Press release from the Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders:
Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders (CRC for ED), the only nonprofit in NC providing education, resources, and support to individuals, families, and professionals concerned with disordered eating and recovery from eating disorders, is proud to announce two new initiatives. In July of this year, CRC for ED published a Medical Provider Resource, which provides an easy-reference source, developed in response to the growing need for fundamental and essential information about eating disorders in the healthcare industry. And launching in October, 2022, CRC for ED’s Clinical Assessment Program offers access to free, independent assessments for residents of the state who are concerned they (or their child/dependent) may have an eating disorder and are unable to access diagnostic information due to financial hardship and insurance barriers.
With these two initiatives, CRC for ED is responding to a greater need for services due to an alarming increase in eating disorders, the need for more eating-disorders-informed health-and-clinical-care professionals, and the growing challenges of referring those in need to providers.
“Medical providers receive very little training about eating disorders,” says Anna M. Lutz, MPH, RD/LDN, CEDS-S with Lutz, Alexander & Associates Nutrition Therapy and CRC for ED board member. “CRC for ED’s Medical Provider Resource is designed to be a quick reference for healthcare providers who are seeking information about how to help their patients, who are presenting with symptoms. This evidenced-based resource provides current information in a convenient format with additional resources listed for providers to seek out further information.”
“It’s a way to get some basic information into the hands of practitioners who ultimately have an impact on whether or not someone receives adequate care,” says Simone Seitz, CRC for ED’s executive director. “That’s the first step. Next, we need to make sure people have access to appropriate diagnostic information to be able to receive concise referral information for outpatient providers or higher levels of care. That’s what our Clinical Assessment Program offers.”
According to Seitz, at present, in order to receive a clinical assessment, a person must have financial resources and/or insurance; however, CRC for ED will provide free access to a limited number of these preliminary assessments for those who qualify by contracting with eating disorders specialists through this new program. “My hope is that we are able to increase the capacity of this program through additional funding but for now, I am grateful to the private donors who have supported us in jumpstarting both of these critical initiatives,” she says. “We have to start somewhere to bridge these gaps in informed and accessible care.”
Breese Annable, PsyD, CEDS-S with Living Balance is one of the specialists, who will work with adults, who qualify for the assessment program. “Knowing where to turn when you or a loved one needs treatment for an eating disorder can feel incredibly daunting and overwhelming,” says Annable. “Accessing care is fraught with barriers for far too many individuals and families. I’m thrilled to partner with Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders to reduce these barriers to care and provide personalized guidance through this process.”
Christine Pavey, LCSW with CAS Counseling, will support those under the age of 18, who are accepted for an assessment. “I am honored to be a part of CRC for ED’s work to connect people with eating disorders to the care that they need,” she says. “Rigorous assessment and subsequent guidance towards accessible care is a substantial service gap in our community and I am excited to be a part of the solution.”
With these two new efforts, along with the existing programming Carolina Resource Center for Eating Disorders provides, the nonprofit organization continues to fulfill its mission of developing and connecting resources to assist and advocate for those impacted by eating disorders.
To learn more about CRC for ED and their programs, visit: https://crcfored.com
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