New program helps women aim for the STARs
STAR — Sisters Together Active in Recovery — is a new VCH women’s-only addiction treatment program, and VCH is making preparations for the program’s launch mid-January.
“STAR will provide comprehensive, respectful and effective substance use treatment for women,” said Andrew MacFarlane, Director, Mental Health and Addictions-Urban. “STAR will not only help women along their path to recovery, but will also help them build community and foster confidence along the way.”
STAR’s treatment model will use cognitive behavioural therapy, teaching and coaching, family systems, and motivational interviewing within a structured collaborative approach. The evidenced-based program was designed and created by VCH Clinical Supervisor JP Grimard and Clinical Counselor Rosemary Messmer, with direct input from VCH’s service users, service providers and community stakeholders. The materials developed address specific issues and topics that women face in recovery.
STAR will begin accepting clients December 9 and will officially launch January 13.STAR’s program hours will be built around childcare, daycare and school hours to enable access by women who have childcare responsibilities.
“Our ability to launch STAR comes out of the redesign work we undertook this past year across Addictions Services,” said Laura Case, Executive Director, Vancouver Community. “This work enabled us to find efficiencies and free-up dollars within our existing funding envelope to create STAR. It’s an example of what can happen when we regularly review our programs and make adjustments to meet growing need.”
STAR’s group-based programming consists of two streams:
- Recovery Essentials (12 modules covered in six weeks) focuses on early recovery, is low barrier and harm-reduction based.
- Recovery Intensive (24 modules over 12 weeks) consists of intensive recovery and is abstinence based.
STAR features rolling intake in each of its two streams, and will help as many as 60 women at any given time.
STAR will run from VCH’s newly integrated South MH&A Team offices in Marpole, at 220-1200 West 73rd Ave. Transportation vouchers will be available to participants who require them.
Nozar shadloo
I was overwhelmed when I read about Star program for the women in our society. Woman in our society are getting triple discriminated. One because they are a women, two because they have addiction or mental health, third because they are mothers. This is the first time I have seen program holistically tries to help and provide treatment for our woman in our society. I have to congratulate who ever come with this Idea and wish them all the best. This program can become one the best health promotion program in the world and Canadian once more taking lead in comprehensive care program.
With lots of regard Nozar
Psychotropic Nurse Vancouver detox