Alicia Santilli became the Chief Operating Officer of Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley in October after serving for two years as the clinical director for Hope Counseling & Addiction Services.
In her new role, she oversees all operations for both the counseling department and the ministry. She’s reviewing policies and procedures to ensure consistency, retooling the organization’s internship program and plans to review admission strategies.
“I feel like I have my hands in everything,” she joked. “When I came in, I reorganized the counseling program and now I am reorganizing and revamping the ministry side.”
She oversees operations of both the counseling department and the ministry area. Alicia is a Clinically Licensed Social Worker with a Supervision Designation and Chemical Dependency Counselor. “Even though I have a new title,” she said, “I will always enjoy working directly with patients and the clinical team. I continue to be involved with assessments, diagnosing, meeting with patients as needed, and supervising clinical staff.”
Alicia, a Pennsylvania native, loves seeing the results of ATCOV’s work. “I love seeing families reconnect with their loved ones,” she said. “That’s just so rewarding for me. That’s why I do it.”
Her impact has been swift and significant. Since bringing Alicia on board with HOPE Counseling & Addiction Services, their census and revenue have seen significant increases. “I look at the big picture, but then I’m strategically able to be very task-oriented and detail-oriented to know the steps in order to be able to reach the goal,” Alicia said. “I have that knowledge and they brought me aboard and I was excited to do it. I continue to be excited to do it for the Teen Challenge part of things also.”
She came to ATCOV after serving as a clinical director at another counseling organization in the Mahoning Valley. “I wanted to grow and challenge myself so I came over to Adult & Teen Challenge Ohio Valley,” Alicia said. “Something just told me they needed growth and I could help them. So I was led here to provide the clinical knowledge/training I received from others along with my own experiences to ATCOV.”
Alicia says she’s grateful to Pastor Bob Pavlich, ATCOV’s Chief Executive Officer, saying she wouldn’t be in the position she’s in without his support and that of the Board. “I just want to thank them,” Alicia said.
