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Uplifting the human spirit is a lofty statement for any organization to promote as their objective, especially given the challenging world we live in today. Quality health and human services for individuals, families and communities in need are a priceless resource. With over three decades of experience, WestCare has the necessary expertise to be that resource to the communities we serve.
WestCare, a family of tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, provides a wide spectrum of health and human services in both residential and outpatient environments. Our services include substance abuse and addiction treatment, homeless and runaway shelters, domestic violence treatment and prevention, and mental health programs. These services are available to adults, children, adolescents, and families; we specialize in helping people traditionally considered difficult to treat, such as those who are indigent, have multiple disorders, or are involved with the criminal justice system.
Much of our growth has resulted from partnering with like-minded, community-oriented treatment programs that focus on providing the highest quality services. All of these partnerships are to the mutual benefit of the organizations involved and have enabled the partners to sustain and enhance the provision of treatment services for those who need such help. A brief historical overview shows how this strategy has further strengthened and broadened the treatment continuum WestCare provides in its many regions.
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ATTENTION U.S. VETERANS:
JOIN THE NATIONAL AMERICORPS SERVICE MOVEMENT AND EARN A STIPEND WHILE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHER VETERANS.
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WestCare Foundation, Inc, a national network of nonprofit, community-based behavioral health affiliates is recruiting U.S. military veterans to fill 44 full-time position slots in its new AmeriCorps National Direct program (www.americorps.gov). Full-time AmeriCorps Members will provide 1700 hours of hands-on service over a 12-month period at a WestCare affiliate serving veterans and their families (onsite and in the community). Members will assist program staff to provide recovery support services, skill-building, screenings and assessments, etc. Member positions are available at WestCare program sites in Bullhead City and Kingman, Arizona; Fresno, California; St. Petersburg, Miami and Upper Keys, Florida; Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Tumon, Guam (Pacific Islands); Cook County and Sheridan, Illinois; Pikeville and Irvine, Kentucky; Sauk Centre, Stearn County, Minnesota; Pahrump, Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada; Forest City, Iowa; Manson, North Carolina; Portland Oregon; Sneedville, Tennessee; Olympia, Washington; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Torrington and Cheyenne, Wyoming, and St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. AmeriCorps Members receive a stipend (semi-monthly), benefits (limited medical and dental) and a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (upon completion of service). Experience and/or interest in the nonprofit field, behavioral health field or veterans' needs is required. Preference will be given to U.S. military veterans. All positions require a high school diploma or equivalent, the ability to pass background screenings and the ability to commit to 12 consecutive months of service. Individuals selected are required to travel to an expense-paid week of mandatory training at a location, and on a date to be provided later, probably in October. AmeriCorps programs are open to U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent resident aliens age 18 and older. Interested individuals can click on the blue box above to fill out the AmeriCorps Application form; then send your completed Application via email to mshields@westcare.com.
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ATTENTION U.S. VETERANS:
WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES?
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The Family Alliance for Veterans of America (FAVA) is seeking qualified candidates to serve as a full-time AmeriCorps VISTA member in Forest City, Iowa for 12 months beginning in mid-June. AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. For one year, the VISTA member will work alongside FAVA staff and volunteers to create and expand programs that ultimately bring veterans, military families and communities in Iowa out of poverty. VISTA members gain new skills, friends, and experiences and get the satisfaction that comes from helping others. During the VISTA term the member will receive a modest living allowance (at least $10K), health care, and other benefits. And, upon completing service, the member can choose to receive either a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award ($5,500) or post-service stipend (equal to $1,500). Interest in working in the nonprofit arena addressing the whole-person health and wellness needs of our veterans and their families is required.
Preference will be given to U.S. military veterans and members of military families. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, the ability to pass background screenings and the ability to commit to 12 consecutive months of service. Members must be 18 years or older, a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National or Legal Permanent Resident. The selected individual must be able to attend a 3-day pre-service orientation on June 11th-14th, 2012, in Iowa. Members must be able to work daytime hours Monday-Friday, occasional evenings, weekends and/or early mornings in order to cover work responsibilities. Must be available for occasional travel to other counties and state events and must have reliable transportation. WestCare is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace.
