Delaware Department of Health and Social Services issued the following news release:

Delaware's first Women and Children's Residential Addiction Treatment Program, dubbed The Lighthouse Program, opened this week in time for the holidays. This long term program will serve up to 10 women over the age of 18 with up to two (2) children under 8 years old at a time, providing a safe, therapeutic environment where they receive individual and group therapy, life skills training, computer classes, GED, trauma work and evidence based parenting classes, with case managers assisting women with job placement and housing during the final phases of care.

"In recognition of the unique barriers and experiences that women in need of substance abuse treatment services face" explained Renata Henry, Director, Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, "we awarded funds to Brandywine Counseling, Inc. (BCI) for this specialized and comprehensive residential program for women and their children."

"The Lighthouse Program fills a critical treatment gap in the state by improving substance abuse treatment outcomes for mothers," said Vince Meconi, Secretary, Delaware Health and Social Services. "The women whose parenting responsibilities prevented them from participating in treatment will now be able to bring their children and successfully engage in their treatment and recovery. This program will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the women, infants, children, families as well as on the child welfare system and health care system."

The Integrated services provided by The Lighthouse Program include substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, medical care, trauma services, GED services, employment readiness, parenting education, child care, and social activities. Children will receive assessments, developmental and therapeutic counseling, health care, health education, and prevention services.

The First Step-Applying for the program

"A woman's decision to enter drug treatment is a difficult one; however, it is the first step toward her recovery, said Henry. "Moreover, this life changing process will give her the tools and foundation needed to live a happy, joyous life!"

Drug and Alcohol Addiction Assessment is the first step towards the recovery process. Women interested in receiving treatment can get an assessment at any of the Substance Use Treatment centers in Delaware. An assessment appointment can be set up over the telephone.

In order to qualify for the program, individuals must be assessed using the Addiction Severity Index (ASI). The ASI is a semi-structured interview that gathers information about seven areas of a client s life: medical, employment/support, drug and Alcohol use, legal, family history, family/social relationships, and psychiatric problems. Using a ten point scale from 0 to 9, interviewer severity ratings indicate the degree of patient problems in each of the seven problem areas. If the client's ASI are at the appropriate level the client is referred to the program and meets with program officials to discuss placement and to ensure that the Lighthouse Program best fits her needs. After client is accepted she is moved to the recovery residence to unpack and get settled, and then integrated into the next group.

The Lighthouse Program is a collaborative effort of a multi-disciplinary provider network including Brandywine Counseling, Delmarva Clergy United in Social Action (DCUSA), and La Red Health Center and others. This collaborative maximizes effectives and combines the collective experience of local social service and treatment providers.