The Columbia Valley Center for Recovery will be the first inpatient recovery facility to serve the Tr-Cities. The Tri Cities and surrounding region is the only major metropolitan area in the state that does not have a Residential Substance Use Treatment Facility or a Detox unit. Currently, anyone needing these services must travel out of town, or sometimes even out of state, to get access to them. The region also lacks short term crisis stabilization treatment options. The only provider in the area for a regional population exceeding 300,000 people. Additionally, the ratio of mental health providers per 100,000 residents is roughly 60% less than the rate found in the Seattle metro area. With limited options for people in mental health crisis, and a higher death rate from overdose than the state average, the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment prepared by the Benton-Franklin Health District identified behavioral health, particularly mental health and substance use disorder treatment, as one of the largest unmet needs in our community. Because of the lack of options people experiencing mental health or substance use related crisis often end up in local emergency rooms or the County jail. Neither of these places provide satisfactory treatment outcomes to the patients.
The Columbia Valley Center for Recovery will operate with a "No Wrong Door" model, accepting all patients regardless of acuity, condition or ability to pay. The facility will house services that are available 24/7/365 as an alternative to arrest and incarceration or being brought to hospital emergency rooms for persons experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
- As of 2023, resident of Benton or Franklin Counties dies of addiction every 5.2 days.
- Emergency services in Benton County respond to approximately seven crisis calls per day. Approximately 2,555 community members per year need behavioral health services.
- As of 2023, the Tri-Cities is the only metro area in Washington that has no detox or inpatient, residential treatment for addiction.
- The Surgeon General estimates that for every dollar spent in treatment, approximately 7-12 dollars can be saved in other social costs.
In the initial phase, four services will be provided:
- Short-Term Treatment—Those in crisis would be admitted for 23-hour observation. This facility would be built as a living room ie., with reclining chairs in a large open area. Clients will be able to receive short-term treatment and would be assessed for long-term care.
- Crisis Stabilization Unit—This unit will provide treatment for clients whose primary diagnosis is for mental illness. Clients will be assessed, diagnosed, and treated without the need for long-term hospitalization. Typical stays will be for less than five days but longer stays can happen voluntarily or through court order.
- Withdrawal Management—This service will provide treatment for those who are actively under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It will be modeled after a Secure Withdrawal Management and Stabilization (SWMS) facility. Clients will receive assessment, stabilization, and detoxification services—along with discharge assistance to residential treatment or out-patient treatment as appropriate. Two levels of withdrawal management will be offered: sub-acute detox which includes regular monitoring and client-administered medications, and acute detox which provides medical coverage by nurses with physicians available 24 hours. Both programs will be available on a voluntary or involuntary basis.
- Residential Substance Use Treatment—Length of for SUD treatment at the CVCR will depend upon initial and ongoing assessment and progress toward treatment goals.
Future services to include: Transitional housing, adolescent and children’s programs, such as long-term in-patient mental health services, youth crisis center, youth SUD treatment center.
The Columbia Valley Center for Recovery will generate countless benefits throughout the region.
- Provide timely treatment to addicted and/or mentally ill persons to help restore them to full and productive lives
- Facilitate participation of families of persons who choose treatment, thus increasing success rate
- Assist law enforcement and health care providers by offering local services for advanced care and treatment
- Increase public safety and hygiene
- Reduce repeat visits to emergency departments by persons in crisis, thus reducing costs and wait times
- Reduce crime and recidivism, thus lowering local law enforcement costs and workload
- Provide substantial return on investment for employers currently sending employees to non-local treatment centers
- Promote neighborhood revitalization and stability
- Increase tax revenue from salaries and supplies/services purchased locally
Endorsements from Local Leaders
Jerome Delvin, Benton County Commissioner: “A Facility such as the Columbia Valley Center for Recovery has been desperately needed in Benton County, and the entire Tri-Cities area, for years; which is why establishing a recovery center has been a priority of mine for quite some time. The CVCR will help our region combat the ever-growing struggle against drug and chemical addiction, as well as mental health issues. Local correctional facilities are not the appropriate locations for these people to land when they are in crisis. CVCR will not only address the current needs our community is facing, but future needs as well. This will be a facility of which the entire region can be proud.”
Eric Eisinger, Benton County Prosecuting Attorney: “ Benton County is an exceptional place to live, but public safety and economic growth depend on our willingness to address our toughest issues. Our community has desperately needed the recovery center. Too many people are in crisis, and some of those people are ready and eager for help. As your county prosecutor, I believe in personal responsibility, accountability, and protecting the community, but justice and mercy walk hand in hand. Providing meaningful help to those who need it is an effective curb to rising crime. More importantly, we have the privilege of restoring sons and daughters to their families and our community at large. This is the great work that the Columbia Valley Center for Recovery will undertake and that I am proud to support.”
April Connors, Washington state Representative, 8th Legislative District: “The Columbia Valley Center for Recovery stands as a beacon of hope and healing for the Tri-City Region and South Central Washington. This Recovery Center will not only mend lives but fortify the community’s overall wellbeing. As both a State Representative for the 8th District and a member of the community, I wholeheartedly endorse the essential work of the Columbia Valley Center for Recovery. Their commitment to mental and behavioral health is a vital addition to our community.”
Perry Dozier, Washington state Senator, 16th Legislative District: “Our part of the state is a leader in areas like agriculture, energy, and technology, but access to behavioral health services has been a different story. The Columbia Valley Center for Recovery will bring us even with other communities when it comes to connecting people with resources that can turn lives around. The Center will be the answer to many hopes in our region, and I’m grateful to all those who have had a role in making it a reality.”
Brad Peck, former Franklin County Commissioner: “Societal costs of untreated mental health and substance use disorders affect us all; financially and socially. Programs like the Columbia Valley Center for Recovery reduce costly, unnecessary incarceration and use of limited emergency medical services. The return on investment to taxpayers is excellent; the value to those being treated, immeasurable.”
Stephanie Barnard, Washington state Representative, 8th Legislative District: “Every single one of us will benefit from the work being done in our community to address substance abuse, addiction, and mental health disorders. Whether it’s you, your relative, or your best friend, the Columbia Valley Center for Recovery will help struggling individuals put their lives back on track and reclaim the joys of a healthy life. I fully support this effort and look forward to a brighter future for so many.”
