Vibrant Communities
From Despair to Hope
LaCosta Gardenhire’s Journey of Resilience and Recovery
Education and Community Action in Addressing Substance Use Disorders
A conversation with SAFE Yakima Director, Alicia Stromme Tobin Understanding the Connection Between Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health Disorders
From Despair to Hope: LaCosta Gardenhire’s Journey of Resilience and Recovery
Education and Community Action in Addressing Substance Use Disorders
Addiction can affect anyone, regardless of background or circumstance. Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) do not discriminate, impacting countless lives both directly and indirectly. As a community, it’s vital that we stay vigilant and offer unwavering support to those affected.
My family has been deeply affected by substance use disorders, particularly alcoholism, which has touched several family members, including my Dad and brother. Witnessing firsthand the struggles and impact addiction has on families inspired me to become a psychologist and work in community behavioral health. Advocating for those with SUD challenges is crucial to ensure they receive the support, understanding, and resources they need to recover and become a functioning member of our community. Our community heals when we allow others to heal.
In this issue of Vibrant Communities, we will turn our attention to SUDs, with a focus on the multifaceted efforts being made across our region to prevent, treat, and ultimately reduce the stigma associated with these disorders. As you read through the articles, you’ll find stories of resilience, the importance of education, and the critical role that Comprehensive Healthcare plays in offering a lifeline to those in need.
This topic is especially timely as we observed International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31. This day served as a reminder of the lives lost to overdose and the urgent need for continued education, prevention, and access to treatment. It also underscores the importance of reducing the stigma surrounding addiction, which often serves as a barrier to those seeking help.
September is Recovery Month—a time to celebrate those who have found a path to recovery and recognize the support systems, both professional and personal, that make such journeys possible. It’s also a time to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that everyone in our community has access to the resources they need to achieve and sustain recovery.
Throughout this fall issue of Vibrant Communities, you’ll learn more about the programs and partnerships that are making a difference, from early intervention and youth outreach to community education and support for families. These efforts, combined with the dedication of our staff and partners, reflect our unwavering commitment to addressing SUDs in our community.
I encourage you to read these stories, share them, engage in the conversations they spark, and consider how you might contribute to the collective effort to combat Substance Use Disorders. Together, we can create a community where recovery is possible for everyone. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to making our community vibrant, healthy, and resilient.
Jodi Daly, PhD President and CEO Comprehensive Healthcare
“Our community heals when we allow others to heal.”
Jodi Daly, PhD is the Chief Executive Officer at Comprehensive Healthcare.
LaCosta Gardenhire’s Journey of Resilience and Recovery From Despair to Hope
Homeless for five years, living out of her car with her three dogs, and deep in the holds of addiction, life was once an unimaginable struggle for LaCosta Gardenhire. Once a week, she would visit the neighborhood health clinic for a shower, clinging to what little normalcy she could. Her days were filled with uncertainty, fear, and a deep sense of hopelessness. She knew deep down that something needed to change but struggled to find the path towards recovery. Then, one pivotal moment changed everything.
LaCosta vividly recalls the
terrifying experience that became her wake-up call. “I was woken up by my boyfriend screaming my name. He showed me my son’s face, and he was purple, his lips were blue, and slobber was draining down his face,” she recounts. In a scene that unfolded like a nightmare, LaCosta realized that her son had overdosed. Panicked, she rushed to call 911. “We carried him to the back porch, and that’s when I started CPR. I was screaming to every god that would hear me, ‘Please don’t let my baby die.’” LaCosta fought through the terror, performing CPR while listening to the unsettling noises it made, even as her boyfriend vomited nearby. “I kept on and on. I could hear the EMTs coming, but it felt like forever.” When they finally arrived, first responders used a manual resuscitator for ten minutes and administered three doses of Narcan before he finally stirred. “It was the scariest, most horrendous thing that has ever happened to me,” LaCosta reflects. This harrowing experience jolted her to action. “It was an eye-opener to save my life,” she says.
LaCosta’s journey to recovery began when she connected with Triumph, a treatment center where she was able to start detox and the recovery process. Following her treatment at Triumph, LaCosta was connected to a peer support counselor at Comprehensive Healthcare, Andrea Walker. “As a peer support counselor, my goal is to walk alongside people like LaCosta and help them get where they want to go,” Andrea shared. “I could see LaCosta was determined to stay sober despite everything she has been through. It’s amazing to see how much strength she has shown.” This connection proved to be a lifeline, pulling LaCosta from the abyss she had lived in for so long.
