the CHURCHES CARE PROGRAM
The Churches Care Program
Accompanying persons experiencing mental illnesses and addictions
Training
Training
Training
Church leaders receive 2.5-days of training on mental illnesses & addictions. (pastors, lay leaders, and church-connected health & mental health professionals)
18 hours of CEUs
for pastors, social workers/counselors & nurses
Guidance
Training
Training
18 months of free professional clinical mental health and addictions guidance from a licensed counselor helps trained church leaders respond to individual needs that arise in their churches and communities.
Referral guidance, support strategies, and more.
Resources
Assessment
Assessment
Resources increase the knowledge of the entire church congregation.
Church/Health leaders receive a copy of the book Streetlights: Empowering Christians to Respond to Mental Illnesses and Addictions and other resources to educate their congregation.
Assessment
Assessment
Assessment
Church Assessment and 1:1 consultation
This confidential congregational questionnaire helps each church identify areas of strength and areas for growth in how their congregation perceives the church is supporting people experiencing mental illnesses or addictions. Churches receive a confidential results report and in-person consultation to help them understand and respond to the results.
Linking
Networking
Networking
Participating church leaders connect with staff of local mental health and addictions treatment agencies, halfway houses, and support programs, to increase church leaders’ knowledge of local treatment resources, and their ability to refer and connect individuals in their church and community to effective treatment and support.
Networking
Networking
Networking
Networking with other churches to share resources and lessons learned.
Participating church leaders (pastors, lay leaders or health professionals) remain connected to others who've gone through the program, during and after the 18 months.
PRESENTERS
Janelle Bitikofer, MSW, LCSW
Scott Theurer, Certified Recovery Specialist.
Linda E. Witmer, RN, MPH, MSPH, MDiv.
Janelle Bitikofer, MSW, LCSW is a mental health and addictions counselor and educator with more than twenty years of experience assisting individuals and families. She has worked in all levels of mental health and addictions treatment, from psychiatric hospitals and inpatient drug treatment programs to outpatient counseling and emergenc
Janelle Bitikofer, MSW, LCSW is a mental health and addictions counselor and educator with more than twenty years of experience assisting individuals and families. She has worked in all levels of mental health and addictions treatment, from psychiatric hospitals and inpatient drug treatment programs to outpatient counseling and emergency response services. Janelle is the Executive Director of We Rise International and the author of “Streetlights” a mental health and addictions guidebook for Christians. She has served in leadership roles in various churches since 1996.
Linda E. Witmer, RN, MPH, MSPH, MDiv.
Scott Theurer, Certified Recovery Specialist.
Linda E. Witmer, RN, MPH, MSPH, MDiv.
Linda is the past Director of the RN-BS in Nursing program at Eastern Mennonite University Lancaster. She has 18 years of college-level teaching experience in nursing programs. Linda has worked internationally, serving under both Mennonite Central Committee and Eastern Mennonite Mission with the K’ekchi’ Maya people in Guatemala. Her wo
Linda is the past Director of the RN-BS in Nursing program at Eastern Mennonite University Lancaster. She has 18 years of college-level teaching experience in nursing programs. Linda has worked internationally, serving under both Mennonite Central Committee and Eastern Mennonite Mission with the K’ekchi’ Maya people in Guatemala. Her work as a community health nurse in Coatesville, PA led to the initiation of Bridge of Hope, Inc. a non-profit organization serving homeless women and children. Linda is also a trained spiritual director and leads retreats. She is involved in leadership roles at Laurel Street Mennonite Church .
Scott Theurer, Certified Recovery Specialist.
Scott Theurer, Certified Recovery Specialist.
Scott Theurer, Certified Recovery Specialist.
Scott is a person in long term recovery from addiction. He is also a Certified Recovery Specialist and addictions educator. Scott is the Director of Recovery Environments at R3 Recovery Houses in Lancaster PA. He previously worked as a Recovery Support Specialist at the Center of Excellence Program at T.W. Ponessa and Associates Coun
Scott is a person in long term recovery from addiction. He is also a Certified Recovery Specialist and addictions educator. Scott is the Director of Recovery Environments at R3 Recovery Houses in Lancaster PA. He previously worked as a Recovery Support Specialist at the Center of Excellence Program at T.W. Ponessa and Associates Counseling Services in Lancaster, PA, an opioid treatment and recovery program. He is also a trainer for the GOAL PROJECT, a global organization that assists faith organizations and congregations to build sustainable addiction prevention or recovery support ministries. Scott is the chairperson for the Lancaster County Recovery Alliance, has been involved with the Lancaster County Drug and Alcohol Commission's Advisory Board, Project Lazarus Lancaster, Lancaster County Joining Forces, and is on the Board of Directors with the Elizabethtown area Communities That Care. He works with individuals to establish and maintain recovery from opioid and heroin addictions.
Recent ChurcheS Care TrainiNgs:
Churches Care Philadelphia (2-day Training March 19 and March 26, 2022)