Polk County residents with a primary mental health diagnosis can receive transportation to and a variety of support services at Family Preservation Services of N.C. Inc.’s Magnolia House in Forest City. 

“We’re housed in Rutherford County but we serve Polk County clients with a mental health diagnosis, as well,” said Laurie Mills, the Regional Director for The Center for Recovery Education & Wellness at Magnolia House and the Interim Regional Director for FPS-Rutherford and FPS-Polk. 

Family Preservation Services is a human service agency that offers evidence based and best practice services that are trauma informed and licensed by the Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. 

The programs at the Magnolia House serve individuals who are 21 and older with a mental health diagnosis such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. 

Free transportation can be provided to most residents of Polk County from their homes to the Magnolia House at 139 E. Trade St. in Forest City. 

The Magnolia House’s adult services use education and peer support models to facilitate skill-building and wellness self-management. Programs are held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday and include classes that help people understand their diagnosis, learn coping and relationship skills, prepare for employment, create budgets and more. 

Additional services include psychosocial rehabilitation, peer support, comprehensive clinical assessments, outpatient therapy, psychological testing, psychiatric evaluation and medication management. 

To participate, clients must have a primary mental health diagnosis and a functional ability test, Mills said. Clients may self-refer themselves into the program but if they do so and are not in services somewhere else, Mills said they will need a clinical assessment. 

Insurances typically do not pay for the services, Mills said, but Medicaid will and there are state funds that Vaya administers that may be available. 

For more information, call The Magnolia House in Forest City at (828) 288-2707 or the Family Preservation Services office in Columbus at (828) 894-2290. 

– From PolkNC.info