“Equal opportunity/affirmative action employer”.

The Autumn Ridge Supportive Living Facility, a 46 apartment facility for seniors operated by Family Counseling Center, Inc., was certified April 15, 2008, by the Illinois Department of Healthcare & Family Services’ Bureau of Long Term Care to begin the admission application process and accept residents.

The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 20th. An open house of the facility will follow that day until 4:00 p.m., and continue on Saturday, June 21st from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and on Sunday, June 22nd from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The public is cordially invited to attend the ceremony and enjoy a tour of this beautiful facility. Refreshments will be served.

Anyone, at least 65 years of age, who is interested in consideration for residency may obtain information by contacting Ms. Stephanie Newcomb-Whitehead, Facility Manager, at 618-658-2775, or Ms. Connie Duncan, Supportive Living Division Director, at 618-658-2611.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Rosemary Rouse
Family Counseling Center, Inc.
618 658 2611
rosemary@fccinconline.org

Ms. Cover moved into the facility on April 28, 2008. She expressed her excitement about her new living arrangements. “My new apartment at Autumn Ridge is very nice. So far I haven’t found anyone that I don’t like. The staff have been very helpful in making me feel at home,” she stated.

The Autumn Ridge Supportive Living Facility, a 46 apartment facility for seniors operated by Family Counseling Center, Inc., was certified April 15, 2008, by the Illinois Department of Healthcare & Family Services’ Bureau of Long Term Care to begin the admission application process and accept residents. Several individuals have completed that process and are scheduled to move into the facility very soon.

Anyone interested in consideration for residency may obtain information or tour the facility by contacting Ms. Stephanie Newcomb-Whitehead, Facility Manager, at 618-658-2775, or Ms. Connie Duncan, Supportive Living Division Director, at 618-658-2611.

VIENNA, ILLINOIS, Larry W. Mizell, Executive Director, along with the Tri-County Board of Directors of Family Counseling Center, Inc., announce the completion of the management team for the Autumn Ridge Supportive Living Facility. Marsha L. Hayes, of Goreville, has been selected as Assistant Facility Manager; Melissa K. Wentworth, of New Columbia, as Assessment Coordinator/RN, Bryan L. Throgmorton, of Vienna, as Guest Services Manager, and Dawn E. Hazel, of Eddyville, as Support Services Manager.

Mizell expressed his excitement about these team members. “Each of these individuals brings a wide array of strengths with them to their new positions. This management team should work very well together as they begin to prepare the facility to receive residents and assist them in the transition process,” Mizell stated.

Ms. Hayes has been an employee of Family Counseling Center, Inc., since August 2001. She is a Community Advocate with the Mentoring and Foster Care programs for the agency, coordinating the Angel Tree & Christmas in July activities. Along with staff from the Johnson County State’s Attorney Office, she was instrumental in the creation of the 3D-VIP (Victim’s Impact Panel). She stated, “I look forward to creating a warm, friendly and loving environment and making the transition as pleasant as possible for the residents and their families as they leave what has been home and become a member of our community.” She is the daughter of Ann and Art Miskowski of Goreville. Ms. Hayes has five children and seven grandchildren.

Ms. Wentworth brings 10 years of nursing experience, with the last five years dedicated to the geriatric population. She stated, “As a Johnson County resident, I am excited to be a part of this new facility and provide assistance to individuals, most of whom I have known for most of my life.” She, along with her husband, Travis, and children, Blake, Brooklyn and Briley Grace, reside in the New Columbia area. Ms. Wentworth is the daughter of Gary Choate of Simpson and Barbara Cheek of Carbondale.

Mr. Throgmorton possesses a Bachelor’s Degree from Murray State University and past experience in food service planning and preparation. He stated, “I envision Autumn Ridge to be more than just a supportive living facility. I want it to be a home for our residents. The dietary staff and I will be committed to making this vision a reality.” Mr. Throgmorton is the son of Bobby and Sherry Throgmorton of Vienna.

Ms. Hazel has been an employee of Family Counseling Center, Inc., since August 1994. She is currently a secretary/receptionist at the Pope County Administrative office, and possesses past supervisory, computer and inventory control experience. She stated, “I am looking forward to being a part of a facility that is much needed by the seniors of our area.” She and her son, Chris, make their home near Eddyville, and she is the daughter of J.D. and Vera (Terry) Hazel.

These four individuals join Stephanie Newcomb-Whitehead, Facility Manager, and Connie Duncan, Supportive Living Division Director, as the management team for the Autumn Ridge Supportive Living Facility, which nears completion in Vienna, Illinois.

“We are excited to have Stephanie heading the facility, and look forward to the commitment and personal experience she brings to this position,” stated Mizell.

Ms. Newcomb-Whitehead has been an employee of Family Counseling Center, Inc., since March 2006, initially as a Youth Outpatient Counselor, and most recently as Program Manager for the agency’s HAVEN program, a federally subsidized program working with homeless families. She possesses a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, and brings experience in managing an apartment complex in the Denton area.

