Those with substance-abuse problems can now seek on-site treatment at The Center for Counseling & Consultation because of a new partnership.

Julie Kramp, executive director, is “relieved and grateful that a well-respected provider is now counseling substance-abuse clients in-house in three of our area communities.”

The Center and Mirror Inc., whose reach spans the state of Kansas, have formed a partnership to meet this need.

“Mirror has knowledge and experience in counseling residents of smaller, rural communities and will absolutely increase access to this much-needed service,” Kramp said. “They are one of the largest providers in Kansas and have a great reputation. We are so thankful to be linked in to Mirror Inc.”

On-site substance-abuse services ended at The Center a couple of years ago when it lost all its providers to other organizations for various reasons.

“It breaks your heart when you can’t offer services that you know are so desperately needed,” Kramp commented. “This has been a huge issue here for a long time. There are providers in the area but there are never enough.”

To illustrate the extent of the issue, The Center served about 250 clients at any one time when it did offer on-site substance-abuse counseling.

Heath Bechler, Mirror Inc. president, said the partnership began when Kevin Ford, counselor, mentioned that treatment was needed in communities The Center serves.

“Kevin has made central Kansas his home for quite a while and has had a good working relationship with The Center for years,” Bechler said. “When I approached Julie Kramp about the possibility of collaborating, she knew there was a need and that Kevin would bring a level of quality that clients deserve.

“The Center has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to the region it serves,” he added. “It is the go-to option for treatment. On-site services eliminate a barrier for those seeking help and allows access to virtually everything they need in one place. The clients will be the ones who succeed.”

Bechler also noted that he and his colleagues don’t often see The Center’s level of innovation, collaboration and disciplines in the mental-health and substance-abuse fields.

“Organizations such as The Center will continue to succeed with this mindset,” he said. “Mirror looks forward to a successful relationship with The Center. 

“It is a remarkable organization and there are so many additional opportunities to serve the community that we haven’t even thought of yet. We are honored to be a partner in this.”

Mirror’s services in Kansas include five residential treatment locations and a dozen outpatient programs. It also offers prevention and federal re-entry services, and a Work for Success Program.

Numbers to call for an appointment with Kevin Ford are 316-217-2864 and 620-665-7750. He is in Great Bend Mondays and Wednesdays, Lyons on Tuesdays and Larned on Thursdays.

The Center for Counseling & Consultation is a Community Mental Health Center serving Barton, Pawnee, Rice and Stafford counties. Professionally trained personnel offer: individual and group therapy; marriage and family counseling; community-support services; community-based services; psychosocial rehabilitation; peer support; and medication management. The confidential 24/7 crisis hotline number is 800-875-2544.