Meeting the needs
of children
Thursday, September 21, 2006
By JAIME MARINE
Staff Writer
MILLVILLE -- Addressing an
under-serviced population and giving youth, as well as their
families, a chance at a brighter future are two of the focuses
of a new adolescent mental health facility which officially
opened its doors to the public Wednesday morning.
County and state officials,
along with those associated with the Youth Empowerment Zone,
were at the North 2nd Street facility for the center's official
ribbon cutting.
"We have a shortage (of) this
type of service," Assemblyman Nelson Albano said. "We look
forward to working with the empowerment zone on getting to know
our children and meeting their needs."
YEZ offers comprehensive mental
health services to youth ages 12 through 17 who have psychiatric
illness, behavioral problems or a combination of mental illness,
behavioral problems and drug and/or alcohol addiction.
Owner Peggy A. Holmes, a
registered nurse, said things have been going well since the
center's initial opening on Aug. 7.
She added facility officials
have been meeting with various agencies in order to find those
children in Cumberland, Salem and Gloucester counties who are in
need of their services.
"We are here to fill a need,"
Holmes said, adding YEZ will work with case management, schools,
the criminal justice system, churches, hospitals and parents to
identify those in need. "We are up and running and ready to go."
YEZ is made up of a licensed
professional counselor, advanced practice nurse, registered
nurse, addiction specialist, direct care professional staff and
paraprofessional staff members.
Services are provided to youth
daily after school and to their families at least one evening a
week.
Their program consists of group
and individual counseling, a variety of different group
activities and linkage to other community mental health
programs.
The facility also features a
computer lab, large activities and dining areas and rooms for
group and individual treatment.
"We provide many services that
are not currently available," she said, adding they do so in
their own unique way. "We hope to fill the needs of Cumberland,
Salem and Gloucester counties."
The office is located in
Millville because of its location and access to both routes 47
and 55, Holmes said. Transportation is available through the
agency.
"We have a beautiful facility,"
she said of the 4,400 square-foot office. "What we are providing
is not a new service, but a service done in a new way."
Holmes said YEZ accepts all
youth in need. She added they have the ability to handle all
levels of children seeking their services.
Freeholder Lou Magazzu said the
Youth Empowerment Zone is doing great work for the area.
He added if this endeavor was
not taken on by these individuals, it would likely be something
the taxpayers For more information on the facility's services,
contact YEZ at (856) 776-2200.
The facility offers various
payment methods including Medicaid for those who are eligible
and sliding scale payment. They are also in the process of
negotiating with private health insurance companies.
In addition to Holmes, Horacio
Kaiser, who has worked with children for more than 10 years in
various capacities, is co-owner.
