ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, August 6, 1996 TAG: 9608060059
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROBERT FREIS STAFF WRITER
The area's largest social services organization has undergone a comprehensive make-over, revising everything from its name to the way it handles clients.
The agency now will be known as New River Valley Community Services, after dropping "board" from the end of its name. It also set up a new telephone number to process and refer clients.
The new number is 961-8400 for Montgomery County and Radford, and toll-free at 1-888-717-3333 for Giles, Floyd and Pulaski counties. This is also the new number for the RAFT Community Crisis Center Hotline.
This central point of access reflects a new approach to customers at Community Services, which is one of 40 regional social services agencies in Virginia.
In 1995-96, thousands of local customers obtained help from New River Community Services with problems related to mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse. The agency's current $7.9 million annual budget is funded from several sources, including government dollars, charitable contributions and fees.
Community Services' internal changes involve a new organizational structure that arranges services under four categories: ACCESS Emergency & Assessment Services, Child & Family Services, Adult & Family Services and Financial & Administrative Services.
ACCESS will be most noticeable to clients. Professionals will answer the central telephone number and readily link clients with the appropriate service provider.
Employee cross-training and expanded specialties will also make Community Services more versatile and responsive in providing care, spokeswoman Karen Casteele said.
The streamlining of Community Services reflects new directions in the health care industry, and also the need to effectively operate within modest budgets, she added.
However, the reorganization wasn't intended to reduce the number of Community Services' 250 employees, according to Casteele.
Other changes at the agency also will involve consolidation of seven of Community Service's 15 present locations when the organization's new headquarters in Blacksburg is occupied sometime next year.
Plans are to move Community Service's administrative offices and some clinical services to 700 University City Blvd. after that vacant building is remodeled.
Community Services bought the building in December through its nonprofit holding corporation, Mountain Empire Services.
The Montgomery County Industrial Development Authority has agreed to lend $1.6 million to gut and rebuild the office building. Much of that renovation will be focused on a new mechanical system, which Community Services officials believe will prevent respiratory problems that plagued former workers at the building.
Casteele said work on the building will begin after architectural plans for the revision are completed.
The new name and other changes were announced recently at Community Service's annual awards banquet. Among those cited for outstanding work were: Andy McCready, board member; Charlotte McCroskey, case manager; Rosemary Sullivan, supervisory employee; Debbie White, support services; Karen Alderman, community service; and Regina Meredith, volunteer service.
LENGTH: Medium: 65 linesby CNB