Program Development Plan

Program Development Plan

Introduction to Mental Health Counseling/ COUN5223

June 7, 2013

Dr. Leslie Korn

Abstract

The term mental health counseling is associated with several stigmas within this writer’s community depending upon the directed audience. These stigmas range from feelings of fear, to shame, and a belief system where one who receives mental health services are crazy. In order to combat these negative stereotypes, a community effort needs to occur to educate individuals, families, and an entire community on what the field of mental health counseling does and how unaddressed mental health issues have the power to deteriorate a community.

Program Development Plan

There is one central mental health agency located within Shelby, NC. Anyone who is a resident of this town is familiar with the tall two story beige Ollie Harris building and the purpose that it serves. On any given day, one can notice a few consumers outside smoking cigarettes and engaging in conversations with one another or themselves. The services that are provided are quite limited due to local funding and if a client does not have Medicaid, they are quarantined to a specific amount of services and terminated once their approval of services has been reached. This assignment will create a program development plan that will create a community mental health center. It will review the targeted populations, criteria’s, the goals and barriers and other measurable goals and objectives.

Community Description

The community of Shelby, NC consists of a diverse population. It is a small town and affectionately coined the town of Pleasant Living. It is known for being the hometown of Earl Scruggs the famous musician and composer of the Andy Griffith theme song. However, this town has evolved from its humble country roots. Some for the good and some for the bad. This town has a combined county population of approximately 10,000 which is combined with...