September is National Recovery Month

September marks National Recovery Month. It’s a time to celebrate the wins and progress made by those in recovery from substance use disorder. It’s also a time to spread awareness that recovery is possible for everyone. For “Every Person, Every Family, Every Community,” recovery is attainable.

Earlier this year, Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana celebrated the kickoff of construction for a new Family Focused Recovery center in central Ohio that will support healthy moms and babies. This new facility will be similar to our Fresh Start programs in Indiana, allowing mothers and children to stay together while mom receives treatment, recovers, and heals. This event also honored our partners at Humana, Inc. with a check presentation for the facility that will be opening Spring 2024. Leading health and well-being company, Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) contributed a $1.7 million capital investment to support the acquisition and renovation for this Family Focused Recovery center.

The program will provide residential treatment for pregnant women and mothers with substance use disorder (SUD), along with their children. The 34-bed space will offer trauma-informed, evidence-based clinical services provided by licensed and trained treatment professionals with a focus on whole-family recovery. Family Focused Recovery helps women recover from SUD, breaks the cycle of addiction in families, improves health outcomes, and promotes the birth of healthy babies.

This treatment model has three phases. Phase 1 is 30-45 days of intensive clinically managed residential treatment. Phase 2, the step-down phase, focuses on community reintegration with family-focused wrap-around services and outpatient treatment. Phase 3, the aftercare phase, includes recovery management and can last up to two years.

The design plans for the facility itself will create a welcoming and safe space where mothers can focus on their recovery journey while strengthening family bonds. The lights throughout the building will be soft or dimmable to create a warm environment for families. And, the artwork and paint colors on each floor are specifically designed to uplift the mothers and children we serve.

The Columbus, Ohio-based program is committed to creating a culturally responsive treatment environment that is reflective of our vibrant and diverse community. Because Black women, particularly those with substance use disorder have been underserved in our community, Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana has a commitment to ensure health equity. A minimum of 50% of the women serviced by our program will be Black women or women of color.

“Our hope and vision for this new facility in central Ohio is to allow mothers and children the opportunity to stay together while mom receives treatment, and begins her journey towards recovery and healing. We look forward to creating a safe space where mothers and families can rebuild their lives and become part of creating healthy communities.”

- Jennifer Martinez, MSW, LISW-S
Vice President of Behavioral Health Operations – Ohio
Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana

With the initial construction phase complete, we look forward to the next steps of bringing this facility to life as we celebrate National Recovery Month. Thank you to our partners at Humana, Inc. for your support in making the Family Focused Recovery program possible for central Ohio moms and babies.