Treatment Profiles

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There’s Nothing Like Family FRP founder works to strengthen family structure and create community

At the core of Dr. Jocelyn Gainers’ vision for Family Recovery Program is the power of community. “The focus has to shift from changing individuals to collective change. People don’t just exist as individuals,” says Dr. Gainers, executive director at Family Recovery Program (FRP). “We exist within our families and communities.”

“People don’t just exist as individuals.” - Dr. Jocelyn Gainers executive director Family Recovery Program

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An alarming education Dr. Jocelyn Gainers’ mother, who worked as a school counselor in Baltimore City, would often share stories about the students she worked with and the problems their families were facing. Years later, while doing undergraduate work in psychology, Dr. Gainers received first-hand exposure to those same hardships being endured by her community. She visited homes filled with poverty and dysfunctional family structures, providing her with insight into the effects of both. Dr. Gainers believes that trauma is the root of both of these issues. Lower-income communities generate more traumatic experiences in individuals. If the trauma is not properly healed, it affects the family as a whole. Each member of the family, including children, may be dealing with a unique trauma which, taken together, can create a toxic environment. To help repair this damage, Dr. Gainers is dedicated to identifying all possible resources that could help individuals heal and make families more stable. “I said to myself early on that if I had the chance to work with families and help them, I would do whatever it takes,” Dr. Gainers shares.

Family support At Family Recovery Program, families are treated together and encouraged to support one another. It’s especially beneficial for children to see their parents progress through recovery. “Most children we work with are fearful that their parents will leave again,” says Dr. Gainers. “I’ve seen kids get nervous when their moms leave the room. So once a family is reunified, we want to keep it that way.” FRP equips their clients with skills and resources that will help preserve their recovery long after leaving the program.The Parent Mentors Program allows FRP mentors to accompany parents throughout the day and help prepare them to be productive citizens and parents, helping them shop for their family’s groceries and taking them to community meetings. Recently, FRP also completed a project that will provide families with two and three bedroom houses for up to 18 months after leaving treatment. It aims to help maintain sobriety while keeping families close and comfortable.

A common goal In the 40 years since her mother first shared stories of Baltimore’s struggles, Dr. Gainers is worried that change isn’t occurring fast enough. While she sees more availability of resources, there’s still a pressing need to strengthen the network of public assistance facilities across the city. “What we try to do at Family Recovery Program is replicate community through our affiliations,” Dr. Gainers explains. “That’s how change can happen for the long-run.” They do this by connecting clients, businesses and government programs throughout Baltimore. Partnerships are essential to FRP, which runs as a non-profit and relies on outside providers and funding to help meet the needs of every client.

“We all help each other towards a common goal. It’s like a family.” “I’ve seen kids get nervous when their moms leave the room.” - Dr. Jocelyn Gainers

A Partnership Built for Change M-ROCC partners with FRP to support parents through addiction recovery

Serving the community In 2013, two years after M-ROCC was founded, they received a grant that allowed them to expand their reach.They now provide technical assistance for clients who own or operate supportive housing and treatment centers.They’re also a central point for recovery-focused policy advocacy activities, hoping to generate awareness and funding to change the state of addiction recovery. M-ROCC works with their supportive housing affiliates to maintain standards for the recovery community. Part of the process involves an inspection of each recovery house that looks at organizational standards, fiscal management, the house location, as well as operational, recovery support and property standards.

Entering into the business of addiction treatment is a big endeavor. When planning to start and maintain a recovery house, it can be tough to know where to start. “The big question I get asked is how to tap into state funding,” says Carlos Hardy, CEO and founder of Maryland Recovery Organization Connecting Community (M-ROCC). “I help them understand what state mandates are for public services.” Hardy works with various programs across Baltimore, hoping to advocate and support anyone dealing with addiction so they can improve their wellness and sustain recovery. His organization partners with other programs across the city to build a strong network of support for every patient.

“I hope to make lasting change for Baltimore.” -Carlos Hardy CEO and founder Maryland Recovery Organization Connecting Community

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This critical examination ensures that every house approved by M-ROCC can achieve its highest potential and provide excellent services to recovery patients. Hardy understands the treatment needs of those battling addiction because he has been in long-term recovery himself since 1993. He’s served in a range of leadership roles, working for Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems and serving as a director with Light Street Housing Corporation. His radio show “Beyond the Wire” discusses the misrepresented narrative of Baltimore portrayed in the media and offers a fuller perspective on the city. “I hope to make lasting change for Baltimore. I’ve committed my life to it,” he says.

Doing it right “Family Recovery Program is a great example of how you do this thing right,” Hardy says, talking about FRP’s efforts to grow the recovery community and help expand access to resources. “Their focus is on family reunification.That’s the driving force behind everyone who works there.” FRP partners with M-ROCC to provide a holistic treatment that aids clients in all aspects of their lives. Hardy works closely with Dr. Jocelyn Gainers, executive director of FRP, to bring superior recovery options to Baltimore. “A lot of the time, centers throw up their hands and say this is the best we can do. Family Recovery Program proves there’s no limit to how much a treatment center can do for their clients,” says Hardy. “They go above and beyond for every patient and the community as a whole.”

