HEATHER LAWRY ROESNER, LPC APPOINTED TO LEAD LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY SERVICES

 

Lookout Mountain Community Services announces the appointment of Mrs. Heather Lawry Roesner as Chief Executive Officer, after the recent retirement of Dr. Tom Ford, who led the agency since 1996.

“I am honored and excited to lead Lookout Mountain Community Services and raise its profile in the northwest Georgia area as a collaborative partner helping the residents of Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, and Walker Counties achieve improved mental health and overall wellbeing.”

Roesner began her work at Lookout Mountain Community Service in 2006 as a mental health clinician and went on to work in its TREK foster care program and in utilization management.  She has served on the executive team since 2015 as the Director of Compliance and Quality Assurance.

Roesner graduated with a bachelor of science degree in psychology and masters degree in counseling psychology from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee.  She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and is a National Certified Counselor.

Lookout Mountain Community Services, founded in 1965, provides mental health and substance abuse services to children and adults, including individual counseling, group therapy, psychiatric care, case management, skilled nursing services, wraparound services. supported employment, and peer support services. 

The agency also provides services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including two day programs, case management, skilled nursing services, supported employment, and residential care in host homes.

Lookout Mountain Community Services provides services regardless of an individual’s ability to pay, while also taking clients who have private insurance.  It is considered the safety net provider of these services for the four county area.  The agency also provides some limited services throughout the entire state of Georgia, including foster care services.

Roesner says that the COVID-19 pandemic, while challenging, has opened up opportunities to reach more people with services through the use of telehealth.

“By making telehealth service delivery possible, we have been able to reach residents in need that may not have otherwise been able to get the help they needed, particularly during the pandemic, which has been emotionally taxing for so many.”

Roesner also says Lookout Mountain has been rising to the challenge of dealing with the opioid epidemic and the rise of overdose deaths in the four county area.

“We saw a nationwide rise in the number of opioid overdose deaths, including here in Georgia.  We want the residents of Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, and Walker Counties to know that we continue to stand ready to help you or your loved ones on their path to recovery from the use of addictive substances.”

To access its services, please visit www.lmcs.org for more information.

Lookout Mountain Community Services also has several job positions open and invites individuals to apply.  The agency is also actively recruiting foster homes for children and host homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Visit www.lmcs.org for more details.