Providence Center Honored with National Awards

PROVIDENCE, RI (August 29, 2006) – The Providence Center, a community-based, outpatient behavioral health organization, recently received two national awards – the Negley Award and Gold Aster Award.

The Negley Awards, established in 1990 by Negley Associates Inc., are a series of cash grants presented annually to provider organizations who demonstrate excellence in risk management practices. The Providence Center was honored by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare with the Negley President’s Award for Excellence in Risk Management. The Center received a $15,000 grant for their “Engaging Clients in Fire Prevention” program which was developed to help clients learn how to reduce the risk of fire within residential settings. The grant monies will enable The Providence Center to continue to make improvements in risk management areas. Three community mental health centers throughout the nation are chosen to receive this esteemed award each year.

The Providence Center was also recently named as a winner in the 2006 Aster Awards Program. This national healthcare marketing program is designed to recognize excellence in medical advertising. The Providence Center was honored with the Gold Award for its 2006 Annual Calendar which featured client artwork from The Center’s Arts & Healing program. Men and women who participate in this program are encouraged to express their feelings through art, poetry and music. This process can be a powerful and integral part of their recovery. With over 2,000 entries, The Center was recognized for producing world-class marketing materials and placed in the top 5% of the national competition.

“It is an honor to have been recognized by both the Negley and Aster Award Programs,” said Dale K. Klatzker, president and CEO of The Providence Center. “It is wonderful to have our staff’s hard work and creativity judged by the best in healthcare. These awards recognize our continued commitment to providing innovative and comprehensive mental health and addictions services to all Rhode Islanders.”

The Providence Center annually serves over 9,500 adults, children, and adolescents who struggle with mental illness, addiction and emotional problems. Since its establishment in 1969, The Providence Center has been part of Rhode Island’s exemplary behavioral healthcare system, offering a comprehensive array of treatment and rehabilitation services. For more information, call 401-276-4020.