“Their focus is on family reunification.” -Carlos Hardy

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GETTING THE POINT ACROSS

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Planting the Seeds of Recovery Gerald Hill works with clients to customize a process to a successful recovery

It’s been 19 years since Gerald Hill met Dr. Jocelyn Gainers.They worked together at Mountain Manor Treatment Center before coming together again. “She called me up to see if I wanted to join her at Family Recovery Program and I said yes,” Hill says. “It’s been amazing to be a part of this.”

“It took being set still to see what was really going on with myself.” - Gerald Hill case manager Family Recovery Program

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A hard look Hill serves as case manager at the Family Recovery Program. He assesses clients and refers them to the best suited program based on their unique needs, reviewing the client’s substance abuse history, mental health, housing, education and physical health needs. A recovery plan is created next, highlighting one or two areas of focus so clients are not overwhelmed at first. Hill understands the challenges of entering treatment. At age 16, he began using due to peer pressure. What started as adolescent fun began to control his life. His addiction led him to multiple incarcerations.The confinement of jail forced him to reevaluate his life. “You realize one day that your whole life has passed in prison. When I first got in there, I was calling others mister. By the end, the young guys were calling me mister,” Hill says. “But, for me, it took being set still to see what was really going on with myself. I had to take a hard look at my life, being 46 and sitting in jail without an identity. I was just a number.” Hill admits he had to be selfish at the time, putting himself before anyone else and exploring his spirituality. It was terrifying to evaluate parts of himself he had been ignoring for so long, but that was the process that lead him to recovery. When he decided to enter treatment, Hill didn’t have any money or transportation.There were no housing programs. Clients were told when and where to show up, otherwise they were on their own. He hopes clients understand what a blessing it is to have the resources that are now available at centers such as Family Recovery Program.

Giving what you get “I am so proud of her. She’s been a wonder to her field,” Hill says about Executive Director Dr. Jocelyn Gainers. “She works so hard to keep the center running but is always approachable too. She’ll come in, greet everyone and take a walk with a client. I think that’s important for them to see.” The clients at Family Recovery Program do see it.The warmth and efforts of the entire staff are undeniable.They work with each individual to plan a successful recovery and equip clients with the tools they’ll need to carry on after graduating from the program.Their alumni groups meet once a month to support recovered clients and allow them to share their experience and guide others through the treatment process. “After you get help, it’s important to give it back,” says Hill. “That’s what I had to do and it’s very rewarding. We plant seeds for the clients and after a year or so we begin to see the fruit. It’s amazing to watch.”

“We plant seeds for the clients and after a year or so we begin to see the fruit.” -Gerald Hill

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When Addiction Chooses You Rita Randle helps recovering parents find a better life after overcoming her own addiction process to a successful recovery

Rita Randle’s house caught fire in 1984. Someone had thrown a cocktail bomb that burned the place down and killed Randle’s younger sister. Randle, a 14-year- old at the time, was hospitalized with second and third degree burns. She had 32 surgeries and had to learn to walk again. She was given morphine in the hospital to help with the pain. It began the addiction that she would battle for the next three decades.

“I ran into Dr. Gainers and she pushed me to attend the alumni meetings. Those changed everything.” - Rita Randle case management assistant Family Recovery Program

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A solitary past Randle grew up without many friends or family members with whom she felt close. Her relationship with her mother was always strained and her father had passed away years before. Due to her mother’s neglect, she and her sister were forced to stay with family members who would abuse the young girls. Her childhood became filled with physical, mental and sexual traumas. After losing her sister, Randle became even more isolated. Her addiction to opioids took her deeper into her seclusion and she used it as a way to cope with the pain of her loss. “It was hard on me to not have any support, not even from my mom,” Randle says. “You need your parent at that age and don’t understand yet that not everybody knows how to be a mother.” The drugs took over most of Randle’s adult life. She continued to use even as she raised her six children until they were eventually taken away from her. Losing her children was what motivated her to enter Family Recovery Program in 2011. She graduated from the program in 2012 but had to find housing before getting her children back. Randle struggled to afford the new living arrangements and support her family, eventually leading to a relapse. “That was a hard time for me,” she says. “I was in and out of treatment again. During my fifth time in 2014, I ran into Dr. Gainers and she pushed me to attend the alumni meetings.Those changed everything.”

