The Guilford County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously at their February 1, 2024, meeting to proceed with recommendations from a Board subcommittee for the creation of a Women with Children Recovery Center to be located at Gibson Park in High Point, NC. In response to the pressing need for enhanced behavioral healthcare and substance use services, Guilford County At-large Commissioner, Kay Cashion is leading the subcommittee along with District 7 Commissioner Frankie T. Jones, Jr. and District 2 Commissioner Alan Perdue to champion the initiative for pregnant women and women with children in Guilford County. The Guilford County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) earmarked $3 million of American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA SLFRF) in October 2022 to establish a substance use recovery housing program specifically tailored for this vulnerable population.
According to the January 2022 Guilford County Community Survey, Behavioral Healthcare and Substance Use became a key focus for investing ARPA dollars, ranking among the top five priorities. The absence of residential treatment programs for pregnant and parenting women within Guilford County amplifies the need for the creation of a program that addresses this gap, ensuring families stay connected and making it easier for individuals to access support by reducing any disruptions in their personal networks and removing transportation obstacles.
“We've seen a clear demand for this program, highlighted by the increase in children entering foster care and seeking in-home services due to substance misuse in 2022,” said Commissioner Kay Cashion. “To address this urgent need, our Guilford County team has been hard at work over the past year. We've assessed similar programs, crunched the numbers for initial program cost models, and scouted potential locations. Our collaboration with state partners in the Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR), along with insights from agencies across the state, has been instrumental in shaping our approach.”
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Guilford Board of County Commissioners took a significant step in September 2023 by officially establishing the Women with Children Residential Recovery Services Planning Committee. This committee brings together dedicated individuals committed to making a positive impact on the lives of pregnant women and women with children struggling with substance use issues.
The Women with Children Residential Recovery Services Planning Committee unanimously endorsed and recommended the Gibson Park Facility to the Board of Commissioners as the preferred location due to its lodge-type living arrangement. Currently utilized for residential recovery for individual adults, the facility has the capacity to accommodate up to 28 women. The proposed services include 24-hour residential substance use recovery specifically tailored for pregnant women and women with children ages 12 and under.
To propel this critical initiative forward, specific actions were recommended directing staff to proceed with the site selection of the Gibson Park Facility (Harrelson Building) at 5209 West Wendover, High Point; authorizing staff to issue Requests for Proposals (RFP) for a Program Service Provider and Design/Build Construction for necessary site upfits; in addition to allocating funds from identified ARPA dollars and Opioid funding to support the establishment and operation of the recovery center.
