Nearly $500,000 for Windham Substance Use Facility Secured by Senator Collins in Funding Bill in First Key Step
The renovation project would provide residential treatment for adolescent girls in Maine, which would be the only program of its kind in the state
Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $443,000 to open a substance use treatment facility for Maine girls in Windham in the draft Fiscal Year 2023 Health and Human Services appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially released by the full Senate Appropriations Committee today, must still be voted upon by the full Senate and House.
“Last year, there were more than 9,500 drug overdoses in our state, and 627 Mainers died as a result–a tragic record. A variety of organizations across Maine are stepping up to meet community needs and battle the opioid crisis through an all-of-the-above approach,” said Senator Collins. “I have strongly advocated for prevention, treatment, and recovery programs to expand vital assistance to Mainers who are struggling with addiction. This funding would help alleviate bed shortages and waitlists for care for adolescent girls that can be a significant roadblock to receiving treatment. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to champion this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
Day One has provided substance use treatment for adolescents and their families for nearly 50 years. The agency currently operates an 8-bed facility for boys in New Gloucester; however, a remote facility for girls was forced to close due to challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, Maine lacks a similar program for girls and there is a waitlist for this service.
The funding would allow Day One to renovate an existing facility in Windham to serve adolescent girls statewide. When completed, the renovated facility will have the capacity to treat up to six girls at a time with an average length of stay of three months.
Day One program provides trauma-informed treatment in the form of individual and group therapy, family therapy, life skills development, education, and aftercare for youth in every part of the State. Counselors use evidence-based treatments such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, Seven Challenges, and Prime for Life to help clients gain the skills needed to succeed in their recovery journey outside of the therapeutic setting. Day One also provides aftercare services to help youth make the transition back to their home communities.
