Choices Counseling now state approved

Choices for Change Counseling (Nancy M. Smith) has been certified as a State Approved Agency by DPHHS, Addictive and Mental Disorders Division. Choices has also been designated by the Mineral County Commissioners to receive 100 percent of the Mineral County earmarked alcohol tax monies for the provision of chemical dependency treatment and prevention services in accordance with MCA 53-24-206.

The process to receive this designation has taken almost a year to accomplish. The final state audit in April reviewed ALL aspects of the program and Choices passed with scores from 92.5 percent to 98 percent, when only 70 percent was necessary to pass. This Certification allows Choices to provide a continuum of treatment including: chemical dependency evaluations, Prime for Life (ACT), MIP, intervention, individual, outpatient group treatment, as well as full services for Drug Court clients. What this means for the clients is that they can now access a sliding fee scale after meeting financial qualifications for available state block grant funding to assist with treatment services, as well as Medicaid chemical dependency funding. Nancy has been honoring the fee agreements with current clients for the past year with no matching funding while awaiting this accreditation.

Western Montana Addiction Services (WMAS or Turning Point) has provided services to Mineral County for a number of years with the exception of 2007-2009 when they contracted with Choices. In 2007, WMAS announced this by stating: We approached Nancy Smith, who is well known in the community for her expertise in addiction and mental health treatment. Nancy is highly committed to the further development of a continuum of services in Mineral County and to a good continuity of care. In addition to her chemical dependency services, Nancy also offers mental health clinical services in her private practice, so she can provide services for co-occurring issues. Along with Nancy, we want to welcome aboard Robbie Smith, who will be our Prevention Specialist. Robbie has been very active advocate in the community and active with the schools and is excited about the opportunity of formalizing some of her efforts through her new position. It is our hope that local talent and the availability of individuals living and working in Mineral County will offer the ability to have a depth and availability to services that cannot be supported in a part-time position. This contract lasted two years until June 30, 2009. During that time, Nancy developed a continuum of services and diligently worked to make sure clients in Mineral County were treated with the best of care. From the Addiction and Mental Disorder's Chemical Dependency Bureau a snapshot of substance abuse in Mineral County shows: From July 2008 - June, 2009: 37 adults and 7 youths received services with the main drugs of choice being Alcohol (68.2%), Marijuana (25%), and Methamphetamines (6.8%).

In May, 2009, Choices received the following email from WMAS: The arrangement we have had seems to be working out OK, but we have decided to try and place WMAS staff in Superior for the upcoming year. While I don't have concerns about the quality of service the clients have received, I feel having a member of my clinical staff in Superior is a more appropriate model. I appreciate the work you have done for us, but I think it best we try and staff our own office and take personal responsibility for services in Mineral County. At that point, Choices made the decision to apply for State Approval.

Choices for Change Counseling originated in February, 2004, when Nancy opened her private practice in the Old School. Nancy has been a Licensed Addiction Counselor since 1993 and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2003. As her business grew, Nancy hired Robbie Smith, her daughter-in-law, to do the billing. Robbie had 20 years experience working as a bookkeeper and medical billing in California. In August, 2008, Choices bought the current building and remodeled to house her growing business. During that year, she hired more family, her son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Charlee Thompson, two University of Montana students. Joe, a business/finance major, and Charlee, a social work/psychology major.

In August, 2009, Nancy incorporated under the name, Choices, Inc., and began construction on Body Changes -GYM. The GYM opened in February, 2010, and is approaching100 members. It is a key-card, 24/7, gym membership center, with strength building and cardio machines, as well as a tanning bed and two showers/changing rooms. Nancy's perspective is that health is holistic and many mental health issues, including addiction, depression, anxiety, etc. are eased by exercise which releases endorphins (serotonin and dopamine) in the brain, creating a sense of well-being.

In March, Rachel Lopez, MSW, LAC, joined the crew to expand the ability to serve clients in a timely manner. Rachel was already ACT certified and has recently completed the training to do the Prime for Life (ACT) classes, required for anyone having received a DUI. Prime for Life Classes began last week and are offered every Tuesday from 5-8.

Rachel currently lives in Missoula, but Nancy, Robbie, Charlee, and Joe all have lived in Mineral County for over 20 years. They own their homes, pay taxes here and their children have all attended school in Mineral County. They are stable, committed, and available for emergencies, assuring needed services in Mineral County for many years to come. Choices has been open 40 hours a week, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 5:00 am to 6:00 pm. Thursdays and Fridays have been open by appointment only. As the business grows, expanded hours are being considered.

Although the economy has been suffering here as well as nationwide, Choices has faith Mineral County will continue to grow. The residents of Mineral County deserve quality, respectful, confidential, and effective treatment and Choices is dedicated to providing those services. Because of that belief, much of the money that has been made over the last six and a half years has been reinvested in the expansion of services to make sure that that mission is carried out.