The support LaCosta received was more than just professional – it was deeply personal. “The team that
worked with me were actually ex-users themselves, so they had a lot of insight and knowledge,” she explained. Andrea became a pillar of strength for LaCosta, especially during the most taxing times. “My mom died one month after I got clean, and Andrea was there for me. She had just lost her dad, so she knew exactly what I was going through,” LaCosta recalls, her voice thick with emotion. “She got me out of my car and into a place to live. She was there for me no matter what.”
Andrea also felt a deep connection with LaCosta through their shared experiences. “I felt like we had the same story,” Andrea said. “I had just returned from leave after my dad passed, only eight months after losing my mom. When I met LaCosta, I could see so much of myself in her.” Andrea found that the wisdom and support her cousin had offered during her own grieving process became invaluable in her work with LaCosta. “I shared with her what my cousin had told me – that it’s okay to cry when you remember, but also try to think of something good so you can end with a smile.”
Through the Methadone program and daily classes, LaCosta began to rebuild her life. These classes taught her about addiction and recovery, helping her to set goals and find a new purpose. “It was like waking up in a new life,” she says. For LaCosta, these programs did more than provide treatment – they allowed her to rediscover herself and her potential.
Now, one year into her sobriety, LaCosta’s life is a testament to resilience and transformation. “I have my own place and a new car, and I go to my NA meetings every day,” she proudly states. “I try to stay focused on recovery because I don’t want that life of despair back.” Through her recovery, LaCosta has not only reclaimed her life but also rebuilt her relationships with her family. “My sister has been a lifesaver,” LaCosta shares. “She took me in during my most desperate times, helped me
through severe anxiety, and kept me busy and focused so I wouldn’t relapse. My brother and his wife even bought me a car for my one-year clean and sober anniversary. It was a gift for new beginnings.” This outpouring of love and support from her family has been instrumental in her journey, giving her the strength to move forward and a renewed sense of belonging.
Andrea beams with pride when she talks about LaCosta’s progress. “She’s so much more confident now and has this incredible willingness to help others,” Andrea shared. “LaCosta’s resilience amazes me. Despite everything she’s gone through – leaving inpatient treatment only to be homeless, losing her mom, and even facing bullying in her sober living house – she’s remained sober and strong.” Andrea recalls how, even as LaCosta faced new challenges, she never wavered in her commitment to her recovery. “She still goes to her meetings, reaches out when she needs support, and even helps others, almost like a peer support counselor herself. I wouldn’t be surprised if she becomes one someday.”
LaCosta’s story is one of hope, and she wants others to know that recovery is possible. “I would tell anyone struggling to give treatment a shot, to give Comprehensive a shot,” she advises. “They helped me rebuild my life to what it is today. I’m no longer living in my car. I can lay down at night and wake up feeling safe.”
Her dreams for the future are rooted in gratitude and a desire to help others. “I would like to help another suffering addict, to show them that they can make it, that there is life out there,” LaCosta says, her voice filled with conviction and hope.
LaCosta’s journey is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit. She is living proof that with the right support, even the most challenging circumstances can be overcome. Her message is clear: there is hope, there is help, and there is a way forward.
“It was like waking up in a new life.”
a
Healthcare.
LaCosta Gardenhire is
client at Comprehensive
Education and Community Action in Addressing Substance Use Disorders
By educating ourselves and others about SUDs, we equip our communities with the knowledge to identify early warning signs, understand the risk factors, and recognize the importance of seeking help.
As Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) continue to pose a significant challenge in our communities, affecting individuals, families, and the broader social fabric, it’s natural to wonder where to even begin in tackling a problem so vast. The opioid crisis remains a persistent issue, and other harmful substances continue to infiltrate both youth and adult populations, leaving many feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about what can be done. However, there is hope on the horizon. The key to addressing any monumental problem is to break it down into manageable steps, approaching it one piece at a time. So, what are the steps to dismantling this crisis? Which bricks should we remove from the wall first? The solution begins with education.
