Question- How do I get signed up for a recovery class?
Answer- The Recovery classes are group therapy sessions that are lead by therapists out of Hope Central (903 Dickenson).  You can talk to Meg Sanders for an initial meet and greet appointment and she will introduce you to the therapist who may help you find the right group for you.  You may reach Meg any time from Monday-Friday 252-321-1621.

Question- If I am not happy with my case management company and I want to switch services, what kind of process would I have to go through to receive services from Bridge of Hope?
Answer- A phone call to our Program Director Meg Sanders would begin the process. Meg will be happy to walk you through the process will consist of one appointment to sign a Provider Choice. We will do all the informing to previous agency staff and the transition will be smooth. You will not be responsible for an explanation to the previous case manager or required to have any further contact if you so choose. You will be protected by HIPPA and that previous staff will not be allowed to contact you once you have selected a new provider.

Question- My sister is long-term at Cherry Hospital right now.  She suffers from Schizophrenia. I am the only one that is left in the family to help take care of her but I cannot let her move back in with me.  I know that she is unable to move out on her own right now, but can’t risk her being in the same house as my children after the last time she came to live with us.  I know it sounds selfish, but we have tried everything and my marriage is strained right now with arguing over what we should do.  Could she be in Transitional Services?
Answer-First of all, I commend you for all that you have done to help her and want you to know that it is not selfish for you to explore external options to assist her with becoming more independent.  Not knowing your sister’s exact situation, I do know that taking care of yourself first (including your children and marriage) is very important and not to be taken lightly.  It does sound like your sister could be a candidate for Transitional Services but this would be a decision that was left to the ECBH LME and is made on an extreme needs basis.  What you can do to help is talk with the Hospital Clinical Team and request for your sister to be reviewed for Transitional Services and they will contact the LME to staff your sister’s case.  If she is in danger of being discharged homeless due to your household being unavailable during this time, she may be an extreme need case.  If not eligible for Transitional Services, ECBH will be able to locate a safe and appropriate match for your sister to help prevent her from becoming homeless or re-hospitalized. It is very difficult when dealing with an adult loved one who has mental health needs as severe as your sisters.  ECBH will assist with finding the appropriate service needed to help her with a safe discharge planning while she is in the hospital so that she is not set up for failure.  Participate in the Treatment team meetings and give input to the team.  This is a great way to support her through this transition.

Question- My child keeps having trouble in school due to his bi-polar symptoms. Would mental health services be able to assist with my battles with school IEP team decisions? 
Answer - Absolutely. A Case Manager or Qualified Professional will be assigned to assist and advocate at school IEP meetings if invited by you (the parent). Each parent has the right to invite anyone he/she wishes to be at the IEP meeting. An outside advocate is very beneficial to the team in order to keep modifications and interventions consistent and improve positive outcomes.

Question- My child is about to graduate from school and we are not able to keep him at home anymore. What will I do when there is no place to put him during the day?
Answer - There are a variety of services available and your child would need an evaluation to see what service would be the most appropriate and least restrictive. It is possible that your child would be eligible for a "Hope Home" in which he would have assistance learning adult living skills and be around several others who are on different levels of development and recovery. We will assist with building a network of natural resources and develop short and long term goals to improve your child’s ability to live as independently as possible.