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Information about services, programs, education, and advocacy DECEMBER 2021The Guidance Center announces its newexecutive director, Elizabeth Meenan, MS, M.PhilThe board of trustees is pleased to announce thatElizabeth Meenan, MS, M.Phil, has been namedthe new executive director of The Guidance Center(TGC), succeeding Dieter Hovermann, who will retireon December 31, 2021, after 50 years of service.Elizabeth came to The Guidance Center with 16 yearsof experience in mental health programs and servicesfrom Acenda Integrated Health, Inc., formerly CapeCounseling Services, Cape May County, NJ. She hasserved as performance and compliance director andthen as COO at TGC since April 2021.“In a short time, Liz Meenan has proven to be apassionate human service leader,” announced EdBowman, president. “After an extensive interviewprocess of many qualified professionals, our boardand executive staff found Liz to be best qualifiedto positively impact the growth of our agency thatwill ultimately benefit all those we serve.”As the new executive director, Liz will oversee theday-to-day operations of The Guidance Centerincluding its eleven mental health specific programs.She will work with the agency’s board of trusteesto fulfill the organization’s mission and execute itsstrategic plan. Liz will also advocate on behalf ofthe vulnerable. Other responsibilities will includemaintaining the agency’s positive image in thecommunity; helping attract, retain, develop and leademployees of the organization; ensure commitmentto an inclusive work environment and effectiveworkspace; oversee program directors to ensurecompetence and diversity of staff; manage programswithin budget levels; and participate in communitytask forces and inter-agency collaborative effortsrelative to the work of TGC.“While this list of responsibilities is extensive, we areconfident in Liz Meenan’s capabilities,” adds Bowman.“Her past experiences combined with her provenleadership in clinical, operational, and fiscal areasgives us great confidence for the continued successof our agency.”Elizabeth MeenanMS, M.PhilElizabeth Meenan holds two master’s degrees — a Master ofScience in Human Services from Capella University and a Masterof Philosophy, Human Services, from Walden University, bothlocated in Minneapolis, MN. She will be receiving her PhD inHuman Services from Walden University, anticipated in 2022.She has received awards for both Best Practice Case Management(2018 and 2014) and Best Practice Adult Partial Care (2017)from the national Mental Health Corporation of America.Farewell to our longtime leader, Dieter HovermannH. Dieter HovermannExecutive DirectorIt is with great admiration, respect, and gratitudethat we, the board of trustees and staff of TheGuidance Center, bid farewell and offer best wishesto Dieter Hovermann, executive director, as he retiresat the end of December 2021. Dieter has served herefor 50 years with vision, dedication and compassion.In 1982, the Center received the newly institutedNew Jersey Block Grant Funds from the Division ofMental Health and Hospitals. Dieter was an integralpart of the leadership team that secured thisfunding which was crucial to the sustainability andgrowth of The Guidance Center.Dieter is the second executive director of the center,having succeeded Edwin Cooke in 1979.In the late 1980s and into the ’90s, the FamilyPreservation Program, a program for HomelessMentally Ill and the Adult Protective Servicesprogram were added.During his lifetime of service, Dieter Hovermann ledthe agency through difficult times in the late 1970sand early 1980s, helping to secure federal grants tocontinue its nationally recognized mental healthprograms and initiate new services. During this time,The Guidance Center added programs such as LiaisonCase Management, the Residential Program, and theSexual Assault Program, along with OutpatientSatellite Centers and a Youth Shelter.In the 1990s, The Guidance Center, with DieterHovermann at the helm, continued to grow.Improvements were made to buildings to increaseprograms and services. The Adult Partial DayProgram, community residences, a SupportedEmployment Service, a PACT (Program of AssertiveCommunity Treatment) team, Intensive FamilyContinued on page 2
