About Program Director Fred Stevens
Fred Stevens, an independently licensed and certified counselor/therapist, has been in the helping profession for over thirty years. After working in a municipal court system where he began to develop counseling skills listening to people and evaluating their concerns, Fred worked in three Cleveland social service organizations for eight years. His experience in those agencies included individual counseling, group therapy, and clinical assessments for court mandated clients with personal issues related to substance use and their mental/emotional health concerns. As a result, Fred became certified and now licensed as an Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC).
He acquired invaluable experience by helping chemically addicted homeless men learn how to make positive, life saving changes in their lives. Fred continued this employment after graduating with a Master’s Degree in Education from Kent State University, in the Community Counseling Program, and receiving his license as Professional Counselor. He improved his therapeutic skills through adolescent and family group work in a suburban counseling center. Fred is actively involved in his profession by attending conferences and continuing education seminars.
Fred manages and operates Safety Through Education, a State certified Driver Intervention Program he started for DUI offenders referred from the courts. Since 2001, the Safety Through Education Program has helped over 5,000 people! Safety Through Education’s relaxed and caring approach helps create a positive atmosphere where effective learning can occur during a meaningful weekend experience. Group educational discussion sessions focus on traffic safety, alcoholism and drug abuse, and many other DUI related issues. Guest speakers with different life perspectives contribute to the program’s effectiveness. Safety Through Education is a helpful alternative to incarceration for persons arrested for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or any drug of abuse.
Fred has a calm, respectful approach and he genuinely listens to people. In fact, clients have often told Fred that he really does care about them. Fred uses this understanding, compassionate philosophy as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (PCC) in his private counseling practice. Fred’s enthusiasm as an independent practitioner helps clients become hopeful that their lives will improve. His specialties are assessment and individual counseling/therapy services for clients with alcohol and drug use issues, stress, depression, anxiety, anger, and other related types of mental and emotional health conditions. Fred also provides group counseling services. By completing the Cleveland Center for Cognitive Therapy’s advanced training program, Fred is certified in the Clinical Practice of Cognitive Therapy.
Program Details
The Safety Through Education Driver Intervention Program is a 72-hour residential program certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS Provider – 180). You have the option to attend this program instead of serving three (3) days in jail. The program is an alternative to incarceration for persons who have been arrested for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or any drug of abuse. Safety Through Education helps individuals recognize the seriousness of OVI/DUI and the need to change their drinking and driving practices. Safety Through Education accomplishes this through screening, education, and referral services. The ultimate goal of the program is to help reduce the amount of OVI/DUI cases in the community by promoting safety through education. Since driver intervention is mandated by the legal system, the program has rules/guidelines that must be enforced.
PROGRAM FEE (NON-REFUNDABLE)
The non-refundable fee is $670/single occupancy, $485/double occupancy, or $360/triple occupancy.” Cash or check payments ($645 single, $465 double, $345 triple) can be made. The fee covers three nights in the hotel-Thursday to Sunday, food (all meals except Thursday), screening, education and group discussion sessions on traffic safety, alcoholism and drug abuse, OVI/DUI related issues, and referral services. If you arrive late or do not attend the weekend for which you are registered, you will be referred back to your court or you can attend a future weekend program by making another program fee payment. No refunds will be made under any circumstances.
FOOD
Hotel breakfasts are continental style, i.e. breakfast breads. You can order the breakfast buffet at your own expense (approximately $7 to $10) on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Hotel lunches consist of a sandwich or soup. Hotel dinners consist of a hot dish and side. Beverages are included with all meals. You may have food delivered only on Thursday evening andthis is at your own expense if you order from the hotel restaurant. Never order other lunches and dinners because the restaurant staff prepares all of your meals. If you have special dietary requirements, please inform program staff during your intake session on Thursday evening.
WHAT TO BRING
Since your program completion report may involve recommendations to your court and attorney, complete your information form with your attorney’s full name, address, phone number, fax number, and email address BEFORE YOU ARRIVE. If necessary, bring any court and/or probation documentation. NOT COMPLETING YOUR FORM WILL DELAY THE PROGRAM COMPLETION REPORT FROM BEING SENT TO YOUR COURT, PROBATION OFFICER, AND ATTORNEY.Bring sufficient clothes and personal items to the hotel. Wear appropriate clothing for program activities and non-program activities, i.e. workout facility area.
MEDICATIONS
Please bring all of your over the counter and/or prescription medications, if any, in containers clearly marked with your name, name of the medication, dose and frequency. If you bring medications then please remember to only bring the exact number of pills you will need during the 72-hour program. Program staff will collect all medications unless your physician provides written verification requiring you to have certain medication(s) in your possession at the program site or while involved in program activities. You are not allowed to take other clients’ medications, including over the counter medicines, at any time during the weekend program.
CHECK-IN
Report to the main lobby of the Wyndham Garden Westlake – 1100 Crocker Road, Westlake, OH 44145, off I-90 and accessible to major highways, by 5:30 p.m. (5:00-5:15 is recommended) on Thursday evenings.After you inform the front desk clerk you are attending the Safety Through Education DIP, you will be assigned to your room and directed to the meeting room. Ask the staff any questions you may have during this process.