Addiction Policy Forum, a national nonprofit dedicated to eliminating addiction as a major health problem, has recognized the Clackamas County Transition Center in its Oregon Innovations to Address Addiction report, which spotlights innovative programs that address addiction and provide support for families and communities.
According to Jessica Hulsey, founder of the Addiction Policy Forum: “The Innovation Now Initiative recognizes revolutionary programs, such as Clackamas County Transition Center, that are transforming the response to addiction in Oregon and offering solutions during a time of crisis.”
The Clackamas County Transition Center offers services to those leaving jail or prison and to those at risk of returning. The Center is located across the parking lot from the Clackamas County jail.
Services include employment and housing assistance, peer mentors, cognitive therapy, mental health and substance use disorder assessments, on-site health care referrals, GED courses and parenting classes.
On Sept. 10, the Addiction Policy Forum presented the Transition Center team with its “Innovation Now” award.
“Before, we were working behind the curve and looking for treatment options once they got out. Now a plan is in place when they do,” explains Transition Center Supervisor Eric Anderson. “We are honored to be awarded an Innovation Now program by Addiction Policy Forum.”
Anderson said the Transition Center was recognized along with eight other programs from around the state as being “innovative and ground-breaking in the field of addiction.”
“It was very humbling to be in a room with representatives of these other programs and to hear the stories of changes that are taking place in people’s lives,” Anderson said in an email to his staff. “I cannot state enough how proud I am of all of you and the work that you do to help people break out of the cycle of criminality and addiction. Your efforts are being recognized at both the local and national levels and you are truly helping to save the lives of the people that we serve.”
The Clackamas County Transition Center is the first facility of its kind in Oregon — and is intended to be a major step forward in reducing the county’s jail population. Located in what was once the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office’s South Station, the Transition Center is an all-in-one location providing crucial services to people leaving jail or prison and to those at risk of returning. Its goal is to break patterns and change lives.
Upon release, clients can walk out of the jail, cross the parking lot, and enter the Transition Center to employment and housing assistance, peer mentors, cognitive therapy, mental health and substance abuse assessments, health care, GED courses (through Clackamas Community College) and even parenting classes (through Northwest Family Services).
