Stairways Behavioral Health

10/07/2025

This past weekend, Dr. John John and Dr. Mary Anne Albaugh represented our agency at the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Advocacy event in Washington, DC. Their participation underscores our commitment to mental health awareness and advocacy within the healthcare community. 😀

10/07/2025

Mental Illness Awareness Week is here! 💚

This year’s theme is Building Community: Supporting Mental Well-Being Together. Mental health affects everyone — and no one should have to face challenges alone.

Join NAMI and communities across the country in raising awareness, fighting stigma, and building support. ➡️ nami.org/MIAW

10/06/2025

On Saturday, October 4, 2025, the Stairways staff and their families embarked on a fun-filled morning to beautify our neighborhood during the Adopt-A-Highway garbage pick-up. Volunteers included: Amy Brocious, Julie Shaffer & Amerie, Liana Koser, Nicole Swanson & Sam, Shelley Samson & Alec, Ann Marie Ernst, Becky Clark. On that gorgeous fall day, we transformed the East 38th Street stretch into an even more beautiful sight. Huge thanks to everyone who joined this community effort! 🤩

10/01/2025

--By Rebecca Clark, LCSW, Stairways Behavioral Health’s Administrative Director of Treatment Services & New Opportunities Employee Assistance Program 🫶

As you may know, September was both National Su***de Awareness Month and National Recovery Month, which are meant to help shine a spotlight of awareness of the risks of depression or hopelessness and of substance abuse which can impact so many of our lives or of those we love. It was also back-to-school time. In preparation for October, I am particularly drawn to the fact that October is , and in addition, the 10th is . As a mental health professional, I can’t help but acknowledge how these very important topics are very closely related. For our kids, the impact of bullying- for both the person doing the bullying as well as the person being bullied – can be extremely life-impacting. Some kids may never be able to overcome the emotional impact of being a victim of bullying, and could forever have their self-confidence and self-value diminished. This could lead to more risk for experimenting with alcohol or drugs, which could easily develop into a medical addiction, and have horrible health consequences, as well as difficulties in establishing & maintaining healthy relationships and productive employment. For people who have been the bully, there often is true regret and remorse in adulthood for having been so hurtful to others. Sometimes after a person has experienced their own hardships, as we humans certainly will, the realization of harm we have ourselves inflicted can be awful. Other times, the person who may have been a bully, who appears to have everything, including a group of peers who reinforce them and protect them from social isolation, growing up & moving into the Real World can be disastrous as well. Oftentimes these young adults find it difficult to deal with anonymity, not being treated as special, or worse, they never learn have to communicate and navigate through differences of opinions to get to a mutually agreeable outcome. This makes them ill-prepared for all of the things which happen in our adult lives which require patience, communication and compromise, and can set them up to struggle in relationships and work settings, which can spill into that vicious cycle of poor self-image and lack of confidence.
The most common mental health difficulties are either related to surviving traumatic and/or abusive experiences, or depression and/or anxiety, which often include many of the elements I mention above (lack of confidence, poor self-image). If we as parents can help our kids to instill patience, respectful discord, and a desire to reach out to the kids who are bullied, isolated, or alone, we are not only helping to improve the lives of those other children, but of our own child’s future life as well. We can help teach our children these characteristics by role-modeling how we talk about & treat others, which, when done in a positive, respectful and collaborative way, can have a positive impact on our own mental health as well. I’m wishing you all positive mental health in October and beyond.

10/01/2025

09/30/2025

09/24/2025

Today, Amy Brocious & Jill Hockenberry (pictured L to R) from Stairways Behavioral Health (SBH) attended the 9th Annual Su***de Prevention Conference in . They showcased SBH at their vendor table, connected with attendees & shared educational resources. As a proud Gold Level Sponsor of the event, SBH was dedicated to supporting & . 🤩

09/24/2025

Journey Health System is expanding the reach of its Professional Development Specialist role to include Stairways Behavioral Health. This position plays a vital role in supporting new employee onboarding and assisting managers with recruitment and retention efforts.
Please take a moment to review the job posting below. If you're interested, we encourage you to apply directly through the Journey Health System website.
For any specific questions, please email blarson@journeyhealth.org.

Professional Development Specialist:
• Erie, PA
• $47,500
• yearly
• Full Time
• Comprehensive Benefits Package

SUMMARY-
This individual assists in training new staff and in supporting the implementation of trauma informed principles and practices to help promote staff development. This position is responsible for assisting leadership in monitoring staff morale and in implementing necessary trainings, meetings and practices within the programs. This position is responsible for coaching and development of new staff through on the job training during their employment.
The Professional Development Specialist is responsible for:
• Acting as a bridge between employees and the management of a company. He/she monitors employees' issues and reports them to management for possible improvement in the workplace so as to improve workers' efficiency.
• Reviewing, interviewing and hiring prospective new employees for the Agency Residential Programs.
• Creating course content, designing presentations and other materials to ensure the employee trainees effectively learn the material. They are also responsible for coaching and development of new staff through on the job training during their probationary period.
• Directs the needs assessment for training and staff development to enhance the effectiveness of employee performance in achieving the goals and objectives of the company.
• Identifies and incorporates best practices and lessons learned into program plans.
• Reviews evaluations of training courses, objectives and accomplishments.
• Makes assessments of effectiveness of training in terms of employee accomplishments and performance.
• Conducts needs assessments to determine measures required to enhance employee job performance and overall company performance.
QUALIFICATIONS-
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE-
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Individual must have 5 years' MH/IDD experience.
• Must be a certified SCM, Ukeru and CPR/First Aid instructor or become certified within 6 months following hire. EOE

09/22/2025

at https://sbh.e3applicants.com/careers/Blended-Case-Manager-ERIE-538 . EOE

09/19/2025

Congrats to Tiffany Walker for being named our July Employee of the Month!

The nomination for Performing a Heroic Act read: “On 7/7/25, Tiffany arrived to a client's home for their CRS appointment and she noticed that he was struggling to walk and appeared to be experiencing pain and discomfort. After he shared the recent symptoms he has had for several days, Tiffany immediately called 911 and support the client until the emergency services arrived and transported him to St Vincent, where he was admitted for blood clots and stroke-like symptoms. The client acknowledged that he would not have called 911 or sought care without Tiffany. She also followed up with him the next day and has assisted in developing an aftercare plan and schedule for him following his discharge from the hospital. Tiffany's persistence and rapport with this client literally saved his life.” 🥰

09/19/2025

Being a teen can be hard, and some may face challenges. Your . Keep lines of communication open, show you care, and remind your teen that help is available 24/7 988lifeline.org/help-yourself/youth ***dePreventionMonth