For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Dawn Stranne 415/893-1780
BUCKELEW PROGRAMS ADDS ‘THE VINE CENTER’ TO ITS COMMUNITY SERVICES
(SAN RAFAEL – May 9, 2011) The Vine Center (formerly “Helen Vine Detox Center”) has become one of Buckelew Program’s newest behavioral health programs, according to Buckelew’s Executive Director Steve Ramsland. The Vine is a licensed 26-bed co-ed residential detoxification program located at 301 Smith Ranch Road in San Rafael that provides welcoming, recovery-oriented services to individuals with alcohol and drug addiction issues, as well as co-occurring psychiatric problems.
On April 19, the Marin County Board of Supervisors approved the award to Buckelew of a contract from the Marin County Department of Health & Human Services to take over management of the program. With the issuance of a license by the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, Buckelew recently began operations.
“It makes a lot of sense to integrate The Vine’s residential detoxification services into Buckelew Programs’ other behavioral health programs,” said Larry Meredith, Ph.D. Director of Health and Human Services. “They will be able to implement innovations between their various programs to better serve the community.”
Buckelew Programs has provided a range of services that promote wellness and recovery for people with behavioral health disorders for more than 40 years.
“We focus on our client’s strengths and capabilities, and offer them respect and hope,” said Ramsland. “We encourage personal responsibility, empowerment, and engagement with peer-supports.
“The Vine Detoxification Program offers individuals with substance use disorders a first step in their recovery,” said D.J. Pierce, Chief of the Division of Alcohol, Drug & Tobacco Programs.
Not only does The Vine give people with drug or alcohol problems–including those that have a mental illness–a chance to begin their recovery, they can also find support, acceptance and hope through individualized programs including counseling, education about alcohol and drug addiction, 12-step meetings, medical services, wellness and life care tools, relapse prevention, and community mentors.
Buckelew Programs has provided services tailored to individuals with co-occurring disorders for many years, according to Ramsland, who co-chairs the Marin County Heath & Human Services Integrated System Initiative’s steering committee. Buckelew Programs’ staff has extensive training on addictions and co-occurring disorders, including training through “Buckelew University,” a curriculum of 700 accredited online classes from Essential Learning, created by leading experts in mental health, addictions, compliance and other behavioral health topics.
About Buckelew Programs
Buckelew Programs is a non-profit organization that creates homes, jobs, and hope for transition-aged youth, adults, and seniors with mental illness in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa counties. They currently operate three social enterprises: Blue Skies Café (San Rafael), Blue Skies Coffees and Teas (Napa), and Blue Skies Cleaning Service (Marin). Established in 1970, Buckelew Programs had revenues of $10.2 million in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010. There are 130 employees throughout the three counties. For more information, see www.buckelew.org.
