The new Women with Children Program creates a safe home where mothers recovering from substance abuse can receive treatment and family services while establishing a foundation for long-term independent living.
Addicted mothers, along with their dependent children, are one of the greatest under-served populations in the District of Columbia; there are nearly a thousand homeless families, of which half are headed by addicted mothers, and there are thousands more who are at risk of being homeless as a result of substance abuse.
Drawing on elements from our proven Recovery Continuum and established best practices applied in other communities, the program is comprised of a three phase continuum of care that guides clients through the fundamental stages of addictions treatment/recovery while providing individualized assessments and services within each program phase.
The A. James Clark Inn (pictured to the right)
- Previously used as a transitional home for recovering women, the four story row house and detached carriage house are well-suited for the purposes of this program.
- The facility was repurposed to include family-style living quarters, child care, individual/group
counseling spaces, and administration offices. - Provides concurrent housing for up to 12 women and 16 children
The program focuses on the needs of addicted women and their children with the emphasized goals of
maintaining sobriety and strengthening the family unit over a six month period, before linking to transitional living or affordable housing with outpatient services. All core services will be provided on-site and tailored to meet the unique needs of a family.
For more information on the Women with Children Program, contact the program director, Chrissy Buswell, at 202-234-0904 or chrissy@samaritaninns.org.
