Please join us in congratulating Liz McFarren, the recipient of the May Staff on the Rise recognition!
Liz has been an Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Adult Care Manager since starting with RISE in May 2020 and was promoted to be the AOT Senior Care Manager in February 2022.
“The Care Management Team is wonderful and often pulls together to make sure the needs of our clients are met,” she says. “I enjoy connecting people to community services, treatment programs and stable housing so they can live independent, healthy lives.”
“Liz has an impressive ability to manage even some of the most difficult situations.”
Erika Straight, Care Management Program Director says, “Liz has an impressive ability to manage even the most difficult situations. Her highly skilled communication techniques enable her to quickly build trust and engage with the individuals she works with. Her clients appreciate her calm and soothing manner. Liz is a team player, and she often graciously offers to go above and beyond to help the Care Management team meet our clients’ needs. For example, for several weeks this year, Liz provided transportation to the Milestone Manor residents enabling them to attend Celebration Recovery meetings until other arrangements could be made.”
“When someone express appreciation , I feel I’ve made a difference.”
As an AOT Care Manager, Liz provides intensive monitoring, treatment support, and care management for people with severe mental health diagnoses who are court-ordered under Kendra’s Law to comply with treatment while living in the community. “Building trust is often difficult at first. But once a person understands that I am looking out for their best interest they begin to trust me, making it easier to get them the help they need,” she explains. “Later when they express appreciation for the services I’ve provided, I feel accomplished and that I’ve help make a difference in their lives.”
Each year at Christmas, Liz works with The Saratoga County Children’s Committee’s Empty Stocking Project to help Care Management clients obtain presents for their children. In the summer she volunteers at Camp Dartmouth-Hitchock, a one-week summer camp experience for children with rheumatic disease at Lake Morey in Farlee, Vermont. “I attended Camp Dartmouth as a camper from the time I was 8-years-old,” Liz shares. “Then, when I was 18 and a freshman in college, I attended as a volunteer and have continued to do so for the past 12 years.”
“I want to be able to help people who fall through the cracks.”
Liz’s generosity and altruism has recently extended to advocating to for mental health in our community when, in 2020, she joined the board of the Saratoga County Citizen’s Committee (SCCCMH) as the grant’s chairperson. “There is a huge stigma surrounding mental health and I want to be able to help people who fall through the cracks to get the services they need,” she says.
“RISE fights to fill the gaps in services in our community.”
Liz has a bachelor’s degree in woman’s studies from SUNY Plattsburgh. After graduating in 2014, she worked for New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) as a direct care provider. Liz has always wanted to make a difference in the lives of others, and she feels she has found her place at RISE. “I like working at RISE because it is a go getter agency and fights to fill the gaps in services in our community,” she explains. “It is a multifaceted agency. Individuals can go through various programs and have lots of options to assist them to live safely in our community.”
At home Liz enjoys spending time with her husband, two dogs, and three cats. She enjoys going for walks, game nights with other couples, lunch with co-workers, and vacationing, especially at Disney world. She often spends time with her extended family including her parents, her brother, her sister, and especially her niece with whom she has a special bond.
RISE administration appreciates all that Liz does for the agency and for the individuals we serve. She is highly skilled, compassionate, and dedicated – all the qualities of a Staff on the Rise. Please join us in congratulating Liz as our May Staff on the Rise!
Please note: Liz truly is a Staff on the RISE – shortly after being named the May Staff on the RISE, Liz was promoted to Adult Care Manager Program Supervisor. Congratulations Liz!