To apply, please go to www.westcare.com, and follow the link to obtain and complete the required AmeriCorps application form. In order to be considered, this form must be competed and sent to Mike Shields via email (mshields@westcare.com) or fax (702-307-4036).
| 1973 |
WestCare was created to provide community-based substance abuse treatment for people who are indigent or from low-income households and who would not otherwise have had access to treatment services. Founded as a residential treatment program called Fitzsimmons House, or "Fitz House," adopted the therapeutic community treatment modality and focused on long-term care for hard-core adult male heroin addicts. Within a few years, WestCare responded to the community's need for expanded substance abuse treatment and made available to women and to individuals abusing drugs other than heroin.
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| 1981 |
The Board of Directors reincorporated the agency under Western Counseling Associations, Inc. (WCA). With this re-incorporation, the agency further expanded to provide adult outpatient and day treatment services, as well as a substance abuse education and prevention school for adults convicted of driving under the influence.
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| 1984 |
WCA acquired Vegas House, Inc. (now known as WestCare's Youth Residential Program), an adolescent residential program that utilizes the therapeutic community treatment modality: 75% of the treatment population is youthful offenders.
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| 1985 |
Our service delivery system expanded to include a youth day treatment component with an accredited school program sponsored by the Clark County School District, primarily serving probationers and parolees.
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| 1986 |
The Regional Family Resource Center (RFRC) was added to our family of programs to provide a comprehensive system of crisis intervention, substance abuse assessments, and referral/placement services for youth and families in need. This program was the result of collaboration between the Nevada Association of Counties, Juvenile Court Services, and WCA. The RFRC has continued to grow and now provides shelter and drug abuse prevention services to runaway, homeless, and exploited youth; adult social model civil protective custody and detoxification program (primarily serving individuals with criminal justice backgrounds or public inebriates referred by local law enforcement); and an adult transitional living program and aftercare support services.
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| 1988 |
The agency changed its name to WestCare. The agency's new name reflected more accurately the diversity of treatment alternatives made available to the community.
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| 1991 |
WestCare continued to expand its focus on special populations with the addition of a school-based substance abuse education and prevention project focusing on serving Hispanic youth.
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| 1992 |
Programs in neighboring states began to request WestCare's assistance and expertise in developing and managing substance abuse education, prevention, and treatment programs for both youth and adults. WestCare started its Colorado River Region Youth Services Project (CRRYS), located in Mohave County, Arizona, to address gaps in services for youth corrections and child welfare referrals in the tri-state region of Arizona, California, and Nevada. WestCare also acquired fiscal and clinical management of The Third Floor in Fresno, California in 1992. The Third Floor, incorporated in 1974, provides critical substance abuse treatment and prevention programs as well as support services for homeless and families in need throughout Fresno County. The Third Floor (now WestCare California) provides service to over 3,000 individuals annually. The WestCare California treatment facility in Fresno is one of the largest community-based programs in the United States with a capacity of almost 350 residential and detoxification treatment beds providing specialty services to youth, women with children, and adults.
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| 1996 |
WestCare initiated a rural outpatient substance abuse treatment program for youthful offenders in Pahrump, Nevada. WestCare opened an adolescent social model detoxification program, and added a domestic violence program for chemically dependent women to its Nevada operations. We also acquired a domestic violence shelter that annually serves approximately 320 women and their children, known as Safe House, in Arizona; 60% of the women in the program have criminal justice involvement. The Safe House operation was added at the request of its Board of Directors, which wanted the program to benefit from WestCare's experienced management team.
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| 2001 |
- In January, WestCare established a Community Involvement Center and administrative office in St. Petersburg, Florida and began building partnerships with local treatment providers and community organizations. WestCare currently provides outpatient substance abuse treatment services to individuals affected or infected with HIV/AIDS.
- In April, WestCare Nevada added the Healthy Families Project, a residential substance abuse treatment program serving pregnant and postpartum women and their children. Healthy Families Project offers a continuum of care ranging from medium/high intensity residential, intensive outpatient, outpatient individual and group, and transitional housing treatment services. This program provides gender specific case management substance abuse treatment services to pregnant/parenting women and women with dependent children. This is the only substance abuse treatment facility in Southern Nevada that specifically targets this population, allows the clients to bring children into treatment with them, and provides intensive case management during the treatment process.
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| 2002 |
WestCare California contracted with the Department of Corrections, and in February 2003, began operating residential treatment and outpatient counseling for prison inmates.
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| 2003 |
- WestCare Nevada begins operating a Community Triage Center with support from the city of Las Vegas, Clark County, and the local medical community.
