Since 1988, Community Support Services, Inc. (CSS) has provided a myriad of essential assistance to individuals in Summit County dealing with severe and persistent mental illness. A primary goal of CSS is to provide integrated healthcare for all our clients as we focus on the whole person – primary health, behavioral healthcare, and wellness – under one roof.
                As national and local medical professionals make recommendations for limiting the number of people gathering and the need for social distancing, CSS leaders are evaluating the best ways we can ensure the physical and mental well-being of our clients while also safeguarding our staff.
First and foremost, we are a healthcare facility, and a great many people rely on us for medication, injections and other vital needs. But our healthcare center is not an emergency room – we want to tell our clients not to show up at CSS without an appointment asking to be seen. We are making our best efforts to remain open so we can service scheduled appointments for the largest number of our clients.
In an abundance of caution, our clients may be asked by a doctor/nurse practitioner to reschedule routine follow up appointments.  For those who need medication refills, we will provide assistance at that time. Also, during the next few weeks, someone from CSS will be calling all our clients to determine any specific concerns or needs they might have.
CSS medical staff, behavioral health professionals and caseworkers are also going to be utilizing Telehealth to evaluate and care for clients whenever possible. We will have mobile telecommunication devices that can be easily set up and accessed from group homes, residential sites and nursing homes.
Other essential services CSS provides are payeeship and homeless outreach. Organization leaders are seeking ways to allow these activities to continue while keeping people safe. In order to comply with suggested social distancing recommendations, group therapy sessions are being suspended until further notice.
Bob Stokes, President & CEO of Community Support Services, said, “We are living in challenging times as the coronavirus spreads across the globe and affects our daily lives. What we should or shouldn’t do is changing rapidly. This can lead to confusion and frustration – even fear. We are striving to keep abreast of the information and will share it with our constituency on a regular basis. We thank everyone for their patience as this situation evolves.”
The agency will maintain a page on our website (www.cssbh.org/coronavirus ) that will have the latest information about coronavirus from appropriate healthcare experts.
Community Support Services, Inc. is a leader in behavioral healthcare for Summit County and the surrounding region. The agency provides comprehensive, high quality, cost-effective treatment, rehabilitation, advocacy, and support for recovery, primarily to persons most in need, to enhance the quality of their lives.