Since joining the Akron UMADAOP Inc. 23 years ago, Dr. Janice Mercier Wade has led the agency’s mission to provide substance abuse education, prevention and treatment needs to African Americans and other minorities in the Akron area. Over that time, the substance abuse prevention and treatment eld has changed and evolved, but Akron UMADAOP Inc.’s basic mission has stayed the same, Dr. Mercier Wade says. “I’m constantly reminded that nothing is more important than providing and restoring the gift of health to those in our community who need our help. We are proud of the pioneering, restorative and compassionate care we provide,” Dr. Mercier Wade says. Akron UMADAOP Inc. assists children, families and communities to acquire and
maintain healthy and productive lifestyles. “Our goal is to provide these services in a manner that is re ective and responsive to the cultural essence of the individuals, families and communities we serve,” Dr. Mercier Wade notes. CORE BELIEFS Akron UMADAOP Inc.’s prevention services are largely focused on young people, based on a core principle, Dr. Mercier Wade says. “We believe that a young person whose self-esteem is intact, who is aware and proud of his or her heritage, and possesses strong leadership skills, integrity and respect for his or her community is better able to understand and avoid the devastation that results from substance abuse and other life-altering behaviors,” she says. Guided by this principle, Akron UMADAOP Inc. has developed a number of
community-based prevention programs for kids and adults. They include: Teens on the Move, Kids With a Vision, Youth Advocate/Mentoring programs, HIV/AIDS Prevention Education programs, and a Summer Youth program. In addition, adult and youth presentations in the areas of community and education services are available upon request. TREATMENT FOR ADDICTION In 1996, Akron UMADAOP Inc. expanded its range of services to include medically supervised outpatient substance abuse treatment. Men and women ages 18 and over can nd professional guidance from experienced and certi ed counselors who will help them with the problems caused by alcohol and other drugs. The clinical services staff, including counselors, medical doctors and interns, provides a full continuum of services. This includes intensive outpatient treatment programs (both day and evening), group and individual counseling, assessments, case management and aftercare/continuing care. The agency is accredited by the Joint Commission on Healthcare Organization and Certi ed by the State of Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. “This program is available to all who need it, regardless of
Mercier Wade INNOVATING TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS In a constantly changing eld, innovation is important in serving clients, their families DR. JANICE
and the community, Dr. Mercier Wade points out. Accordingly, Akron UMADAOP Inc. has developed some innovative programs to address certain, speci c needs. Developed for high risk families, SFP is an evidence based family skills training program designed to signi cantly reduce problem behaviors, increase communication, and teach effective parenting skills. It consists of courses in parenting skills, children’s life skills and family life skills. In the more than two decades since its development, the SFP skills training used by Akron UMADAOP Inc. has been reviewed and rated by evaluators and researchers as an exemplary, evidence based program. Another innovative program Akron UMADAOP Inc. offers to the community is the Circle for Recovery Ohio program for ex-offenders who are returning to the community, help them integrate back into society and not resume behaviors which
“This program is available to all who need it, regardless of any factor, including ability to pay for our services.” — Dr. Janice Mercier Wade, Akron UMADAOP Inc. CEO & President might cause them to return to prison. Circle for Recovery is one of several Prisoner Reentry Programs targeted at promoting the effective reintegration of offenders back to communities upon release from various facilities. The Reentry Programs utilize a comprehensive, case management approach to help offenders acquire the life skills
PLAN FOR THE FUTURE Going forward, Akron UMADAOP Inc. will continue to build on its successes and re ect the continued evolution of the substance abuse prevention and treatment eld, Dr. Mercier Wade says. “We could not carry out this mission without the commitment of our staff and the community. We want to continue making Akron UMADAOP Inc. a special
any factor, including ability to pay for our services,” Dr. Mercier Wade points out.
needed to succeed in the community and become law-abiding citizens. Other Reentry Programs Akron
place, a place of hope and healing, a place of second
chances, a place of smiles and a place for a brighter tomorrow.”
“We want to continue making Akron UMADAOP Inc. a special place, a place of hope and healing, a place of second chances, a place of smiles and a place for a brighter tomorrow.” — Dr. Janice Mercier Wade, Akron UMADAOP Inc. CEO and president
UMADAOP Inc. offers include Access to Recovery and the Summit/Medina County Juvenile Reentry Mentoring program.
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