Directions for Mental Health, Inc, a nonprofit organization in Pinellas County that helps the mentally ill, will be expanding into Pasco County later this summer creating 10-plus jobs.
The organization, founded in 1982, currently serves 10,000 people at its various locations in Pinellas. When the new Pasco office opens in August, it will serve a base there of 1,000 people to start. The move to expand into Pasco has been in the works for some time.
"We have been trying to strategically plan a move into Pasco County for years," says April Lott, president and CEO of
Directions for Mental Health, Inc. "Recently, we had an opportunity where one of our health insurance providers asked us to partner with them and serve the Pasco community. Our reputation preceded us to the point where we were able to take the leap."
Lott says that for many years people in Pasco would either have to travel south to
Pinellas, or go with another provider to get mental health services, which is why Directions has been trying to expand into the community.
The
Pasco location is on US Highway 19 behind the
Community Hospital. "The site behind the hospital is the perfect location," says Lott. "It's on the bus line and most people who live in west Pasco know exactly where it is."
Lott describes the Pasco location as a smaller version of the Certified Community Mental Health Center in Pinellas. Therefore, all of the job positions found at the Pinellas center will need to be duplicated at a smaller scale in Pasco. "We will need psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, case managers, administrative support positions, and medical record professionals," says Lott.
The Pasco office is at 5642 Meadowlane Street in
New Port Richey and is set to open August 1st.
Writer:
Kimberly PattersonSource: April Lott, Directions for Mental Health, Inc.
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