Farewell to Dieter HovermannSupport Services, Integrated Case ManagementServices, and Supported Housing were alladded to the list of programs. In year 2000and beyond, Residences expanded by 20 beds,the PACT program expanded into SalemCounty, and there was significant expansionin the Crisis Program.From year 2000 to the present, Dieterhas held the leadership role in securingfunding, modifying and updating programs,overseeing a large staff of professionals,and working the day-to-day operations ofThe Guidance Center — all while continuallyexpanding the scope of mental healthservices to the benefit of our community.Continued from page 1The Guidance Center has grown from modestbeginnings to the leading mental healthagency serving the greater CumberlandCounty area — thanks to Dieter Hovermann’sprofessional and compassionate leadership.“Dieter Hovermann is an icon in the mentalhealth community in southern New Jersey,”notes Larry Pepper, Guidance Center trustee,who has served with Hovermann fornearly 50 years. “Thanks to him, countlessindividuals and families received theprofessional, compassionate help theyneeded that gave them a better life.”Dieter, we wish you many years of goodhealth and happiness for the future andwe are thankful beyond measure for allthat you’ve given to The Guidance Centerand our community.Thursday, Oct. 11, 19792016 Board president Jay Einstein (left)recognized Dieter Hovermann for 45years of dedicated service as executivedirector of The Guidance Center.NEW DIRECTOR —Lawrence Pepper, Jr., left,president of the CumberlandCounty Guidance CenterBoard of Trustees, and HarryFreitag, right, freeholdermember of the board,congratulate H. DieterHovermann, who was namedthe center’s new directorWednesday. Hovermann,former coordinator for thecenter’s transitional program,has served as acting directorsince June when directorEdwin W. Cooke resigned.Message from the PresidentEdward Bowman, Esq.2021 has been ayear of transition atThe Guidance Center.While we continueto work hard to findways to deliver ourservices to thosein need of mentalhealth care amid thechallenges of COVID-19, 2021 hasseen a slow return to the new normalFee for Services created just before theonset of the pandemic. Through all ofthe challenges of the last several years,we have had wise and steady leadership.I thank our leadership team for theirexpertise in guiding us through oneof the most challenging periods inThe Guidance Center’s history.For a half century, Dieter Hovermannhas stewarded The Guidance Center fromits infancy to its position today as thepreeminent behavioral health agency inCumberland County. It is no exaggerationto say that without Dieter, therewould be no Guidance Center. Dieter’sretirement at the end of the year will bedifficult to overcome. I often joke thatwhen Dieter is in the office he could benegotiating a fine point of regulatoryinterpretation with DMHAS one minuteand changing a light bulb the next.Although it is impossible for us to putinto words what Dieter has done forthe success of The Guidance Center, wethank him for his incredible dedicationand wish him the best in his retirement.For the last decade, CFO Dave Bartelshas applied his considerable skill andexperience in corporate finance toThe Guidance Center. As a direct resultof his efforts, The Guidance Center isfinancially sound and positioned tonot only survive these turbulent times,but to grow and prosper into the future.Dave will also be retiring at the endof the year.2012 Celebrating the 50th Anniversary2014 Dieter Hovermann, executive director, right,and M. Jay Einstein, board of trustees presidentof The Guidance Center, presented Dr. ThomasIsekenegbe, president of Cumberland CountyCollege, with a certificate of recognition for beingnamed the agency’s first annual Mental HealthDistinguished Community Leader.of The Guidance Center. Dieter Hovermann,second right, organized a special awardsbanquet to honor the agency’s founder,longtime trustees and past officers. TheHonorable Judge Philip Gruccio receiveda certificate of recognition as one of theorganization’s founders. Left to right:Lawrence A. Pepper, Jr., trustee and pastpresident; Jose Rivera, trustee and pastpresident; Mary Ella Morie, past trustee andpast president; M. Jay Einstein, trustee andpast president; Judge Philip Gruccio, originalincorporation signer and past president;Robin Daplyn, board trustee; Hovermann;and Senator Jim Hurley, trustee.Dieter and Dave worked hard to leaveThe Guidance Center with a strongfinancial foundation. Their retirementcombined with the retirement ofDr. Josephine White in 2020 representsthe end of an era for us. The Boardwill miss them greatly as they are notonly consummate professionals, butalso wonderful people. As we buildThe Guidance Center of the future,we will not forget their legacy.As saddened as we are by Dieter’sdeparture, the Board is excited to haveLiz Meenan assume the role of executivedirector. We were fortunate to haveContinued on page 5