Growing bonds The alumni meetings provided Randle with the support she had been looking for. She’s now been clean for two years and serves as the lead parent mentor for the center, doing client assessments and referrals. Working with other parents who have substance abuse problems has helped her understand her own situation better, especially as a mother. “My kids might have felt like they were on their own at times, but I always tried to be a good mother. Children who are dealing with their parents’ addiction usually grow up faster.They feel like they have to take care of themselves because that’s what they have been doing,” Randle says. Randle uses her personal experiences to help parents understand the shifting dynamic between child and parent when the adult is using. Because parents feel guilty about their situation, children can gain too much control in the relationship. It’s important for parents to maintain authority even as they go through the recovery process. She wants every parent to know it is possible to create a better life and stronger bond with their children. “That’s our goal. Everybody here is willing to go above and beyond for every client to reach a better life. I know I am,” she says. “After everything I’ve been through, I’ve realized I’m still alive and maybe I’m supposed to help someone else now.”

“Children who are dealing with their parents’ addiction usually grow up faster.” -Rita Randle

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A New Start for Baltimore Dana Young commits his life to improving the community and serving others “We need to get over this delusion that everybody eats.” - Dana Young facilities manager and resource coordinator Family Recovery Program An elderly woman entered human services in Baltimore one day,

The woman explained that she was in poverty and unable to afford a meal. For a while now, she was forced to eat the cat food she purchased for her pets. “I had to step away from my desk for a moment,” says Young, currently the facilities manager and resource coordinator at Family Recovery Program. “That one really floored me.”

wheeling inside a grocery cart full of cat food. She asked if they had any extra groceries that she could take home. Dana Young told her that unfortunately they didn’t have a food pantry.

Off the map The encounter opened his eyes to larger problems in the community. “We need to get over this delusion that everybody eats, everybody has a place to live, and nobody does drugs,” Young says. After meeting the woman, he decided to work with his organization to open a food pantry in the area.

Yet the problem isn’t always a lack of government resources. Young believes that access isn’t as much of an issue as personal initiative. His clients are often more aware of the resources they have available than even he is. Individuals using drugs, however, are living a lifestyle that keeps them off the map.

It’s in Young’s nature to help others. He’s spent a majority of his life working in various public service roles, from food support to community outreach.The experiences have taught him to manage his emotions, having faced some tough interactions. Overall, he’s realized the importance of public programs that help citizens meet basic human needs.

The domino effect Family Recovery Program and other similar agencies are working to improve the reputation of Baltimore and bring the focus to its vibrant culture and historical landmarks. When there’s a decrease in the number of drug users, Young says there’s also a decrease in crime, jail sentences and child neglect. Parents have more time, energy and focus to raise their children.The program has even taught parents how to manage their child’s nutrition. “We help dads and moms understand what food their kids need,” he says. “Instead of buying hotdogs or McDonalds, we teach them to cook fresh vegetables and proteins.”

While there are many public support channels they could be utilizing, Young finds many are unwilling to take the first step. A lack of identification, birth certificates, employment and housing could be why some individuals believe they can’t seek help through public programs. At Family Recovery Program, they work with clients to help find a way. “I don’t think we have ever had a client denied for any resources that they’ve reached out for,” Young says. “They just need to do it.”

This small act has been shown to boost confidence in many parents. Feeling capable in parenting skills builds their self worth and allows them to take more chances, like walking into any place that has a hiring sign and believing they can get the job. Some parents have even felt secure enough to go back to school, knowing they are as able as anyone to become productive members in their community. This domino effect is why funding is essential for public service institutions like Family Recovery Program. “It’s satisfying to watch real change happen,” Young says. “That’s why we need support from our community and our state.There’s so many people who need help and we want to provide for every person who comes through our doors.”

“It’s satisfying to watch real change happen.” - Dana Young

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Housing Maryland

LOCAL NON-PROFIT SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN PUBLIC HOUSING NETWORK

Towanda Evans believes important voices are ignored in the discussion on public housing. “It’s completely disconnected from the people who are doing the actual work,” says Evans, who serves as president of the Maryland Association for Supportive Housing (M.A.S.H.). While housing issues are often addressed by the state, the conversation is limited to government of cials rather than the individuals who provide and operate housing services. According to Evans, this disconnect is problematic and holds housing back.

“WE SHOULD BE AT THE TABLE WHERE FUNDING DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE.”

-TOWANDA EVANS, PRESIDENT OF THE MARYLAND ASSOCIATION FOR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

Limited Funds M.A.S.H. began as a result of government efforts to move away from the warehousing that can occur in public housing. It was funded by the Abell Foundation at rst, but hasn’t been able to receive additional funding since. Evans consistently works to gain support from other funders, like state sources, with little luck as of yet. “We have stats that show we get things done better for the people who really need it,” Evans says. “So I think we should be at the table where funding decisions are being made.” Functioning as a non-pro t, M.A.S.H. aims to help their clients and providers improve the state of housing in Maryland. The primary need of their providers is getting connected

to resources and nding new nancing streams that maintain a network that includes mental health, sober living and family housing programs. Evans’ current focus is on reforming the condition of shelters, which she believes aren’t doing enough to improve the lifestyles of the people who use them. Offering job training and career resources would help individuals advance nancially and nd permanent housing for themselves and their families once they leave a shelter. “There’s no push for them to get to the next level. Many of them just end up back in a shelter months later,” she says. “It’s a cycle without progress.”

