The Recovery Center at Manning Regional Healthcare Center has been providing substance abuse recovery services in western Iowa for 40 years. To celebrate, all friends of recovery are invited to join The Recovery Center staff on August 6, 2022, at the Manning Hausbarn-Heritage Park Konferenz Center from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. This free event will include a luncheon, welcome from the Recovery Center Director, testimonials of recovery, and networking among all in attendance.<\/p>\n
Before the Recovery Center celebrates this milestone with the community, we wanted to reflect on the center\u2019s history to see how far it has come, share what the Recovery Center is like now, and see what is in store for the future of substance abuse services in Manning.<\/p>\n
In 1982, the Substance Abuse Treatment Unit, known as the SAT Unit, was established at Manning General Hospital after it became evident that substance abuse recovery services would fill an unmet need in the area. Since state funding was not an option, Health Resources, Inc. of Chattanooga, Tennessee worked with Manning General Hospital to establish the SAT Unit and an agreement was made for Health Resources to develop and manage the SAT Unit. The Iowa Department of Health issued the center a Certificate of Need, and clients were first accepted for residential treatment on January 17, 1983.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe SAT Unit was the only hospital-based program fully functional with residential, outpatient, and support groups in Iowa at that time,\u201d shared Denny Garvis, the Recovery Center director from 1990-2007. \u201cWe were also the first hospital-based program in Iowa to get a three-year licensure and 100% in licensure review. And those achievements had nothing to do with me, it was all the staff. Staff is key, and I had a tremendous team,\u201d Garvis reflected.<\/p>\n
Dr. Myer & Dr. McNerney were the beginning medical directors for the 12-bed SAT Unit. They initially started off with five staff members and provided residential and outpatient services. They also provided dual diagnosis\/co-occurring disorder mental health services with Dr. Jerry Catron – treatment services that were groundbreaking at that time. The center was also able to host DMACC nursing students for 15 years through a DMACC nursing professor, Pam Garvis, so they could get a background in substance abuse and addictions, which was unheard of at the time. These experiences are still rarely offered in nursing education programs.<\/p>\n
The Recovery Center eventually established outreach EAP and SAP programs in Atlantic, Carroll, Ida Grove, and Denison. When it came to outpatient services, Medicaid played a big role since they would only pay for outpatient services if the treatment center was within the hospital.<\/p>\n
Eventually, many programs around the state started switching to strictly outpatient treatment based on low census, and the SAT Unit soon faced the same crisis. The numbers were very low for both kinds of treatment and at the time, the MRHC hospital board was questioning whether to keep the SAT Unit doors open.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy philosophy was that if we do the right thing, we\u2019ll get patients and that will keep the doors open. I argued that if we could sustain one year of operating in the red, we could survive, and the board went along with it,\u201d Garvis said. \u201cAs other similar programs went to just outpatient, we remained residential, and thankfully it worked because a year and a half later our numbers started to improve. Bill Ohde was a strong hospital board supporter for us to get the one-year probationary program, and without his input & support, I don\u2019t think the Recovery Center would be here today.\u201d<\/p>\n
The SAT Unit\u2019s name was later changed to \u201cManning Family Recovery Center\u201d to draw attention to the expansive family support program.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe name SAT was always cold to me,\u201d Garvis explained. \u201cWhen we decided to change the name, we had a contest for the staff and that\u2019s how we came up with Manning Family Recovery Center. It best identified what we did because the family component is key to recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n
After 33 years in a historic hospital on Main Street in Manning, the Center moved to its present location at 1550 6th Street in 2014 when Manning Regional Healthcare Center moved. The new space allowed for more natural light in patient rooms and space for indoor and outdoor recreation. Finally, to simplify outreach efforts, the center shortened its name to the Recovery Center in 2018.<\/p>\n
As Garvis reflected on how the Recovery Center operated in the 80s, 90\u2019s and 2000\u2019s, he shared a few key takeaways:<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very proud of what has happened here over the years, but if there was anything in treatment that we could have improved on back then, it would have been working harder to help clients understand that you can still have fun and not drink and use. We always struggled with that,\u201d Garvis said. \u201cWe tried to have as many social functions as we could to introduce people to the \u2018real world.\u2019 Our intent was to help them understand that 90% of the population drinks and uses, and that\u2019s the world they\u2019re going to function in when they leave treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n
While many things have changed and evolved within the Recovery Center, one thing that has unfortunately not changed is the stigma associated with substance abuse.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo say that low income or minorities are the ones that need treatment is false,\u201d Garvis said. \u201cWe have treated politicians, several mayors, doctors, lots of nurses, lawyers, administrators, ministers, priests, and paramedics,\u201d \u2013 the number one profession of individuals the center currently treats.<\/p>\n
Garvis went on to explain how the stigma and embarrassment that goes with addiction can deter people from seeking treatment services. He also points out the advantages of receiving treatment services at The Recovery Center in Manning.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe credit to this place is that it is very private and secluded. Once clients get here, they understand that nothing is going to leave here without their approval,\u201d Garvis shared.<\/p>\n
