. Mary’s County Health Department to plan and hold community summits in an effort to address the opiate epidemic. Together the organizations reached out to parents and community members. Walden involved our partnerships to reach as many in need of engagement, assessment, treatment and recovery support as possible.
Walden’s vision is to consistently provide the best-in-class behavioral health treatment and recovery support services to Southern Maryland. For over 40 years Walden has continued to grow and adapt to the ever changing needs of the community and focusing on creating a healthier, happier community building “Help For Today; Hope For Tomorrow.”
TREATMENT AND SERVICES:
Substance Use (Alcohol and Drug) • Treatment Recovery Support • Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault •Psychiatric, Mental Health & Trauma Counseling •Victim’s Services
To help Walden Behavioral Health you can learn how to donate here.
