Work Force Shortage Solution
OhioGuidestone Addresses Work Force Shortage by Tapping a Resource Within
(Berea, Ohio) Workforce shortages are the number one challenge for behavioral health employers in Ohio according to Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services (OMHAS).
Governor DeWine has made it clear that Ohio has an opportunity and an obligation to lead on innovative strategies to recruit and retain more Ohioans into these careers.
OhioGuidestone is one step ahead by tapping into a rich resource they already have—a passionate staff, and the resources to advance their training.
OhioGuidestone employees are encouraged and empowered to advance to their next level of education and licensure, allowing them to provide a higher level of care to their clients.
“It’s win-win,” said Melissa Romain, Regional Director of Operations at OhioGuidestone. “We have a pool of individuals who are already passionate care providers but may lack the resources to advance as a licensed counselor or therapist, which is what is needed most in our workforce.”
She said, “OhioGuidestone has become a great resource for career advancement in the behavioral health field. By providing education and a path to earning credentials we are meeting our growing demand for counselors and therapists.
Two examples are OhioGuidestone professionals Caroline Healey and Susan Wentz. Both credit OhioGuidestone with rewarding their passion for behavioral health and helping them advance from peer support to licensed Counselors.
Caroline Healey is a licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA), she manages an OhioGuidestone Residential Recovery facility for women, and she is a winner of the Athena Young Professionals Leadership Award.
Caroline first came to OhioGuidestone as a client seeking recovery. Her success and support from her OhioGuidestone team inspired her to pursue a career in counseling to help others find recovery. Caroline was able to do just that, first as a peer supporter, then advancing through OhioGuidestone’s educational and advancement programs to become a counselor.
These programs help OhioGuidestone address the workforce shortage in behavioral health by developing passionate individuals like Caroline into professionally trained, and licensed counselors.
Caroline says OhioGuidestone opened the door to a fulfilling career where she can help others like herself.
“I use my personal experience and professional training to help women regain their lives,” she said. “Whether it is working together with them on their individual recovery or any other concerns like their health, getting custody of their children back, finding a place to live, connecting with community resources, or just meeting their emotional needs on a daily basis – I am always here for them, in any capacity needed,” said Caroline.
Susan Wentz has a similar story. She is a substance use disorder (SUD) therapist at OhioGuidestone, and runs intensive outpatient programs (IOP) for groups, and provides individual SUD psychotherapy to clients.
Susan had been Caroline’s peer supporter and shares the same commitment to helping others in recovery.
“I became a peer supporter in 2016,” Susan said, “OhioGuidestone’s recovery program helped me so much, I wanted to give back to others.”
Like Caroline, Susan is grateful for the access to training and classes OhioGuidestone provides, and the support that helped her earn credentials to become a therapist.
Both She and Caroline say they are blessed to be working together as professionals in a field where they are passionate and can give back what was given to them.
Susan’s suggestion to anyone who wants to pursue a career in behavioral health at any level, is to call OhioGuidestone. “Advancement happens at OhioGuidestone,” she said, “share your interests with your supervisors and they will help you continue to learn and grow.”
Both women plan to continue their education and training at OhioGuidestone allowing them to advance their careers and provide their clients with the highest, most effective level of care.
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