From The Republic:

ASAP, other agencies, working to establish recovery homes for substance abuse treatment

Plans are moving forward to use opioid settlement money to establish more substance abuse recovery houses in Bartholomew County.

In June, three matching grants from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction were announced to create local recovery houses with different levels of care. The three grants that total $718,280 come from settlements with a pharmaceutical company and multiple drug distributors over their roles in the opioid addiction crisis.

However, the state agency did not fund a proposed grant from Centerstone Behavioral Health to create a Level 2 substance abuse recovery facility, according to Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress Executive Director Sherri Jewett. Level 2 treatment involves intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization services for patients with complex substance abuse recovery needs.

In response, the Bartholomew County Council agreed Tuesday to use a portion of the county’s own opioid settlement money to finance the operations and opening of three additional Level 2 recovery homes.

Local grants awarded by the state last June include $324,000 to the Bridge to Dove program for a 15-bed, Level 4 recovery house for women; $262,000 to Centerstone for a Level 3 transitional housing facility; and $132,280 to Volunteers of America to expand an existing Level 2 women’s recovery house into a Level 3 facility.

Another obstacle arose when Centerstone was unable to find an appropriate building for its Level 3 residence, Jewett said. These facilities are for patients whose addictions have created significant functional impairments, or require more stability than they can achieve at home.

In response, the council agreed to provide $50,000 of opioid settlement funds to Thrive Alliance for use as a down payment to lease a house for Level 3 treatment.

Bartholomew County government is expected to receive at least $3 million in settlement funds through 2038, while a total of $194,011 will be provided to the city of Columbus. However, Jewett told the council five other settlements are currently in the works that will eventually result in additional money for local units of government.

A separate matter addressed by the council Tuesday involves last September’s announcement that ASAP had agreed to administer a substance use disorder treatment program at the Bartholomew County Jail. At that time, Jewett asked that the program be placed on hold a short time while her organization sought out qualified organizations to carry out the actual treatment.

On Tuesday, Jewett announced three local community organizations have expressed interest in providing treatment to jail inmates. However, she did not identify the three during the meeting.

The council agreed to move $215,521 budgeted in October from the sheriff’s department to ASAP. The allocation will provide secured funding as ASAP works through the process of choosing one of the three as the treatment provider, Jewett told the council. Some funds will also be used to provide advance funding opportunities after the choice has been made, she said.

December 14, 2023

Thrive Alliance Is Bringing the Virtual Dementia Tour® to Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson and Jennings Counties to Increase the Understanding of, and Sensitivity to Dementia, including Alzheimer’s Disease.

The patented and scientifically proven experiential program from Second Wind Dreams® has been experienced by more than three million people in 20 countries

Columbus, IN – Anyone interested in gaining a greater understanding of the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias on those living with the disease is invited to participate in a sensitivity training session offered by Thrive Alliance (Area 11 Agency on Aging.)

The session will feature the internationally known and time-tested Virtual Dementia Tour (VDT), an evidence-based program simulating changes associated with cognitive decline. The VDT builds sensitivity and awareness in individuals caring for those with dementia by temporarily altering participants’ physical and sensory abilities. It builds a greater understanding of dementia through experiential learning and post-tour instruction.

Tours last approximately 30 minutes and can be arranged by contacting Sue Lamborn with Thrive Alliance at 812.372.6918.

The Virtual Dementia Tour helps people caring for those with dementia provide better care and offers hope to caregivers and provides tips and tools necessary to create an environment that supports the needs of those with the disease.

More than three million people from elder care communities, corporations, houses of worship, community groups, and nonprofit organizations — including caregivers, first responders, healthcare providers, and municipal employees — have experienced the Virtual Dementia Tour.

“So many of them have found the experience to be eye-opening, moving, and life-changing,” stated PK Beville, M.S., the creator of the Virtual Dementia Tour, and founder of Second Wind Dreams. “We’re proud to be part of the movement toward providing true person-centered care to some of the most vulnerable members of our society. The insight provided by the VDT changes the way caregivers interact and relate to those living with dementia… and the bottom line is better care and better outcomes.”

About Second Wind Dreams

Second Wind Dreams^® is an internationally-known nonprofit organization changing the perception of aging through the fulfillment of dreams and by offering educational programs that help caregivers understand the physical and mental challenges facing those with dementia. Founded in 1997 by award-winning geriatric specialist PK Beville, M.S., the Atlanta-based organization is recognized as the first in the nation to focus on enhancing the quality of life for elders and changing society’s perception of seniors by making dreams come true. Affiliated with thousands of elder care communities across the country, Second Wind Dreams has made tens of thousands of dreams come true for older adults. Its innovative educational program, the Virtual Dementia Tour, is a scientifically proven method of training designed to build sensitivity and awareness in individuals caring for those with dementia.

For more information on Second Wind Dreams or the Virtual Dementia Tour, please contact Melora Jackson, Director of Clinical Services, 470-242-0358 or [email protected].
10892 Crabapple Rd., Suite 300; Roswell, GA 30075
678-624-0500    www.secondwind.org

About Thrive Alliance

Guided by the vision that everyone has the opportunity to live a secure, engaged and independent life, our mission at Thrive Alliance is to improve the quality of life and health for people at risk of losing their independence.

We help people get the right information, resources and support needed to live as independently as possible.  Our network of programs focuses on issues related to affordable housing, caregiver support and services, nutrition and wellness programs, transportation and accessibility services, as well as fostering community-wide support for aging related issues. We serve as Indiana’s Agency on Aging for Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson and Jennings counties.

Thrive Alliance
1531 13^th St.
Columbus, IN 47201
www.thrive-alliance.org