Federal grant flourishing in Mahoning County
Ohio’s Access to Recovery grant directly impacting consumers needing alcohol and other drug treatment/recovery services
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Wednesday, May 26, 2010-Youngstown, OH)- Mahoning County Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (ADAS) Board’s involvement over the past two years in a federal grant initiative called, “Access to Recovery,” which provides alcohol and other drug treatment and recovery support services is paying off by leaps and bounds for its consumers, its communities, and our state.
“Mahoning County’s ADAS Board along with all of our targeted Boards in the Access to Recovery grant are showing firsthand how efficient collaboration at the federal, state and local levels can bring about increased access to treatment services in Ohio,” said Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (ODADAS) Director Angela Cornelius Dawson. “This grant, along with the hard work of our Boards and providers, is bringing about substantial change in the lives of Ohioans battling the disease of addiction.”
Director Dawson, Mahoning County ADAS Board Executive Director Doris Primm, and Ohio’s Access to Recovery staff were on hand for a press conference at the Millcreek Metro Park’s Fellows Riverside Garden- Davis Education & Visitor Center, 123 McKinley Avenue today to discuss the program’s success. The press conference was held in conjunction to a quarterly meeting to discuss ATR updates.
“ATR has effectively brought treatment and recovery opportunities for hundreds of clients in Mahoning County who otherwise would have not been able to access these types of services,” said Executive Director Primm. “This grant has meant a shining light at the end of a dark tunnel for our consumers and their families. They are beginning their path of recovery and productivity which, in turn, provides only strength and stability to our local communities.”
In 2008, Mahoning County, a targeted area, was added to the list of eligible counties to deliver ATR services in Ohio. The $13.9 million grant which was awarded to ODADAS in 2007 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) currently provides adult clients in four Ohio counties- Mahoning, Cuyahoga, Stark and Summit- with a wide range of addiction treatment and recovery support services, such as temporary housing, healthcare/childcare services, transportation services, and life skills training.
ATR allows clients to choose from standard, community-based, or faith-based recovery services providers. At this time, eligible clients are those at least 18 years of age living within the four designated ATR counties with a criminal justice background and diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder in the last two years and have a family income at or below 200 percent of the poverty level (about $40,000 for a family of four). In 2009, ATR was expanded again to include Ohio veterans, of any income level, with or without a criminal justice background, in the four ATR counties.
To date, 436 clients who previously would not have been able to receive these types of services have been served in Mahoning County.
Overall ATR statistics since 2007:
5,795 clients served to date
More than $10 million provided in services
Abstinence (no use in past 30 days) 65% at intake; 85% at six-month follow-up
Criminal Justice (no arrest in past 30 days) 94% at intake; 96% at six month follow-up Employment or school (currently attending or employed) 30% at intake; 41% at six month follow-up
Housing (permanent place to stay) 25% at intake; 34% at six month follow-up
This year ODADAS applied for an additional round of ATR funding to the tune of $16 million for four years of funding. ODADAS’ grant application to the federal government for the funding included expanding ATR to include Lorain County and adolescent treatment/recovery services including family counseling. Ohio is expected to be notified about the grant in September.
Media Contacts: ODADAS Communications Chief Amanda Conn Starner (614) 644-8456 (office); (614) 203-9431 (work cell); or connstarner@ada.ohio.gov
Linda Lee with the Mahoning County Alcohol & Drug Addiction Services Board (330) 743-9509 (office); or llee@mahoningcountyoh.gov
The State of Ohio is an equal opportunity employer.
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