Tri-Cities center plans to expand mental health, substance abuse treatment services
An Eastern Washington company providing mental health and related services will introduce the Tri-Cities to its expanded Kennewick location Friday with a resource fair of community services and mini presentations. Topics will include depression, drug addiction, anxiety, stress, trauma and alcoholism.
“There is a very large need in the community for behavioral health services in general — mental health, substance abuse treatment,” said Salomon Carrasco, director of behavioral health programs at United Family Center.
The center has moved from its Fruitland Street location to a larger building at 333 W. Canal Drive, the former Tri-City Herald location, to allow it to expand.
From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, it will introduce the community to its expanding list of services, provide information on other services available in the Tri-Cities, including help for low-income residents, and give short presentations.
Talks by staff and community experts begin at 11:30 a.m.
United Family Center opened in Grandview two years ago and then expanded to the Tri-Cities and then Spokane.
In Kennewick, its main services are outpatient substance abuse and mental health treatment.
That includes mental health or substance abuse assessments; individual, couples and family therapy; DUI assessment; victims panel; alcohol and drug information for schools.
Most recently it added a field trainer who goes to organizations and local government agencies, such as schools and fire departments, to provide training on topics such as mental health first aid, identifying signs of a mental health crisis and responding to autism.
The center hopes to expand in the Tri-Cities to provide counseling services and gang prevention services in schools as it does now in several Lower Yakima Valley school districts.
About 80% of its staff speak both English and Spanish.
The center accepts some private insurance and some Medicaid plans and is working to expand those options.