1  Sustainable Substance Abuse Treatment System
FOR-VT recommends continued focus on the sustainability of Vermont's substance abuse treatment system.  Accessible, quality treatment is often critical for initiation of recovery. Based on ADAP estimates, the outpatient treatment capacity is insufficient in all areas of the state for both adolescent and adult populations.  Waiting lists and gaps in substance abuse treatment services exist. There is limited access to medication assisted treatment across the state, while some parts do not have any services at all. 

2  Recovery Support Services and Continuing Care
FOR-VT is a well-established statewide recovery community organization which has provided public awareness, education, support and advocacy for over 10 years.  We recommend continued funding for recovery advocacy, as well as peer support organizations. We recommend adoption of best practices in regards to provision of recovery support services based on a chronic care model. FOR-VT recommends increasing the availability of care before, during, after, and when appropriate, as an alternative totreatment.  This includes greater access to traditional case management, peer case management, aftercare/ relapse prevention groups, alumni groups, parent support groups, medication assisted recovery, peer mentors/recovery coaches, telephone-based follow-ups, annual recovery checkups.  (Similar to a plan for other chronic conditions such as diabetes.)

3  Vermont FACES Network
FOR-VT recommends sustaining the Vermont FACES Network as a means to ensure that the family voice is active and has meaningful role in Vermont's substance abuse service delivery.  Over the past two years, the FACES Network has created a website, a speaker's bureau, a widely distributed poster for parents to access resources and support, a peer support structure, and a Family Advisory Board made up of knowledgeable and vocal consultants on issues important to Vermont families.  Due to the end of a large federal grant, the FACES Network funding will end in March 2009. 

4  Recovery Community Centers
FOR-VT supports the recommendation of the VT Recovery Network to maintain the current level of state funding for the recovery centers.  FOR-VT also suggests additional funding for one new center during FY'10.These recovery community centers are faced with serving more people, many with complex service needs, with the limited resources they have. Maintaining the current level of financial support for the nine existing recovery centers is critical to sustaining this innovative and effective model of providing recovery support.  (See VT Recovery Network report at www.vtrecoverynetwork.org).

5  Transitional housing and employment programs
FOR-VT recommends that a revolving loan fund be re-established within the VT Department of Health to establish Oxford Houses, and other transitional housing options, throughout the state of Vermont. FOR-VT recommends that transitional housingoptions are available in each county for men, women and adolescents.  FOR-VT also recommends a more focused effort to provide supportive employment for people in recovery.  This includes reducing barriers such as transportation and child care, whenever possible, and addressing stigma and discrimination of those with past alcohol and drug histories and/or criminal histories.

6   Raise the beer tax!
FOR-VT recommends legislation which requires an additional tax on beer to be collected by the VT Department of Liquor Control to support substance abuse programs.  This is essentially a users fee to pre-pay for the increasing medical, legal, and societal costs of alcohol abuse.  Raising the tax on beer has been proven to reduce underage drinking, a serious problem facing our state.