[Vision2020] Fwd: Recovery center underway in Latah County

Mon May 18 12:08:29 PDT 2015

Thanks, Tom.  I’m excited to see the state supporting this kind of effort.
They ought to-it should save taxpayer dollars in the long run.  Time
and again studies have shown a dime of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

I’ve been working with a concerned group of local citizens since October on
this.  It could be a very good thing for the community.  A central
gathering place for those with Behavioral Health issues to support one
another, advocate and learn a variety of different life skills.  People in
recovery helping others begin the recovery process.

Thanks are actually due to ALL the Latah county commissioners.  They have
been extremely supportive of our efforts to date.  The day this proposal
was discussed by the Millennium Fund they made it a point to sit in the
front row and express their support.

Our local representatives, Schmidt and Jordan have also been supportive.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: *Tom Hansen* <thansen at moscow.com>
Date: Mon, May 18, 2015 at 4:12 AM
Subject: [Vision2020] Recovery center underway in Latah County
To: Moscow Vision 2020 <vision2020 at moscow.com>

   It's about effing time!

The community's need for a recovery center far outweighs any desire for
another fast-food outlet.  Or doesn't anybody give a damn!

Thank you Darrel Keim and Tom Lamar for caring about the residents of our
community.  It's time somebody did.

Courtesy of today's (May 18, 2015) Lewiston Tribune.

--------------------------------------
 Recovery center underway in Latah County

New behavioral health facility may open by end of summer

MOSCOW - A center for Latah County residents in recovery from drug and
alcohol addiction and those dealing with mental illness could open this
summer.

Funding from the state for the center is expected in early July, and the
Latah County commissioners have challenged a group of community members to
open the recovery center as soon as possible after that, said Latah
Recovery Center Advisory Board President Darrell Keim.

The Latah Recovery Center is one of four funded by the Idaho Legislature
,based on a $500,000 request from the Idaho Association of Counties. Latah,
Ada, Canyon and Gem counties will each receive $125,000 from the Millennium
Fund to cover the one-year startup costs for the centers.

"We want to get started as soon as possible," said Latah County
Commissioner Tom Lamar.

The center is intended to serve as a hub of information and programming for
Latah County residents in recovery for alcohol and drug addiction or mental
illnesses, which are all categorized as behavioral health.

There are nearly 7,000 people in Latah County who either use drugs or
suffer from a behavioral health disorder, according to 2013 community
health needs assessment conducted by Gritman Medical Center and a 2012
national survey on drug use and health.

Keim said the advisory board is proposing a peer-support model for the
center, relying on volunteers and others in recovery to administer programs.

"It provides a central community for folks that are in recovery," Keim said.

The recovery center board is in the process of drafting a proposal for the
Latah County commissioners to review. Keim said the commissioners have been
supportive and involved throughout the process, and the center requires
their final approval. The specific day for the project's presentation to
the commission has not been set.

"I think the sooner we get this started the better," Lamar said.

Work on the proposed recovery center has been ongoing for six months with
Latah County and state officials, medical and legal professionals, and
residents meeting regularly to brainstorm ideas. Draft bylaws outlining the
center's mission and purpose have been developed, as well as a business
plan.

Keim said the group elected a nine-member advisory board earlier this month
that requires 50 percent, plus one, of its membership be people in
recovery. The panel also includes former Latah County Commissioner Tom
Stroschein, who along with Keim, first brought the idea of a recovery
center to the area more than a year ago.

The recovery center will partner for its first year of operations with
Sojourner's Alliance, a Moscow homeless shelter. The nonprofit will provide
assistance with programming and administrative duties. Some of the
programming being discussed includes tobacco cessation, nutrition, 12-step
programs, coping skills, anger management, positive affirmations and tips
for employment. Keim said the goal is to eventually have clients tell the
center what classes they would like offered.

The center plans to utilize a telephone bank as a way to keep in touch with
residents in outlying towns or rural Latah County. Clients can sign up to
have someone at the center call and check on them for specific days when
they know they struggle. The people-based approach is an attempt to
recognize that there is no single solution for recovery that works for
everyone, Keim said.

Lamar said the recovery center does differ from a 24-hour crisis center,
which provides immediate assistance to people in an emergency situation.
The Latah Recovery Center will assist residents who are working and wanting
to be better.

One of the center's biggest hurdles to date has been finding a location.
Keim said the center would ideally be located in downtown Moscow to allow
for easier transportation options for future clients, but they have looked
at about a dozen places and nothing has panned out.

Some of locations considered required extensive remodeling - which Keim
said isn't in the center's budget - or they haven't met safety and
accessibility requirement. Others simply do not want to rent to a recovery
center.

"They've heard what we are and they don't want to talk to us anymore, which
we expected," Keim said.

--------------------------------------

Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares"

http://www.MoscowCares.com <http://www.moscowcares.com/>

Tom Hansen

Moscow, Idaho

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