News

May 22, 2019

Northern Rivers Launches New Mental Health Program for Warren and Washington Counties

Northern Rivers Family of Services has announced the launch of their new Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program to serve Warren and Washington counties. Owen Allie has joined the organization to serve as ACT team leader.

ACT is an intensive community-based, client-centered program developed to serve adults age 18 and older who experience a serious and persistent mental illness that makes functioning in the community difficult for them. Clients are referred by the Office of Community Services for Warren and Washington Counties. The program works with hospitals, mental health facilities, and local law enforcement to help clients work toward successful independence.

Services include outreach, mental health treatment, physical health care, housing and vocational supports, recovery services, money management, family education, and community linkages. The ACT team is on call 24/7/365 to help clients navigate crises.

“Increasing access to a broad spectrum of mental health services, from outpatient mental health counseling to intensive programs like ACT, is vitally important for our communities. Through programs like ACT, recovery is possible, and we look forward to helping clients achieve their goals,” said Audrey LaFrenier, President and Chief Operating Officer at Northern Rivers.
Allie leads a team including Family Specialist Laura Walters, Substance Abuse Specialist Steve Borden, RN Gordon Hadsell, Psychiatrist Dr. Julita Jastrzab, Employment Specialist Cynthia Varney, Peer Specialist Evelyn Stephenson, and Program Assistant Melissa Diffee.

Allie joins the organization from North Spring Behavioral Health Care in Leesburg, Va., where he worked as Assistant Director of Outpatient Services, therapist, and substance abuse counselor. He also worked as Assessment Manager and primary substance abuse counselor at Phoenix House of the Mid-Atlantic in Arlington, Va.

He earned a master’s degree in Community Counseling from Argosy University (Atlanta), a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Phoenix, and his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Castleton (Vt.) State College.