- WestCare Nevada begins operating a Community Triage Center with support from the city of Las Vegas, Clark County, and the local medical community.
- WestCare assumed operations of the Living Room, a nonprofit agency in 2003, thus providing WestCare California with an opportunity to develop a full complement of HIV/AIDS-related services in the Fresno community. In addition to offering counseling and related services, The Living Room offers a drop-in center, a food bank, and a hot meals program.
- Blossom House, an independent living program that prepares drug-free women for a life of sobriety and productivity, joined WestCare Arizona's service array in 2003. Staff assists residents in finding meaningful work and in finding affordable permanent housing.
- WestCare Nevada opened the Women and Children's Campus in November 2003. Licensed for 130 beds, the facility offers a crisis intervention program for runaways and homeless adolescents; separate treatment programs for adolescents and adult women address gender-specific needs of campus residents; and Healthy Families.
- The Village South, located in Miami, The Village - Virgin Islands and WestCare affiliated in December 2003, thus joining forces. Through this partnership, both organizations came together with the expectation of maximizing their respective strengths by sharing resources and "best practices" of service delivery, and by improving administrative efficiencies.
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| 2004 |
- WestCare Georgia enters into a contract with DeKalb County and began operation of two independent living facilities for foster children and adjudicated youths. One for Boys in Tucker, Georgia, and one for Girls in Stone Mountain, Georgia.
- Charles G. Curie, Administrator of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) presented a grant award to WestCare for $2 million over five years to integrate treatment for health problems, substance abuse and mental disorders for homeless adults at The Turning Point.
- In preparation for establishing community-base substance abuse treatment services in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, WestCare Foundation filed articles of incorporation. Initially, WestCare will provide services in eastern and central Kentucky, with plans to expand into western Kentucky.
- The Colorado River Youth Shelter (CRRYS) celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a gala celebration.
- WestCare Florida began offering targeted case management services in Pensacola, Florida, for severely and persistently mentally ill adults and children.
- WestCare Florida subcontracted with the University of South Florida for HIV/AIDS testing and counseling services.
- WestCare Nevada opened the Girls Intermediate Residential Living and Support Services (GIRRLS) program at the Women and Children's Campus. The program offers alternative placements for females who have committed non-violent offenses, yet are not categorized as delinquents because they are often victims of crime. The program is a collaboration of Department of Juvenile Justice Services, the Metropolitan Police Department, and WestCare.
- WestCare Nevada begins Prevention Education services in rural and Urban Nevada. This new program covers two counties and is included in the school curriculum in three cities.
- WestCare Georgia begins operation of two Independent Living Facilities; one for Boys, in Tucker Georgia and one for Girls, in Stone Mountain Georgia.
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| 2005 |
- WestCare Kentucky opened a residential substance abuse treatment facility in August of 2005. The facility is licensed for 72 adult men and women in Eastern Kentucky.
- WestCare Arizona opens Emery House, a men's sober living home that provides housing and services for ten adult men in recovery.
- WestCare Arizona opens Sage House, a respite day center for seniors that provides supervised care for those who cannot be left home alone.
- WestCare receives funding to begin expansion of Street Outreach Services to include identification of victims of trafficking.
- The Care Center for Mental Health affiliated with WestCare. The Care Center for Mental Health has been providing substance abuse and mental health services to the residents of Monroe County and the Florida Keys over two decades.
- The Guidance Clinic of the Middle Keys affiliated with WestCare. The Guidance Clinic of the Middle Keys has been faithfully serving the residents of the Middle Keys of Monroe County for more than three decades.
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| 2006 |
- WestCare Nevada opened the Butterflies Emergency Shelter Program which provides an immediate safe haven for girls referred by Child Haven. The Unit provides alternatives for girls age 10-17 in danger of abuse or neglect, and works with caseworkers to coordinate services to meet each individuals needs.
- WestCare California opened a Therapeutic Community inside Pleasant Valley State Prison which can provide substance abuse services for 200 inmate participants.
- Drug Court services begin in town of Pahrump, Nevada. Adult and Youth Drug Court Clients are able to receive compassionate care in their own community.
- On November 1, 2006, WestCare Illinois enters into a contract with the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide substance abuse treatment for all 950 offenders at the Sheridan Correctional Facility -Fully Dedicated Drug Treatment Prison and Reentry Program. The Sheridan program utilizes a therapeutic community model of care.