Elizabeth Woods named new clinicaldirector for The Guidance CenterThe board of trustees of The GuidanceCenter is pleased to announce that ElizabethWoods, LCSW, has been named to theposition of clinical director for the agency.Elizabeth has been the recovery administratorfor TGC since December 2020. Prior to thisposition, she was the manager of AdultPartial Care for Acenda Integrated Health,Inc., formerly Cape Counseling Services,Elizabeth WoodsCape May County, NJ.LCSW“Elizabeth has extensive experience in all fields of mentalhealth,” announced Ed Bowman, president of The GuidanceCenter. “As the new clinical director she will oversee all of theagency’s programs, services and providers, assuring qualitycare as top priority.”Woods has a master’s degree in social work from New YorkUniversity (MSW), and is a licensed social worker (LCSW).Her background includes managing residential services,outpatient therapist, and quality improvement/staffdevelopment coordinator, among many others.“We are confident that Elizabeth can handle any challenge putbefore her,” continued Bowman. “Her knowledge of mentalhealth and compassion for others makes her an excellentchoice to fulfill the needs of our agency.”Congratulations, Elizabeth Woods, and best wishesin your new position at The Guidance Center.Program UpdatesAt the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Guidance Center madeevery effort to continue to provide quality services to the communitywhile prioritizing the health and safety of our staff and stakeholders.During this time, we are pleased to say that we have been able tocontinue to demonstrate commitment to our mission through ourability to pivot into the provision of Telehealth services. Our Outpatient therapy and psychiatry services and Adult PartialCare Services (APC) continue to provide exclusive Telehealthservices while other program lines such as Case ManagementServices, Supportive Employment, Program for AssertiveCommunity Treatment (PACT), Intensive Family Support Services(IFSS), and Crisis provide a hybrid of Telehealth as well astraditional face-to-face service delivery. The Guidance Center’s dedicated Residence Program continues toprovide 24-hour on-site service as it has throughout the pandemic.As we increased Telehealth services, we experienced an increase inkept appointments for our Outpatient Programs, which can beattributed to the ease of access to services through this platform.We could not be prouder of our staff for their continued dedicationand clear passion for serving our populations during these turbulenttimes. We are looking forward to seeing our programs continue tothrive and grow in 2022.Congratulations, Vera Igumnova!The Guidance Center is proud to congratulate Vera Igumnova, ICMS(Integrated Case Management Services) Case Manager, for receivingan award from the New Jersey Association of Mental Health andAddiction Agencies (NJAMHAA). Vera was selected and received anICMS Case Manager Award during the ICMS Conference, DeliveringHope Post-Pandemic, which was held virtually November. 19, 2021.Vera was recognizedfor the quality of serviceshe provides at TGC andher dedication to andcompassion for theindividuals and familiesin our community withmental health needs.Dieter Hovermann,TGC executive director,congratulates Vera Igumnovaon her award and thanks herfor dedication to the agencyand the people she serves.The Guidance Center welcomes newmedical director David Harrison, DOThe board of trustees and executive staffof The Guidance Center (TGC) are pleasedto welcome David Harrison, DO, New Jerseylicensed and board-certified psychiatrist,as medical director for the agency.Dr. Harrison has more than 25 years’experience in the areas of communitymental health, psychiatric screeningservices, substance abuse rehabilitationDavid Harrison, DOservices, and military (including VA)services, as well as administrative services.“We are extremely pleased to welcome Dr. David Harrisonas the new medical director for The Guidance Center,”announced Ed Bowman, president. “Dr. Harrison is extremelyqualified and offers a wealth of knowledge gained throughyears of experience.”Coming to TGC from Acenda Integrated Health, Inc., formerlyCape Counseling Services, Cape May County, NJ, Dr. Harrisonalso served as chief of psychiatry for the United States CoastGuard in Cape May for nearly 20 years, and is the founder/soleproprietor of Advanced Behavioral Counseling Services, LLC.Prior to these positions, Dr. Harrison was assistant professor ofpsychiatry at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NewJersey School of Medicine (UMDNJ-SOM) in Cherry Hill, NJ.He received his doctorate from the Philadelphia College ofOsteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, and did residenciesat both Norristown State Hospital in Norristown, PA, andUMDNJ-SOM, in Cherry Hill, NJ.“Dr. Harrison has extensive experience in mental health carethat will greatly enhance services here at The GuidanceCenter,” Bowman continued. “I welcome him on behalf of theboard of trustees, staff, and most importantly the greaterCumberland County community.”Dr. Harrison began service at The Guidance Center in Nov. 2021.
