Maryland Community Health Resources Commission providing funds for HOMEBUILDERS® method
Allegany County, MARYLAND (August 1, 2017) – In response to the increasing need for support of families affected by opioid and other substance abuse in Allegany County, Pressley Ridge of Western Maryland has been awarded a grant in the amount of $350,000 from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (MCHRC) to provide intensive in-home services. Families eligible for services are those whose children are at an imminent risk of placement or those who are in placement and cannot return home without intensive in-home services. Risks for placement include children who are victims of abuse and/or neglect and those who have been exposed to risk factors such as substance abuse, domestic violence, mental health and/or other disabling conditions of the parents. Referrals will come from the Allegany County Department of Social Services.
Pressley Ridge will be utilizing the HOMEBUILDERS® model to deliver these services. HOMEBUILDERS® provides intensive, in-home crisis intervention, counseling and life-skills education for families who have children at imminent risk of placement in state-funded care. It is the oldest and best-documented Intensive Family Preservation Services (IFPS) program in the United States.
“The Commission is thrilled to support Pressley Ridge and the implementation of the HOMEBUILDERS® model in western Maryland,” said Mark Luckner, Executive Director, MCHRC. “This evidence-based program will help assist families experiencing substance use issues and will promote family preservation.” The grant to Pressley Ridge is one of 21 grant awards made by the MCHRC this year.
The goal is to prevent children from being unnecessarily placed out of their homes by providing intensive, on-site intervention in addition to teaching families new problem-solving skills to prevent future crises. The HOMEBUILDERS® program removes the risk of harm to the child instead of removing the child from their home environment. The HOMEBUILDERS® model will bring services directly into the home of identified families, making services accessible and consistent and outcomes more achievable.
“Pressley Ridge is thrilled to be able to work with our community partners to tackle the ever increasing problem of opioid addiction and the devastating impact this has on children and families,” said Mary Beth DeMartino, Director of Pressley Ridge of Western Maryland.
The United Way of Allegany County is also providing monetary and collaborative support. “We need the help of community partners, like Pressley Ridge, to address the unmet needs of individuals so that families have the necessary tools for a better path to success,” said Mary Beth Pirolozzi, Executive Director of County United Way, Inc. “We hope and expect that our partnership will result in a stronger, healthier community.”
ABOUT PRESSLEY RIDGE
For the past 185 years, Pressley Ridge has done whatever it takes to create success for children and families. Pressley Ridge’s innovative programming provides the foundation for building stronger families while constantly evolving to meet the needs of the community. From helping families in the community, to providing foster care services and educating children with special needs, including autism and deafness, Pressley Ridge empowers kids and families with the ability and confidence to succeed. Pressley Ridge serves communities in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia and Delaware. For more information visit www.pressleyridge.org.
ABOUT MARYLAND COMMUNITY HEALTH RESOURCES COMMISSION
The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) was created by the Maryland General Assembly in 2005 to expand access in underserved communities. Since its inception, the Commission has awarded 190 grants totaling $60.3 million, supporting programs in every jurisdiction of the state. CHRC-supported programs have collectively served more than 330,000 Marylanders, most of whom are low-income and have complex health and social service needs. For more information, visit www.health.maryland.gov/mchrc.