Operation PAR will use the grant to expand substance abuse treatment for women and children.
By SHANNON TAN
Published October 27, 2004
LARGO - Operation PAR, a Florida nonprofit substance abuse treatment organization, was awarded a $1.5-million grant Monday.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration three-year grant will expand residential substance abuse treatment for low-income pregnant and parenting women, as well as their children.
The PAR Village in Largo treats about 40 women and 20 children each year. The Family Achievement in Recovery grant will let the program treat 10 more women and five more children.
"It will enhance our services in PAR Village for women by working collaboratively with the child welfare system and other systems that affect women in treatment, so they can be better unified with their children and families in recovery," Chief Operating Officer Dianne Clarke said.
PAR Village is one of 11 substance abuse treatment facilities in the United States that admits women and their children, said Jackie Griffin-Doherty, Operation PAR's vice president of development.
Women in the program have a higher success rate and stay longer in treatment when their children are with them, Clarke said. The children can also get screening for developmental delays.
Recovery "does have to be a family activity," she said.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrator Charles G. Curie toured the facility Monday. The long-term residential treatment program typically lasts six months to a year.
Between 40 to 80 percent of people in the program suffer from both mental health and substance abuse problems. The program addresses both issues.
