First Lady Jane Beshear Celebrates Grand Opening of Recovery Kentucky Center in Knott County
Facility offers supportive housing, recovery program for men suffering from addiction
WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 11, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — First Lady Jane Beshear today joined several local officials and community health supporters for the grand opening of the Hickory Hill Recovery Center in Knott County. The facility is the state’s newest Recovery Kentucky Center and will offer a supportive housing and recovery program for men suffering from chronic substance abuse and addiction.
“Addiction knows no prejudice, and fighting the disease of addiction needs a multi-pronged strategy that is anchored in prevention and recovery efforts,” said Mrs. Beshear. “Recovery Kentucky Centers are an indispensible resource for many Kentuckians to break the cycle of addiction and go on to lead sober, productive lives. I am an avid believer in the valuable peer-based support services and long-term care Recovery Kentucky Centers provide, and am thankful for the partners who helped bring the Hickory Hill center to Knott County.”
The Hickory Hill Recovery Center is the 15th Recovery Kentucky Center to open in the Commonwealth. It is a male-only facility and can house up to 100 men at a time who are suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. In addition to stable housing, Hickory Hill, like all Recovery Kentucky centers, offers a unique recovery program that includes peer support, daily living and skills training, job preparation and motivation to practice sober living.
The center is a result of a partnership between several groups including the Kentucky Housing Corporation, the Department of Corrections, Kentucky River Community Care, the Federal Home Loan Bank and the Department for Local Government
“We are proud to be a part of this effort,” said KHC Executive Director Kathryn Peters. “By providing recovery and life-building services we are helping people recover from addiction.”
“For almost 50 years, Kentucky River Community Care has been a beacon of hope for those struggling with mental health and addiction issues,” said Mary Meade-McKenzie, CEO of KRCC. “The Hickory Hill Recovery Center is one more light on the pathway of those seeking a more productive and meaningful life. The Center is a shining example of our great leaders, spearheaded by First Lady Jane Beshear, developing an idea and a community embracing the possibility of hope.
Funding for Hickory Hill
The Kentucky Housing Corporation provided the bulk of funding for the Hickory Hill Recovery Center through the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program and Low Income Housing Tax Credits (Housing Credits). KHC allocated $1.1 million in HOME funds and $700,000 in Housing Credits, which was leveraged into over $5.8 million in equity by FAHE Capital Corporation.
The Federal Home Loan Bank also contributed more than $730,000 to the project. The remaining costs were provided by deferred developer fees and donations of cash, materials and volunteer labor.
Effectiveness of Recovery Kentucky Centers
Recovery Kentucky Centers have a proven model of success and effectiveness, as shown in a 2014 study by the University of Kentucky College of Medicine’s Center on Drug and Alcohol Research (CDAR). The study found that after one year of entering a Recovery Kentucky Center program, the vast majority of participants reported positive outcomes including drastic decreases in drug use, homelessness, depression and unemployment.
The report also found significant cost savings. For every dollar spent on Recovery Kentucky Center services, it is estimated that the state saves $3.59 each year. Savings are attributed to tax dollars that would have been spent on unemployment services, health aid, public safety and other services the state provides for substance-dependent individuals.
In addition to the Knott County location, Recovery Kentucky Centers are also located in Campbellsville, Erlanger, Florence, Harlan, Henderson, Hopkinsville, Morehead, Owensboro, Paducah and Richmond. In 2016, centers are also scheduled to open in Bowling Green and Grayson. And in 2017, a center is expected to open in Somerset.
The Recovery Kentucky program is a part of Gov. Steve Beshear’s efforts to improve the health of all Kentuckians. In 2014, the Governor launched kyhealthnow as an aggressive and wide-ranging initiative to reduce incidents and deaths from Kentucky’s dismal health rankings and habits. It builds on Kentucky’s successful implementation of health care reform and uses multiple strategies over the next several years to improve the state’s collective health.
