Family First Health’s Center of Excellence provides patients with substance use disorders the support they need to reach, and maintain recovery. Our team links patients to community resources/support services, then walks alongside each patient to ensure that critical needs are met and that the patient remains in care for as long as needed. The goal – to give each patient the supports needed to get, and stay healthy. The team is currently seeing patients at our George Street, Hanover, and Columbia centers. For more information please call 717-801-4864.
Jenny Smith says that her job is not work, it’s a privilege. Jenny joined Family First Health as a drug and alcohol case manager for the Center of Excellence (COE program) and has 12 years of experience in the mental health field. Jenny has worked in other substance use programs but saw that Family First Health was doing it differently and working here has allowed her to give patients a safe space where they are care for and not judged. When asked why this work is importance, she stated:
“Substance use can touch anyone. Accessing treatment is not always possible and people need the help regardless of economic status. Walking into your doctor’s office and hearing that there is help to treat an addiction and you don’t necessarily need to leave your job and stop providing for your family for a month to get help is a much-needed resource in our communities.”
In her spare time Jenny shared that she spends way too much time watching videos of goats wearing pajamas. Don’t we all?
Alicia Shiflet, one of the Center of Excellence’s (COE) two drug and alcohol case managers, has a Bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University and is currently enrolled in Southern New Hampshire University’s Healthcare Administration Master’s degree program. She joined Family First Health because she wanted to be involved in a community-based program and focus on direct patient care. Alicia truly understands the importance of the COE program for our patients and health center.
“Our program brings active recovery and medication assistance to people in the community who may benefit from the services. Without the COE, patients may have to leave our community health center in order to seek treatment.”
An energetic person with a busy, non-stop life, Alicia enjoys spending time with her family, running, and being a swim coach.