Since the Stepping Up program has been successful in treating addiction in Barton County, The Center for Counseling & Consultation wanted to expand it into the other counties it serves.
The non-profit entity can now follow through on those expansion plans for Pawnee, Rice and Stafford counties.
The Center, 5815 Broadway, recently was awarded a Kansas Fights Addiction 2023 Treatment Grant in the amount of $177,375.
“The Center has demonstrated success in providing treatment services to individuals incarcerated in Barton County,” said Wendy Lockwood, chief operating officer who wrote and submitted the grant. “The expansion includes medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for substance-use disorders.
“MAT has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment option for those with alcohol-use disorder, as well as opioid-use disorder. Starting treatment while incarcerated and continuing after release helps reduce recidivism.”
In addition, MAT is offered to other individuals seeking this method of treatment – not just those who are incarcerated.
“MAT assists those battling addiction and provides another option on their journey toward recovery,” Lockwood noted. “Substance-use disorder can impact any person or family. It does not discriminate by race, gender or income. This is why The Center wants to offer accessible, effective treatment.”
Funding for this project was provided, in part, by a grant approved and awarded by the Kansas Fights Addiction Grant Review Board with grant administration support from the Sunflower Foundation: Health Care for Kansans.
“The Center appreciates the opportunity to partner with Sunflower Foundation and the grant review board to provide increased access to MAT for central Kansas residents,” Lockwood commented.
The program at the Barton County Detention Facility began last year to support individuals who oftentimes don’t have insurance or private funds for services that address their underlying issues.
When someone is released from jail, The Center follows-up with the individual, offering guidance to community mental-health resources.
The Center for Counseling & Consultation is a Community Mental Health Center serving Barton, Pawnee, Rice and Stafford counties. Professionally trained personnel offer: individual and group therapy; marriage and family counseling; community-support services; community-based services; psychosocial rehabilitation; peer support; and medication management. The confidential 24/7 crisis hotline number is 800-875-2544.