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“IT’S A CYCLE WITHOUT PROGRESS.” -TOWANDA EVANS

Creating A Force Different opinions tend to create more well-rounded solutions, increasing diversity in programs and contributors is therefore vital to the process of improving public housing. Community outreach is at the core of M.A.S.H. and has helped them expand their pool of resources, allowing them to maximize their service for the individuals who need it. Family Recovery Program (FRP) is one of the key providers that M.A.S.H. partners with. They do referrals for FRP, giving housing to parents going through substance abuse recovery and their children.

On a personal level, Evans looks to FRP Executive Director Dr. Jocelyn Gainers as an advisor and mentor. “I can always go to Ms. Gainers for advice on clients I’m working with or how to facilitate a meeting to get the best results,” Evans shares. “She has a lot of experience and has always been a big supporter of our organization.” Support is exactly what the public housing system needs, within itself and from the outside community. An expansive network creates the strong force that is required to claim more state funding and create change for the individuals these programs serve.

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“All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil,” Sophocles, a renowned Greek playwright, said. “The only crime is pride.” In some ways, Farris Glover is the living embodiment of this quote. Born in Chicago and raised on its West Side, Glover was frequently in trouble during his adolescence and early adulthood. “I was never involved in gangs, but I sold drugs and used drugs and committed crimes,” Glover said. “I’m blessed that I never landed in prison.” Near a personal low point, Glover’s friend told him that she planned to attend Minneapolis College to obtain her nursing degree. Glover was inspired by her ambition and also decided to enroll in the two-year public college in Minnesota’s most populous city. However, shortly thereafter, Glover recognized that nursing was not the career he wanted. So, he pivoted and began studying to become a community counselor. “Initially, I went to college to study nursing,” Glover said. “But I struggled to do the math and considered dropping out. Fortunately, I met my first mentor, Louis Zachary, at Minneapolis College and he encouraged me to pursue something that I was familiar with. I thought about it and knew that working in drug addiction was a natural fit.” A home at My Home I nc . Giving Many Minnesotans Farris Glover

With a clear vision thanks to Zachary’s advice, Glover ultimately graduated from Saint Paul, Minnesota-based Metropolitan State University with a bachelor’s degree in counseling, psychology, and business management. In March 1995, Glover realized his professional dream when he founded My Home Inc., a treatment facility designed to help African-Americans make a successful transition to mainstream society. Glover discussed his organization’s mission and detailed its programs.

“Our mission is to assist African-Americans and other underserved communities to develop a renewed sense of pride in their cultural and traditional histories by utilizing a cognitive-behavioral approach,” Glover said.

-Farris Glover “Our mission is to assist African-Americans and other underserved communities...”

“Almost all of our clients have been in either the criminal justice system or child protection system. Both of these systems have, at times, unjustly devastated the African-American community. The programs we offer here aim to reunite and empower these individuals. Our programs, and the staff who run these programs, try to make our clients focus on the poor choices they have made, rather than focusing on their substance abuse problems. Our programs also keep clients focused on making lifestyle and attitude changes. As they do that, their chronic chemical use gradually turns into sporadic relapse and finally lasting sobriety.” Essentially, perhaps far more important than anything else, My Home Inc. gives clients hope for a better future. Glover believes that his staff can communicate effectively with clients because of their similar past experiences. “Our staff is comprised of African-Americans and many of them have fought the same battles as the clients they meet with,” Glover said. “This empowers our staff and clients because a level of trust has already been built that can’t be measured.” Over the past quarter-century, Glover has used multiple resources to connect with clients and provide them with assistance. He has also forged key partnerships to further strengthen his facility’s mission, address the needs of clients, and Assisting the African American Community

improve their quality of care. Of particular note, for the first 13 years of its existence, My Home Inc. had the biggest contract with the Minnesota Department of Corrections to help employ, motivate, and assist former inmates. “Our community outreach consists of radio, social media, the courts, and probation,” “We are constantly told by our clients that they heard about this program from other inmates or through their family’s church. As for establishing long-term relationships with our clients, they are told when they are admitted into this program that, once they complete it, they have earned their seat and are always welcome to come and sit whenever they need to. My Home Inc. also has long- standing community relationships with the St. Paul Chapter of the NAACP and Urban League. They’ve been very receptive to establishing a relationship with a program that works with African- Americans who are involved in the criminal justice and child protection systems.” For its contributions to residents of the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Help.org placed My Home Inc. on its list of Best Drug and Alcohol Rehab and Treatment Centers in Minneapolis for 2020. In addition to websites that review drug and alcohol treatment centers, it is also evident that Minnesotans appreciate My Home Inc. and its

