September 19, 2018
The Drop is a new addition to our youth services in Lawrence County by Pathways
Youth in or around the area are encouraged to take advantage of some new beneficial services from Pathways. Their services include: Community Support Services, Youth Peer Support Services, and Supported Employment Services, Therapy for Mental health and Substance Use, and Targeted Case Management.
However, youth do not have to be Pathways consumers to attend. The facility is quite large and can accommodate numerous youth. They have had as many as eighty-one, according to Pat Derefield, manager of the Louisa Pathways center. Their goal is by offering a great place to socialize and relax, if indeed youth require service they will let the staff know and they can get them started.
Children’s Services Director – Heather Compton, shared this information:
“…The overall goal of The Drop in LC; above all else, is to be a resource for not only youth who are at-risk of social/emotional issues, but also youth who provide positive influence to their peers. It is the goal of any TAY behavioral health service to address both stigma and barriers to getting individual needs met. Our youth are the adults of tomorrow and they need to be supported.”
The Drop in Lawrence County is funded by Pathways alone at this point in time. A grant was received to start other Drop Centers in their catchment area called TAYLRD (Transitioned Age Youth Launching Realized Dreams). This is the last year of funding for the initial award. They have borrowed many of the concepts of that programming to establish The Drop in Lawrence County. Currently they are awaiting news from Kentucky’s Department of Behavioral Health to see if they can utilize existing last year money to support The Drop’s infrastructure.
Each location is equipped with Peer Support Specialists, Community Support Specialists, Case Managers, and Therapists that are ready to help each individual in their recovery journey. The Drop staff is made up of individuals that have experience receiving behavioral health services and are well trained in providing help to the young adults they work with.
The Drop in Lawrence County currently has four staff members. That number includes our Project Director, Tony Dillow, and 3 TAY (Transitioned Age Youth) who are Skylar Moore, James Fitchpatrick, and Karrah Shirkey. Plans are underway in the coming months to train them as Community Support Associates, and Youth Peer Support Specialists. The Drop also has a Supported Employment Specialist, Tyler Perkins, who serves youth and young adults in Boyd and Lawrence Counties. ”
Open until 7:00 pm every Bulldog Home Game
The Drop has a monthly calendar on their Facebook page (The Drop Lawrence County). They have weekly events such as Feast Friday. Every home football they are open until 7:00 pm. October they will have a Halloween Party, November we will celebrate Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, December they will have a Christmas Party.
Some of our area youth enjoying the entertainment accommodations
It has a variety of entertainment tools, including a pool table, video games, Xbox One, karaoke machine, gaming computers, board game, and art rooms. To make it super cool it has the game that every young person is raving about – FORTNITE! Additional services The Drop offers include assisting youth with continuing their education, mental health, substance abuse counseling, and much more.
The Drop has already impressed many community members including Mayor Harold Slone, here’s what he had to say about their open house:
“I had the opportunity to attend the grand opening of a new youth center here in Louisa Friday evening. The Drop is a new center for youth to drop by and hang out after school. It is located at the Pathways center out by the hospital.” Louisa mayor Harold Slone said. “What an awesome opportunity for our youth to socialize with others, grab a cold drink, get a bite to eat at times, play pool, or use the computers for work or age appropriate video games.”
“ALL Positive atmosphere! I simply was taken aback at how nice this place is. Thank You Pathways, and all the students and employee’s that had a part in this. They will also be a guest on Moments with the Mayor soon so can we learn more about the details. Some transportation opportunities will be available at some point as well.”
The Drop has had a wealth of support and donations from the community, which has made it possible to serve a snack every evening. Their goal is to plan to have a “Feast Friday” where they will serve an actual meal. They welcome any donation of food to offer for snacks, or “Feast Friday”. Also, hygiene/cleaning items for Drop members and clothing when requested. You can contact any of the staff at The Drop to coordinate a donation. They can make available tax deductible charitable donations form available to anyone who may be interested.
The Drop currently has two locations, one in Ashland, KY and now in Louisa, KY. It is located at 60 Professional Drive, Louisa, KY 41230, across from Lawrence County Middle School.
Older Youth age 19-25 can attend The Drop from 1:00-3:00, M-F. Youth age 14-18 can attend from 3:30-6:30, M-F. The age group for services in Lawrence County is 14-25. The Drop is a great way to keep our youth out of trouble and involved in the community. They always have something fun going on. Find them on Facebook, like their page, and see upcoming events. Any youth, in the listed age category, that could benefit from these services is encouraged to “Drop” by!
