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Since 1969, Ironton-Lawrence County CAO’s Family Guidance Center has provided services to area residents who are attempting to cope with the stressors of life events, relationships and alcohol/drug abuse. It is a non-profit organization funded by the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Adams, Lawrence and Scioto Counties.
Initially, this program was funded by State grants and the local United Way and served clients with alcohol and chemical dependency problems. By 1985, program staff had become increasingly aware of the problem of dual addiction-people addicted to some other drug in addition to alcohol. The name of the program was changed to its current name, the Family Guidance Center, reflecting the commitment to a comprehensive case management approach of serving the entire family. It has continued to evolve in its original mission adding behavioral health services and mental health counseling. Today, counselors often make home visits to gain an understanding of some of the conditions that may influence the drug or emotional problems. Center staff also provides community education and maintains a speakers’ bureau.
The Family Guidance Center's services include:
| • | Adult Mental Health, Alcohol & Drug Programs |
| • | Adolescent Alcohol, Drug & Mental Health |
| • | Parenting Program |
| • | Adolescent Alcohol, Drug & Tobacco Prevention |
| • | Anger Management Program |
| • | 72 - hour Driver Intervention Program |
| • | Children's
Services for Attention Deficient, Hyperactivity, Abuse Victims, & Depression |
| • | 8 - hour Defensive Driving Course |
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An additional service is the River Valley Treatment Program, which has been operating since 1979 as an intervention program for first-time DUI offenders. Persons convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can pay a fee and report to a residential center in South Point for a 72-hour intensive counseling session dealing with alcohol and drug abuse.
The Center works with numerous county agencies-the Lawrence County Juvenile and Municipal Courts, the Department of Job and Family Services, Social Security, the Family Medical Centers, Domestic Violence Services, and Vocational Training Programs.
The Family Guidance Center accepts Medicaid and Private Insurance. The Center's staff of dedicated and highly trained mental health professionals works to develop the right combination of services that uniquely responds to a client's needs. All sessions are completely confidential.