Newsletter Theme: A Fresh Start

This newsletter’s purpose is to share information about The Center’s people and activities, in each department and by each employee, in order to highlight the contributions made by all in helping The Center reach its goals. 

The Center’s Internet address is: cbhc1.org
You can also check us out on Facebook.

Front Desk
(618) 482-7330

 Hours of Operation
8:00am – 5:00pm

The Drop-In Center is Ready

After much anticipation, the Drop-In Center will open soon. We’re going to have a soft opening to get our systems down and work out all the kinks.

The operational Times of the Drop-In Center will be Monday through Friday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

The Grand Opening will be mid-April.

Looking for a Fish Fry?

It’s one of my favorite times of the year. If fish fry season!

Finding the tastiest spots can be tricky. But the newsletter team has got you covered.

We’re making it easy for you to find the best spots near you, just check out this fish fry finder.

The Equinox is Coming

Simply put, an Equinox is when Earth’s rotational axis is directly perpendicular to the Sun-Earth Line. A Solstice is when the Sun’s rays reach their most Northernly or Southernly away from the Equator. As the Earth rotates and revolves around the Sun during the year, the Earth’s angle in relation to the Sun changes, helping to give rise to the seasons we enjoy.
More sunlight for the Northern Hemisphere (East St. Louis) leads to Spring and Summer. Meanwhile, in the Southern Hemisphere, less sunlight leads to Autumn and Winter. For example, it is about becoming Spring here but it will at the same time become Autumn in South Africa and Australia. Normally, the longest day of the year here will be on the Summer Solstice (June 21 or 22) and the shortest day will be the Winter Solstice (December 21 or 22).

Telehealth is off to a Great Start

Alysia Bernardini is the head of our telehealth department.

Our telehealth department just opened, and they are making a big impact on our community. Due to a shortage of clinicians in the area, there is a 4 to 6 week wait from the initial contact with The Center and the initial appointment with a clinician.  This wait time creates a significant delay in receiving the much-needed services. The telehealth team is helping to alleviate the wait.

Without the telehealth team, when a client initially contacts The Center, they are actively seeking assistance and may be in need of immediate care; due to the wait clients may become disengaged and frustrated.  They may seek other options or chose to not move forward with services after time has passed. Waiting may also increase symptomology by the time they are seen, increase the potential for crisis, and prolong distress.  

A Collaborative Career Fair Sets The Center up for a Bright Future

The UMSL Millennium Student Center

On Wednesday, February 22, our very own Rita Byrd attended a collaborative career fair at The University of Missouri-St. Louis at the Millennium Student Center. The Collaborative provides an opportunity for field instructors to promote their agency and meet with BSW and MSW students from UMSL, SLU, and Fontbonne University.

The Fair gives students a chance to learn more about the field of social work and network with professional social workers who are Field Education representatives.  The Center is now certified to host practicum students referred through the St. Louis Social Work Field Education Collaborative, consisting of The Brown School at Washington University, Saint Louis University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, and Fontbonne University.

Several Bachelor’s and Master’s level, traditional and non-traditional students visited our table where The Center was endorsed as the best agency in the area to learn and train. Based on feedback, we will have students standing in line to gain a hands-on, learning experience like no other!

Updated Dress Code

The Center has updated our dress code. All employees will be responsible for understanding and following the rules outlined in the document.
If you have any questions, please contact your direct supervisor for clarification.

For more information, please check out the dress code page on our website:

The following attire is deemed unsuitable and may not be worn to work:

• No shorts or pants above the knee.
• No low-cut tops or revealing outfits.
• No fishnet stockings or lace pantyhose.
• No jewelry with explicit messages.
• No t-shirts.
• No mini-dresses.
• Skirts and dresses must be no more than two (2) inches above the knee.
• Skirt or dress slits must not extend more than two (2) inches above the knee.
• No head coverings (ex. hats, caps, and head scarves) unless authorized by the executive director
• No clothing with “messages”
• No jogging suits or sweat suits
• No mules, flip flops, or slide shoes (shoe must have a strap on the back)

Jeans, jean skirts (no rips or tears), and tennis shoes may be worn only on days specially approved by the executive director

Each Friday, staff may wear jeans (no rips or tears), tennis shoes, and either a CBHC polo shirt or other workplace-appropriate shirt (no t-shirts allowed)

 Occupational attire is allowed:

• Nurses may wear medical scrubs and clogs or athletic shoes
• Maintenance and janitorial staff may wear work clothes including coveralls, denim shirts and trousers, jeans, athletic shoes, and boots
• Food service staff may wear hair restraints, head coverings, aprons, trousers, jeans, athletic shoes, and boots
• Staff members are required to follow the dress code at all times and failure to do so will result in the following disciplinary actions.

First violation: Redirection by direct supervisor.

Second violation– Written warning and redirection by direct supervisor.

Third violation – This may result in suspension and or termination for any additional infractions.

To view the complete dress code please visit https://cbhc1.org/dress.

The Employee of the Month

Ms. Gaines-White is a tireless instrument for children and adolescent care. While at times exacting with the counselors, this effort is always done with the aim of helping those troubled young people find help and support when and where they need it. In my view, she is most worthy of such an honor.  

 Who’s New

Several new members have joined our team. We would like to welcome each of our new team members.

March’s Birthdays

Wishing a BIG happy birthday to all of those in the CBHC family!