"We believe that we may be the first opioid treatment program that has created an integrated care facility," said Linda Hurley, CEO and President of CODAC. "We don't turn people away."
A sign on the wall in the waiting room reads: All here are Welcomed, supported, heard, valued, important and respected. Hurley said they're not just words!
"When an individual comes here they know that they're being respected. The environment respects them," said Hurley. Regardless of whether you have insurance. "Almost everyone is eligible for assistance," said she said. "And we help them."
Ninety-three percent of the people seen at CODAC are on Medicaid. Most of them are covered through Neighborhood Health plan, one of CODAC's many partners.
"We can't be all things to all people. We need to collaborate with those that have the expertise in their specific areas to meet the community need." Through many partnerships, they provide many services under one roof: opioid use disorder treatments, medical services, support groups, social assistance and more.
"We provide mental health treatment which is psychiatric counseling and case management and peer recovery services," said Hurley. "The department of corrections now has parole officers and probation officers here. They have their own office."
"If someone doesn't have food they can come here and get food for the day and we will connect them with the Rhode Island Food Bank," she said. And since half of the individuals it serves rely on public transportation, RIPTA has become a partner.
"They created the bus line right there at Royal Little and Silver Springs," said Hurley. That access to recovery, to care providing a lifeline to so many.
The new site was made possible through federal money thanks to Sen. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse. It doesn't just serve those in treatment for opioid use disorder. They have primary care there, dental services and community spaces for those who want to have meetings there--and soon, a pharmacy open to all.
With expected cuts to Medicaid and new qualification guidelines set to go in to effect, Hurley said they're going to help people keep up with the paperwork so they're not kicked off. But, again, they say they won't turn anyone away regardless of insurance.
"When an individual comes here they know that they're being respected. The environment respects them."
Through many partnerships, they provide many services under one roof: opioid use disorder treatments, medical services, support groups, social assistance and more.
The new site was made possible through federal money thanks to Sen. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse.
