FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2005

Contact: Christine Mulvin
513-458-6621

The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati has awarded Comprehend, Inc. a $330,000 grant over three years to develop an intensive outpatient substance use disorder treatment program for adolescents in Bracken County, Kentucky.

"Too many counties in our area have to send their adolescents outside the county to get treatment for substance use disorders. This makes it difficult for families to be involved and for the youth to stay connected to their community," said Ann Perrin, the Health Foundation's Program Officer for its Substance Abuse focus area. "Bracken County's adolescents will soon be able to receive treatment closer to home, surrounded by family and friends who can support them."

The Kentucky Statewide Strategic Plan for Adolescent Substance Abuse concluded in 2004 that only one out of seven adolescents who need treatment receives it and, when services are accessed, they are frequently not adolescent-specific. Comprehend also found these needs in their region and will use a model designed specifically for rural youth for their new intensive outpatient treatment.

"We recognize the barriers that adolescents face when trying to access substance use disorder treatment, including lack of funds, lack of service options in rural areas and lack of community awareness about the disorder," said Patty Rudd, Director of Substance Abuse Services for Comprehend, Inc. "By offering intensive outpatient treatment here in Bracken County, we can greatly increase these adolescents' chances for success."

Comprehend, Inc. is a private, non-profit, community mental health center providing a wide range of services for mental health, mental retardation and substance use disorders. For more information about Comprehend Inc.'s intensive outpatient treatment program for adolescents, please contact Patty Rudd at 606-564-4016.


The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati is an independent foundation dedicated to improving community health and access to health care for vulnerable populations. The Foundation awards grants to non-profit and governmental organizations for selected health programs and activities in Cincinnati and 20 surrounding counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. In 2004, the Health Foundation invested approximately $10.5 million in support to local health care programs that address the objectives of the Foundation's four focus areas and general community health.

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