vast array of services. For example, on May 26, one day after George Floyd was killed while in police custody, violent confrontations erupted between authorities and protestors. Although looting and destruction of property have been widespread across the Twin Cities, My Home Inc. remains undamaged by the ongoing civil unrest. “I think that our facility escaped the property damage that hurt many other local businesses because the black community respects the work and advocacy that we offer to the community,” Glover surmised. “Actually, that’s even what I told police when the chaos was at its peak.” Glover, who noted that his facility accepts all different types of health insurance plans and offers self- pay options, is proud of his many achievements. Nevertheless, he is especially proud of the work that his facility has done to destigmatize those who have been convicted of a crime. “I believe that one of the most positive things I have witnessed over the years working in this field is that the stigma of being incarcerated is not looked down upon by employers and the community as much as it was when I opened My Home Inc. in 1995,” Glover said. The Twin Cities are roughly 410 miles northwest of Chicago. Still, considering Farris Glover’s remarkable journey since departing the Windy City, the distance between the metropolises seems significantly farther than that.

Relocating to the Land of 10,000 Lakes may have saved Kyle Jackson’s life. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Jackson thrived academically and gained acceptance into Emerson College in Boston. Regrettably, rather than flourishing after obtaining a degree from a prestigious school, Jackson spiraled into a decade-long pattern of drug and alcohol addiction. Eventually, Jackson agreed to receive substance abuse treatment at the Hazeldon Betty Ford Foundation in Center City, Minnesota. It was here that he got sober, and positioned himself to become gainfully employed and find happiness. “I struggled with multiple relapses and treatments during my active addiction,” Jackson said. “My psychologist suggested that I try Hazelden, which at the time was the premier treatment center in the United States. It worked for me and my counselors suggested that I stay in Minnesota. So, I ended up working for a division of Minnesota Public Radio when I graduated from treatment and I stayed there for 13 years. I then worked for the Target Corporation and, finally, I established a small consultancy firm. I’ve been sober for 34 years.” Roughly five years ago, following a long-lasting, successful career, Jackson went into semi-retirement. Somewhat ironically, it was around this time when he found his professional calling. Jackson met a man named Farris Glover, who in 1995 founded My Home Inc., a treatment facility designed to help WORKING AT MY HOME INC. Kyle Jackson is at home

African-Americans make a successful transition to mainstream society. Jackson and Glover discussed My Home Inc. and he expressed interest in helping out at the treatment facility.

-Kyle Jackson “...I want to help alleviate the suffering of our community...”

“The agency’s mission is to help minority residents of the seven-county metro area, particularly the residents of the historically African-American neighborhoods of Frogtown, Rondo, and Saint Anthony Village. Overall, African-Americans comprise nine percent of Ramsey County’s population,” Jackson said. “We serve an economically challenged community and are located right in the heart of the black community in Saint Paul. So, an overwhelming percentage of our client census are poor, under- educated, and lacking in resources. As an African-American man, I want to help alleviate the suffering of our community and this agency provides me with an opportunity to help folks directly.”

Ample Room for Improvement

“I’m semi-retired and was looking for something to do when I met Farris about five years ago,” Jackson said. “I eventually started working with his clients to help them transition from active addiction and criminal behavior (mostly possession, small-time dealing, and DUI infractions) to a more sustainable lifestyle with an emphasis on lifestyle changes that facilitate growth.” Jackson elaborated on My Home’s mission and explained why he’s so determined to assist its cause.

Over the last quarter-century, My Home Inc. has greatly benefited the seven-county metro area and its contributions haven’t gone unrecognized. For example, for the first 13 years of its existence, My Home Inc. had the biggest contract with the Minnesota Department of Corrections to help employ, motivate, and assist former inmates. Moreover, Help.org placed My Home Inc. on its list of Best Drug and Alcohol Rehab and Treatment Centers in Minneapolis for 2020. Jackson mentioned how the facility continues to grow thanks to client and word-of-mouth referrals. “We receive client referrals from the Ramsey County Correctional Facility houses

Home Inc. for opioid use disorder, as the epidemic of opioid overdoses continues the strike the black community at a higher percentage than the statistics would indicate.” Although he’s witnessed positive changes throughout the area over the years, Jackson still sees ample room for improvement. In particular, he’d like to see police reform and systemic change. “The positives I have seen over the past few years would include the commitment of the federal, state, and local governments to begin to increase the support for culturally competent treatment for the communities of color in Minnesota and, especially, Ramsey County,” Jackson

and the families of former clients, church groups, and the network of chemical health providers across the seven-county metro area,” Jackson said. “Word- of-mouth referrals, as I mentioned earlier, are a substantial percentage of our census at any giventime and we recently have started a collaboration with the Saint Paul-Ramsey County Public Health, which sends referrals from the population of the adult correctional

said. “The frustration with the status quo is that law

enforcement’s unequal dispensation of ‘ justice’ continues to challenge a person’s optimism of what can be done to stop the state-sponsored violence against black bodies.” Following years of struggles in Beantown and our nation’s capital, it is evident that Kyle Jackson has found a home in both

facility and the Ramsey County Correctional Facility to My

Minnesota and at My Home Inc.

