Mission

The Board and Staff of the Family Guidance Center are ever cognizant of the following Mission, Vision and Values statements, which set forth the underlying philosophy of the Center.

MISSION STATEMENT:
The Family Guidance Center of Warren County is dedicated to improving the quality of life of children and adults affected by problems related to mental illness, substance abuse, family conflict or emotional adjustment.

VISION STATEMENT:
The Family Guidance Center strives to become the recognized leader in providing high quality behavioral healthcare in the community, adapting to new challenges in a flexible and creative manner.

VALUES:

• Professional Development
• Multi-Disciplinary Team Model
• Least Restrictive Setting and Least Intrusive Modality
• Client Involvement in Treatment
• Commitment to Working With Treatment-Resistant Clients and Families
• Collaboration within the Center and with Other Providers
• Availability of Services Based on Ability to Pay
• System Planning and Advocacy

PHILOSOPHY AND GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE AGENCY MISSION:
The Center implements its mission by providing high quality treatment services and educational/prevention services in a cost effective, affordable, culturally relevant manner regardless of a client’s ability to pay for those services; regardless of the nature of the mental illness, substance abuse, or life problem; and regardless of race, color, age, creed, marital status, gender, sexual
preference, disability, or status as a veteran. Center staff consists of highly skilled clinicians who are responsive to the needs of their clients and demonstrate flexibility and creativity in developing individualized treatment plans. The Center provides a broad continuum of integrated services and collaborates with others in the community to make services accessible and to meet the changing needs of clients. Implementing the agency’s mission and its underlying principles is an ongoing task. The following guidelines reflect the Center's philosophy for the delivery of these services.

Professional Development:
The Center is committed to supporting the ongoing professional development of its clinical staff. In order for clinicians to remain current with the highest standards of practice in their respective disciplines, the Center provides support for both on-site and off-site conferences and for the purchase of pertinent professional materials and resources.

Multi-Disciplinary Team Model:
Services within all Center programs are provided within the context of the team approach and in keeping with current standards of care. While one staff member may provide the direct services, the support for providing those services is based upon the interplay of that staff person with the other members of the team. All members of the team support and help one another to provide the best possible services. Each member of the team has a different role in providing services and each brings different skills, abilities, and expertise to the process. All members of the team show appropriate respect for all other members of the team and recognize the unique contributions and role that each member plays. On an ongoing basis, staff review treatment plans and modify them when outcomes do not reflect the expected progress. At such times, consultation and collaboration with members of the team is appropriate.

Least Restrictive Setting and Least Intrusive Modality:
Treatment services are provided in the least restrictive setting and using the least intrusive mode possible. Within this context, treatment decisions are based on the best setting and modality for safely, effectively and humanely treating the client. More restrictive settings or more intrusive therapy modalities are only used when necessary to treat the client and/or to insure the safety and security of clients, staff and the community.

Client Involvement in Treatment:
Staff treat all clients with respect and dignity. Clients have an active role in the development of their treatment plans and in deciding the goals on which services will focus and the methods and techniques which will be used to accomplish those goals. At times, staff and clients may disagree on treatment plans. In such situations, staff explain their concerns clearly and work to establish a mutually acceptable plan. It may be necessary to move incrementally toward a treatment plan that staff feel is more appropriate, but which is not currently acceptable to the client. In those instances in which the safety of the client and/or the community is at risk, the Center will need to take a firm stand to assure the safety of the client, staff and community.

Commitment to Working With Treatment-Resistant Clients and Families:
Frequently, the clients' clinical problems, symptoms, and/or their dysfunctional patterns make it difficult for them to accept the Center's clinical plan or to respond quickly or positively to our treatment interventions. The Center recognizes that clients' symptoms or past experiences with the human services system may initially lead them to respond negatively to our attempts to provide services to them. Center staff, utilizing the support of other members of the team, work to engage difficult clients to help them accept and participate in a clinically appropriate treatment plan.

Collaboration within the Center and with Other Providers:
Collaboration between the various program components of the Center assures that information, treatment plans, and treatment strategies are shared by all staff members involved in the treatment and that the client is treated in a consistent and coordinated manner. This collaboration must be within the bounds of confidentiality and respect for clients' wishes to assure that services provided by us integrate and support the services provided by other agencies. Collaborative treatment planning and sharing of information can help clients achieve their goals more rapidly and more successfully, and can benefit not only the client but all of the providers involved. In general, duplication of services or the provision of services that are likely to conflict is minimized. Treatment providers need to avoid giving clients confusing or conflicting messages.

Availability of Services Based on Ability to Pay:
While the Center must maximize fee revenue in order to continue to serve our clients, the Center remains committed to providing services to residents of Warren County who are unable to pay. However, within Center programs for which fees are charged, clients are expected to pay for services based on their ability to pay. Failure to pay may result in discontinuation of services for those clients able but unwilling to pay.

System Planning and Advocacy:
The Center is committed to working with other interested parties in helping to plan for, implement and advocate for the development of community services in keeping with our mission. The Board and staff will work with other providers, government agencies, and other human services organizations to identify human services needs, develop plans to meet those needs, and advocate for system changes and funding to implement such changes.