Glade Run opens EPIC expansion in Butler
Glade Run Lutheran Services held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Butler on Wednesday to commemorate the opening of the expansion of Glade Run's Empowering People in Communities.
The program for the psychiatric rehabilitation of chronically mentally ill adults, known as EPIC, is in downtown Butler at 125 W. New Castle St. An open house was held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
EPIC — Psychiatric Rehabilitation — is a skills development program for adults 18 years and older who struggle with serious, persistent, and chronic mental health diagnosis.
Glade Run began offering EPIC services less than a year ago.
“It's been going wonderfully,” said Sheila Talarico, executive director of Glade Run Foundation. “(It) grew so rapidly it became necessary to expand the space.”
EPIC was created, after a request from the county, to help adults with mental health issues who wish to learn how to better manage their day to day life and wellness. Clients can participate through on-site or mobile psychiatric rehabilitation services, Talarico said.
Adults over the age of 18 with a diagnosis of mental health issues are eligible.
Glade Run currently has four trained therapists who meet with clients at their offices, but they can also drive to meet clients if that is a better fit.
Through structured skill groups and individual skill interventions, clients are able to develop and practice skills they need to achieve their recovery goals.
The EPIC program allows people to remain involved with other treatment services they need, including outpatient therapy, medication management, blended case management to manage their illness.
“I am excited about the growth and the opportunity for our program to service adult consumers who struggle daily with serious mental illness,” said Deb Ferguson, EPIC program supervisor. “Having the opportunity to support and teach them skills so they can increase the quality of their lives is a blessing.”
Glade Run offers similar programs for people of all ages, and EPIC now allows children who age out of other programs to still have somewhere to go even into adulthood.
“It's nice for us to be able to offer clients a program as they age,” Talarico said.
The program can only take a limited number of clients as it continues to grow to meet demand, but Talarico said they are currently accepting more with the new expansion.
“Right now we have around 20 or 30 (clients),” she said. “Our doors are open.”
For more information visit gladerun.org or call 724-591-8102.
