Families Inc. welcomed to ANC campus

Families, Inc., a counseling service, was welcomed to Arkansas Northeastern College on Tuesday as their office opened in the Adams/Vines building on the main campus in Blytheville.

The Mississippi County Regional Chamber of Commerce provided a ribbon cutting to welcome the staff of Families, Inc.

Haley Thomas, director of Clinical Operation for Families, Inc., said they are excited to be there and thanked ANC for their partnership to serve the students and staff.

“Any way we can help the students or staff stay mentally and physically healthy, we will be there for them,” Thomas said. “This was a long-time dream of Dr. Blanche Hunt and we are honored to help her dream come true.”

Dr. Hunt is associate vice president of community relations at ANC.

“Thank you for adding this to the list of resources offered to your students and staff,” Families, Inc., CEO Mark Thurman said. “We are excited to be here. Our mission statement: The core of Families, Inc. is our belief in the value of families. We accept the responsibility to develop, teach, share, and sustain by example the kinds of relationships that will allow each member of the family unit to reach their fullest potential.”

Dr. Chris Heigle has served as president at ANC for four years.

“Every year we talk about what we can do for mental health,” Dr. Heigle said. “I am so glad that Dr. Hunt has brought Families, Inc. to the campus. We are so glad to share the space to benefit our students and staff.”

Dr. Hunt said a number of students had let her know of their need when they became overwhelmed.

“Having them on campus will be a great help,” she said. “It will let our students and staff know we really care about them and their mental health.”

Nakitha Scott-Davis, therapist with Families, Inc., will be serving on campus. Her office is located adjacent to the library.

The new partnership is aimed at providing students access to mental healthcare through the ANC Counseling office. It is a step in supporting student well-being and academic success.

“We welcome you to our campus and want you to feel at home,” Dr. Heigle said. “You are welcome to be part of all activities being held on the campus. We appreciate your energy and your commitment.”

Other Families, Inc. staff at ANC for the ribbon cutting were Dr. John Burnett, medical director and board-certified psychiatrist; Sherri Harp, DeShawnna DeFord; Dawn Layer, and Charleston Girley.

Scott Burcham, Osceola Clinical supervisor at Families, Inc., was unable to attend but in a press release expressed his excitement for the new partnership.

For more information about the ANC counseling office and available services, contact Dr. Hunt at 870-838-2920 or Scott Burcham at 870-622-0592.