Portland, ME – Portland Community Health Center (PCHC) is partnering with the Portland Recovery Community Center to offer a multi-disciplinary treatment program for people who are suffering from addiction, also known as substance use disorder.
PCHC is one of only four organizations in Maine to be awarded funds by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to improve and expand the delivery of substance use disorder services in health centers. With the help of these funds, Portland Community Health Center and Portland Recovery Community Center will be able to integrate medication-assisted treatment with behavioral health counseling and community-based support.
“One of the keys to successfully treating addiction is assuring that social and behavioral supports are in place for individuals seeking help,” said Leslie Clark, CEO of Portland Community Health Center. “Even when new and effective medications are available, which help eliminate cravings for the drug, it is essential that people have the same kinds of assistance that others with chronic diseases often take for granted—support groups and connections with others who are experiencing the same illness, and learning strategies for how to manage their illness.”
PCHC will offer a full continuum of treatment options based on individual patient needs. The funding will support a multi-disciplinary treatment team, with a Peer Support Specialist at the core. The Center plans to screen patients and provide direct treatment services to 188 patients in the first year. The Center will focus on providing every participant with peer support, work and housing. Patients who require a higher level of care such as intensive outpatient, residential, and inpatient, will be connected to other community providers, including Mercy Hospital Detox, Intensive Outpatient Treatment, and Milestone.
“I am very excited about this program. We do not have any other local medical program that facilitates connections among peers in recovery, which is crucial to their success,” said Steve Cotreau, Program Manager for Portland Recovery Community Center. “We are looking forward to working closely together.”
For more information, please contact Leslie Clark at (207) 874-2141 x 5028, or email lclark@portlandchc.org.
About Portland Community Health Center
Established in 2009, Portland Community Health Center’s mission is to provide high-quality, patient-centered health care that is accessible, affordable, and culturally sensitive. Portland Community Health Center is a nonprofit organization designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center, and funded by Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration. Portland Community Health Center has convenient locations in Portland at 180 Park Avenue, 63 Preble Street, 59 Riverton Drive, and 211 Cumberland Ave, and in South Portland at 100 Brick Hill Ave. Visit http://portlandcommunityhealthcenter.org/ to learn more.
About Portland Recovery Community Center
The Portland Recovery Community Center is a safe haven for people in addiction recovery and offers a home for meetings and activities devoted to addiction recovery. Staff and volunteers who are passionate about recovery operate it, and every activity is designed to help people with their daily recovery efforts. It’s located at 468 Forest Ave, near Woodford’s Corner in Portland. Visit www.portlandrecovery.org