Charleroi, PA – Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones today announced a $1.5 million investment from DDAP to expand drop-in center services for individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) across southwestern Pennsylvania.
Secretary Davis-Jones made the announcement alongside officials and members of the Washington County recovery community organization Club Serenity and the Washington Drug and Alcohol Commission. Funding for the center is provided, in part, from the portion of opioid settlement funding appropriated to DDAP by the General Assembly for the 2023-24 fiscal year and secured in multistate opioid settlements by Governor Josh Shapiro while he was Attorney General.
“SUD drop-in centers provide access to basic human essentials like health care, shelter, and food for individuals looking for supportive SUD services and help Pennsylvanians get connected to treatment, recovery, and harm reduction options,” said DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones. “We look forward to the positive impact this drop-in center will have on the residents of Washington, Fayette, Greene, and Westmoreland counties.”
Club Serenity is one of 12 grant recipients of the Shapiro Administration’s $20 million total investment in drop-in centers across the Commonwealth. According to Club Serenity officials, the drop-in center is anticipated to be fully operational by fall and will serve residents of Washington, Fayette, Greene, and Westmoreland counties, also known as the Mon Valley.
“We are incredibly honored that Club Serenity was selected for this initiative,” said Dr. Joey Pagano, Club Serenity Vice President and a veteran in long-term recovery. “Drop-in centers provide a doorway for an individual’s recovery journey and we’re looking to make that doorway wider and easier to walk into.”
The center, which will have one primary location with the potential of two additional satellite locations throughout the Mon Valley, will offer safe, trauma-informed services, short-term beds for individuals in crisis or transitions, and peer support services via a staff of professionals who have lived experience with SUD.
Examples of services drop-in centers may provide include but are not limited to:
- Harm-reduction services to prevent overdoses and incorporating the services into existing clinical services;
- Addressing social drivers of health through the provision of daily essentials such as food, clothing, showers, and hygiene supplies;
- Access to care and case management systems;
- Access to free healthcare including wound care, Hepatitis C/HIV testing, reproductive healthcare, and dental care;
- Referrals to SUD level of care assessments, treatment, including medication for Opioid Use Disorder, behavior health resources, benefits services, and legal services;
- Survival resources such as shelter and warm or cooling spaces;
- Public restrooms and laundry facilities;
- Mail services;
- Professionally facilitated support groups which offer education, emotional and social support, practical help, and more; and
- Advocacy and other supportive services required to navigate complex issues impacting special populations.
Today’s visit and announcement is a continuation of stops planned for "DDAP on the Move: Your Voice, Your Community," the next phase of an ongoing statewide engagement tour and commitment by the Department to hear firsthand from those providing and receiving SUD prevention, treatment, and recovery support services.
In addition, Secretary Davis-Jones joined staff of the Fayette County Drug & Alcohol Commission who are recipients of DDAP’s successful workforce retention student loan repayment initiative. Commission recipients include the executive director, a prevention supervisor, and case manager. Combined, the loan repayment recipients were awarded nearly $95,000 to repay their outstanding qualifying educational loans and agree to a multi-year service commitment to stay in the SUD field, which is experiencing a high rate of turnover.
“The approval of student loan forgiveness for myself and other staff members at Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission has been truly transformative,” said Melissa Ferris, Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission Executive Director. “This funding has helped us retain highly experienced professionals in the substance use disorder field. Their expertise and continued service are critical to meeting the needs of our community.”
Future visits will cover Greene, Chester, and Bucks counties.
Learn more about the Shapiro Administration's efforts in combating the overdose crisis at ddap.pa.gov.
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