close

‘We’re here’: Outreach Teen and Family Services moves to new Mt. Lebanon location

By Harry Funk staff Writer hfunk@thealmanac.Net 5 min read
article image -

The COVID-19 pandemic may represent the figurative tip of the iceberg when it comes to sources of stress and anxiety among today’s youth and their parents.

Although the causes may have changed over the years, Mt. Lebanon-based Outreach Teen and Family Services Inc. has continued to offer help in that regard for nearly half a century.

Harry Funk/The Almanac

One of the rooms accommodates larger counseling sessions.

“We want people to know that we’re here,” executive director Mary Birks said, “and we want them to know that we’re open for new clients.”

For the nonprofit counseling agency, “here” is a new location. In June, Outreach moved to Terrace Level-6 of the Executive Building at 615 Washington Road.

And Birks is proud to work there.

“It’s at a level now that is at the same level of our amazing counselors. We wanted to make sure that they had a comfortable space to work in, that they could enjoy coming in and doing what they do,” she said. “They have a very tough job, and we want to be able to make sure that we are helping them in any way we can.”

Two more counselors joined the staff recently, in fact, and all of them hold a minimum of a master’s degree in counseling, social work or education. Outreach clinical director Tracy Scanlon, a licensed professional counselor, earned her doctorate at Duquesne University.

“We don’t have a wait list,” Birks said. “We know that we are going to need people here to see kids and families who are in need of services.”

At the core is addressing developmental issues that are complicated by any of the numerous factors that have become prevalent, from family turmoil and economic stress to sexual pressures and substance abuse.

“If there is an issue, they can call us and they can have a conversation with Dr. Scanlon. If it’s an appropriate case for us to take, we’ll take it,” Birks said. “And if it’s not, there will be a referral, and that’s part of our services, too.”

For outreach, call 412-561-5405 or email info@outreachteen.org.

“It takes a lot of courage to pick up the phone or to even write the email, and we know that. So on our end of things, we want to make sure that we are accommodating people, that we are mindful of getting back to them in a timely manner,” Birks said. “They’re in the system within a couple of days, and they’re called and scheduled within a week.”

The agency’s genesis was in the Mt. Lebanon Police Department joining with the municipal Community Relations Board to address concerns about teenagers who were engaged in unhealthy activities, particularly in local parks.

Officially formed in 1974 under a grant from the Pennsylvania State Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, the organization was incorporated in 1981 with the name Outreach South.

Today, the agency continues its strong ties to the municipality, with police Chief Aaron Lauth and Commissioner Steve Silverman serving as ex-officio members of the Outreach board of directors. Through municipal support, Birks said, “we are able to take Mt. Lebanon clients at an extremely discounted rate.”

Services, of course, are extended to clients in other communities. Bethel Park has a satellite office in its municipal building, with sessions free to local families.

Outreach also has a contract with Bethel Park School District to provide for teacher in-service sessions, parenting presentations and other resources.

“Whatever they decide they need us for, that’s what we’re there for,” Birks said.

While the new Outreach space provides plenty of opportunity for in-person services, with four smaller individual counseling rooms and larger group areas, the agency is continuing to offer teletherapy, with counselors interacting clients by phone.

“That is a resource we picked up last year out of necessity,” Birks said, “and it is something that we will continue to provide because some of our clients prefer it.”

Other resources are available remotely, including a youth-led podcast that is scheduled to start in September.

“We have two junior board members who are working on that, along with our program manager, and we’re very, very excited to get that up and moving,” Birks said.

Also, Scanlon conducted a seasonal webinar, “Reset & Restart: Planning for School Reentry,” a particularly relevant topic as the effects of COVID-19 persist.

“It’s a tough time to be a kid. It really, really is,” Birks said. “So we want to make sure that we are de-stigmatizing going for help. It’s important to go for help.

For more information, visit outreachteen.org.

Harry Funk/The Almanac

Four smaller counseling rooms are located off the main area of the office.

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $/week.

Subscribe Today