INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Executive Director for Drug Prevention, Treatment and Enforcement Jim McClelland announced Tuesday that three regional partnerships have been awarded funds to complete recovery networks and seek designation as comprehensive addiction recovery networks.

“Governor Eric J. Holcomb has called for an all-hand-on deck approach to combat the drug crisis and communities all across Indiana have stepped forward,” McClelland said. “We appreciate the Indiana General Assembly’s work to help more people enter recovery through comprehensive addiction recovery networks that will meet people with substance use disorders where they are, assess their needs and connect them to the full continuum of evidence-based care.”

McClelland made the announcement in Indianapolis alongside Sen. Jim Merritt and healthcare leaders from Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center and Community Behavioral Health.

Up to $3 million in funding appropriated to Gov. Holcomb’s Next Level Recovery initiative will support the launch of up to six comprehensive addiction recovery networks across the state over the next two years. Three regional partnerships – one each in northern, central and southern Indiana – were awarded grants from the first round of funding, totaling up to $1.5 million, to support completion of their recovery networks:

• Northern Indiana: Regional Health Systems, Merrillville
• Central Indiana: The Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County/Eskenazi Health, Indianapolis
• Southern Indiana: Community Mental Health Center, Lawrenceburg

In alignment with Gov. Holcomb’s Next Level Recovery initiative, the comprehensive addiction recovery network designation was created through legislation Merritt authored. Senate Enrolled Act 33 passed the Indiana General Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support and was signed into law by the governor earlier this year.

Each entity designated as a comprehensive addiction recovery network must partner with local providers to offer the full spectrum of substance use care including assessments, inpatient, outpatient and medication-assisted treatment, peer support services, recovery residences, job training and workforce readiness services, and family support services.

When the networks are complete, the regional partnerships will be eligible to apply to receive a designation from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Division of Mental Health and Addiction as a comprehensive addiction recovery network. DMHA will oversee the development process and work closely with the designated entities to ensure they have support in implementing evidence-based practices to help people enter or maintain recovery from substance use disorders.