Praxis hosts community event to help build the relationship with the community
By SYDNEY KENT
Praxis hosted an event Thursday evening at Roush Park in an effort to rebuild trust in the community after recent complaints from neighbors of the facility.
Praxis partnered with Overdose Hotline, a nonprofit whose mission is to provide education on substance abuse disorder, to provide free fentanyl test strips, Narcan kits, and information on how to use them. Praxis also presented a donation to the Salvation Army and Tri-Recovery at the event.
Drew Mack, the facility’s interim executive directors, said they hope the event will help “build a beneficial relationship with the community.”
Praxis — formally known as Landmark Recovery, doing business as Praxis of Fort Wayne — released a report March 10 to address community concerns. According to the report, staffing-to-patient ratios on certain shifts “needed to be enhanced.” Mack said the facility had taken steps to correct this disproportionate ratio.
“We have recently partnered with Elite Medical,” said Mack. “They are providing nursing temporarily until we have hired and trained more staff. Recruiting has been effective in steadily gaining momentum for new hires.”
A senior corporate recruiter for Praxis, Zachary Kelver, attended the event to share hiring information with members of the community.
“We had a hiring event today from 9-5 and we have another event tomorrow,” Said Kelver. “We’re hiring for RNs, LPNs, therapists, and patient support specialists. There is no degree needed for a patient support specialist; training is provided.”
The report also states that the facility found that de-escalation training is “insufficient” and contributing administrative discharges.Mack said that all staff has recently completed de-escalation training, including safety training.
“The training helps provide tools to meet people where they are at and redirect the situation,” said Mack. “We hope that this event marks a new beginning with the community.”
The event was held at the pavilion on the south edge of Roush Park.
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