This blog post is written in partnership with Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana.
Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana announced they will develop, build, and operate a new, certified residential substance use disorder treatment facility for women with children in Columbus. The facility at 81 S. 5th St. in Columbus will be equipped to provide residential treatment with comprehensive support for up to 34 women who can continue to live with their children while participating in services. It is scheduled to open in late 2024.
Recently I was invited to the groundbreaking of this new and critical space in Downtown Columbus. This is something that I have a personal connection to and am passionate about sharing. I had no idea Ohio has one of the highest rates of drug overdose deaths involving opioids. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn more and use my platform to share their work.
• The Facility •
VOA purchased a building at 81 S. 5th St. Columbus, just down the street from the Columbus Library and Grant Medical Center, in early June 2022. They will renovate the five-story facility for the program and its residents. It space used to be a multi-use building, with a law firm inside that had some interesting aspects and an epic fireplace, but listening to our tour guide speak – I could envision their ideas and how incredible it will look when it is complete.
The recovery center provides treatment for mothers with children, pregnant women and women returning from incarceration who are struggling with substance use disorder.
When renovations are completed, the approximately 15,000 square foot building will feature:
- Administrative and healthcare service areas
- Residential living areas with 34 beds and group meeting rooms
- Community space, including a childcare services space
- Kitchen, dining, and laundry facilities
Each level is well thought out and provides a different level of support. It will allow the mothers to remain present and be a parent while focusing on their recovery journey.
• Family Focused Recovery Program •
The Family Focused Recovery program will provide residential addiction treatment and recovery support services for pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders, including opioid use disorder. Something unique to what I have seen before is that mothers will be allowed to have their children live with them while in treatment.
“We feel firmly that keeping moms and their children together offers many benefits to address substance use disorder along with providing the greatest chance of family preservation. The Humana partnership is vital to ensure a foundation of support to break the cycle of addiction in families, improve health outcomes, and promote the birth of healthy families.”
John R. von Arx III
President & CEO
Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana
Another unique aspect is that the program has two, well actually, three phases. First, a clinically managed residential treatment and second, intensive outpatient treatment (with and without residential support). VOA’s FFR program is one of few in the country to combine intensive addiction treatment services with wraparound family support to address underlying social determinants of health that often impede recovery. The last phase, which can be up to two years, is recovery management. I’ve seen firsthand what can happen after working really hard in what would be considered phase 1 just to be set back out on your own with no resources or support can do to someone. It’s heartbreaking, and honestly not fair.
Did you know Ohio has one of the highest rates of drug overdose deaths involving opioids in the U.S.? Columbus has the highest NAS birth rate of all major Ohio cities. The number of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) births has seen an 82% increase in the rate of newborns exposed to opiates in the past eight years.
• Program Impact •
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Ohio has one of the highest rates of drug overdose deaths and opioid prescriptions in the nation. The FFR program will mirror the Fresh Start model, which has four centers operating in Indiana. A 2019 Ball State University program impact study shows:
- 25% increase in treatment completion compared to traditional service programs
- 84% of women did not have new Department of Child Services cases operated during treatment
- 67% of infants did not require NICU services
HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED TO MAKE A REFERRAL? You can call 833.659.4357, make a referral online, or email voaaccess@voaohin.org.
Please take a minute to watch this video to see how this program has already changed lives in their other treatment facility locations.
To learn more about Volunteers of America, and how to get involved – head over to their website. You don’t have to volunteer or make a large donation to make a difference, just learning more and spreading hope makes a difference.
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