Perry Human Services (PHS) has served Perry County residents since the mid-1970s, yet many people may not realize the organization exists or understand the scope of services it provides.
Douglas Brubaker, executive director and clinical supervisor of PHS, said the gap in awareness stems partly from the agency’s long-standing focus on direct service rather than self-promotion, as well as how and when people typically seek help.
“Since the first wave of the opioid epidemic in the 1990s, Perry Human Services has focused primarily on serving individuals and families who come through our doors rather than promoting ourselves, which has contributed to gaps in public awareness,” Brubaker said. He added that many residents do not seek help until they are already in crisis, when “they may not be thinking clearly about what options are available.”
Brubaker also noted that PHS is sometimes misunderstood by the public. “We are not the county assistance office, but a behavioral health and human services provider offering prevention, counseling, and recovery-focused support,” adding that the distinction “is not always clear to the public.”…