Our Community Support Program (CSP) strives to help maintain stabilization of at-risk clients so as to help that individual live successfully within the community. CSP provides support to individuals at high risk of relapse in their mental illness and/or substance abuse/addiction. This is accomplished through our focus on four primary areas:

• Matching the person with local resources that assist them to establish stable housing, employment, transportation, medical and dental care, mental health and substance abuse treatment, etc.
• Acquiring or providing skills training in daily living skills management. This is broad based and attends to areas such as budgeting, personal grooming, preparing for job interviews, creating a resume, establishing a personal and household schedule, learning appropriate refusal skills and relapse prevention measures.
• Providing 24 hour/7 day a week emergency access and support. We are available to help enhance the person's success at relapse prevention and staying healthy and focused on recovery despite the unexpected twists and turns life sometimes presents.
• Helping remove unnecessary barriers to accessing the services needed. Many individuals in crisis experience confusion or significant feelings of helplessness when initially trying to rebuild their lives. This coupled with the "paperwork" the "lingo" and what can appear to be "red tape" may result in their being more vulnerable to giving up before they've even begun. Our staff can facilitate connecting you with the right people, help with the paperwork, explain the details and what to expect, and maneuver effectively through the process.

Target Areas

Community Support targets several areas for which clients can receive assistance. These areas may include the following:

• Interpersonal Skills
• Life Skills
• Housing
• Legal
• Medical
• Family/Marital
• Employment
• Vocational
• Educational
• Relapse Prevention (for Substance Abuse diagnosis)
• Toxicology (for Substance Abuse diagnosis)
• Emergency/Relapse
• Medication Management
• Mental Health
• Substance Abuse
• Resource Acquisition
  

Community Support Guidelines

No fees are charged to individuals enrolled in this program. To qualify for this service, certain criteria must be met. These include:

•  Age 18 or older (an age waiver may be possible for those younger than 18 who do not have insurance and do not qualify for Medicaid)
• Reside in Northeast Nebraska (Region 4 District)
• Moderate to high risk for relapse
• Meet the income eligibility guidelines
• Have been evaluated and diagnosed as having a substance dependence disorder or mental illness
• Be willing to commit to involvement with CSP staff an average of four hours per month
  

Referrals to Community Support

Individuals can be referred to our Community Support Program on a self-referral basis or through their doctor, therapist, attorney, or any other agency they are already working with. All that is needed is a call to our main office. Our staff will walk you through the registration process.
The length of time a person is enrolled in this program is based on the individual's needs. The average length of time is approximately four months. Criteria for discharge include that the person demonstrates the ability to self manage their ongoing work on issues important to their recovery and have no relapse or crises in four months. Persons who successfully complete CSP may re-enter the program in the future if the need arises.

Jessica Wolfe-Brazau, PLMHP obtained her Masters Degree in counseling from Doane College in Lincoln, Nebraska. She has been practicing mental health since July 2007. Jessica provides counseling for individuals and families as well as in group settings in both mental health and substance abuse. She enjoys working with young children and families and has experience working with anxiety, depression, behavior modification, eating disorders and criminal thinking and behavior patterns.

Shirley Stearns RN, BSN graduated from Midland Lutheran College with a bachelor’s degree in Nursing and minor in Biology. She has over 25 years’ experience in many nursing practice settings. She has worked in acute care/ step-down ICU focusing on diabetic patients, long-term care/rehab, community health nursing, occupational health nursing, and managed care (completing Medicare chart audits). She spent the past 10 years in psychiatric nursing as a Supervisor at the Norfolk Regional Center. Shirley’s passion lays with the care of substance abuse and mental health clients.

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