Strengths
  • Accessible outpatient services in six locations.  This includes individual, group, and family services for a wide range of problems.
  • Day Treatment services in all 5 counties 
  • Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient programs in 4 locations 
  • Residential services for individuals with Mental Illnesses are available in all five counties
  • Residential services for individuals with Developmental Disabilities are available in 3 counties 
  • Screening and Court Evaluations in all 5 counties
  • Emergency services throughout the five-county area: 24 hours, 7 days a week
  • Easily Accessible DUI Education and Defensive Driving classes in four counties
     

  WHY NORTHWEST IS UNIQUELY QUALIFIED

 Many years of experience are represented on the management team.   These years of experience translate into:

  • 25 Plus years of experience in providing residential services
  • Approximately 300 residential beds for mentally ill
  • 70 Residential beds for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
  • 20 Beds substance abuse a.k.a. S.T.A.R.T. - statewide availability for females ages 12 to 18
  • Easily accessible locations makes services available to local citizens in all our 5 counties
  • 30 plus years of experience in operating comprehensive community mental health center
  • Mobile team capacity and crisis services throughout 5 counties
  • Comprehensive transportation system
  • Preschool children's program at the Adam Bishop Center
  • Day program with academics for SED children and adolescents
  • Geriatric services
  • Over 500 full time /part time staff serving our five county area and full time psychiatrists for adults, children and adolescents
  • Numerous Contracts with companies for drug testing related to Drug Free Workplace programs
  • Several Contracts with EAP Provider groups
  • Collaborative efforts to serve identified consumers with housing needs
  • Extensive input from advisory groups of community and business leaders, family members and consumers on Advisory Boards
  • Juvenile Court Liaison
  • Behavioral Medicine Unit (BMU at Walker Baptist Medical Center) contract - 24 bed inpatient facility for adults - 6 MR/MI designated

 
MISSION STATEMENT

The Board of Directors of the Northwest Alabama Mental Health Center, in response to needs presented by clients, families, advisory boards, and other agencies and governmental institutions, have committed the Center, its staff and resources to the mission of providing a comprehensive continuum of care. This care would address the needs of individuals, groups, and families and actively seek to assist in improving their lives. Our commitment to this mission is spelled out as follows:

  1. To provide accessible, cost effective, high quality, and outcome oriented services to the people of Fayette, Lamar, Marion, Walker and Winston Counties.
  2. To provide accessible and appropriate services to persons and/or families with problems that relate to psychiatric, habilitation, rehabilitation, or counseling needs and interventions.
  3. To prioritize services to those who suffer from severe mental illnesses, children who experience severe emotional disturbances, individuals who suffer from mental retardation, and individuals who seek recovery or are recovering from addictions to alcohol/drugs. These mental health services would assist in clients bettering the quality of their lives and to the general population as resources allow.
  4. To base services on attaining the highest level of independent living and functioning in the least restrictive environment.
  5. To guarantee quality through utilization of a program of continuous improvement.
  6. To assist staff in functioning as capable and responsive care managers, and therapists to insure effective response to needs for as long as requested.
  7. To work and grow in a caring partnership with the community and to be recognized as the leader in providing the highest quality of mental health services.
  8. To conduct all our activities in the highest ethical and professional manner; by attracting and retaining honest, qualified, courteous, dependable, and productive employees; by offering opportunities for personal and professional growth; and by creating a safe, clean, therapeutic, cheerful environment with a caring atmosphere of mutual trust and respect.

This is our commitment to you.

VISION STATEMENT

To be a model community service system known for its integrity, professionalism, and uncompromising commitment to our clients. To be the service provider of choice in the delivery of valued community services and adapting to the changing needs of our clients.

BELIEFS

We value and believe in:

  • Being compassionate, understanding and responsive to the opinions and needs of our clients.
  • Exceeding the expectations of our clients and communities
  • Being creative and innovative in providing excellent services
  • Providing an environment in which all employees can excel and achieve personal growth
  • Promote teamwork and a cooperative working relationship
  • managing resources to ensure financial security and integrity
  • Empowerment of people by recognizing their worth, dignity, strengths, and ability to make informed decisions
  • Delivering services at the earliest possible time to prevent or reduce traumatic interventions in the person's future
  • Promoting the participation of all people in the life of the community and this should not be diminished by the presence of any kind or level of mental illness, mental retardation or alcohol and any other drug dependence.
  • Promoting the traditions of community service
  • Enhancing partnership with Alabama Council of Community Mental Health Boards and the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation and other agencies with complementary goals