SPRINGFIELD – The Center for Human Development (CHD) has been awarded $400,000 by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Health to support the Goodwin House treatment center. The funds will be distributed annually until 2030.

According to Patricia Pollicina, director of substance use services, CHD began working on the grant at the end of February and heard that they would be receiving the funds on June 2.

Pollicina said that the money will support a renewal of the contract for Goodwin House, a residential addiction treatment center that serves boys ages 13 through 17.

“The award will help ensure services remain available for youth who need them through 2030, and it will also support enhancements to the program in regard to both staffing and services,” said Pollicina. “The enhancements include an increase in staffing at the program, including the implementation of a psychiatrist and a psychiatric nurse onsite at Goodwin House multiple days per week.”

Goodwin House works to help teens who are experiencing concurrent mental health and substance use issues.

Pollicina said that at Goodwin House they are “able to take a step back from their everyday lives and the situations that may have led them to the program, practice healthy coping strategies, and embark on their path to recovery.

Goodwin Houseresidents participate in individual, group and family therapies, recreational therapies, educational workshops focused on life and coping skill building and school and vocational guidance.

Over the past year, Pollicina said that many teens have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and they have seen an increase in those needing CHD’s services.

“Similar to adults, youth have also experienced a huge decrease in their ability to socialize. Oftentimes, teens’ peers are their supports,” she said. “Levels of depression and substance use have also increased across the ages. For instance, sales of alcohol increased by about 50 percent in adults, and the same increase in use is true for adolescents when it comes to alcohol and other substances.”

CHD plans to implement the enhancements from the funding by July 1. Pollicina said that they are currently working to bring in new staff.

According to Pollicina, Goodwin House has an open referral system, which means that anybody can refer a teen boy in need of support.

“Referrals can be made by calling 1-844-CHD-HELP. If Goodwin House can be of service, a member of the program’s leadership team can then connect with the teen or family directly,” she said.

Those interested in learning more about CHD or Goodwin House are encouraged to visit their website at https://chd.org/.