The Recovery Center\u2019s staff now consists of 11 full-time staff and five as-needed staff. The multi-disciplinary team includes the medical director, an administrative assistant, 24-hour nursing services, four licensed substance abuse counselors, two full-time and four part-time counselor techs, a nurse care coordinator, family therapist, licensed clinical coordinator, psychologist, and a director. The center also has a 16-bed capacity but can overflow into the hospital if needed. There are two people to a room and each room has their own bathroom and shower.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have never been empty, and we always have a significant waitlist. The average wait time right now is four weeks,\u201d said Recovery Center Director, Taya Vonnahme, MSN, RN, ARNP, tCADC. \u201cBut if someone were to walk in right now, we\u2019d find a bed for them. We\u2019ll overflow as much as we have to. I won\u2019t turn anyone away.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other than having additional space if needed, another main factor that differentiates Manning\u2019s treatment program from others in Iowa is the fact that the Recovery Center is a department within MRHC, a critical access hospital.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing connected to the hospital allows us to easily access all possible modalities of care from lab, radiology, nursing, specialty clinic services, and more,\u201d shared Vonnahme.<\/p>\n
It also allows the Recovery Center to take patients who have extenuating medical backgrounds and several who have significant medical issues as they can be seen by specialty providers at MRHC during their stay.<\/p>\n
The co-ed chemical dependency facility offers services such as detoxification, residential treatment, outpatient treatment and consultations or evaluations.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur services continue to change and grow,\u201d shared Vonnahme. \u201cCurrently, we provide treatment at four levels of care from detox, residential, and three options of outpatient treatment. Everyone can benefit from one of the types of services and most clients follow a steppingstone path and will work their way down through their specific treatment plan.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Recovery Center bases treatment plans on evidence-based practices, incorporating therapies and strategies proven to have successful recovery outcomes for previous addicts. The 12-step framework and other therapies and services are utilized to facilitate the recovery process. The licensed counselors follow best practices by individualizing each treatment plan, so they are specific to each client\u2019s needs and goals.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor example, outpatient services can be varied based on how many hours a week someone needs,\u201d explained Vonnahme. \u201cWe mostly focus on intensive and extended outpatient treatment each week. These levels are usually completed by someone after they finish a residential stay, but it does not have to be that way. There are outpatient clients who never complete residential treatment and that is sufficient for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recovery Center staff have adapted treatments to meet the most pressing or newly emergent addiction issues, from alcoholism to the influx of meth to the abuse of prescription painkillers. The main goal for clients is to take their first step toward healthy, drug and alcohol-free lifestyles.<\/p>\n
As the Recovery Center continues to grow and evolve, they have big goals for the future of recovery services.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur team continues to grow in many ways. We have started offering problem gambling and prime for life services (Iowa OWI course) and are working to add additional services, but it takes time,\u201d Vonnahme said. \u201cI hope to be able to dedicate much-needed time to a prevention program. This work is greatly needed, and we are striving to bring it back.\u201d<\/p>\n
While it is a top priority to expand prevention and outpatient services, they also want to emphasize the importance of mental health education.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are not enough services out there for mental health or addiction so we are trying to do the best we can in the short amount of time we have with the people that come in for treatment,\u201d Vonnahme said.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, the Recovery Center has an overwhelming amount of support and assistance within the hospital. MRHC administration and the board of directors recognize that that the Recovery Center is a key service line and part of the long-term vision and strategy of MRHC.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a very good administration backing me who trusts and helps me,\u201d Vonnahme shared. \u201cThat makes a huge difference being able to do this job because my administration team is pretty understanding of some of the issues with insurance and realizing that we\u2019re doing the best we can with what we\u2019ve got. They\u2019re supportive when I want to take a risk and will let me try new things.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to a supportive administration, board of directors, and a determined Recovery Center staff, the Manning community is also a strong advocate for the center.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are fortunate for the support we get and always have as well as the community we\u2019re in,\u201d Vonnahme shared. \u201cI\u2019m very lucky with the staff, volunteers and support we have. The only reason I can do this job is because of the team, not only my staff in the Recovery Center, but hospital wide with billing and financial, administration, and others. It\u2019s amazing how many people it takes to keep something like this afloat and the communication and skills you have to bring together.\u201d<\/p>\n
To learn more about substance abuse services at the Recovery Center and celebrate the 40th anniversary, RSVP to the August 6th event by calling (712) 655-2300. For more information about the Recovery Center, visit www.manningrecoverycenter.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Recovery Center at Manning Regional Healthcare Center has been providing substance abuse recovery services in western Iowa for 40 years. To celebrate, all friends of recovery are invited to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3635,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[89],"tags":[159,145,94,162,93,265,95,263,163,224,96,264],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n