- WestCare Arizona's Colorado River Regional Youth Services (CRRYS) is the recipient of three major community inspired renovation projects.
- Mohave County Probation Department, volunteers and neighbors from the community came together to help build a new baseball field for the youth at CRRYS. In November CRRYS held its 1st annual softball tournament on the new field to mark the occasion. Staff from Mohave County Probation played the opening game.
- The CRRYS facility opened a new classroom. This classroom is state of the art, equipped with 20 computers where students can complete school work assignments on-line and work at their own pace, while earning credits toward graduation. This project was made possible by Apple Construction and local Kiwanis Clubs.
- Local businesses and volunteers join together to create an outside picnic area furnished with picnic tables and canopy for the youth and staff at CRRYS.
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| 2007 |
- WestCare Arizona's Thrift Store gets a new name, new manager and a much needed makeover. This project was made possible by the hard work and dedication of the WestCare Arizona staff. Formerly known as "My Sister's Closet" this new and improved thrift store now proudly bears the name of WestCare Arizona Thrift Store.
- Mohave County Probation Department, volunteers and neighbors unite to build a new basketball court at CRRYS. In celebration, WestCare Arizona staff held a celebrity "shoot the hoops with the kids day" at CRRYS, where the local Needles, CA Judge, Honorable Joe Brisco, Mohave County Attorney, Matt Smith and WestCare Sr. Vice President, Kirby Burgess shot hoops with the kids.
- Scheduled for winter 2007, WestCare Nevada, will open the doors to its newest facility, the Community Triage Center (CTC), located in Reno, Nevada. The CTC – Reno will provide safe, medically supervised detoxification services, as well as provide triage services for individuals in need of acute mental health treatment. The CTC will offer safe and effective treatment options for early interventions for both populations.
- In fall 2007 WestCare began operating the new WestCare Charter School. WestCare Charter School is a publicly-funded charter school geared at assisting children and adolescents with behavioral and/or emotional problems. The school will combine a middle school and high school educational program with emotional wellness training and behavioral modification techniques.
- WestCare Nevada awarded State of Nevada grant to provide integrated mental health and substance abuse treatment services to Seriously Emotionally Disturbed (SED) adolescents with Co-occurring Disorders. The Co-Occurring Disorders Pilot Project of Clark County is a comprehensive, integrated, evidence-based program which incorporates intensive outpatient services and Family Behavioral Therapy.
- WestCare Nevada expands the Healthy Families Project. In a collaborative effort, WestCare Nevada, State of Nevada Division of Child and Family Services, the State of Nevada Attorney General's Office and other partner agencies awarded $3.7 million federal grant through the Administration for Children and Families to improve permanency outcomes for children affected by methamphetamine and other substance abuse. The Healthy Families Project, the only licensed treatment services for mothers and their young children in Las Vegas, provides residential and transitional substance abuse treatment services to pregnant, postpartum, and parenting women. This funding will allow WestCare to expand services by an additional 12 treatment beds, enabling the HFP to serve 30 mothers and up to 30 children. The enhanced services will benefit an additional 48 women and children annually.
- WestCare California received a federal grant from Administration for Children and Families to provide therapeutic children's services for women and their families affected by methamphetamine and other drug use.
- WestCare California entered into a partnership with Kings County Probation and the Office of Education to provide substance abuse treatment for incarcerated youth and case management and counseling in 4 local high schools.
- WestCare California began providing Family Adolescent Centered Treatment (FACT) to youth 14 to 22 involved with high risk behavior and/or on probation.
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| 2008 |
- WestCare California awarded the contract for the Family Foundations Program in San Diego to serve pregnant and parenting female offenders in the custody of CDCR
- WestCare California awarded a Runaway Homeless Youth Maternity Home called Alpha Zeta Phi from Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families Pregnant and parenting girls and their children receive counseling, case management and housing services for up to 24 months.
- WestCare California awarded a 20 bed transitional housing program from the Veterans Administration for returning female veterans and their children. Services focus on family reunification, issues of trauma, physical and mental heath and parenting.
- WestCare is awarded a bid to operate a 250-bed in-prison therapeutic community at Avenal State Prison in California, with different intensities of treatment available to inmates based on need.
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| 2009 |
WestCare Illinois is awarded the contract to provide Therapeutic Community drug treatment to 190 inmates in the Cook County Jail in Chicago, Illinois.
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