Fellowship Health Resources honored by Arlington County Board of Directors

ICRT Program Director Julie Branch receives county-wide award for her work at Fellowship Health Resources in Virginia

Contributed by: Sarah James, VA Mental Health Assistant

ICRT Program Director Julie Branch, center, was recently recognized county-wide

for her dedication to her clients at FHR. Pictured above with Branch are

ICRT members Linh A., left, and Lauren Y.

Arlington, VA – August 17, 2011 – Intensive Community Residential Treatment Program Director at Fellowship Health Resources, Inc. (FHR), Julie Branch, was recently awarded the Arlington County Professional Excellence Award.

Branch’s dedication to the Intensive Community Residential Treatment (ICRT) Program is well noted, becoming the first ever non-county employee to receive this award.

“I was surprised to win because I don’t work for the county and the award is not usually given to non-county employees,” Branch says. “However, I am very flattered and it’s motivating to see the ICRT Program highlighted in such a positive way in the community.”

“This type of recognition of one of FHR’s employees is very prestigious,” says Mental Health Assistant Sarah James. “The Director of the Clarendon Clubhouse, Rebecca Wright, nominated Julie. Julie is very dedicated to the program as well as to each and every one of her clients.”

Branch received the award at the Arlington County Board of Directors' meeting on Wednesday, July 27. The directors presented Branch with a certificate and pin as a tribute to her hard work with FHR.

“Julie is an extremely conscientious clinician,” says FHR Virginia Regional Director Larry Ferguson. “I was extremely proud and happy to hear that the county was giving her the award, because it reflects her dedication to her consumers and epitomizes the values of FHR. Julie is one of those genuinely special individuals whose values and actions are consistent.”

Two years ago, Branch started working for FHR as a Support Specialist. In less than a year, she was promoted to Program Director of the ICRT Virginia Program. “Before Julie became director, there had not been a lot of movement in the ICRT Program with clients gaining stability and moving out,” James says. “However, now with Julie’s vision and guidance, the ICRT Program has seen more success and progression in clients than ever before.”

Several consumers at the ICRT Program have stabilized under Branch’s leadership and have moved to the Independent Supported Living Services programs. “She has a lot of faith in the clients. She encourages them and helps them to feel empowered to make such a big step,” James said.

Branch’s recognition with this award encourages other FHR programs to progress toward the same positive presence in the community. “We’re all very proud of Julie and the ICRT Program for excelling to this point of recognition in the community,” James says. “This will motivate our programs to continue their amazing work and to reach out to even more persons in need.”

For more information about the ICRT Program, please contact Julie Branch at 703-379-1910.