On Friday, June 29, elected officials, special guests, and members of the community gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the new Douglas County Community Services building. An open house for the public was held on Saturday, June 30. The facility is located at 5905 Stewart Pkwy, the former site of ITT Tech. also hosted an open house for the public on Saturday, June 30.
“I’m very proud we can provide quality services for those who are struggling with behavioral health issues, mental health and substance abuse and anxiety disorders,” explained Outpatient Services Director Raye Lightford.
The Douglas County Community Services Board (DCCSB) is a public agency created by state law to provide mental health, developmental disability, and substance abuse services. The mission is to provide and coordinate a system of community-based support for individuals and families of Douglas County including the cities of Douglasville, Villa Rica, Winston, and Lithia Springs.
“I want our citizens to know that recovery starts here and recovery is possible,” commented BOC Chairwoman Romona Jackson-Jones.
Celebrations at the facility kicked off with a press conference featuring speakers, such as Mayor Pro Tem Richard Segal and BOC Chairwoman Romona Jackson-Jones. Following the press conference and an official ribbon cutting hosted by the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce, guests had the opportunity to tour the facility and meet the rest of the staff.
“We go to wherever we need to be in the community. That’s our mission—to be out in the community to help reduce the stigma and increase awareness,” explained Wade Springs, who oversees the Health and Wellness Center. In addition to resume assistance, the center also assists with substance abuse, STI education, mental health, educational classes, and free HIV/Hepatitis C testing.
The DCCSB provides qualified professionals who specialize in preventative and responsive services that help meet the needs of Douglas County community residents, both effectively and efficiently. One of the fundamental values the facility will bring to its new location is offering residential referral services for veterans who may be homeless and desire behavioral health needs.
“Having a strong supportive footprint in Douglas County is long overdue and knowing that our leadership is dedicated to providing the highest quality of services to our patrons provides me great comfort for me as a resident of Douglas County,” commented Lightford.
For more information about Douglas County Community Services, you can call 770-949-8082.
