New Department Head Named At SWFAS

Dec. 14, 2011 - PRLog -- December 14, 2011

CONTACT:   
Kevin B. Lewis, CEO         Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC
SWFAS            Susan Bennett Marketing & Media
(239) 931-9689         (239) 277-5255
K_lewis@swfas.org         sbennett@susanbennett.biz



NEW DEPARTMENT HEAD
NAMED AT SWFAS

   FORT MYERS, FLA., December 14, 2011 - Kevin B. Lewis, chief executive officer of Southwest Florida Addiction Services (SWFAS), has announced that Steven Hill has been appointed director of the Vince Smith Center, SWFAS’ residential treatment program for teens with substance use disorders.
In his new role, Hill will be responsible for all substance abuse treatment and operations at the Vince Smith Center at 2450 Prince Street in Fort Myers.  The Vince Smith Center opened in 1990 as Lee County's only residential treatment program for teens with drug and alcohol abuse problems.  Since that time, thousands of local young people have started on the road to recovery at the CARF- accredited center.  
Up to 20 individuals between the ages of 13 and 17 live at the Vince Smith Center for two to three months while participating in treatment for substance use disorders.  Patients also receive school services from the Lee County School Board, and families participate in family counseling to help them develop a plan for recovery.
   Hill had been appointed interim director of the Vince Smith Center after the recent retirement of former Vince Smith Center Director Lydia Neal.  Prior to joining SWFAS, Hill worked for the Three Springs Residential Treatment Center of Courtland, Ala., and in clinical positions with the Huntsville/Madison County Mental Health Center and the Decatur General West Behavioral Medicine Center, both in Alabama, and the Mental Health Centers of North Central Alabama.
   Hill also has experience as a child abuse investigator with the Florida Department of Children & Families.  
   He received his Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and his Master of Arts degree in community counseling, both from the University of North Alabama. He is a Certified Addictions Professional (CAP) and is a certified Moral Reconation Therapy Facilitator.
SWFAS is Southwest Florida’s leader in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders.   About 5,000 people per year, from ages 9 to 90, start on the road to recovery with the nationally-acclaimed programs of SWFAS.  SWFAS offers state-of-the-art residential and outpatient facilities for both adults and adolescents from five locations in Lee County and two in Hendry County.  In addition, SWFAS provides detoxification services for adults, prevention programming, and an Employee Assistance Program for about 60 Southwest Florida businesses.  All treatment programs are evidence-based and accredited by CARF.
SWFAS services are not free.  Payment plans are available and, in many cases, private insurance may cover some of the cost of treatment.  Some prevention and treatment services are partially supported by Lee County and state funding to help income-eligible residents. SWFAS is a United Way agency.  SWFAS provides services for all regardless of disability or handicap.  Accommodations will be provided upon request.  
   For more information about the adolescent residential treatment program at SWFAS’ Vince Smith Center, visit www.swfas.org or call (239) 338-2306.


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