RI General Assembly Overwhelmingly Passes Recovery High School Bill
July 1, 2011 (PROVIDENCE, RI) – In a vote this week, Rhode Island legislators took the important step forward of approving a bill (6055 SUB A, S 4399 SUB A) that will help Rhode Island to open its first recovery high school.
“I would like to thank the general assembly for their vote to support children with addictions through the recovery high school model. Thanks especially to the leadership of the house and senate and to Representative Frank Ferri (D-22) and Senator John Tassoni (D-22) for sponsoring this legislation. The overwhelming vote to address the problem of addiction for Rhode Island children is gratifying. We look forward to seeing the first Recovery High School in Rhode Island open its doors in the near future,” said Dale K. Klatzker, PhD, President/ CEO of The Providence Center.
Recovery high schools are a national model. Today there are 24 recovery high schools operating in 8 states around the country. The recovery high school model offers a safe place where students who have completed substance abuse treatment can evaluate their goals, focus on academics, and the social-emotional factors that contribute to their drug abuse. Recovery High Schools have resulted in increased graduation rates for at-risk students and improved academic achievement and have proven to be cost effective in both the short and long term.
The Providence Center is at the forefront of innovative approaches to behavioral health care designed to meet the changing needs of the more than 10,000 people served each year. Since The Providence Center opened its doors in 1969, it has been a community fixture, providing people from all walks of life with mental health and substance use services in their homes, schools and neighborhoods. In addition to comprehensive high quality behavioral health services, The Providence Center gives people the tools they need to succeed. Through 39 programs and wraparound services, including food and housing, job training, legal services, primary health care and wellness activities, The Providence Center helps the people it serves to succeed.