Director says Apalachee Center "underutilized"

            The director of The Apalachee Center says the Apalachicola facility, which offers psychiatric services at affordable rates to area residents, could double the number of clients they serve.

            Kevin Kirby, a licensed clinical social worker with a master's from Florida State University, directs the center, a subsidiary of Apalachee Center, Inc, a private, not-for-profit behavioral healthcare organization based in Tallahassee.

            He said the center, at159 12th St, next door to the county health department, services about 60 patients but could handle twice that many with its existing staff.

            The center provides evaluation, medication and analysis for outpatients with "severe and pervasive mental illness." The center offers psychiatric services, including evaluation and medical management, for people receiving outpatient or community support services.

            Payment is accepted from clients, most private insurance companies, Preferred Provider Organizations, CHAMPUS, Medicare and Medicaid. Required co-payments apply to some services and are based upon insurance company coverages and/or ability to pay (i.e. sliding fee scale).

            "One way that Franklin County is different from many other places is that many people have difficulties meeting for appointments or picking up medication. In many cases we can help with that by making home visits," Kirby said.

            The center also offers case management services to support self-directed recovery of patients and outpatient counseling services including individual, family and group therapy.

            Kirby said the center can provide temporary non-medical aid to clients who are having employment or family stability problems. The center also provides assessments and therapy to inmates in the county jails.

            In addition to Kirby and three other full-time staff members, the center shares a psychiatrist and psychiatric nurse with several other facilities, and employs two counselors; both licensed social workers, stationed at Franklin County's consolidated school.

            "The economic downturn places a strain on everybody, not just the mentally ill. This is all the more reason to be aware of available community services. I would encourage anyone who believes a friend or family member is suffering from mental health issues to seek help at a resource they are comfortable with," he said.

The Apalachee Center is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

            To inquire about services offered by the Apalachee Center, call them at 653-9744 or contact new patient registration in Tallahassee at 523-3308.