The Barriers Reaching C a o n mmunity Underserved that Bound :

“There tends to be a small lens on diversity, and I want to challenge that.” - Peter Green

be a small lens on diversity, and I want to chal- lenge that.” To increase the availability of diverse pro- grams, however, there must first be an increase in counselors of color. This means tearing down the barriers that contribute to this need. Green estimates about 65 to 70 percent of the people in Minnesota prisons are black, though this race only accounts for eight percent of the state’s population. In addition to the structural and his- torical factors that are behind this rate of impris- onment, Green says the residual effects of these prison sentences often prevent individuals from fully reentering society as contributing mem- bers. “Fifteen years after their sentences, these charges can follow them through parole and probation that can keep them from attaining jobs and even working in this field to help pre- vent other people from going down their path. This creates a block in that representation.” When examining the functions of treatment fa- cilities, Green says the demands of funding and licensing requirements prevent many larger fa- cilities from offering quality treatment to each of their clients. “The system is set up to fail because of this,” Green said. “We have deadlines that just aren’t attainable. This means programs can only do the bare minimum when seeing clients. It’s often a cookie-cutter approach.” He says this leads to an increased value of smaller programs like My Home Inc. “I know this program is at a point of keeping its caseloads small and manageable to be able to provide appropriate service to each client. Offering mental health and substance abuse treatment means we have to keep things individ- ualized.” With counselors who meet the require- ment of diversity Green considers most important and their ability to connect with their clients, he believes this program is a most valuable asset to this community and each of its clients in need of assistance. My Home Inc, is a most valuable asset to this community and each of its clients in need of assistance - Peter Green

A licensed alcohol and drug coun- selor, Peter Green met the owner of My Home Inc, Farris Glover, several years ago through an African-American men’s profes- sional support group. Green is the diversity director for another fa- cility and often directs referrals to My Home Inc. He says he primarily assists clients who have less than favorable perspectives toward substance abuse treatment, such as people with histories of criminal justice involvement. Green’s experi- ence in the field has led him to discover several ways in which the African-American community is underserved. Now in his 31st year of recovery, Green has worked to build constructive relationships with his clients based on shared experiences and trust. “With me being in the position that I’m in, people are able to share with me things they might not be comfortable with sharing in a group setting.” Through his work as a diversity director, he works to ensure inclusivity is upheld, especially when seeing clients from minority populations. He says this factor can often be overlooked in treatment and recovery programs. “There’s a long way to go,” he said. “When black men are coming out of prison, there are experiences they often don’t want to talk about within a group setting. These men also don’t feel comfortable talking about those ex- periences with someone who isn’t male and isn’t black. It’s just natural to want to talk with some- one like me who can connect with them on those levels.” Green says this is where diversity within treatment programs is most important. “Some people just don’t understand the trauma that these guys have gone through.” In referencing cultural competency, Green said diversity must span beyond matching a client’s skin tone, but there must also be some identification with their experiences, traumas and beliefs. “There tends to

The Social Effects on Assessing Treatment in the African-American Community

“There is a huge overlap in mental health and drug and alcohol addiction. They travel together. More often than not, if someone has an addiction they also have a mental condition. Finding out which came first is part of what I do.” - Dr. Kathleen Heaney

D r. Kathleen Heaney is an addiction psychiatrist and consultant for My Home Inc. She has been a valuable addition to the program since 2009. Every month, she provides clinical services and reviews cases for the program to discuss ways to en- sure efficient and effective case management. She has also assisted in applying for a grant the program will use for addressing opioid use disorder. As a liaison for the program, she helps provide information and support between other service providers. Before becoming a psychiatrist, Heaney practiced as a nurse for many years. “I knew I wanted additional training through a fellowship, and I had an interest in addiction treatment.” She was later accepted to the addiction psychiatry program at the Mayo Clinic. Her active work and experience since then in this field have given her an educated perspective on some of the deepest challenges running through drug and alcohol treatment. Through working with My Home Inc, she has been able to deepen her understand- ing of these effects within the Black community and address them through her work. “There is a huge overlap in mental health and drug and alcohol addiction. They travel together. More often than not, if someone has an addiction they also have a mental condition. Finding out which came first is part of what I do.” Heaney works with ad- diction medication specialists, doctors and coun-

trauma, like slavery and racism, that can contribute to health conditions, addiction and mental health issues. This goes beyond what a traditional doctor or nurse typically handles.” For people of color living in pre- dominantly white areas, access to treatment may also be limited or more difficult to attain. “This can then translate into medical and mental effects as well as substance use.” Through her work at My Home Inc, Heaney says she is able to obtain a greater understanding of the needs of minority populations within the space of mental health and treatment for substance use. “We need to know how to serve a diverse community and under- stand how systems can perpetuate certain practices that can be detrimental to people of color.” Through its contracts with the criminal justice system, My Home Inc. works to expand its connection to structural sys- tems and provide resources and support for its clients.