THANK YOU, SPONSORSof The Guidance Center 2021 Golf Tournamentthat benefits mental health assistance and educational programs.The Guidance Center is greatly appreciative of your generous support!Event SponsorPlatinum SponsorGold SponsorsSilver SponsorsBronze Sponsors
The Guidance Center thanks its donorswho contributed in 2021.Ace Plumbing, Heatingand Electrical Supplies, Inc.Advance Treads, Inc.Air Perfect Corp.Mike AllenAmazon Smile FoundationDavid G. BartelsRita & Jerry BeneferJeff BennettBottino’s SupermarketsEdward Bowman, Jr.David BraceRobert P. BradyTony Brago ExcavatingBrown & Brown ofLehigh Valley, LPCandida W. BrownDarryl L. BrownCantoni Enterprise, LLCJohn A. Casarow, Jr.Century Savings BankTom CifalogioMike CresciJoel H. CruzCumberland CountyImprovement AuthorityCumberland FireProtection, LLCCumberland MutualMatt CurioCyberwolf SoftwareTheodore J. DaplynThomas R. DeBiasoAndrew DelCollaDendrinos MedicalAssociatesDennis DeSantiDesign AdvertisingJeanne & Burton, Jr. DoremusDun Rite Sand and Gravel Co.M. Jay EinsteinEinstein Associates/New York LifeMarjorie EstadtDavid Fenili,in honor of Jim HurleyAntoinette C. FinchFord, Scott and Associates, LLCFraternal Order of EaglesFreitag Funeral HomeFriends of Michael J. Testa, Jr.Ed Gallagher Jr.Public Adjuster LLCRonald F. GarrisonGregory A. GartonJim GeraciJoanne R. GittoneTammy GreenGruccio Pepper DeSantoand Ruth, PARobert HamiltonCharles W. HooverH. Dieter HovermannInspira Health NetworkCarol & Lee KaneKuhn’s Auto RepairJohn W. KrauseLarry’s II Restaurant, Inc.The LaTorre Corp.George G. LoBiondoThe Loomis CompanyManders Merighi PortadinFarrell Architects, LLCKen MeredithWilliam R. Mints Agency, Inc.Robert L. MorganDr. Jill MortensenMutual of AmericaLife Insurance CompanyNewfield National BankNJ ManufacturersInsurance CompanyNipro PharmapackagingAmericas Corp.Northeast Precast LLCNovick Auto MallJames B. OdonoghueBob OhstahlJ.W. Pederson, Architect PCPEPE, INC./Tri-City Paper Co.Lawrence A. Pepper, Jr.Ronald B. ReighnRomano Hearing Testa& Knorr, CPAsRone Funeral ServiceRowan UniversityRX Alliance LLC /Allen AssociatesCraig ScarpaTeresa & ChristopherSchooleyServproDevon SharpSir Speedy PrintingStanker and Galetto, Inc.TBMG Inc.Tera Technology GroupTesta Heck Testa & White, PAMilton C. TruxtomVertol MachineVineland Planet Fitness LLCJason VolpeJoe VolpeWalter WoodsJoshua A. ZellersRudolph ZillerAs we reach the end of year 2021.Please help support us.The Guidance Center constantly faces economic challenges. We are sograteful for the support that members of the community have given tohelp us continue to provide quality mental health services to those in need.The Guidance Center is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.Your donations are tax deductible.Use the enclosed envelope to make a donation for 2021.If you are interested in making a larger or sustaining donation, sponsoringa program, or offering an endowment or bequest, please contact MaryAnn Pettit at (856) 825-6810, ext. 204, or e-mail mpettit@ccgcnj.org.2021 EmployeeService AwardsCongratulations and thank you foryour years of dedicated service.50 YearsDieter Hovermann35 YearsElizabeth Stuart20 YearsSheri Restuccio15 