We are excited to introduce Gates Lambeth, CorrHealth’s Discharge Planner in Wichita County! As our Discharge Planner, Gates plays a pivotal role in guiding inmates back to their communities, ensuring they have access to essential services such as mental health support, substance abuse treatment, and housing assistance.
Dedication to Community and Advocacy
Gates is deeply involved in our local community, participating in various focus groups and coalition meetings to address and understand the needs of our population better. This engagement helps enhance our discharge planning processes and ensures we’re connected with the best community service providers.
From Behavioral Technician to Advocacy Leader
After graduating from A&M Commerce with a bachelor’s in psychology, Gates’s journey in advocacy began as a Registered Behavior Technician, working with individuals with severe special needs. This role sparked her passion for advocacy, leading her to a caseworker position before joining CorrHealth.
Regarding her caseworker role, Gates says, “I learned and developed many of the skills I use in my current role at CorrHealth, and I became more confident in my knowledge, skills, and in myself as an advocate for change. I developed relationships with community partners on a personal level, which helped me keep those connections when I transitioned to CorrHealth.”
Building and Improving Discharge Planning
Gates is currently working on initiatives to streamline the transition of our clients into substance abuse treatment through the court system. Her efforts are improving communication and processes with local judges, public defenders, and parole and probation departments, making significant strides in community reintegration.
When asked, “What are some of the achievements in your career of which you are most proud?” she said: “My biggest achievement here is the communication between the jail and substance abuse programs. The collaboration between Captain Patterson, local substance abuse treatment/program directors, and I have gotten us to the point where acceptance letters are steadily coming into our facility, as well as screening applications and interviews. While we as a county are still developing a more cohesive process, this was not in place before my start as a Discharge Planner.”
A Day in the Life
Starting her day by checking emails and organizing resources, Gates is motivated by the positive changes she sees in the inmates she works with. Her dedication is evident as she balances the demands of her role with her personal life, maintaining healthy boundaries and focusing on impactful work.
When asked about hobbies and interests outside of work, Gates tells us: “Currently, I do a lot of reading… of textbooks. As a graduate student, I do not have much time for outside hobbies, but the ones I do set time aside for are training and working with my dog, as well as attending my weekly Dungeons and Dragons session.”
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Gates aims to further develop and adapt discharge planning to meet the evolving needs of our population. With a focus on addressing mental health challenges within the facility, she is committed to enhancing the efficiency of competency evaluations and screenings, aiming to better serve our community. Her commitment to service and advocacy is already making a significant impact here in Wichita County!