During their team meetings, Heaney works to elucidate histories of trau- matic brain injury, adverse child- hood experiences from growing up in deprivation and early exposure to alcohol and drugs. “These con- tributors underlie a person’s develop- ment. While some people look at a person’s criminal record and point to their actions, we

selors as a liaison to bring specialists to- gether to further educate those working in the fields of addiction care and help them gain a deeper understanding of underlying factors of mental health conditions. When looking specifically at tai- loring these services to the Black community, Heaney referenced the social determinants of health, which are various external factors that contribute to a medical diag- nosis. “Where you live, how much money you make, what your childhood was like, these are all significant factors that often play roles in a person’s quality of health.” Within the Black com- munity, these factors carry great- er significance due to structural and historical elements. “If you

as treatment provid- ers have to examine that through the lens of what has happened to them before.”

She assists these teams in pro- viding addic- tion treatment through evi- dence-based methods. “It’s not just about abstinence. It includes medications, mental health treatment and assessing an individual’s history.”

lay onto these social factors the transmission of historical

“Being a black person in a predominately white system is already enough to be affected by generational trauma and a whole host of issues that one faces in the community.” - Rashad Hameed

Shared Experiences : Understanding Cultural Significance in Treatment

R ashad Hameed has been working with My Home Inc. for the past five years as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. He holds group sessions, conducts assessments and facilitates other general counseling work. Hameed originally began his work in the field of counseling through an HMO as an ad- olescent counselor. He also worked for a culturally specific organization and a manager of its adolescent outpatient program and hosted its community radio show. While his work in the field is centered around the clients he works with, Hameed’s interest in the field originated from his personal experiences. From the ages of 16 to 32, Hameed was addicted to heroin. He attended a recovery program in New York that placed him with a school in Minneapolis. He packed his belongings and moved with his wife to the new city. “When I came out here, I was in the early stages of my recovery work. I later went to community college where they had a training program for alcohol and drug counselors. I got certified and eventually got licensed,” he said. He soon transitioned into working as a probations supervisor to oversee adult and juve- nile probation officers for 20 years. During that time, he received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from a university in St. Paul. After transitioning from his work in probations, he started contracting full time as a licensed drug and alcohol counselor. From his years of work between the two fields, Ha- meed has recognized several areas that are connected with his work as a counselor. “Being a black person in a predominately white system is already enough to be affected by generational trauma and a whole host of issues that one faces in the community.” He also notes the limited availability of programs that can be instru- mental in aiding youth with the resources and help they may need to lead healthy lives. “When I first started in this field, there must have

been at least 10 or 15 treatment programs in the area. And there were several that worked specifically with adolescents. Today, there are only about two or three. There’s a significant challenge with someone between the age of 16 and 21 in an African-American home be- ing able to get the help they need if they’re struggling with addiction.” A lack of culturally specific programs also contributes to the decreased rate of those within the black com- munity being able to access treatment and counseling within their communities. The staff within the exist- ing programs often does not have the racial diversity among its counselors that contribute to an environment that is welcoming to the minority community. “The vast majority of licensed clinicians are white women. So if there is an African-American male who goes to a clinic for treatment, they often aren’t going to see anyone who looks like them. That creates a significant barrier when clients are wondering if their counselor can relate to them or understand where they’re coming from cul- turally when discussing experiences.” As an African-American counselor, Hameed says his work in conjunction with the services offered through My Home Inc. is important in communicating shared ex- periences with clients and connecting with their cultural aspects. Since the program’s facility is located in the heart of St. Paul, it is more easily accessible to some of the area’s most diverse communities. “And when people walk into these offices, especially African Americans, they see people who look like them. I think that goes a long way into mak- ing a person know they are heard and understood.” Hameed says the services offered through My Home Inc. create an atmosphere to address some of the deepest needs among the area’s Afri- can-American population to assist in a healthy recovery journey.

