Rebound begins overnight stays, only such program in the state

By Mandy Catoe

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Rebound Behavioral Health, which treats chemical dependency and mental illness in adults, has begun offering overnight lodging to the company's day patients. (Photo supplied).

Rebound Behavioral Health, which treats chemical dependency and mental illness in adults, has begun offering overnight lodging to the company’s day patients at the facility at 134 E. Rebound Road.

Dan Anderson, Rebound’s director of business development, said the “partial hospitalization program” at the facility near Van Wyck will help patients focus on recovery rather than dealing with transportation issues or the distraction of a dysfunctional home. 

The new boarding unit will provide a safe, comfortable, structured environment for the patients, he said. 

“Rebound is the only behavioral health facility in the state to offer the option for PHP patients to board during treatment,” Anderson said.

The move toward boarding day patients is the current treatment trend because it increases the likelihood of insurance reimbursement, according to George McConnell, director of the state-run Morris Village Alcohol and Drug Addiction Center in Columbia. 

McConnell was unaware of any other agency providing the service in the state. 

Rebound added the boarding option because many patients in the outpatient program live too far away to drive to treatment every day.

“Even those who live close often have transportation issues,” Anderson said. 

The adult PHP is an outpatient program for adults with acute psychiatric and/or substance abuse issues, but whose symptoms are not severe enough to require 24-hour inpatient care. PHP is a bridge between inpatient care and community-based outpatient treatment.

Patients enter the partial hospitalization program directly or from Rebound's Crisis Stabilization Inpatient program. 

“We renovated an existing building that wasn’t being used into apartment-style lodging,” Anderson said. 

Rebound Behavioral Health opened in 2013 and is an adult private inpatient treatment center located at 134 E. Rebound Road, north of Lancaster off U.S. 521. It serves individuals with a variety of emotional and behavioral issues including depression, substance abuse/addiction, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, psychosis and dual diagnosis.

Counseling Services of Lancaster works with Rebound by referring clients to its inpatient facility and receiving referrals for outpatient care, said Donna Herchek, assistant director.

Rebound is a part of Acadia Healthcare, headquartered in Franklin, Tenn. Acadia was established in 2005 and operates a network of nearly 600 behavioral health facilities across the United States, the United Kingdom and Puerto Rico.

The opening of the 36-bed unit was celebrated from 4-5:30 p.m. Dec. 6 with a ribbon-cutting, hors d’oeuvres and a meet and greet with staff.

Follow reporter Mandy Catoe on Twitter @MandyCatoeTLN or contact her at (803) 283-1152

Warming Center Needs Volunteers

LACH shelter has bathing, laundry facilities this year

By Mandy Catoe

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

A winter warming center will open in Lancaster Jan. 2 and offer the area’s homeless a warm, dry place to thaw out, enjoy a hot meal, take a warm bath and wash their clothes.
The Lancaster Area Coalition for the Homeless is renting a two-bedroom, one-bath house at 1242 Trestle Lane. The home will remain open until March 1, but that may be extended if cold weather lingers.
“It’s been difficult to find a location,” said Melanie Outlaw, United Way director and coalition chair.
“Many times the homeowners aren’t receptive to allowing their property to be used for the homeless.”
An open house will be held Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the home. The public is invited to visit.
LACH members walked through the home early this week and made a specific list of what is needed. That list will be available at the open house and posted on the Facebook pages of LACH and United Way of Lancaster County.
“Our community is very receptive and giving when you tell them what you need,” Outlaw said.
Due to limited storage at the facility, Outlaw asks donors to check the list or call the United Way before donating.
Last year’s warming center didn’t have a shower, tub or laundry facilities. It was located in the basement of a former children’s home at 721 E. Arch St.
“We are excited to offer this to the homeless this year,” Outlaw said.
Just like last year, the warming facility will be set up to serve a capacity of 10 homeless people.
 “We were never at full capacity at any one given night last year,” Outlaw said. “If we need to adjust at any point, we will.”
LACH and United Way are seeking volunteers to supply meals and to oversee nightly operations. Those wishing to assist at the home must pass a SLED background check.
Training for the overnight shifts will be provided at the home Dec. 20 at noon or 6:30 p.m.
For more information on volunteering, contact Outlaw at (803) 283-8923.
Temperatures have been fairly mild recently, but are expected to plummet to the low 20s by the end of the week.
Temperatures in the low 40s are difficult to get through for those with no shelter from the cold, especially when it rains. This past Monday morning, with a fine mist falling, firefighters responded to a fire in a boarded-up home at 303 Ray Street where a small fire was burning in the middle of a room.
“We can’t actually say for sure that a homeless person set the fire, but it’s safe to assume that it was someone trying to stay warm,” said Lancaster Fire Chief Justin McLellan.
The fire was no surprise to Outlaw, who said volunteers saw traces of fires set inside abandoned apartments on Memorial Park Road last year when they were gathering data on the homeless.

