Faith-Based Groups Get Increasing Share of Substance Abuse Voucher Funds

The Roundtable on Religion & Social Welfare Policy reported last week on the increasing participation by religious organizations in offering substance abuse treatment funded by federal government vouchers. A recent report by the Department of Health & Human Services reveals that in the Access to Recovery voucher program, 31% of clinical treatment services and 22% of recovery support services have been furnished by faith-based organizations. According to The Roundtable, critics have complained that many of the faith-based programs funded by ATR do not meet state licensing requirements, and are permitted to use religiously-based materials in treatment programs. [Thanks to Blog from the Capital for the lead.]