Last Updated on May 24, 2018 by cassnetwork
Logansport Memorial Hospital (LMH) and Four County Counseling Center were recently named as joint grant recipients from Tyson Foods, Inc. The grant award, given by Tyson Foods, will provide funding for the development of community programming that addresses the challenge of substance use and abuse issues in Cass County. Substance abuse is currently a concern facing the entire county, and its impact is creating barriers to successful employment for local employers among the available workforce.
Timely access to healthcare and counseling for substance abuse services is all too often unavailable in small rural communities throughout America. This is particularly evident in Cass County as well. Through collaboration and partnership, Logansport Memorial Hospital and Four County Counseling Center will utilize the Tyson Foods’ grant funding to address two locally identified issues related to substance abuse. First, timely and convenient substance abuse referrals and services will be provided for identified individuals and/or family members in need. Secondly, LMH and Four County will spearhead the coordination of services and offerings among key community partners, so that collaboration can minimize any gaps or duplication in care and effectively address all aspects of the substance abuse problem in Cass County.
“By working together to address the issues that delay or prevent access to care, Tyson Foods, Logansport Memorial Hospital and Four County are making a community investment to strengthen our local workforce,” shares Lynda Shrock, Vice-President of Human Resources at Logansport Memorial Hospital.
“During the grant period, a pilot referral process will be implemented at Tyson Foods. Through an Orientationto-Treatment program held weekly, Four County Counseling Center will facilitate needed referrals to members of its clinical staff for any interested Tyson Foods team member and/or immediate family member. Once established, the weekly orientation program will be expand its reach and be made available to other Cass County employers for use with their workforce.”
Bethany Schoenradt, Vice-President of Operations at Four County Counseling Center commented, “This grant provides a unique opportunity for our entire community to address current substance use concerns. At Four County, achieving better care means being better together with our health and community partners. Collaborative action with engaged community partners is what will drive our success in turning the tide for Cass County. Four County is very excited about the increased access to mental health and addiction services that this grant funding will generate. We applaud Tyson Foods for being an employer that supports innovative approaches in addressing substance use and in prioritizing all aspects of health for their employees, their families, and the greater community where their workforce resides.”
The grant will also provide an inventory of programs and organizations that offer substance abuse treatment, accept referrals, and provide ongoing support for substance use and abuse in Cass County. Upon completion, the community at-large will have a directory that lists these identified resources working to address local substance abuse issues and the gaps in care associated with existing substance abuse services.
This investment by Tyson Foods will greatly impact the overall health and wellness of the Logansport and Cass County community. Other local industry employees and employers will have improved access to the necessary counseling services needed to overcome drug addictions that inhibit successful employment. As the program progresses, more information will be shared with the community. For additional information regarding the initiative, contact Vicki Byrd, Vice President of Planning and Development at Logansport Memorial Hospital.
SOURCE: News release from Logansport Memorial Hospital