Blog Posts

Dickinson Staff Joins Leadership Elk & Cameron in Harrisburg

Thu, 11 May 2023 18:17:23 +0000

The Community Education Center’s Leadership Elk & Cameron class (LEC), including Rachel Barrett and Bryan Linton of Dickinson Center, Inc. visited the Capitol in Harrisburg this month. The participants met with Representatives Armanini and Causer, Senator Dush, and heard from a lobbyist for FirstEnergy Corporation, Sharon Fulton Roth. A guided tour of the Capitol was also conducted. The trip was sponsored by the FirstEnergy Foundation. Good job to Rachel & Bryan on their participation!

More information about the LEC program can be found at www.communityedcenter.com, or by contacting the CEC at (814) 781-3437.

DCI's Kilpeck Accepting New Patients

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 19:42:45 +0000

Cristen Kilpeck, PA-C is currently new accepting patients for outpatient medication management services Elk, Cameron, Potter, and surrounding counties.

Cristen has been providing medical services in the area for over 15 years, most recently joining the behavioral health team at Dickinson Center, Inc.

PA Medicaid, Medicare, and most major insurances accepted.

To make an appointment, call us toll free at 877.364.2178

Northwest Bank Donates to Dickinson's St. Marys Construction Project

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 19:43:17 +0000

Pictured from the left: Angel Fritz, Northwest Bank Branch Manager & Small Business Lender in St. Marys; Julie Marasco, Northwest Bank PA Region President; Jim Prosper, Dickinson Center, Inc. Executive Director; and Tana Smith, Journey Health System Director of Institutional Advancement.

Dickinson Center, Inc., an affiliate of Journey Health System, received a $100,000 commitment from Northwest Bank to support their new building project in St. Marys.

Guy Signor, president and CEO of Journey Health System stated, “We are pleased and thankful to Northwest Bank for supporting Dickinson Center’s construction project in St. Marys. This new facility will play a vital role in the local community and have a significant positive impact on individuals and families throughout the area for many years to come.”

Dickinson Center, Inc. is in the process of building a new facility within the lots along Railroad and Market streets. The goal is to centralize their St. Marys services which are currently scattered across town; increasing access to mental health care, enhancing convenience for consumers and reducing costs by improving operational efficiency.

“We are extremely grateful to Northwest Bank for their generous support of our capital campaign and the overall commitment to St. Marys,” said Jim Prosper, executive director at Dickinson Center, Inc. “Helping children, adults, and families reach their full potential is at the core of our mission and this donation will help us continue to expand access to behavioral health services in our region.”

Dickinson Center, Inc., a 501(c) 3 organization, has been providing behavioral health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and children's prevention services in rural Northwestern Pennsylvania for over 60 years, including over 25 years in St. Marys.

Julie Marasco, president of Northwest Bank’s Pennsylvania Region stated, “Northwest Bank is very pleased to support Dickinson’s construction project in St Marys. Their mission in providing behavioral health, intellectual and development disabilities and children’s services to our communities has been immeasurable!”

Northwest Bank is a full-service financial institution offering a complete line of personal and business banking products. Northwest Bank serves individuals, businesses, governmental and institutional customers with locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and Indiana.

Fundraising efforts for Dickinson’s St. Marys building project are underway. The “Building for Tomorrow” capital campaign has a goal of $1M in private donations. To learn more and help Dickinson reach their goal, visit https://givetodickinson.org/st-marys-project.

DCI Receives Trauma Informed Care Recertification

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:34:24 +0000

On March 24, the Behavioral Health Alliance of Rural Pennsylvania (BHARP) and Community Care Behavioral Health Organization visited a celebration for Dickinson Center’s trauma recertification at DCI’s Coudersport and Ridgway locations. This follows Dickinson’s participation in the North Central Trauma Informed Care Initiative and exemplary achievement in completing the program.

COUDERSPORT — Pictured left to right: Rita Kraus, Senior Program Director- DCI Site Based Psych Rehab; Rebecca Keagle, Program Director DCI Psych Rehab, Potter County; Tonya Wolfe, DCI Mental Health and Children’s Services Director; James Prosper, DCI Executive Director; Dawn Dovensky, Care Manager, Community Care Behavioral Health; Lori Orner, Care Manager, Community Care Behavioral Health; Sally Walker, CEO, BHARP.

RIDGWAY — Pictured left to right: Carol Bembenic, DCI outpatient therapist; Judy Smith Mental Health program director Cameron and Elk County Behavioral and Developmental Program; Sally Walker, BHARP CEO; Tonya Wolfe, DCI Mental Health and Children’s Services Director; James Prosper, DCI Executive Director; Renee Korney CCBH; Michael Gwin, CCBH; Heather Celidonia, DCI Outpatient Business Manager.

“We are honored to be redesigned as a TICC. Dickinson Center focuses on recognizing and responding to the impact of trauma on the health and well-being of both the individuals we provide services to as well as our staff,” said James Prosper, Executive Director of the Dickinson Center.

The providers involved in the program work to achieve expertise in trauma informed care, which involves trauma-specific treatment for individuals. They also create a trauma informed care culture within their organization. Additionally, one of their other goals is to successfully promote safety for staff and individuals within the program.

If you would like more information on BHARP or the North Central Trauma Informed Care Initiative, please contact Brenda Fry at bfry@bharp.org.