Identifying Disparities within Counseling for African - Americans

H osie Thurmond is a licensed social worker who became affiliat- ed with My Home Inc. through a group of mutual friends. He has worked in the Twin Cities for about 15 years, specifically with the area’s homeless population. He soon began working with single mothers, and for the last four years, he has worked with the senior popu- lation. He is currently completing coursework to obtain a master’s degree and become a licensed professional clinical counselor. In all the areas of his work, however, Thurmond says he has noticed significant challenges pertaining to the African-American population regarding ways in which these individuals are often underserved in the area of drug and alcohol treatment and mental health. “There’s the issue of diversity that comes up often, and there’s a lack of cultural programming. But when we look at many of these programs and what they offer, even in regards to funding, there are just identifiable areas that lead to a lesser quality of treatment than those of other races.” He referenced the more frequent use of methadone, instead of Suboxone, for treating dependence on opioids. While both medicines are used in treat- ment facilities, methadone is used more often in those with lower funding that often serve minority populations. “A big reason for that is based around insurances and money. Methadone is much cheaper, and there are only a certain number of doctors in the state who are certified to give out Suboxone.” Thurmond says the majori- ty of these doctors practice in upper and upper-middle-class areas. “If a client is able to find a doctor who can prescribe Suboxone, there’s also the issue of having insurance good enough to allow them to afford it.” Methadone is highly addictive and can have severe withdrawal symp- toms, increasing the difficulty of separating from the medicine when the client has reached that point in their recovery. Suboxone, however, is easier to gradually separate from and has lower rates of severe with- drawal symptoms than methadone. The differences between these two drugs and the variances in their use between communities contribute to

“There’s the issue of diversity that comes up often, and there’s a lack of cultural programming. But when we look at many of these programs and what they offer, even in regards to funding, there are just identifiable areas that lead to a lesser quality of treatment than those of other races.” - Hosie Thurmond

the disparities in treatment within the Afri- can-American community.

Outside of the arena of medications used for treatment, Thurmond says there is a lack of cultural competency among providers and counselors that stems from growing qualifica- tions needed to work in the field. “There needs to be more recruiting or exposure toward these fields in the schools that are in black com- munities. Additionally, the degree needed to be a chemical dependency counselor used to only require two years of schooling. Many programs are now requiring at least four years of schooling to be considered for a position. For people who may already have an interest in working in the field, they will now have to also consider paying for those additional years of schooling. I know a lot of people who are in recovery themselves who have expressed interest in wanting to give back once they get themselves clean.” To counter what could be setbacks in increasing the field’s diversity and effective treatment for African Americans, Thur- mond says programs must consider the great significance cultural competency plays in con- necting with clients and examine the effects of structures and requirements within the field of counseling. To credit the work of the My Home Inc. founder and staff, Thurmon says the pro- gram has held an active role in the community as a culturally competent establishment for men of color, including within Ramsey County and at the adult detention center.

The Steps After Release CREATING CULTURALLY-GROUNDED CONNECTIONS

WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY

“With Suboxone, however, there is a prescription, so a client can take their medication home and take it on their own.” Michelle Dean is the manager for the Ramsey County Correctional Health Division for Public Health. She began working in her position in April 2019. As a member of the county’s staff, Dean says she understands there are disparities in the treatment that underserved communities receive. With this knowledge, she is working to form connections with relevant providers in the community to better serve these populations.

“MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT HAS MANY DIFFERENT FORMS.” were using before they were sentenced often will get out and use the same amount as they were before they were incarcerated. That often leads to overdose. So we realized we need to be able to identify ways to both treat these individuals while they are serving time and make sure they have easy access to providers for continued treatment. By just letting them leave, we’re not really serving them. To address this, we at Ramsey County got in touch with My Home Inc. and identified them as a culturally competent provider who can help us better serve the African American and American Indian populations. We needed to ensure we have a provider to help them transition into their new lives in the community. I believe the cultural component to care is just as important as almost any other factor in an individual receiving treatment. Many of these minority communities are dealing with stigmas surrounding mental health care or drug treatment. So we have to be able to ensure that we are working with a provider that is taking these factors into significant consideration.”

“I started a medication-assisted therapy program at Hennepin just before starting my current position. We were finding a largely disproportionate number of people of color in correctional facilities as compared to those who were white. Over the years, we were seeing people who didn’t have access to healthcare in their communities, and that includes mental health care. So they had gone longer without care and were sicker when they came in for treatment. We began to look at how we could better serve our populations who’d often been underserved. If we could get them turned around if they did come into corrections, we thought maybe we could connect them with services and reduce the rate of recidivism. Medication-assisted treatment has many different forms. Methadone was originally developed for clients to start and then wean off. Our intention is to really treat people with Suboxone to help provide comfort in withdrawing from opiates. Treatment with methadone and Suboxone is very different. Suboxone is much friendlier. With Methadone, a client has to be dosed every day. They have to interrupt their lives every day to go to a clinic and be dosed. With Suboxone, however, there is a prescription, so a client can take their medication home and take it on their own. Looking at the numbers of people who are dying from opioid addiction, African American and American Indian populations have the highest rates. These are a lot of the same groups we see in corrections or in mental health centers. Many people who leave corrections and

“We began to look how we could better serve our populations who’d often been underserved.”