This small, unassuming house on Trestle Lane will bring much needed relief to the city’s homeless this winter. The warming center offers laundry and shower facilities, warm meals and beds for those in need.

Follow Reporter Mandy Catoe on Twitter @MandyCatoeTLN or contact her at (803) 283-1152.

Tributes, tears as city honors Chief Carter

‘Happy, happy, happy,’ says chief, overwhelmed by well-wishers

By Mandy Catoe

Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at 2:00 am 

There were lots of hugs and tributes and a few tears Monday at the Historic Courthouse during a busy three-hour drop-in for retiring Police Chief Harlean Carter.
A steady crowd of well-wishers flowed in and out, with at least 30 people filling the old courtroom the entire time.
“It’s been a pleasure to work with the chief over the years,” said Sheriff Barry Faile, one of many officials in the room. “She’s always been a team player and always had the best interests of the citizens in mind. She will be missed.”


Several times, Carter was overcome with emotion. She said she was too full to comment. Her eyes scanned the many faces surrounding her, and tears rolled down her face. She managed to say, “Happy, happy, happy.”
Carter’s retirement takes effect Dec. 12. She has worked at the police department for 26 years, the last six in the top job.
Friends, family, colleagues and a flurry of city and county officials stopped by Monday to bid the chief farewell.
Kristen Grant, a SLED agent and former Lancaster Police Department gang investigator, made the trip back to Lancaster to thank her former boss.

“Chief Carter has been a great role model for me,” Grant said. “As a woman, she has been a great mentor for me.”
Pageland Police Chief Craig Greenlee, who served under Carter’s leadership, was there. He said he is applying what he learned from Carter in his new job.

Carter graciously accepted the praise of many, but also continued to give it.
As she embraced Officer Michael Hirtle, she said, “He is the epitome of what a police officer should be. He is personable. He gets the job done. He loves the community, and he lets people know he loves the community.”
“I learned it from the chief,” Hirtle chimed in. He has been an officer for 16 years.
The chatter echoed in the spacious second-floor room. Recurring refrains of “I love you” and “thank you” were constant.
Katie Brown, principal of Buford Elementary School, thanked the chief for the outreach work she did at her school years ago.
“She’s been special in my life ever since,” Brown said.
Capt. Dwayne Davis, a 20-year police veteran, thanked the chief for her belief in him for promoting him to captain in 2013.
“We are close friends, and I will miss her,” Davis said.
Davis described a close-knit working relationship in the department.
“It is a little sad,” Davis said. “I love her. I’ve seen other chiefs, but her involvement in the community sets her apart, and we are going to continue that.”
Among the attendees was Elijah Carter, the chief’s husband.

“We plan to tour the country,” he said.
Kenneth Cauthen, the police chaplain, described the chief as a jewel to the city.
“I hate to see her go,” he said.
City Administrator Flip Hutfles said the chief made her contribution to the city and deserves to enjoy retirement.
“I’m sad to see her go because of her rapport with officers, the community and all the citizens, regardless of socio-economic status,” Hutfles said. “She will be hard to replace.”


Minister Marvin Tennant from Christian Assembly worked outreach with the chief at Southside. He complimented Carter on her work with the community.
Noteworthy praise came from her daughter, Sherese Wilson, who said, “She has always been Mom to me, but watching her move through her career made me want to emulate her.”
Wilson, 36, is a federal probation officer based in Columbia.
“She was an officer when I was born, and she was one of the first female officers in Philadelphia,” Wilson said. “If I can achieve just half of what she has, then I will have done a good job.”

