It serves Hall, Forsyth, Habersham, White, Lumpkin and Dawson counties - and now has five full-time and eight part-time employees, and a projected budget for the new year of $570 thousand. But, since 1999 it has seen its annual referrals increase by 58 percent.
And, as a result, revenue growth has not kept abreast with the growth in demand for services and the program is faced with the need of a "sudden infusion of resources."
Executive Director John McGee, Jr., says the primary need is one of money.
The program serves Hall and 12 other northeast Georgia counties and is affiliated with United Ways in six of them: Hall, Forsyth, Habersham, White, Lumpkin and Dawson.
"Church outreach efforts combined with the Gainesville-Hall County Junior League have represented a significant portion of our other community support," according to McGee. "Individuals have also stepped up to the plate through their support of our annual Gourmet Gumbo fundraiser and this past year's "Motorcycle Poker Run" sponsored by Chapter #59 of the Association of Recovering Motorcyclists. But ultimately our past, present, and future has been, is, and will be dependent upon the generous support of individuals who believe in our mission and the importance of our work."
But, the need continues to grow.
"Since 1999, FRP has seen its annual referrals increase by 58% while the revenue. needed to support such an increase has grown from $367,000 to $546,000 or by 49%," he added. ""Without sudden infusions of resources, the only options we have to respond to such an increase in demand are to triage individuals out of treatment (refer them to other agencies) or to ask the therapists to assume a case overload. Neither of these options is appealing or productive."
In 2000, the program had 285 referrals, a 21% increase over the preceding year (285 in 2000 versus 235 in 1999). In 2005, there were 371 referrals, and a 22% increase over the preceding year (371 in 2005 versus 304 in 2004).
"Considering that our seven year average for referrals is 301, it becomes difficult to staff and manage the organization when referrals suddenly jump up from the average to record highs," McGee said
http://accesswdun.com/article/2007/1/98010