Date: Thu 02-Jan-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

Family-Counseling-Center-IBM

Full Text:

A Gift Of Time And Efficiency: IBM Donates Computer To Family Counseling

Center

BY DOROTHY EVANS

The IBM corporation recently donated a personal computer system to the Family

Counseling Center, Inc, located at 121 Mount Pleasant Road in Newtown and

serving individuals who live or work in the Greater Danbury and Southbury

area.

It was Nancy Haas, current vice-chair of the center's board of directors, who

made the original request for the computer. Ms Haas is also a project leader

for the IBM Benefits Program that made the donation utilizing a "Funds for

Community Service Grant."

"This gift will facilitate access to patient files by staff professionals in a

timely manner," noted counseling center Chairman John Martocci on Monday, as

he and Executive Director Judy Benson accepted the IBM donation.

Clinical Director Vickie Santore will be the center staff member who works

most closely with the computerized system, since she oversees much of what she

called "routine paperwork -- notes and reports for managed care."

These can now be processed using the computer, instead of being written out by

hand as had been done in the past.

Record keeping had proved somewhat cumbersome, Ms Santore said, and legibility

and access were two areas that both needed improvement.

"Of course, having a computer help with processing paper work will in no way

compromise the security of our records," she said, adding that all medical

records are kept under lock and key for a minimum of seven years.

Already, the center's clinical staff has found that the computer system has

helped to decrease the time needed to process paperwork and the completion of

the forms required by managed care companies.

This allows more time for clinicians to do "what they do best, that is,

provide mental health counseling," Executive Director Benson said.

The Family Counseling Center is a state licensed and nationally accredited

agency that provides mental health counseling to individuals and families.

It provides individual, family and couple therapy as well as support groups

and group therapy. The center also has a Children's Playtherapy Room to meet

the needs of their younger clients. It is a United Way supported agency.