By By Steve Swogetinsky/The Meridian Star
August 4, 2001
DEKALB Helping clients to reach their full potential is the purpose of the Kemper Group Homes that were officially opened here Friday by the state Department of Mental Health.
Two homes are located on a seven-acre site off Highway 16. They will be home for 10 men and 10 women in the care of the Mental Health Department. The Kemper homes are licensed by both the Mississippi State Department of Health and Department of Mental Health, and will be under the direction of East Mississippi State Hospital. Both homes will be staffed around the clock by professional personnel and trained house managers.
The group homes are considered a step toward a person's recovery, added Dr. Randel Hendrix, executive director of the state's Mental Health department.
It is envisioned that two more group homes will eventually be built on the Kemper County site. The state spent about $1 million to build the homes, and will provide a staff of about 35 people.
Hendrix said that planning for the Kemper County group homes started during the mid-1990s, and credited state Sen. Sampson Jackson D-DeKalb, for helping to bring the project to Kemper County. "If not for him, these homes would not be opening today," Hendrix said.
Steve Swogetinsky is regional editor of The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3217, or e-mail him at sswogetinsky@themeridianstar.com.