The Ridge House is buzzing with clinical activity. Our outpatient groups are growing, our residential houses are full and our transitional homes are at capacity. The community focus on the Methamphetamine epidemic has definitely increased awareness for treatment and we are feeling the effect of the increased demand.

Our residential and outpatient counselors have been very busy responding to treatment requests. Currently our residential department consists of three men’s residential houses, two women’s residential houses and two transitional houses. In our outpatient department groups are held 5 days a week and Ridge House now offers a Spanish speaking group on Saturdays. While we are near capacity, we are always looking for ways to expand services to meet the needs of our community.

The Ridge House has submitted many grants since the beginning of the year. One grant submitted requested funding in order to purchase a fire sprinkler system. This system will meet the requirements necessary for Ridge House to license this home as a residential facility, increasing our available bed space. We received notice that The E.L. Cord Foundation generously awarded this grant request and we will be beginning work to complete this project soon.

Another exciting development in the way that Ridge House receives offenders from the Department of Corrections is a change in the procedure for determination of treament need at time of parole. In the past this determination was made by the parole board. After advocacy work by Ridge House we have successfully initiated a change which will allow treatment professionals to interview clients prior to their parole hearing, assess the level of treatment the client needs and submit recommendations to the parole board.

What this means for Ridge House is that we will have the opportunity to make the best possible clinical decision for the benefit of the client. What this means for our community is an increased ability to place a client in the appropriate level of care, insuring limited residential bed space is available to those individuals in need of residential services. Ridge House is also working on setting up an intensive outpatient level of care as another option to address the needs of these individuals coming out of prison with stable support.

We appreciate all the support that we have been given by the community. Ridge House exists to help those serious about changing their lives and the support we receive makes it possible for Ridge House to make serious change a reality in our community.

With gratitude,

Lynda Harper, MS, LADC, MFT
Clinical Director

Thank you to everyone who made our first Ridge House Furniture Auction a big success. Ridge House raised a large amount of money that will go directly towards client services. We are currently working towards holding another furniture auction in the near future.

There are still a few items available for purchse at www.ridgehouse.org/furnitureauction.htm. If you would like to purchase any of the items still available email Brandon Jared at bjared@ridgehouse.org.

Thank you for all your bids and support!

For Erin Warrell, Residential Counselor and Debra Hall, House Manager, consistency with their clients at Women's 1 is one of the most important ideals they uphold.

"Consistency is paramount in recovery," Erin said. "We teach them about consistency in their employment, their personal lives and in recovery. The only way we can effectively convey the importance of consistency is by being consistent ourselves."

Debra sees this ideal as a mutual respect between the clients and the house manager.

"We have to gain each others respect." Debra said. "They see how I am and what I expect and they see that I'm not any different with anybody else. They respect that."

"Deb is very fair with the clients." Erin said. "It helps them to realize that we are looking out for their best interest."

Erin and Debra like to talk about how the structure of Women's House 1 gains the attention of not only the clients but also the parole officers.

"The Parole Officer's know that the client is being treated fairly and is taught to be respectful of others." Erin said. "We've had compliments from the Parole Officers regarding how respectful our clients are."