Wesley Family Services hosted a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate its new facility in the city of Washington. The organization provides a diverse range of quality healthcare and therapeutic support services to more than 30,000 individuals throughout Western Pennsylvania annually.
Elected officials like Washington County Commissioners Diana Irey Vaughan and Harlan Shober, State Senator Camera Bartolotta, Congressman Tim Murphy, as well as Janice Taper, Administrator of Washington County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services took part in the ceremony and toured the new facility.
Wesley received funding from the Washington County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Department to assist with the new facility and its efforts to enhance Outpatient Mental Health Services for individuals with Concurrent Mental Health Diagnoses and Autism Spectrum Disorders.
As a result of increased demand from the local community for therapeutic support services, Wesley moved its existing facility to a larger space within the city of Washington to provide expanded autism, behavioral health and substance abuse services. This move cannot come at a better time for Washington County families who are looking to find local resources and therapeutic support services.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 1 out of every 5 Americans will struggle with some type of mental illness during the course of their life. Additionally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 out of every 68 children is diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum, and from 2000 to 2015, the number of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. has quadrupled, with opioids like heroin and fentanyl accounting for the majority of those deaths. And, in Washington County, the numbers keep rising. In 2016 there were 109 drug overdose deaths, compared to 73 in 2015 and 36 in 2014.
“This new facility represents our organization’s long-term commitment to the families and residents of Washington County,” said Doug Muetzel, CEO of Wesley Family Services. “Regardless of whether a family is navigating the unique challenges of an autism, behavioral health, or substance abuse diagnosis, our therapists will be there every step of the way along their journey. We know that there are many families who are struggling right now and need help.”
The Washington location offers enhanced and expanded services such as:
- Autism Specialty Outpatient services, including services for those with a dual Mental Health and Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis;
- Healthy Relationships Groups for transition-age youth on the Autism Spectrum;
- Outpatient Mental Health, Psychological, and Psychiatrics services;
- Outpatient Drug & Alcohol programs, including Intensive Outpatient programs for adolescents and adults; and a
- Forthcoming Outpatient Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program where individuals with an opioid addiction can receive Suboxone or Vivitrol.