YearsTino Coursey James MabryGeorgia Wettstein10 YearsVera Igumnova George LoBiondoNorma Ruef Kathleen Vaughn5 YearsKenya Durham Lynn HarrisTara Nardi Osungbemi OsunniyiMary Ann Pettit Jennifer PhillipsKenneth ToddMessage from the PresidentContinued from page 2Liz join us earlier in 2021. She made animmediate impact on The Guidance Centerand is in the process of putting together a newleadership team that includes clinical directorElizabeth Woods, LCSW, and medical directorDavid Harrison, DO.We thank Dr. Alexander Kwon, our formermedical director, for his commitment to hispatients and service to The Guidance Centerand we look forward to working withDr. Harrison.Our leadership team is just a small part ofour success. The Guidance Center’s dedicatedteam of mental health professionals and staffwork tirelessly to help those who often havenowhere else to turn. They perform miraclesdaily, hidden from public view. They are thereason The Guidance Center will remain strong,independent and the best Behavioral HealthAgency in our region.Special thanks to Newfield National Bankfor their continued support forcommunity events at The Guidance Center.These events create awareness andbenefit individuals and families withmental health needs.
2038 Carmel Road P.O. Box 808Millville, NJ 08332In this issue:uncedElizabeth Meenan annotorecdiretivas new execuHovermannn Farewell to H. Dietersidentn Message from the Pred clinical directorn Elizabeth Woods nameesn Vera Igumnova receivardAwrgenaMaseICMS Can TGC Program UpdatesndDavid Harrison welcometorecdiras medicalsors recognizedn Golf tournament sponn 2021 donorse awardsn TGC employee servicnThe Guidance Center congratulatesfirst-place golf tournament winnersMental HealthTraining Classesto return in 2022Educational workshops and classesfor mental health professionals arescheduled to resume in the latterhalf of 2022.The on-site educational trainingprograms were cancelled in 2020-21out of an abundance of caution duringthe COVID-19 pandemic. These classesqualify for LPC and LCSW ContinuingEducation credits. Please keep aneye on The Guidance Center website,ccgcnj.org, under “Education” forupdates.Ed Bowman, president of The Guidance Center (right), congratulates first place winners of theCenter’s 9th annual golf tournament fundraiser held on July 14, 2021, at Running Deer GolfClub. Members of the winning team include (left to right): Sean Tucker, John Wildman, BrianEhresman, and John Ehresman. The team was sponsored by Brown & Brown Insurance ofLehigh Valley. Proceeds from the golf tournament help support mental health initiatives thatbenefit individuals and families in the greater Cumberland County area. The golf event wassponsored by Newfield National Bank.2038 Carmel Road P.O. Box 808Millville, NJ 08332Phone: (856) 825-6810 Fax: (856) 327-4281www.ccgcnj.orgCrisis Hotline: (856) 455-5555Se Habla Español
Science in Human Services from Capella University and a Master of Philosophy, Human Services, from Walden University, both located in Minneapolis, MN. She will be receiving her PhD in Human Services from Walden University, anticipated in 2022. She has received awards for both Best Practice Case Management
