Mission Statement
The Mission of Valley Counseling Services, Inc. is to partner with children and adults towards their goal of recovery, as an efficient and effective behavioral healthcare provider.

Statement of Service Priorities
Valley Counseling Services, Inc. is a part of a large, complex, formal and informal network of services existing within the community to help people with their problems of living.  People seek help from many sources, and each resource has unique skills and contributions to offer: the network of community social agencies; private psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers; clergy; family; physicians; friends; union counselors; police and law enforcement personnel; school counselors and psychologists; public and private psychiatric inpatient facilities; mental health centers; and many others. Cooperation, communication, and coordination are all required to maximize effectiveness and efficiency and to minimize duplication, carried out within the confines and restrictions governing confidentiality in accordance with state and federal laws and professional ethics.

The fundamental tenet underlying our concept of service priorities is that we must primarily address ourselves to preventing/reducing/eliminating the most adverse effects of mental disabilities and emotional difficulties, particularly where we are the only, or the basic, available service system.  The priorities are based upon the severity of the problem, its identification as a mental health concern, the severity of the consequences for the individual, family, and community, and the availability of services.  Within their abilities, we expect our clients’ cooperative participation in their treatment process.

Accordingly, service decisions are based upon the following considerations:

1.                   For our publicly subsidized services, our primary obligation is the provision of behavioral health services to residents of Trumbull County.  Out-of-county residents, except those covered by Medicaid, will be served on an emergency basis and then referred to a provider in their own county as soon as reasonable and practical.  Out-of-county residents who do not require subsidized services may be seen at the agency if staff resources are available.

2.                   We are responsible for serving a variety of populations, and for establishing programs for high-risk populations, as determined by staff.

3.                   We accept individuals with diagnoses of mental disorders, subject to the following considerations:

a.       Problem levels should be in the moderate to severe range.  Mild disorders are generally more appropriate for other community resources.

b.       Staff are to consider the availability of other service providers, specifically should the problem be more appropriately handled by another provider, based upon the treatment plan and the specific function of the provider.

4.                   We provide services on a first priority basis to individuals with mental illnesses, who are suicidal, homicidal, or grossly incompetent for safety needs, and crisis intervention for those in acute emotional distress.

5.                   We see ourselves as a behavioral healthcare provider for the entire population of the community, but with a special commitment to the medically indigent, low-income population and/or individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses.

6.                   We recognize our role in prevention, public information and education, consultation, and other quality of life enhancement activities.

7.                   We provide fieldwork experiences for students preparing for a professional career in mental health.

Statement of Philosophy and Values

1.                   We believe that community mental health services should be available and responsive to the community’s behavioral, emotional, and psychological needs.

2.                   We believe that we have a primary responsibility to those citizens of our community who suffer from severe and persistent mental illnesses. This includes the responsibility to develop and deliver services that can assist these individuals in reaching their highest levels of independence in daily living and establishing and maintaining personal dignity and freedom, with a goal of recovery.

3.                   We believe that individuals and communities have unique capacities to care, nurture and heal. Providing for the needs of people requires the creative participation and cooperation of individuals, families, groups, agencies, organizations and institutions, both public and private. We share in that responsibility, and are committed to providing leadership in developing and strengthening those systems and networks.

4.                   We believe in a pro-active approach to the promotion of health, including outreach efforts.

5.                   We believe that mental health care programs should service individuals only to the extent of their need, and that people should not penetrate programs further or longer than necessary. We therefore are committed to treatment in the least restrictive and most natural setting consistent with the individual’s need.

6.                   We believe in a holistic concept of health, which includes the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and general well-being of the individual.

7.                   We believe that mental health-related care should be available and accessible to all community residents who need such services, regardless of ability to pay. Concurrently, individuals have a responsibility to pay to the extent of their financial capability. The community must share the financial responsibility with those unable to pay the full cost of service.

8.                   We believe that we are responsible for providing services that are efficient, effective, accessible and responsive to human needs.