Latest news with #CaronTreatmentCenters

Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Primary election 2025: 2 candidates running for Berks County coroner
Two candidates are seeking the Republican nomination to be Berks County coroner. Local funeral director Matt Stitzel will face incumbent John Fielding, who is seeking a second term in the post, in the May 20 primary. The coroner investigates deaths independent of the police. The office also rules on the cause and manner of sudden, unexplained or unnatural deaths, as well as natural deaths that occur outside the presence of medical officials. The county coroner serves a four-year term and currently receives an annual salary of $101,694. We asked the candidates to respond to two questions. Question 1: Why do you believe you are the right person for this position? Question 2: What is the biggest challenge facing the office today and what would you do to address that challenge if elected? Matt Stitzel Matt Stitzel, candidate for Berks County coroner Background: Stitzel owns and operates two Stitzel Family Funeral Homes & Crematory locations in Berks County. He has also served as a firefighter and engineer with Spring Township and Goodwill fire companies, and is an advisory board member for Caron Treatment Centers. Age: 54. Website: Response 1: My character and experiences have prepared me to excel in this role. As a funeral director, I have been available 24 hours a day for over 30 years. This demonstrates not only my commitment, but also my proven ability to show up when needed, earning the trust of my community. My qualifications, knowledge and perspective make me uniquely positioned for this role. As a spiritual saying goes, 'A shepherd should smell like their sheep.' This resonates deeply with how I view this role — being involved, present and connected. My fundamental obligation is to lead with the utmost integrity, while also running an efficient office that delivers the necessary improvements our residents deserve. While the current coroner views this position primarily as an administrative role, I plan to lead from the front. With the coroner's office being relatively small, I believe it's crucial to take a hands-on approach. Families deserve to experience dignity and care, starting with how they are notified in times of loss. Knowing what to say — and equally important, who to say it to — is critical for both families and the media. This is an area where the office can improve, and I am committed to filling that void. Response 2: Staffing and the quality of personnel are critical challenges facing not only this office. To address these issues, I would prioritize building a team that is both highly skilled and deeply committed to serving the community with compassion and professionalism. A workplace begins with strong and proven leadership, creating an environment where employees feel valued and motivated. I would lead by example, as I have for over 30 years, fostering a culture of respect, collaboration and accountability. By providing support, I would ensure that every deputy is empowered to perform at their highest level. When recruiting staff, I would focus on qualities like empathy, compassion, critical thinking and composure in high-pressure situations — traits that are essential. To strengthen the team, I would conduct an assessment of staffing levels, identifying gaps in expertise or coverage and use this analysis to optimize performance. Additionally, I would implement training programs in forensic science, communication and crisis management to prepare staff for the demands of the role. I am committed to making this office a place where employees are not only ready but happy to serve the residents. By cultivating pride and purpose, the team will deliver exceptional service with dignity and compassion. John Fielding John Fielding Background: Fielding has served as coroner since 2021. Prior to winning election, he was a private practice attorney. He had also served as a member of Mount Penn Borough Council and Antietam School Board. Age: 71. Response 1: As the incumbent officeholder, and under my management, we have successfully brought more automation to the office. Further, our investigations have successfully identified those who were previously unidentified, the most notable being Nicholas Grubb who was previously unidentified for 47 years, and whose story garnered worldwide media attention for my office. We have also successfully found a final resting place for unclaimed infants, and, through the good offices of Veterans Making a Difference, unclaimed veterans were buried with appropriate honors at Fort Indiantown Gap. This is in addition to our regular daily tasks of identifying and investigating the cause and matter of deaths in Berks County. We have done this while keeping the costs of operation low for the taxpayers of Berks County. Response 2: The biggest challenge continues to be performing the legally mandated duties of the office with minimum cost to the taxpayers. We will continue to keep a sharp eye on expenses while performing the competent job that the office has performed since I took office in 2022.

Associated Press
20-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Caron Treatment Centers Expands Addiction Treatment Services in Florida With New Programs for Individuals 18 and Older
Caron Treatment Centers, a leading, internationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives through addiction and behavioral healthcare treatment, research, prevention and addiction medicine education, announces that beginning in April, it will offer expanded access to addiction treatment in South Florida with the launch of new in-network Residential, Partial Hospitalization/High Intensity Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient and Outpatient Programs for adults 18 or older. With the opening of these new programs and the medical detoxification services available at Caron's Keele Medical Center, Caron will offer a full continuum of addiction treatment services that are in-network with Lucet – Behavioral Health Management, Commercial Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and United Healthcare/Optum (United Behavioral Health). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Caron will offer expanded access to addiction treatment in South Florida with the launch of new in-network Residential, Partial Hospitalization/High Intensity Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient and Outpatient Programs for adults 18 or older. 'Caron is strongly committed to Florida and the South Florida community,' said Javier Ley, MA, MS, LPC, LCAC, DPC, Executive Vice President of Caron's Florida Campus. 'These new programs fulfill the promise we made two years ago when we opened The Keele Center, our state-of-the-art medical facility in Delray Beach, to make Caron's life-changing addiction treatment as widely accessible to as many people as possible. Caron is fully focused on being a resource to the South Florida community, and we look forward to growing these new programs.' 'Our long-term vision is for insurance providers to eventually cover brain health assessments and treatments for substance use disorder pioneered in our Florida-based Signature Programs,' explained John Driscoll, President and CEO of Caron Treatment Centers. 'Addiction is a brain disease. Caron's Neurorestorative Approach integrates traditional treatment modalities with scientific advancements to optimize the brain's ability to heal and rewire itself into healthier patterns. Our hope is that insurance providers will come to understand that neurorestorative care can help people enter recovery faster and stay there longer, saving both money and lives.' 'Caron Treatment Centers' decision to expand access to treatment reflects its dedication to transforming lives by offering comprehensive care that addresses the complexities of addiction and mental health, fostering long-term recovery and well-being – a win for families and the community,' says Dr. Donna Marks, a leading psychotherapist and addictions counselor who has treated patients in the Palm Beach community for more than three decades. 'Caron Treatment Centers' unwavering dedication to providing evidence-based treatment and high-quality service is exemplary. Their strategic initiative to launch insurance-friendly programs and expand access to care in Florida is a true testament to their commitment. This bold step will undoubtedly help in addressing the profound impact that substance use disorders and mental health issues have on countless individuals and families,' says Dr. Naelys Luna, Ph.D., MSW, Founding Dean and Professor of the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University. Caron's new in-network outpatient program options will initially be provided clinical services at Caron's Keele Medical Center and move to new clinical office space later this summer. Caron Treatment Centers Caron Treatment Centers is an internationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives through addiction and behavioral healthcare treatment, research, prevention and addiction medicine education. During its almost 70 years, Caron has helped thousands of individuals struggling with behavioral health issues, including substance use disorders, begin to manage these brain diseases and find hope. Anchored by two medical centers on its Pennsylvania and Florida campuses and headquartered in Wernersville, Pennsylvania, Caron utilizes a neurorestorative approach to provide a comprehensive continuum of care for teens through adults, including medical stabilization and detoxification, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient and outpatient programs, as well as Recovery support, family and alumni services. Caron also provides concierge signature treatment for executives and older adults. In addition to our Pennsylvania and Florida campuses, Caron provides services in Wyomissing, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and New York City. Caron is in-network with major insurance plans and provides financial assistance for those who qualify. For more information, visit or @CaronTreatment. Kristin Campbell-Salamone 215-292-5526 610-731-1045 SOURCE: Caron Treatment Centers Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 03/20/2025 10:25 AM/DISC: 03/20/2025 10:24 AM