She stated, “I have always been drawn to seniors in my past personal and work experiences and my church activities. I love their knowledge and the life experiences they share, and look forward to helping them begin a new chapter in their lives through this facility. It is my commitment to treat everyone here as I would have wanted my grandparents to have been treated had they had the opportunity to experience this type of living arrangement.”

Stephanie is the daughter of Dena and Stephen Newcomb, and the granddaughter of Virginia and the late Thomas Gray of Simpson, and the late Helen and Orval Newcomb, formerly of the Harrisburg area.

She, and her husband, Daniel, reside in the Simpson community, along with their children, Hallie and Danika.

The Autumn Ridge Supportive Living Facility, a 46 apartment facility for seniors, is nearing completion, and the admission application process is expected to begin in the very near future. Individuals who have already expressed an interest in consideration will be contacted. Anyone else interested in consideration for residency may obtain information by contacting Ms. Newcomb-Whitehead or Connie Duncan, Supportive Living Division Director, at 618-658-2611.

For additional Information contact:

Rosemary Rouse
Family Counseling Center, Inc.
618 658 2611
rosemary@fccinconline.org

Larry M. Mizell, executive director of Family Counseling Center, Inc., the agency that will own the facility, welcomed some 100 participants to a groundbreaking ceremony held last week in Vienna.

The complex is primarily funded by Peoples National Bank in Marion and USDA Rural Development, with initial grant funds through the Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone Inc. and the Local Initiatives Support Corp. of Chicago.

Originally appeared in The Southern Illinoisan

“This is definitely a win-win situation for all involved in this project and for those who will enjoy the facility after its completion. We are happy to have Evrard-Strang Construction receive the bid on this four/plus million-dollar project, as well as to have quality union craft workmanship involved in building the facility. This building trades and construction agreement assures the timely and economical completion of the work with a formal process to provide for peaceful settlement of labor disputes, thus eliminating the risk of strikes or lockouts, while, at the same time, ensuring Illinois craftsmen are employed at prevailing wages in the construction of the facility,” stated Mizell.

Tom Caliper agreed, “This is the first opportunity we have had to utilize this agreement with Evrard-Strang Construction, and we look forward to the positive working relationship. Larry and I go way back in using this type of agreement. The State of Illinois first used the agreement in the construction of Tamms Supermax Correctional Center. Larry, then Chief Deputy with the Illinois Department of Corrections, and I were directly involved in making this happen. It was the right thing to do then, as it is now – using Illinois union skilled craftsmen and women in Illinois construction while cutting traditional construction timeframes, including cost, and establishing a formal process to resolve issues before they create some type of a problem. We are now using this agreement in many of the building projects throughout most of Illinois.

Mike Strang expressed his support of the agreement and the commitment of Evrard-Strang construction in continuing their history of quality workmanship on the Autumn Ridge project. “We are committed to completing this facility within the tight timeframe and look forward to standing proudly with Family Counseling Center and the Egyptian Building and Construction Trades Council for a job well done upon completion. This will be a first class facility upon completion. Rodney Evrard and I are proud to be a part of this project.”

The 46 apartment complex, Autumn Ridge Supportive Living Facility, is scheduled to be completed by September 2007. It is funded primarily by Peoples National Bank and USDA Rural Development with initial grant funds through Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone, Inc. and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation of Chicago. Architechniques, Ltd. Of Herrin is Family Counseling Center’s architect. Mott Excavating, Inc. of Vienna is completing the site preparation.

Family Counseling Center, Inc. welcomes you to the 7.6 acre site of the new Autumn Ridge Supportive Living Facility at Vienna. This $5.2 million project with the 46-apartment facility will be comprised of one and two bedroom units. The Illinois Department of Health and Family Services, Bureau of Long Term Care, has approved the design and granted certification approval of the Autumn Ridge facility for individuals 65 and older, who are in need of some support, so they can live as independently as possible.

The facility will include a laundry, hair salon, and dining room with large screen television, enclosed courtyard with gazebo, walking trail, picnic area, pet walking area, lawn care, and available storage units in a safe and secure environment. Autumn Ridge will offer services such as meals, housekeeping, laundry, medication assistance, a personal response notification system, social activities, community field trips, transportation, personal quality care assistance, and 24-hour staffing seven days a week. Seventeen new jobs are expected to be generated with the Autumn Ridge Supportive Living Facility, with a considerable number of interim jobs contributing to construction.

Initial funding, which allowed Family Counseling Center, Inc. to consider this project and pay for the feasibility marketing studies, legal costs, site surveying and plot design layout, was provided by a grant from the Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone. A grant from the Illinois Affordable Assisted Living Initiative (LISC) of Chicago, added needed support funding to assist in the initial expenses, including preliminary architectural work. Peoples National Bank and U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development are providing the loans to fund the completion of the site work and actual construction of the facility, parking lot, roadways and storage units.

Architect and Coordinator for the project is Architechniques, Ltd. of Herrin. Deitzen Development–Brookstone Estates of Effingham provided design concept and consultation support. Other entities contributing to the project include Shawnee Survey and Consulting of Vienna, Haines Engineering Consultants, LLC of DuQuoin, Holcomb Foundation Engineering Company of Carbondale and Clarida-Zeigler Engineering Inc. of Marion. Mott Excavating, Inc. of Vienna has completed the site work and Evrard-Strang Construction Inc. of Marion was awarded the general contract to build the Autumn Ridge Supportive Living Facility. Illinois Egyptian Building and Trades Construction Council union members will be utilized in the facility construction.