DCI's PAT Hosts Superhero Event

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:11:21 +0000

What a super day the Parents as Teachers (PAT) Program at Dickinson Center, Inc. (DCI) had on March 22, 2023. They hosted their free “Super Hero’s” event for the public, including Elk County families with children five years of age and under. A total of 54 families with 91 children attended.

At this event, the staff provided a variety of super hero activities, face painting, crafts, a superhero book, and a super snack. There were a lot of children that arrived in their favorite super hero costumes, however at their event they promoted and recognized how children and parents are super heroes themselves.

Cortney Pahel, Dickinson’s Program Director noted how proud she was of her super hero team (Amanda Annis, Amy Murphy, Michele Davis, and Brenda Wurm).

“These girls work incredibly hard each day for the families in our Parents as Teachers, The Children's Center and Triple P programs,” said Pahel. “On top of their everyday work they helped plan and coordinate fun events just like this one. I'm always blown away with their creativity, coordination, and initiative to help one another. I'm one lucky supervisor to work with a SUPER team.”

In addition, DCI is thankful to announce that they received the Elk County Society for Special Services Grant from the Elk County Community Foundation to expand their Parents as Teachers (PAT) Program and continue to offer family support, parent education, community outreach and events in Elk County, Pennsylvania. The $3,000 funding received will go towards four community events (Super Heroes, Annual Storytime Walk, National Night Out, and Light Up Night).

The DCI- PAT team is very thankful to all of the super families who were able to attend this fun event. For more information about these programs please visit https://www.dickinsoncenter.org/prevention.

DCI Receives Grant from ECCF for PAT Program

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 18:03:17 +0000

ELK COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANT TO DICKINSON CENTER’S PARENTS AS TEACHERS

ST. MARYS, Pa—Dickinson Center, Inc. (DCI), an affiliate of Journey Health System, recently received the Elk County Society for Special Services Grant from the Elk County Community Foundation to expand their Parents as Teachers (PAT) Program by continuing to offer family support, parent education, community outreach and events in Elk County, Pennsylvania. The $3,000 funding received will go toward four community events (Super Heroes, Annual Storytime Walk, National Night Out and Light Up Night).

“We are extremely grateful to the Elk County Community Foundation for their support,” said Program Director Cortney Pahel. “Parents as Teachers, along with other programs that we offer at Dickinson’s Children’s Prevention Services, are promoting parent-child interaction opportunities for the community. All of these programs are FREE to any family in Elk County. The ages do vary per program but people can call 814.834.2602 for more information. Since children do not come with instructions, we want to support families in our area.”

Dickinson’s Children’s Prevention Services promote a holistic proactive approach to decrease community risk factors through a commitment to provide the following outcome-based services: The Life/Incredible Years Program, the Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program, the Triple P Program, Parents as Teachers and the Student Assistance Program. The programs are held in a relaxed environment for children and families at the Children’s Center located in the C.E.C. Building at 4 Erie Avenue in St. Marys, Pennsylvania. Additionally, their LIFE/SAP services are provided in local schools.

We are extremely grateful to the Elk County Community Foundation for their support.

Cortney Pahel, PAT Program Director

“I am appreciative of these local services that have been made available to me and my children. I would highly recommend joining in on these programs because there is always something new to learn as a parent!”

Gina Hayes

The PAT Program includes a lineup of services for Elk County families beginning when parents are expecting, at the birth, and until the child is five years old. The primary focus is on early childhood development, supporting families, and fostering young children’s healthy growth and wellness.

Gina Hayes, a mother of three beautiful girls ages 12, three and one, regularly visits Dickinson’s Children’s Center with her children.

“I am in recovery and I’ve been a little over a year and a half clean. My clean date is August 23, 2021,” stated Hayes. “I participate in Parents as Teachers and the Triple P parenting programs and they have been beneficial to both me and my family throughout my recovery journey. Having the support within these programs has been essential with improving and continually developing age appropriate parenting strategies with each of my children. I’m so unbelievably grateful for the guidance and encouragement from both staff and other parents I’ve been able to connect with. I am appreciative of these local services that have been made available to me and my children. I would highly recommend joining in on these programs because there is always something new to learn as a parent!”

Since 1958, Dickinson Center, Inc. has been committed to helping individuals reach their full potential by providing a comprehensive spectrum of behavioral health, intellectual disability, and prevention services. Initially, DCI opened to provide outpatient psychiatric care to rural northwestern Pennsylvania, and is now recognized as a leading rural behavioral health provider in northwestern Pennsylvania, serving Elk, Cameron, Potter, McKean, Forest, Warren, Jefferson and Clearfield counties.

To learn more about Dickinson’s PAT services and events, follow them on Facebook at @DCI.Childrens.

DCI's PAT Hosted a Safety Play Group on Feb. 23, 2023

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 02:01:56 +0000

Dickinson Center, Inc. Parents as Teachers Program has once again partnered with Josh Woods, Community Traffic Safety Project Coordinator with Highway Safety Network. Josh facilitated playgroup at The Children’s Center on Thursday February 23, 2023. He read the story “Clifford Takes a Walk” By Norman Bridwell. He also shared some very important pedestrian safety tips to the children and families that attended. The children enjoyed the story, practicing safe walking, and receiving a copy of the book. Thank you so much to Josh Woods for attending, sharing this important information, and giving each child a book. We're so thankful to the families that attended and to the PA District 2 Community Traffic Safety Project for supporting our program!

Learn more about DCI’S Parents As Teachers Program