Home Away from Home: The LESC Residential Treatment Program

Rose DeRosa is one of the many dedicated healthcare professionals who make a profound impact on the lives of individuals struggling with addiction at LESC. As a vital team member at LESC, Rose wakes up every day with a singular purpose: to guide and support those on their journey to recovery. As she puts it, “A lot of times when you hear people’s stories, it could make you cry, you know? So, to build themselves up again and start feeling good about themselves, it’s a beautiful thing.”

With a background in mental health nursing and years spent uncovering the complexities of addiction, Rose’s role at LESC extends far beyond simply administering medication. She is a compassionate mentor, a trusted confidante, and a source of hope for those seeking a better life within the supportive environment of a residential program.

The Residential Treatment Program at LESC, Su Casa, provides a safe and structured environment where individuals can receive comprehensive treatment, develop coping skills, and build a strong support network that serves them as they re-enter their community. As an integral member of this team, Rose plays a crucial role in helping residents navigate their recovery journey and achieve long-term sobriety.

A Heart for Healing: Rose’s Motivation and Mission

As the nursing supervisor of Su Casa, Rose’s day is filled with a dynamic blend of administrative tasks, clinical responsibilities, and patient interactions. Rose remembers, “When I started at LESC, I kind of built my own position here. I’m really good at putting systems in place, so I saw what needed to be improved upon and have spent years putting systems and structures in place.” Today, her role is pivotal in ensuring the nursing department’s smooth operation and delivering high-quality support and care to residents.

Administrative Duties

• Staff Management: Rose oversees nursing staff hiring, training, and scheduling to ensure adequate coverage and expertise.
• Medication Management: She is responsible for ensuring the proper administration and documentation of medications for all residents.
• Quality Assurance: Rose conducts regular audits and reviews to maintain high standards of care and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Patient Assessments: Rose performs regular assessments of residents’ health status, monitors vital signs, and identifies any changes in condition.
• Crisis Management: She is prepared to respond to medical emergencies and coordinate with other healthcare providers as needed.
• Education and Counseling: Rose offers education and counseling to residents regarding health maintenance, medication management, and coping strategies.

Patient Interactions

• Building Relationships: Rose strives to build trusting relationships with residents, providing them with emotional support and guidance throughout their recovery journey.
• Advocacy: She advocates for residents’ needs, ensuring they receive appropriate care and services.
• Crisis Intervention: Rose is skilled in providing crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques to help residents manage challenging emotions and situations.

Rose’s day often begins with a morning meeting with the treatment team to discuss any urgent issues or resident status changes. She then reviews medical records, ensuring all medications are accounted for and administered correctly. Throughout the day, she may conduct rounds to check on residents, address immediate concerns, and provide necessary care.

In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Rose may also participate in treatment team meetings, attend staff training sessions, and engage in community outreach activities. Her day is filled with various tasks that require her to be organized, compassionate, and adaptable.

Rose’s dedication to her role as nursing supervisor at LESC stems from a deep-rooted passion for helping others and a firm belief in the potential for recovery. “I have such compassion for it. One must have compassion for this work, and real love just to be in psychiatry to begin with. A lot of people don’t understand that.” Her compassion for clients is evident in her unwavering commitment to their well-being, and her work is driven by a desire to see individuals overcome addiction and rebuild their lives.

She has witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of substance use on individuals and families, and this experience has fueled her determination to continue making a positive impact. “My husband’s in recovery, and we now own sober houses in New Jersey. His struggle has been intense because addiction is just such a disease. It’s just so strong. He suffered for so long, and now we have sober houses, so I know recovery is possible.” Rose believes that everyone deserves a chance at a healthy and fulfilling life, regardless of their past struggles.

LESC’s Role in Providing Support and Resources

LESC is a vital partner, committed to providing the support and resources necessary for individuals to achieve long-term recovery. The residential treatment program is a sanctuary and offers a safe and structured environment where clients can receive comprehensive person-centered care, develop coping skills, and build strong support network. Rose has stayed at LESC because of this commitment. “I love the clients. I wound up staying, and I feel like a lot of people do that at LESC. It’s a really warm agency, and you feel comfortable. I’m very happy.”

LESC’s team of dedicated professionals is committed to helping clients overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Counselors, therapists, and medical staff work together to provide individualized treatment plans that address each resident’s unique needs. Rose shares, “I’m only as good of a supervisor as my nurses. I have good nurses on my team. We’re just trying to create a better quality of life for the clients, which comes with, of course, their journey to be sober. We just want to see them have a better quality of life because so many of them for so long have been spiritually bankrupt. I see people who come in broken down, and I don’t just mean physically. But their spirit is broken, and we build them back up.” 

Additionally, LESC offers various support services, including vocational training, life skills development, and community outreach programs. Through the support of LESC and staff members like Rose, clients can develop the skills and confidence to rebuild their lives and experience a resilient recovery.