GRANT PROMOTES FAITH-BASED DRUG TREATMENT IN MISSOURI

Missouri will be on the receiving end of more than $22 million to
improve treatment options for people with substance-abuse problems
through a voucher program that will include the option of faith-based
treatment.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced a three-year
grant as part of the Access to Recovery program.

Missouri, which will receive about $7.6 million a year for three
years, is one of 14 states and one tribal organization to receive grants.

The grants will go to the state's Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse,
which will help shape a voucher system allowing participants to choose
their own providers and receive services.

Michael Couty, Missouri director for alcohol and drug abuse, said the
Show-Me State previously had implemented a system in which patients
select their provider before receiving an assessment. Couty said
Missouri officials are still negotiating with the federal government
to determine how the new program will be implemented.

In a news release, Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy
Thompson cited the importance of giving options to patients.

"Giving people the power to choose a treatment program that reflects
their values and needs can help them triumph over addiction and
achieve recovery," he said.

According to a fact sheet from the health and human services
department, the grants will allow Missouri to expand its faith-based
options. Two existing organizations - Committed Caring Faith
Communities and the Missouri Faith Community Substance Abuse Resource
Network - will recruit new providers.

Couty said those two organizations are state-supported and certified
but are not state entities. The goal, he said, is to educate ministers
and churches about how to help parishioners find treatment for
substance abuse problems. "We're wanting to make sure that we are
engaging the faith community to be more proactive than reactive to
alcohol and drug abuse issues," he said.

Couty said Missouri has been working to build partnerships with
faith-based organizations for more than 10 years. He said there is a
strong networking effort in St. Louis, while the process in Central
Missouri is "still in the grass-roots stages."

The new money, Couty said, will allow the state to provide access to
as many as 6,000 more clients who can then continue receiving services
after the grant runs out.

"This is just helping get folks in the door," he said. "Then we have
other dollars that can follow them up."

According to the health and human services news release, the Access to
Recovery grants will total $100 million. Grantees were chosen
competitively, and applications were received from 44 states and 22
tribes and territories. The grant system will include an incentive
program that measures providers against seven different goals, with a
primary goal of abstinence.