FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATLANTA, GA, July 26, 2024 — MARR’s Right Side Up (RSU), a federal- and state-funded program for women and children, has made significant strides in supporting women and their dependent children in overcoming substance use disorder, thanks to a generous $50,000 grant from Amerigroup Foundation, a division of the Elevance Health Foundation. This funding has enabled RSU to continue providing comprehensive, no-cost addiction treatment for women, ensuring long-term recovery and family stability.

Right Side Up offers a six-month treatment plan that not only focuses on abstinence from mood-altering substances, but also provides Therapeutic Child Care (TCC) services, including targeted after-school interventions. As the largest state-funded program of its kind in Georgia, RSU expanded its capacity in 2020 from 57 to 60 beds, which incorporates support for clients with disabilities. In 2023, RSU admitted 207 women and 168 children, achieving a 40 percent sobriety rate among incoming clients.

With the support of Amerigroup Foundation, key achievements over the past year include:

• Drug-Free Babies: Ensuring healthier beginnings for nine newborns.
• Family Reunifications: Enabling the reunification of 15 families affiliated with the Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS).
• Therapeutic Child Care (TCC): Providing essential supplies such as toys, educational devices, and books, fostering emotional and cognitive development for children.
• Transportation Services: Easing logistical challenges and reducing healthcare disparities by providing safe and reliable transportation for essential services.
• Job Coaching: Empowering 49 women through personalized career guidance, significantly increasing employment readiness and prospects for sustainable livelihoods.

The grant also facilitated the acquisition of R1 Learning Curriculum, a hands-on, interactive, and personalized curriculum that integrates evidence-based and best practices for addressing substance use disorder and other mental health conditions. “R1’s training, tools, and technology solutions have provided significant benefits to staff members and clients alike. Participants have found the curriculum engaging and enlightening, motivating them to achieve their full potential in recovery,” said Dena Lee, LPC, Program Director for Right Side Up.

In total, RSU has supported 183 women and 99 children this fiscal year, exceeding its annual service goal. The program continues to make a profound impact on individuals and families, promoting health equity and breaking down barriers for communities of color and the most socially vulnerable.

About MARR Addiction Treatment Centers

Founded in 1975, MARR Addiction Treatment Centers is a non-profit organization committed to providing person-centered care for individuals and families impacted by the disease of addiction. Led by a collaborative team of medical and clinical specialists, MARR offers a continuum of care to safely support the needs of those they serve. Through the application of evidence-based practices and the Therapeutic Community Model, clients receive optimal healing within gender-specific, gender-separate treatment programs. MARR’s multiple levels of care include outpatient services, Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization (PHP) programs, residential treatment, and extended recovery and aftercare support. The Family Recovery Center at MARR offers educational resources, counseling services and support groups to individuals struggling with a loved one’s addiction, serving both families of clients and the broader community. Renowned for its extensive alumni network, MARR is dedicated to providing comprehensive care that extends beyond treatment, fostering a supportive environment for individuals and families on their recovery journey.

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