Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Gov. Beshear Announces Funding for Independence House Recovery Kentucky Center

Substance abuse treatment center supports pregnant and postpartum women in recovery

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Steve Beshear today announced funding to support the Independence House Recovery Kentucky Center in Whitley County. Independence House is a long-term residential treatment facility that provides recovery services for pregnant and postpartum women facing substance abuse and addiction.   

The $262,500 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) will go toward helping Independence House provide necessary treatment and operational services to support effective recovery care for its residents.  

“Like many rural and Appalachian states, Kentucky has experienced serious increases in drug and substance abuse among vulnerable populations,” said Gov. Beshear. “Providing treatment is an incremental step toward ridding our state of this chronic problem, and Independence House is a model treatment facility that deserves adequate funding to continue providing much-needed substance abuse treatment to the Appalachia region.”

Independence House is a 14-bed facility that serves women with substance dependence who are either pregnant or within 12 months postpartum at intake. Each resident stays a minimum of 40 days to a maximum of 12 months, with the precise length of stay determined on a case-by-case basis.  All women who stay at Independence House receive regular prenatal and postnatal care and other medical services as needed for themselves and their babies, as well as appropriate auxiliary educational, vocational and social services. 

“Many times addiction can isolate individuals from their friends, families and communities –leaving them with no place to turn except the streets and a continued path of abuse,” said First Lady Jane Beshear, co-chair of the Recovery Kentucky Task Force. “Independence House provides long-term residential treatment care for women and their babies who otherwise would have no place to go, giving them a fighting chance toward survival and the ability to live successful lives free of addiction.”

Recovery Kentucky is an initiative to help Kentuckians recover from substance abuse, which often leads to chronic homelessness. The program was formed to create housing recovery centers across the state, providing services for those suffering from addiction.

“This is a very worthwhile use of project funds that will allow children to begin life drug-free and assist new mothers in maintaining addiction free lifestyles,” said Sen. Tom Jenson.  “To date, the Independence House has seen a remarkable 104 births, all of which have been drug-free. I am thankful to Governor and Mrs. Beshear for understanding the importance of the Independence House facility and program, and I am proud to know that so many women will continue to receive the prenatal and/or postnatal care they need and deserve.”

“Substance addiction is devastating not only to the individual afflicted by the disease, but to their families and communities – increasing crime and disease, destroying neighborhoods and harming children in ways that negatively impact future generations,” said Department for Local Government (DLG) Commissioner Tony Wilder. “Facilities such as Independence House help individuals effectively treat their substance abuse problems, and in turn create a positive impact on our families and communities.” 

The state’s CDBG program is administered by DLG and funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

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