Gender Responsive Treatment Dara Lovett Director of Social Services Freedom in Recovery
Mission & History To empower women and their families to maintain recovery through comprehensive treatment programs that support healthy communities. Libertae, Inc. formed in 1973 in response to an expansive need for addiction treatment facilities that cared for women. While the population of ‘recovering female alcoholics’ in Bucks County, Pennsylvania was increasing, there were no facilities geared toward serving these women. They found themselves rejected by families and friends, without employment prospects or action steps to heal.
In 1973, The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) launched the first program designed specifically to treat women struggling with drug addiction. This laid the foundation for the development of gender- responsive treatment. Libertae, Inc. was granted its charter and used an old farmhouse on the grounds of the Livengrin Foundation as its first location. Libertae opened with its first ten residents. In 1983, a building was purchased which became the Liberty House. The Family House was added 14 years later. Today, Libertae has an intimate 3-acre campus with three buildings. It is one of only a handful of facilities in Pennsylvania that helps both single women and mothers with children recover from addiction using gender-responsive treatment.
Priorities Priority populations - Libertae has a long history of successfully making treatment more responsive, accessible and relevant to women. In order to impact the mortality rate due to drug abuse, increase the number of admissions to treatment for opiate addicted persons, and ensure good outcomes for women and children, preference for admission is given to: • Pregnant Women • Injection Drug Users • Women with Children • Overdose Survivors • Veterans
Case Management The Social Services Department provides comprehensive case management counseling. Through a collaborative process of assessment, planning, and advocacy, services are identified and provided to assist each individual in achieving their treatment goals and objectives.
There are 6 focus areas where our case managers strive to foster competence, confidence and a sense of empowerment. • Education • Housing • Legal • Health • Finance • Employment
Health • Every attempt is made to schedule and attend routine medical appointments within the first 30 days of admission. • Prenatal care • Dental • Vision • MAT (specifically methadone maintenance) • Specialists appointments as referred • Pediatric care
Legal The goal is to address all unresolved and ongoing legal issues. • We arrange collaborative case consults with probation/parole officers and Children & Youth workers. • Provide Court accompaniment • Address outstanding warrants • Drug court collaboration • Assistance with child custody matters, filing PFA’s, etc …
Employment Case managers consistently seek to develop relationships with area business owners for the purpose of hiring residents. • Job readiness group – weekly • Creative resume development • Mock interviews • Temporary job placement • Volunteer opportunities
Education Residents are encouraged to explore educational opportunities that will provide them with skills to secure sustainable employment. • Distance Learning Project • Bucks County Community College • Area technical schools • Vita Education Services
Finance Financial planning is an ongoing part of everyone’s treatment plan, as our residents’ income typically changes often during their treatment stay. • Monthly Budgeting • Credit counseling/ credit repair • Opening Bank Accounts • Wells Fargo (Second chance program)
Safe and affordable housing continues to be scarce. Our housing specialist searches daily for housing opportunities throughout the state. The case management team works diligently with outside supports to ensure that upon discharge the residents have a safe place to reside.
The Family Center • DPW licensed • Keystone Stars • Parenting
Prevention Programming Focuses on strengthening the family bond to reduce risk factors associated with future drug use, neglect, and rebelliousness. Groups aim to foster the development of safe, healthy, fulfilled and addiction-free families with healthy family living skills. • Children’s Group therapy • Family Ties Group • Family Activity • Nutrition • ATOD-free activities
Core Services: • Group & Individual • Aftercare - relapse Counseling prevention • Case Management • Relationship group • Family Services • Support groups for • Social Services community/parents. • Psychological Services • Engage families in treatment • Addiction Education • TREM • Psychiatric Services • MRT • Liaison with criminal justice, • ACT therapy child welfare Libertae also employs Certified Recovery Specialists in its social services department, who connect clients to recovery management services.
Coming soon… We have recently completed construction of our new outpatient building. Outpatient services will build on Libertae’s practice of assessing client’s treatment needs and matching services to the individual. Libertae is recognized for addressing the most important issues that women in treatment and recovery face.
Freedom in Recovery Thank You. 5245 Bensalem Blvd, Bensalem, PA 19020 (215) 639-8681 libertae.net Visit our new website at libertae.net
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