Family Counseling Center, Inc. Board of Directors

Arlin Rhoads, President – Pope County
James Lowery, Vice President – Pope County
Christy Goins, Secretary/Treasurer – Pope County
Darlene Hamilton – Hardin County
Pat German – Hardin County
Judith Barnard – Hardin County
Brenda Latham – Johnson County
Pam McCuan – Johnson County
Norma Turok – Johnson County

Administrative Management

Larry W. Mizell, Executive Director
Connie Duncan, Director of Developmental Services & Supportive Living
Robin Hawk, Division Director of Behavioral Health, Youth, Adult and Substance Abuse
Rita Peyton, Division Director of Administrative Services
Nora Beth Hacker, Division Director of Financial Services
Greg Winter, Accountant

Funding Sources

Peoples National Bank
Illinois Affordable Assisted Living Initiative
USDA Rural Development
Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone, Inc.

Special Recognition and Acknowledgment
U.S. Congressman John Shimkus
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich
Larry Woolard, Assistant Director, Southern Illinois Economic
Development, IDCEO
State Senator Gary Forby
State Representative Brandon Phelps
Kelly Cunningham, Bureau Chief, Illinois Department of Health
and Family Services (IDHFS)
Sharon Wood, Supervisor of Policy Development, IDHFS
Kara Helton, Supportive Living Facility Coordinator, IDHFS
Susan Przada, Regional Supr, Bureau of Long Term Care, IDHFS
Wayne Smallwood, Life Services Network
Michael Dietzen, President, Dietzen Development
Caroline Dietzen, Dietzen Development
Bill Bonan II, Community Bank President, Peoples National Bank
Mike Haake, Peoples National Bank
Sheldon Keyser, Consultant, Peoples National Bank
James (Rusty) Wanstreet, Area Director, USDA, Rural Development
Leeann Denny, Area Specialist, USDA, Rural Development
Cathy Abell, Area Specialist, USDA, Rural Development
Darrell Bryan, USDA Rural Development
Ernie Henshaw, President, SIDEZ Board of Directors and
Johnson County Commissioner
Donna Raynolds, Executive Director, SIDEZ
Barbara Beck, Illinois Affordable Assisted Living Initiative
Steve Sims, President, Architechniques, Ltd.
Curt Orso, Architechniques, Ltd.
Gerald Wharton, Architechniques, Ltd.
Rodney Evrard, President, Evrard and Strang Construction
Mike Strang, Vice President, Evrard and Strang Construction
Jeff Whitehead, Site Superintendent, Evrard & Strang Construction
Mitch Garrett, President, Shawnee Surveying and Consulting

Jason May, Shawnee Surveying and Consulting
Brian Zeigler, Clarida and Zigler Engineering
Robert Haines, Haines Engineering Consultants
Morris Mott, Mott Excavating
Bob Dover, Engineer, Illinois Department of Transportation
Kim Duke, Ameren CIPS
Don Sanders, President, Johnson County 2000
Tom Caliper, Executive Director, Egyptian Building and
Construction Trades Council
Rick Nannie, Chairman, Johnson County Board of Commissioners
Glen Brown, Johnson County Commissioner
Chesley Williams, Mayor, City of Vienna
Vienna City Council – Kevin Breeden, Jim Evans, Bill Elliott,
Greg Gorden, Jerry Pippins, Gary Scoggins
Debbie Lippincott, Staff Representative, AFSCME Council #31
Rhonda Henderson, President AFSCME Local #3513
Patricia McMeen, Family Counseling Center, Attorney of Law
Robin Harper-Whitehead, County Clerk, Johnson County
Richard (Rick) Wiggs, Shawnee Title and Abstract Company
George Galeener, Previous Land Owner
Connie Duncan, Family Counseling Center - Division Director
of Developmental Services and Supportive Living
Greg Winter, Family Counseling Center - Accountant
Linda Tanner, Executive Secretary, Johnson County Chamber
of Commerce
John Kreuter, President, Johnson County Chamber of
Commerce
Jonathan Voltz, President, Johnson County Revitalization
Vienna Civic Club
Wayne Dunn, Past Member of SIDEZ Board - Johnson County
Housing Committee
Willard Murrie, Member of SIDEZ Board - Johnson County Housing Committee
Vienna High School Administration & Board of Education
Vienna Grade School Administration & Board of Education
Ken Gerdes, USDA Department of Agriculture
Ben Adams, Country Companies Insurance
Josh Stafford, Vienna High School
Community Individuals, too numerous to mention, who wrote
letters of support, made phone calls and attended
meetings

Special Thanks For Coordinating Today’s Activities
Rosemary Rouse, Scott Murray, Warren Jackson, Jennifer
Applegate, Suzanne Aldrich, Shay Farner, Marsha Hayes, Rebecca Rednour, Brandy Maynor, Robin Hawk and Connie Duncan