Overview
Alberta’s government is seeking qualified service providers to apply to operate recovery communities in Red Deer, Lethbridge and Gunn.
As part of the Alberta’s government shift to a recovery-oriented system of addiction and mental health care, recovery communities are being built throughout the province. Also known as therapeutic communities, recovery communities are a form of long-term residential addiction treatment that focuses on the whole person and overall lifestyle changes. They provide opportunities for people to enhance their life skills and social competencies to help them return to full community living. Recovery is seen as a gradual, ongoing process of cognitive change through clinical and peer interventions.
Treatment at recovery communities will be fully funded by the provincial government. Any Albertan seeking recovery can access the life-saving treatment services for free.
The first of their kind in Alberta, recovery communities are currently under construction in Red Deer, Lethbridge and Gunn.
A recovery community is also being planned on the Blood Tribe First Nation.
The successful service providers may have the opportunity to operate the therapeutic components of new therapeutic living units to be developed at Alberta correctional centres, providing strong continuity of care for those in corrections looking to begin their recovery journey.
Deadlines
The application period closed on July 22, 2022. Successful applicants were notified in August 2022.
Funding
The Government of Alberta is allocating $13.5 million annually to operate recovery communities in Red Deer, Lethbridge and Gunn. Annual funding may be adjusted depending on operational needs.
Specific grant allocations for each community will be based on the applications received.
Eligibility
Proposals will be accepted from service providers that currently operate recovery-oriented residential addiction treatment programs and facilities that are similar in purpose and scale to recovery communities.
Priority will be given to applicants who:
- currently operate facilities with at least half the beds of the recovery community they are applying to operate
- have previous experience with an operating budget of at least $3.5 million annually for a recovery/residential addiction treatment facility
- be willing to license their proposed recovery community program under the Mental Health Services Protection Act
- have demonstrated experience in providing innovative practices in recovery based models of care
- have a clear understanding of Alberta’s addiction and mental health system and the Government of Alberta’s vision and plan for a recovery-oriented system of care
- have a proven track record of positive client outcomes and integration with community organizations and supports and have a vision for how this will be achieved and improved through recovery communities
- recognize and accommodate treatment in prison populations and continuation of programming and support after release
- be able to obtain standard insurance, including $5 million in general liability
- be willing to participate in performance evaluations and financial reporting
As Alberta is looking to leverage innovative practices and build local capacity for recovery and treatment operations, applications from partnerships (including with local communities) or consortia of operators are welcomed.
After you apply
Notification was made to successful grant recipients in August 2022.
Contact
Connect with Alberta Health:
Email: [email protected]
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