Partnership Helps Trauma Survivors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2020
OhioGuidestone and The MetroHealth System Team Up to Help Survivors of Trauma: New Partnership Provides Support during COVID-19 and Beyond
BEREA, OHIO, July 16, 2020 – A new partnership formed between OhioGuidestone and The MetroHealth System will expand immediate support available to survivors of traumatic incidents, including violence and abuse—during and after hospitalization – free of charge.
Thanks to funding made possible through the Victim of Crime Act (VOCA), eligible MetroHealth patients will receive help beyond just their physical trauma—in the form of advocacy, employment and other vital services from OhioGuidestone. Normally, individuals are required to go through assessments and receive specific diagnoses in order for these services to be billed to Medicaid or insurance. Now, regardless of insurance status or diagnoses, they will be connected with resources designed to prevent the cycle of reoccurrence by also addressing their emotional and financial recovery.
“Any person, man or woman, who survives a traumatic injury, can benefit from intervention beyond the physical—this is a way to treat the whole person physically, mentally and emotionally,” says Jill Tayfel, OhioGuidestone Director of Community Counseling. “We are helping them have more productive and empowered lives, which we believe will allow them to successfully seek and keep employment.”
Upon referral from MetroHealth, an OhioGuidestone staff member will develop a tailored plan for each individual, including case management, victim advocacy and support in working their case through the justice system. At the same time, an OhioGuidestone Workforce 360° career coach will assist survivors in finding and maintaining employment. Services will be provided in the home, community or via telehealth as often as needed.
“Our mutual goal is to support survivors through the entire healing process, using a trauma informed lens to provide all the little tools that are necessary to help them live the fulfilling life they’re so wanting to live,” says Tayfel. “Particularly now, with increased stress related to social distancing and many still sheltering at home, we are seeing an increase in family violence. So, our services become especially important.”
“The importance of a whole person approach to recovering from trauma is integral for overall wellness. The ripple effects of trauma extend far beyond the walls of The MetroHealth System,” says Megen Simpson, Manager of MetroHealth Trauma Recovery Center. “With added stressors as a result of COVID-19, the need for direct and continued services for survivors is amplified. This partnership with OhioGuidestone provides a pathway of how health and communities intersect; eliminating barriers to access and extending a continuum of care within individuals’ communities to ensure they continue on their path of resiliency.”
About OhioGuidestone
With compassion and respect, OhioGuidestone helps people across the lifespan navigate the most difficult times of their lives. As the state’s leader in community behavioral health care, we focus on the needs of the whole person, empowering them to take steps towards a healthier future. OhioGuidestone provides a complete continuum of prevention services and mental health and substance use treatment, focusing on responsive person-centered care delivered through telehealth and locations across the state. For more information about our services, visit ohioguidestone.org or call 1-844-622-5584. Also, visit us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.