Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, April 1, 1995                   TAG: 9504030034
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: ROBERT FREIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD REORGANIZES

Reducing the organization's divisions from four to three will be accomplished without downsizing the board's staff, said spokeswoman Karen Casteele.

Presently, the local Community Service Board is the New River Valley's largest health organization, with an annual budget of $6 million and about 200 full- and part-time employees. Its funding comes from federal, state and local governments and from client fees.

Changing circumstances in the health care field - particularly the advent of health management organizations - and reductions in governmental funding influenced a yearlong review that resulted in the changes, Casteele said.

Under the reorganization, the board's mental health, mental retardation, substance abuse and prevention divisions will be restructured and consolidated. The new divisions will be called Primary and Acute Services, Child and Family Services and Adult and Family Services.

Primary and Acute Services will be the initial point of contact for clients of the Community Services Board, directing them to the appropriate staff professionals.

Previously, clients not accustomed to dealing with the board's services might have been confused about which division to approach for help, Casteele said.

Child and Family Services will be the umbrella division for prevention, mental health, mental retardation, substance abuse and developmental disability services. Adult and Family Services will be the new division covering outpatient, residential and supported employment services.

All new division directors already work for the Community Services Board. Dr. Harvey Barker, director of the Community Service Board's mental health services, will head the new Primary and Acute Service. Child and Family Services will be directed by Sharon Wood, presently the local director of Community Education and Prevention. Substance Abuse director Susan Pauley will head Adult and Family Services.

The board's Administrative Services division will not be affected by the changes.

Internal discussions are continuing about other changes for the Community Services Board, Casteele said, particularly involving the various locations and facilities around the New River Valley where services are offered.