COLUMBUS, OHIO (July 5, 2022)
Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana (VOAOHIN) announces it 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 26 women who can continue to live with their children while participating in services. It is scheduled to open late 2023.
Leading health and well-being company, Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) has contributed a $1.7 million capital investment to support the acquisition and renovation of the facility that will house the Family Focused Recovery substance abuse program.
“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
The Facility
VOA purchased a building at 81 S. 5th St. Columbus in early June 2022 and will renovate the five-story facility for the program and its participants. When renovations are completed, the approximately 15,000 square foot building will feature:
- Administrative and healthcare service areas
- Residential living areas with 26 beds and group meeting rooms
- Community space, including a childcare services space
- Kitchen, dining, and laundry facilities
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. Mothers will be allowed to have their children live with them while in treatment.
The program has two phases: clinically managed residential treatment and 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.
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
About Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana
Volunteers of America is one of the nation’s largest, established comprehensive human services organizations with 16,000 mission-driven professionals, dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Founded in 1896, the faith-based nonprofit has programs in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, and serves more than 1.5 million people a year.
At Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana, we are dedicated to helping people achieve well-being by offering hope, restoring dignity, and transforming lives, to ensure communities thrive. For over 125 years, we have been uplifting individuals, families, and communities including veterans, homeless individuals and families, men and women returning home after incarceration, and those recovering and healing from addiction. Our work touches the mind, body, heart – and ultimately the spirit – of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services. To learn more about our work, visit www.voaohin.org.