Operation UNITE : Unlawful Narcotics Investigation Treatment and Education
Voucher Program
Since July 2005, Operation UNITE has provided $3 million for Treatment Voucher Program to help low-income residents of the Fifth Congressional District who suffer from substance abuse issues obtain short-term and long-term residential treatment.
Through January 2008:
Regular
Drug Court
Total
Applications for treatment vouchers received
2,835
113
2,948
Individuals who have entered a treatment program
1,021
87
1,108
Individuals who have completed a treatment program
613
62
675
According to the Kentucky Access to Recovery Project, the number of treatment beds available in the state are disproportionately low. The total residential clinical treatment capacity available at the time of the program’s launch equated to 1 bed for every 148 people in need of clinical substance abuse treatment. Long waiting lists and the cost of treatment often prevent individuals from entering treatment. Through the Voucher Program UNITE will provide limited payment for substance abuse treatment at residential facilities for those who qualify.
In order to qualify for a UNITE treatment voucher, applicants must:
Verify that they have been a resident of the Fifth Congressional District for at least 6 months prior to applying.
Have an income that does not exceed 30 percent of the current HUD median income guidelines for the region.
Complete an assessment screening by UNITE personnel.
An applicant is not eligible if:
They have previously received treatment through the UNITE Voucher Program.
They failed to complete a previous voucher treatment placement for any reason.
They have a pending felony charge of any type. (Pending misdemeanors are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.)
They are a fugitive for any reason.
If an applicant is deemed eligible they will be contacted by UNITE officials who will provide treatment recommendations. Participants make the final decision regarding what treatment facility to enter. Priority will be given to participants with no treatment history, juveniles, intravenous drug users and pregnant women.
UNITE will pay for short-term (up to 89 days) and long-term (90 or more days) residential treatments up to a predetermined amount. Detoxification treatments are not covered.
UNITE has contracts with a number of residential treatment facilities throughout the state, but participants are not limited to those facilities. Treatment facilities under contract with UNITE have agreed to set aside a predetermined number of treatment beds for Voucher Program recipients. Generally this will greatly reduce the waiting time from more than a month to just a few days. In incidents where beds are not available, UNITE program participants are given priority status on waiting lists.
The cost of treatment varies by facility. UNITE will pay a treatment provider up to $3,000 for short-term treatment or up to $5,000 for long-term treatment for adults and juveniles. All payments are made directly to the provider.
Individuals wishing to participate in the Voucher Program should call UNITE’s treatment referral line, 1-866-OP-UNITE (1-866-908-6483).
Operation UNITE : Unlawful Narcotics Investigation Treatment and Education
Official Site of Operation UNITE
2292 S. Highway 27, Somerset, KY 42501
606-677-6179 ● Toll Free 1-866-OP-UNITE ● Fax 606-677-6166
Operation UNITE : Unlawful Narcotics Investigation Treatment and Education
According to the Kentucky Access to Recovery Project, the number of treatment beds available in the state are disproportionately low. The total residential clinical treatment capacity available at the time of the program’s launch equated to 1 bed for every 148 people in need of clinical substance abuse treatment. Long waiting lists and the cost of treatment often prevent individuals from entering treatment. Through the Voucher Program UNITE will provide limited payment for substance abuse treatment at residential facilities for those who qualify.