CMSU Mission Statement

The CMSU system provides a wide range of mental health, Intellectual Disability and drug & alcohol services to the citizens of Columbia, Montour, Snyder and Union Counties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Each year, CMSU and its network of providers serves 4,000 people.

Our mission is to participate actively in a community-wide partnership to support the residents of Columbia, Montour, Snyder and Union Counties in achieving independence and personal development in order to enhance their quality of life.

CMSU In The Press

Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Kicks Off Statewide Stakeholder Engagement Tour in Northeast PA

Bloomsburg, PA –Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) kicked off the agency’s statewide stakeholder engagement tour to hear top issues and concerns surrounding the opioid and overdose crises, as well as highlight local successes and challenges. DDAP’s goal is to gather feedback that will help craft the agency’s plan for increased community and treatment provider engagement while also gaining stakeholder insight to assist the agency’s work on regulation reform.

For the kickoff, DDAP was joined by the Columbia, Montour, Snyder, Union Drug and Alcohol Program (CMSU), local officials, and substance use disorder (SUD) professionals in the treatment, prevention, intervention, and recovery fields.

Stakeholders include individuals in recovery and those with lived experience, service providers, active service recipients, community leaders, schools, corrections units, and more. The tour will seek to reach communities and voices less frequently heard.

“I want to thank CMSU for bringing their region’s voices to the table,” said Secretary Davis-Jones. “Conversations like the ones we had today will help us at the state level to better understand issues with the highest need at the local level. No two regions or cities are alike, but by hearing directly from folks who are providing continued prevention, treatment and recovery supports to local residents, we can better serve all Pennsylvanians.”

As part of the kickoff, Secretary Davis-Jones observed a drug treatment court in process and participated in a related roundtable discussion, received feedback on evidence-based prevention programs in local school districts, and learned of the successes within the area’s warm hand-off program.

Today’s events mark the first stop on DDAP’s statewide stakeholder engagement tour. Future tour stops will include Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, central and southcentral Pennsylvania, and additional regions of the Commonwealth.

Throughout the remainder of the tour, DDAP will seek to engage stakeholders on SUD issues related to:

• regulations and reform efforts

• data requirements and modernization needs

• health equity work and advancement

• treatment slot management

• improving departmental communications

“Listening to and engaging in discussions with local communities and providers is vital as we develop long-term responses to the overdose crisis,” said DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones. “The Shapiro Administration is dedicated to ensuring we are impacting the lives of those struggling with substance use disorder in a positive way and this engagement tour is a necessary step forward.”

CMSU Sponsors Danville Middles School Mural

CMSU and Children & Youth Services Build Calming Rooms in Union County

CMSU is Partnering with Local Law Enforcement in New Program to Assist with Those in Crisis

CMSU is excited to announce our new program in partnership with the Berwick, Bloomsburg, and Buffalo Valley Regional police departments to provide additional help to those in crisis. These Co-Responders will work with Police to assist in de-escalation. Wesley Thomas was interviewed about the program, and the benefits that will come from having trained mental health caseworkers assisting with these crisis calls.

The integration of mental health professionals into the response team aims to enhance the support available during critical situations. This collaboration not only works towards immediate de-escalation but also ensures that individuals receive appropriate follow-up care. Thomas emphasizes the importance of the collaboration between the two parties and hopes for an organic relationship between the officers and co-responders.

With this program, CMSU hopes to redefine the response to mental health crises in our communities, reducing stigma and creating a safe space for individuals seeking help. The partnership highlights a proactive approach, prioritizing compassion and understanding in situations that can often feel overwhelming. The expected impact of these Co-Responders is a significant step forward in ensuring that everyone in a crisis receives care when they most need it.

Additional information is listed in the link below!

Click HERE to watch.