Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) announced an investment of more than $2 million in grant funding for five Pennsylvania organizations to help improve Pennsylvanians’ access to substance use disorder (SUD) recovery houses that are licensed through DDAP. DDAP licensed recovery houses provide assurance and peace of mind to family members, so they know where their loved one is living following SUD treatment, and further help to decrease overdose trends and deaths.
Funding for these grants is provided from the “Big Four” opioid settlement funding that was appropriated to DDAP by the General Assembly. The funding was the result of a multistate investigation of opioid manufacturers and distributors spearheaded by then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro that led to settlement agreements worth billions of dollars—most of which goes directly to counties to meet local needs. Settlement money is to be invested in opioid remediation programs and initiatives.
“These organizations understand the intersection between individuals with an SUD and housing insecurity,” said DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones. “This funding will help provide another resource for individuals, whether they are in outpatient or residential SUD treatment, to access safe and supportive housing through a DDAP-licensed recovery house—an essential part of their recovery journey. By making this investment, we’re contributing to the positive outcomes for those in recovery, including decreased substance use, reduced likelihood to return to use, lower rates of incarceration, higher income, increased employment, and improved family relationships.”
DDAP is awarding five grants of up to $500,000 each to the following community-based organizations:
- The Bridge Foundation: Philadelphia
- The Worx!: Allegheny County
- Sage’s Army: Allegheny, Westmorland, Fayette, Washington counties
- Westmoreland Community Action: Westmoreland, Fayette, Washington, Somerset, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Greene, Lawrence, Butler, Armstrong, Indiana, Clearfield, Jefferson, Clarion, Mercer, Venango, Forest, Elk, McKean, and Crawford counties
- Life Changing Pathways: Adams and York counties
“Having a safe and stable place to live is one of the most important pieces of the recovery journey. Too often, people struggle to find quality recovery housing, which can put their progress in sustaining their recovery at risk,” said Janice Olson, Sage’s Army Director of Operations. “With this funding from DDAP, Sage’s Army can help connect more individuals to supportive housing that fosters accountability, personal growth, and a strong recovery community.”
The organizations are charged with leading initiatives to link individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) and any co-occurring SUD or mental health condition to DDAP-licensed recovery houses. They must also ensure these individuals have access to case management and peer support services while residing in a recovery house and access to financial assistance for those who are not able to pay the full cost of residing in a recovery house. In addition, all five grantees must have a plan to increase services to underserved populations and have a training plan to ensure staff are well-prepared to serve them.
Currently, there are about 400 DDAP-licensed recovery houses across the Commonwealth. The purpose of the licensure program is to help empower sustained recovery for individuals with SUD by ensuring a network of safe drug and alcohol recovery houses. Individuals can find a listing of licensed recovery houses on DDAP’s website.
Since day one, the Shapiro Administration has prioritized a focus on and investments in sustained recovery and expanding access to equitable prevention and treatment services by:
- Awarding more than $40 million to retain professionals working in Pennsylvania’s drug and alcohol field through DDAP’s student loan repayment program;
- Awarding nearly $20 million to expand drop-in center services for individuals with SUD across Pennsylvania;
- Awarding more than $8 million to expand or enhance recovery support services for individuals in recovery;
- Awarding nearly $7 million to administer the operations of DDAP’s current Get Help Now hotline for a five-year period;
- Awarding more than $6 million for 19 organizations to establish or expand SUD services, community outreach and education to underrepresented communities of color;
- Awarding $4 million for the establishment of regional recovery hubs to enhance resources for individuals in recovery and promote recovery within communities across Pennsylvania; and
- Awarding more than $1 million to expand or enhance community-based harm reduction services for individuals who use opioids and other drugs, particularly in underserved areas.
Learn more about DDAP’s efforts in combating overdoses at ddap.pa.gov.
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