User:Cuehughes/Help Hotline Crisis Center

Help Hotline Crisis Center, Inc. was incorporated in May 1971 as a drug information line for residents of Mahoning County. Over the years, the agency has not only expanded its geographic area, but has grown from a six-hours-a-day hotline service operated by volunteers, to a 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week comprehensive crisis intervention and community information and referral center. In addition, Help Hotline Crisis Center provides support services to mental health consumers.

MISSION STATEMENT

The purpose, for which this non-profit corporation is formed, as stated in the Amended Articles of Incorporation with the State of Ohio, shall be:

To provide crisis intervention, suicide prevention and intervention, referrals, support services and counseling services to persons experiencing mental health related and/or situational problems.

OPERATIONS & STRUCTURE

The agency is governed by a sixteen-member Board of Directors, elected by the voting membership of the corporation comprised of the hotline volunteers. Operations of the agency, its programs and special projects are the responsibility of a salaried executive director who is a non-voting member of the Board. Paid staff includes 20 full-time and 28 part-time salaried employees, and a pool of 30 trained paraprofessional volunteers. Help Hotline Crisis Center staff includes licensed mental health professionals. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Help Hotline Crisis Center, Inc. Board of Directors October 2009 - October 2010

President: Kenneth M. Tkatch Vice President: Gary Walker Secretary: Atty Theresa Taylor-Tolson Treasurer: Robert E. Leipheimer Immediate Past President: Anne Liller Members: Atty. Brian J. Macala, Rev. Melvin Trent, Gary "Rabb" Marinelli, Chrysann Mitzel, Darren Thornton, Dan Popovich, Wayna Hightower, Sharon Stringer, Judy Raforth, Timothy Gabrelcik, Crystal Jones Advisory Member: William Farragher, Kate Huff

EXECUTIVE STAFF

Chief Executive Officer: Duane J. Piccirilli, M.A. L.P.C.C. Associate Executive Director: Catherine R. Grizinski, M.Ed., L.S.W., C.I.R.S. Chief Operating Officer: Todd A. Marian, M.B.A. Program Director Support Services: Robert Altman Controller: Susan R. Hancox

AGENCY AFFILIATIONS

Help Hotline Crisis Center, Inc. is licensed by the Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH) in the following areas: Behavioral Health Hotline, Prevention Services, Mental Health Education, Information and Referral, and Other Mental Health Services.

Help Hotline Crisis Center, Inc. is a member of the following national and state organizations: American Association of Suicidology (AAS) - 5 year accreditation, Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) – 5 year certification.

ADDITIONAL AFFILIATIONS

* Mahoning County and Columbiana County Family and Children First Councils * Mahoning County Continuum of Care * COHHIO * National Suicide Prevention Lifeline * Ohio United Way * Ohio Domestic Violence Network * Ohio 211 Collaborative * National Guardianship Association * Ohio Guardianship Association * Ohio Council of Behavioral Healthcare Providers/FMG * Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence * NAMI OHIO * NAMI Mahoning Valley * Cold Weather Emergency/ Homeless Shelter Coalition

Help Hotline Contact Numbers

MAHONING COUNTY 330-747-2696 or 211

COLUMBIANA COUNTY 330-424-7767 or 1-800-427-3606
 * East Palestine, Beloit, Sebring, and Western Columbiana County

ASHTABULA COUNTY 1-800-577-7849

TDD (Telephone Device for the Deaf) 330-744-0579

SENIOR LINE 330-747-2697 or 330-424-7767

VICTIMS OF CRIME HOTLINE 330-747-2696, 330-424-7767 or 1-800-427-3606

All calls are confidential.

E-mail Help Hotline Crisis Center directly: hhcc@helphotline.org Email is for information purposes only. NOT an Emergency contact.

Volunteer Opportunities

Call:330-747-2696 or 1-800-427-3606

Volunteers are one of our most valued assets. We gladly accept compassionate, caring individuals into the program who are committed to helping others in the community.

Volunteer Training is mandated for all volunteer positions available in the agency. The basic training for volunteers who are interested in working on the Hotline phones consists of 36-classroom hours followed by 32 hours (4-hour weekly shifts) of on-line training under supervision. Following the 68-training hours, a new volunteer is evaluated on their knowledge, skills and job performance on the Hotline phones. Volunteers are expected to work a minimum of four hours and a maximum of eight hours weekly for a commitment of one year following the training. Volunteer training sessions are held three or four times each year depending on the need to increase the volunteer pool.

On-going training continues for volunteers through eight in-service workshops held annually on various topics. Videotapes and cassette tapes are included in the volunteer library for self-study and remedial training. The average length of time worked by a volunteer is about 18-20 months. Some volunteers have been with the Help Hotline Crisis Center over 15 years, and a small number leave before their one-year commitment.

All volunteers are interviewed and, if necessary, screened prior to the classroom training. Volunteers have job descriptions and follow established guidelines and policies. Well-trained, paraprofessional volunteers are an indispensable component for any 24-hour crisis Hotline.

The relatively short period of time each volunteer works during the week provides the community with a fresh, eager and caring person qualified to respond to the many diverse and, at times, intense situations that occur daily on a crisis Hotline.

Paid professional staff members are on-site to supervise and assist volunteers on duty. The Hotline telephone system consists of eight phone lines that operate twenty-four hours a day and twelve additional phone lines are activated after hours for the agencies in the emergency after-hours network.

Citation

www.helphotline.org