Education: The First Step in Dismantling the Crisis
Education is the foundation upon which all successful prevention and intervention efforts are built. By educating ourselves and others about SUDs, we equip our communities with the knowledge to identify early warning signs, understand the risk factors, and recognize the importance of seeking help. Education demystifies the complexities of addiction, making it clear that SUDs are not a matter of choice or moral failing but a chronic health condition that requires comprehensive treatment and support.
Education is crucial in reducing the stigma surrounding treatment options. Alicia Stromme Tobin, Executive Director of SAFE Yakima, underscored this in a recent interview, where she shared her experience on a fentanyl panel. “I was shocked because one of the panelists, who had a son struggling with opioid use disorder and was on MOUDs, openly disapproved of Narcan and MOUDs,” she recounted. This panelist, like many others, held the dangerous misconception that Narcan was enabling drug use.
Alicia quickly addressed these misconceptions by presenting the science behind Narcan, revealing a startling discrepancy in reported statistics. In Yakima County, 96 overdose-related deaths were officially recorded in 2023. However, Alicia discovered that these figures only covered fatalities, not the total number of overdoses. Determined to uncover the full scope, she enlisted local first responders for help. One of them shared they manually tracked the total number of overdose calls they handled over a three-month period. The findings were eye-opening: “In 2023, Yakima County
had approximately 6,000 overdoses. We had 96 deaths, which means 5,904 lives were saved by Narcan. And nobody knows that. We’re underestimating the problem by 6,200%,” Alicia revealed. By educating ourselves and others on the realities of SUDs and their treatment, we can change these harmful misconceptions and promote life-saving interventions.
Prevention: Building a Stronger Community
Once we have knowledge, we can move on to prevention. Prevention efforts are most effective when they are community-driven and focus on creating environments that reduce the likelihood of substance misuse. This involves early intervention strategies, providing resources to at-risk individuals, and promoting healthy lifestyles that discourage substance use.
Some might wonder why prevention should be prioritized – will it make a difference? Tobin explains the following example: “If I’m driving along the Yakima River Canyon and I see there are kids swimming in the water and it looks like they’re drowning, I would tell my husband to pull over and help me pull those kids out of the water. And if, lo and behold, a few more kids came down the river, I would look at my husband and say, ‘You stay here and help pull these kids out of the river. I need to find out where they’re falling in it.’ If I drive further upstream and I see a bridge with a hole in it where the kids are falling through, I would then want to plug the hole, right? We need to fix the hole. That doesn’t mean we forget and let the kids drown that are already in the river. But you need to plug the hole, and you will save more lives by doing that.”
Communities can take proactive measures by supporting programs that focus on educating young people about the dangers of substance use, like those offered through organizations like SAFE Yakima. Initiatives like National Night Out, which foster solid police-community relationships and promote awareness, also play a crucial role in preventing substance misuse before it starts. One of SAFE Yakima’s most impactful programs is its mentoring initiative for at-risk youth aged 10 to 17. This program is unique in its approach, bridging the gap between school-based and community-based mentoring models. Tobin explains, “We target elevatedrisk youth, identified through various sources, including schools, healthcare providers, and even parents. The program is voluntary, and we match these youth with responsible, caring adults who commit to spending four hours a month with them for nine months.”
“Evidence shows that youth who are mentored are 46% less likely to develop a long-term substance use disorder.”
The benefits of mentorship are profound. “Evidence shows that youth who are mentored are 46% less likely to develop a long-term substance use disorder,” says Tobin. “Their academics improve, their behavior stabilizes, and they are more likely to pursue higher education and participate in extracurricular activities.”
Partnership and Collaboration: Strength in Unity
No single organization or individual can tackle the SUD crisis alone. It requires a united effort from multiple sectors of society, including healthcare providers, law enforcement, schools, and community organizations. By working together, these groups can create a network of support that addresses the various facets of SUDs, from prevention to treatment and recovery.
available in your community. Share this knowledge with others to help spread awareness and reduce stigma.
2. Join a Community Coalition: Many communities have coalitions dedicated to preventing substance misuse and supporting recovery. By joining one of these groups, you can contribute to the development and implementation of prevention strategies.
3. Support Local Programs: Get involved with local organizations that are working to prevent and treat SUDs. Whether through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word, your support can make a significant difference.
