Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Cloud Peak Lighthouse staff gathering for an end-of-fiscal-year barbecue July 12 are (front row, l-r): Christina Trifan, Lorinda Roessing, Andi Bourne, Mary Johnson, Sabrina Ochoa, Eve Stephenson, Karen Pharaoh and Tom Ruckman; (back row) Tia Macias-Johnson, Cary Beauvais, Caroline Greim, Daimion Pederson, Angie Pantelis and Tim Hinkel. The Lighthouse served 109 clients during the fiscal year that ended June 30.
WORLAND - The Cloud Peak Lighthouse Adult Crisis Center served a record 109 clients over the past fiscal year, according to program director Sabrina Ochoa.
Ochoa said the number of people they have been able to help in the Big Horn Basin and Fremont County has increased over the past four years with 109 during the 2018-2019 fiscal year that runs July 1 through June 30. The 2017-2018 years saw 108 clients served, 80 in 2016-2017 and 72 in 2015-2016.
The 11-bed facility was increased from six last year in order to service more area residents.
According to the Lighthouse informational pamphlet, the mission of the Cloud Peak Lighthouse in Worland is to "stabilize individuals in crisis, so they may return to their community."
Ochoa said the Lighthouse team "is trained in providing a therapeutic environment that fosters a safe, secure and relaxed atmosphere."
In addition to Ochoa, the team includes program manager and clinical director from Cloud Peak Counseling Mary Johnson, case manager Angie Pantelis and registered nurse Eve Stephenson as well as 12 full- and part-time staff members.
The team and staff were treated to a barbecue on Friday, July 12, for the end of the fiscal year, and the record-setting year.
Services are offered for adults 21 and older in Hot Springs, Washakie, Big Horn, Park and Fremont counties. Persons must be referred by a therapist, usually out of the emergency room.
Services offered include client-centered therapy, case management, daily groups, structured activities, mental health and medication management and a wellness recovery action plan completed with a peer specialist.
Ochoa said they help people with a lot of different mental health issues.
"We provide a safe, secure environment for people to get their feet back under them and then get out and live their life," Ochoa said.
Clients can receive services up to 30 days at the Lighthouse, Ochoa said.
Ochoa said the Lighthouse provides transportation for clients back to their home-community and the case manager sets up a therapist appointment in their home community prior to them leaving the Lighthouse.
Fees for Lighthouse services are based on a sliding scale.
