Faith-based groups needed to help people getting out of jail

YOUNGSTOWN — More faith-based organizations are needed to participate in Access to Recovery, a program new to Mahoning County, that provides drug and alcohol recovery services for people convicted of crimes.

“We need faith-based groups to provide temporary housing of up to six months for people returning home from jail,” said Doris Primm, executive director of the Mahoning County Alcohol & Drug Addiction Services Board.

Mahoning County is sharing a three-year, $13.9 million federal grant with Cuyahoga, Stark and Summit counties. The grant, administered by the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services, will be used for a number of supportive services, such as temporary housing, job training, transportation, health care, child care and, while it can’t pay fines, it can finance other costs associated with drivers license reinstatement.

Primm said seven churches and a couple of individuals indicated interest in becoming service providers when the program was announced last month. However, she said more are needed.

She said Access to Recovery training for faith-based organizations has been scheduled for 11 a.m. Sept. 10 at the Mahoning County ADAS office at 20 Federal Place West. Interested groups and individuals should call Primm at (330) 743-9514 or Mahoning County Treatment Alternatives to Street Crimes at (330) 743-2192 TASC is coordinating services offered by Access to Recovery.

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