Follow Reporter Mandy Catoe on Twitter @MandyCatoeTLN or contact her at (803) 283-1152

View from Historic Courthouse Lancaster SC
 Monday morning Dec 5

Planting a red maple to honor 1st responders

More than 50 city and county officials and employees stood in a chilly circle Friday morning while the Lancaster Garden Club planted a red maple tree in honor of first responders.
The ladies of the garden club chose to celebrate Arbor Day by planting the tree at the Public Safety Communications Center on Pageland Highway. Over 200,000 calls each year for law enforcement, EMS and firefighters are handled here.
 “The red maple is a perfect choice to honor first responders,” said Bob Bundy, county council chair. “Life is represented by the green color. The ones we are here to honor protect life.”
The tree turns from green to scarlet red and then gold, Bundy said.
“The red represents fire, blood or heart,” he said. “I think heart is appropriate for this compassionate, close-knit community.”
The gold represents the “golden hour,” Bundy said. “All first responders know about that.”
Half the crowd was made up of first responders. They all nodded in recognition. Care provided in the golden hour, the first hour after victims suffer a traumatic injury, is critical to their survival and recovery.
Those assembled prayed together and sang “God Bless America.”
The 30-minute ceremony will yield a lasting gift to first responders. Many will start their shift by walking past the tree.
The 12-foot-tall skinny and bare tree will spread out and grow to a height between 60 and 90 feet and live for about 100 years.
“We are honored to take part in this and will gladly look after the tree and keep it watered,” said Chris Nunnery, director of public safety communications.
A half dozen 911 operators, including some who had the day off, joined in the celebration.
Twelve-year veteran operator Colby Carter looked around at the crowd before speaking.
“This means everything to us,” she said. “Every day we have someone’s life in our hands and we do all we can to help them.”
“This tree is a small token for what you do,” said Carolyn Tolson, Lancaster Garden Club president. “We appreciate what you do.”
Lancaster Garden Club members Janesta Williams and Cecile Flanders co-chaired the Arbor Day committee.
Marshall Thompson and Ronnie Hinson from Resolute Forest Products planted the tree and spread mulch around the base.






Follow Reporter Mandy Catoe on Twitter @MandyCatoeTLN or contact her at (803) 283-1152

Alley

Sweet moment: Walking hand-in-hand with my six-year-old niece, Alley, to the Charlie Brown Christmas play last night left some lingering warmth. Excitement and anticipation added a bit of speed to our pace as we approached the entrance. Before reaching the door, her sweet raw and unguarded emotion erupted with "I'm glad we're together tonight," she said. "I don't see y'all enough. We need to do this more." I whispered a quick instant prayer of gratitude for her innocence and protection in this sometimes harsh world. And another that she remain this honest and for her circle to fill with those whose spirits are equally true and real. And may I always be a safe haven for her to be her.

Crenco Customers Donate$3,470 to St. Jude's

A check for $100 came in while I was there pushing the total to $3,470.

Halloween fund drive helps kids with cancer

By Mandy Catoe

Friday, December 2, 2016

Customers of the Lancaster-based Crenco stores donated $3,470 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital during a six-week Halloween fundraising drive in the company’s five stores. 

Customers donated the money when paying for their purchases at the Crenco stores. In return for each gift, store employees wrote the customer’s name on a pumpkin-shaped card to hang in the store’s window. 

Crenco presented the check Wednesday morning to Maya Smith, regional St. Jude event marketing representative. 

“We are really grateful for all who made this possible,” Smith said. “All the money goes to St. Jude’s and it helps ensure that families never receive a bill.” 

Families of children being treated at the hospital never receive a bill for travel, treatment, housing or food, she said.

Hal Crenshaw, owner and president of Crenco Oil Co., credited his employees for the successful campaign. 

“It’s all due to their hard work,” Crenshaw said, pointing toward cashiers Chirsty Donahue and Crystal Russell. “It took participation of all our customers and employees dedicated to the cause.” 

Garrett Hammond, Crenco general manager, said the company’s “cashiers and customers really came through. Our windows were covered top to bottom with names.”

Hammond has managed the stores for about 18 months. He said he was a bit embarrassed by last year’s efforts when the company raised just $25. He rallied his employees this year, intent on making up for it.

Hammond drew inspiration from several kids in the community who are fighting cancer. 

“I didn’t realize that St. Jude doesn’t charge the patient or the parents. We are excited to help out,” he said. “I want to beat this total next year.”

Also on hand Wednesday was Kleber Dusenbury of Comer Distributing of Rock Hill. Crenco is part of a team of stores served by Comer, which recruits the stores to be part of a national fundraiser for the Memphis hospital sponsored by MillerCoors.  

The ramped up fundraising efforts paid off regionally, pushing Comer’s total to $13,000, more than double last year’s amount. 

MillerCoors has raised over $90 million for St. Jude since 1992.

Follow reporter Mandy Catoe on Twitter @MandyCatoeTLN or contact her at (803) 283-1152.