The Closing the Addicton Treatment Gap project through the Open Society Institute seeks to expand comprehensive treatment systems and improve the quality of treatment in Texas.
“If this disease had any other name, the residents of Tarrant County, Texas would not tolerate seeing thousands of neighbors, family members, and coworkers remaining untreated,” said Victor A. Capoccia, director of the Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap initiative. “Addiction is a chronic health condition, and it can be treated effectively. This important initiative in Tarrant County, Texas will enable more residents who need addiction treatment to get it.”
The CATG project seeks to expand Texas’ Medicaid plan to cover outpatient addiction treatment. The project also seeks a $30 million annual increase in state appropriations to provide treatment for Texans not covered by public or private insurance.
Key partners involved with Tarrant County Challenge's CATG include Tarrant County’s Mental Health Connection, Recovery Resource Council, the Texas Association of Substance Abuse Programs, the Department of State Health Servcies, and the local treatment community.
“We have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families who are living with a substance abuse disorder,” said Jennifer Gilley, Executive Director of Tarrant County Challenge. “Due to a continual shortage in substance abuse prevention and treatment dollars, it is paramount that communities provide the most time and cost-effective treatment available. Addiction is a treatable disease; it’s time for us to treat it as such.”
Click for CATG brochure