The Lennard Clinic

The Lennard Clinic, IncorporatedÐ'ÐŽÐ'­Agency Visit

On Wednesday, March 7, 2007 Ms. Fatima Oliveira, MA, CCJS, CCBT (Director of AIDS services) of the Lennard Clinic was interviewed at 2:00pm. This Lennard Clinic is based at 461 Frelinghuysen Avenue, Newark, New Jersey 07114. The telephone number at the methadone treatment agency is (973) 596-2850. This facility (The Lennard Clinic I) assist men and women who are opiate addicted. Also, it assist adult females who are pregnant that are opiate addicted, as well as AIDS clients who have an issue with opiate drugs. The mission of the clinic helps opiate users in Essex and Union counties Ð'ÐŽÐ'oto reduce illicit substance abuse, decrease criminal activities, enhance health conditions and improve socio-economic positionsÐ'ÐŽÐ'± (Ð'ÐŽÐ'oT.L.C. Newsletter 2006Ð'ÐŽÐ'± p.1).

Similarly, the agencyÐ'ÐŽÐ'Їs philosophy says that:

The Lennard ClinicÐ'ÐŽÐ'Їs philosophy is based on the belief that drug

dependency is a disorder that is linked to numerous psychological,

sociological, biological and economic factors. Because of this

conviction TLC believes that in order for treatment to be effective

it must be client-centered, comprehensive and address every

identified condition. TLCÐ'ÐŽÐ'Їs philosophy also recognizes the notion

that drug dependency is a chronic relapsing disorder that may require

multiple episodes of treatment before positive changes occur. TLCÐ'ÐŽÐ'Їs

philosophy fosters a concept of continuum of care. Using this

approach, TLC strives to provide services in a one-stop shopping

environment. When services cannot be provided on-site, TLC

engages in cooperative agreements with a wide range of community

agencies and institutions. The mission and philosophy drive the

agency to focus on the total individual. (Ð'ÐŽÐ'oThe PhilosophyÐ'ÐŽÐ'± TLC)

At this particular agency the cultural makeup is a variety. There is not one particular culture at this facility. The clientele class is below poverty level 85%, and the staff is middle class. The ethnic character at this agency is African American, Caucasian, and Hispanic. There are 59% African American clients and 80% African American employees. Also, there are 19% Caucasian clients and 10% of Caucasian employees. In the like manner, there are 18% Hispanic clients and 15% of Hispanic employees. At the present time, the eligibility requirements for clients who come into the agency are for adults only. These adults are Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) clients or city welfare clients who have to be 18 years of age or older. They have to have used heroin one year and signed a methadone consent in order to be eligible for the program. Also, the client will have to be receiving Medicaid and present and Medicaid stub and picture ID at the initial (first visit) of the methadone treatment process. For clients who do not have Medicaid insurance, they have to present a $135.00 money order for methadone services to be rendered to them as well as a picture ID. These monies are for methadone administered processes, and counseling services that the facility offer.

Conversely, the type of clinical structure used for a client is policy and procedure. For example, if a client has been mandated by the courts and if they are not in compliance with the methadone program and doing things as they want to do them; then a case multidisciplinary team will meet to discuss the clientÐ'ÐŽÐ'Їs progress and administer authoritative responsibility over the situation. After the administrative people meet, they set up a scheduled appointment with the client for individual counseling sessions or group sessions. For instance, they provide, Ð'ÐŽÐ'oMethadone Intensive Outpatient Treatment to clients who have been non-responsive to treatment, and urine