Belmont County CARES expanding
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ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- The Belmont County Community Access, Resources, Education and Solutions program has been connecting residents with community services since November and is now expanding with a new location and additional staff, as well as increased ability to help the public.
On Wednesday, CARES Director Jamie Betts updated the Belmont County Board of Commissioners and introduced Chad Zambori, who will join him as CARES coordinator.
Zambori, a 25-year member of the Cumberland Trail Fire District, will help in overseeing the CARES program, collaborating with local organizations, agencies and community partners, reaching out to educate the public and providing support.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge," Zambori said. "I look forward to ensuring that our residents have access to the support and resources they need, especially in challenging times."
Since kicking off the program, Betts has often served as the initial contact and helped local residents navigate the services offered by entities such as the Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services and the county Health Department.
Betts said the needs CARES has assisted with have predominantly been related to mental health.
"A lot of the individuals that we see are lacking mental health care. I've been working very diligently to make sure they find the care that they need," he said.
Betts said he has worked closely with the Belmont, Harrison and Monroe Mental Health and Recovery Board and the local crisis response center.
"So they've decided to help fund an additional position," he said.
Lisa Ward, executive director of the Mental Health and Recovery Board, commented on the high number of calls related to mental health and substance abuse.
"They're not maybe going to get bounced again. It's hard when you're in a crisis to think: 'Who do I need to call and what do I need to do?' And the CARES coordinator is ready to help be there and sort that through. I think we're going to see less people in our emergency room, less people in our jails and more people getting help."
Betts said the program has made a yearly contract with the board covering startup costs, vehicle and salary of the new employee, totalling $159,823. The goal is for it to be renewed on a yearly basis for the foreseeable future. The renewal of the contract will not be for the $159,823 range, since $50,000 was budgeted as a one-time vehicle purchase. Services will remain in Belmont County.
CARES is also moving to a new location, from the fire district office to the Belmont County Community Improvement Corp. site at 133 Woodrow Ave., St Clairsville.
Betts provided a quarterly report covering July through September. There have been 154 home visits and 1,252 phone calls received. Betts noted 68% of the population served is age 60 or older, with 26% being 60-70 years old, 28.6% ranging from 71-80 years old and 14.3% 81 years old or older.
The initiative was spearheaded by the Cumberland Trail Fire District. Fire Chief Tim Hall thanked the commissioners for their support, along with Senior Services, the Health Department and the DJFS.
"This program has grown way beyond what we thought it ever would," Hall said.
He credited Betts for his dedication.
Betts said the goals of the CARES program also include reducing the demands on 911 dispatchers by connecting members of the public to resources, guiding them through times of crisis and often going to their homes to follow up on them and provide short-term case management.
"Typically, people will call 911 when they don't know what else to do," Betts said. "Anything from helping them find a doctor, making medical appointments, finding transportation, dealing with a lot of individuals that are in crisis."
To reach CARES, call 740-827-0004.