Comprehensive Healthcare partners with several local organizations that are committed to this cause. SAFE Yakima, for example, is dedicated to promoting substance abuse prevention and education within the Yakima community. Similarly, the Benton Franklin Recovery Coalition and the Yakima Community Coalition work tirelessly to provide resources, advocacy, and support to those affected by SUDs. These partnerships amplify the reach and impact of prevention efforts, making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and families
Taking Action: How You Can Get Involved
Education, prevention, and collaboration are vital, but they require active participation from all members of the community to be truly effective. There are several ways you can get involved in the fight against SUDs:
1. Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about SUDs, the latest research, and the resources
4. Advocate for Change: Use your voice to advocate for policies and programs that support SUD prevention, treatment, and recovery at the local, state, and national levels. Your advocacy can help drive the systemic changes needed to address the root causes of SUDs and provide better support for those affected.
As we work together, step by step, brick by brick, we can begin to dismantle the crisis of Substance Use Disorders in our communities. Through education, prevention, collaboration, and action, there is hope for a brighter, healthier future for everyone.
Alicia Stromme Tobin is the Executive Director of SAFE Yakima. SAFE Yakima is a Yakima-based non-profit organization, dedicated to improving and safegaurding the Yakima community.
Adult SUD Services at Comprehensive Healthcare
Comprehensive Healthcare offers a range of adult substance use disorder services designed to support individuals at every stage of recovery.
Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment
Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment (IDDT) is a specialized program that takes a co-occurring approach to SUD treatment, addressing both substance use and mental health disorders simultaneously. “We work with individuals who have serious mental illnesses with significant functional impacts,” explains Kenneth Braconnier, the Supervisor for the Community Support Services program in Yakima. “The IDDT program provides a lowintensity outpatient treatment that includes group sessions one to three times a week, depending on the individual’s needs.”
These sessions utilize evidence-based curricula, such as the Hazelden Matrix and Living in Balance, tailored to the unique needs of clients with cognitive deficits or psychosis. The program’s flexibility allows individuals to attend as many sessions as they require, ensuring they receive the appropriate level of care.
Rehabilitation (Rehab)
The Rehab program offers primary case management services for adults with SUD. Unlike traditional outpatient programs that focus on therapy, the Rehab program emphasizes community-based support. “We work a lot on community resources and living skills,” says Braconnier. “These are people who need a bit more help –whether it’s with medication adherence, finding housing, securing SSI benefits, or
even basic tasks like grocery shopping. Our goal is to ensure they have the resources and guidance they need to build a stable and independent life.”
The Rehab team operates mainly within the community, meeting clients where they are – whether in their homes, shelters like Camp Hope and the Union Gospel Mission, or even through WebEx services for those unable to leave their residences. Some are unable to come in for services simply because they don’t have anywhere to leave their pets when they come in. “We want to reduce as many barriers as possible, so we go to them if they can’t come to us,” Braconnier emphasizes.
Supportive Living
Supportive Housing is another vital component of Comprehensive Healthcare’s adult SUD services. This program is designed for individuals with chronic mental illnesses who require assistance in developing the skills necessary for independent living. Clients can stay in supportive housing for up to two years, during which they receive weekly case management to work on budgeting, cooking, cleaning, and other daily living skills.
The Supportive Housing program aims to prepare clients for independent living. However, if a client is unable to transition to independent living, they may be referred to a higher level of care, such as Crossroads or Gleed Orchard Manor, which offer more supportive environments.
Kenneth Braconnier is the Supervisor of Community Support Services at Comprehensive Healthcare in Yakima.
“We treat every single person that walks through our door as a basic human being. We make sure they feel seen, heard, and respected.”
Medication Assisted Treatment
For many individuals, MAT can be a critical component of their recovery journey. Comprehensive Healthcare offers MAT as part of our adult SUD services, providing medications that can help reduce cravings, manage withdrawal symptoms, and prevent relapse. Our medical team closely monitors our MAT program, ensuring that clients receive the right medication and dosage as part of their overall treatment plan.
Sub Acute Detox Facility
One of the first steps towards sobriety is completing a Detox program to safely withdraw from substances. During withdrawal, having a secure and supportive environment is essential. That’s why Comprehensive Healthcare’s Detox program operates 24/7, seven days a week. Program Manager Kim Clemmons highlights the program’s accessibility: “If they meet criteria and we have a bed available, we do their intake, whether it’s three in the afternoon or three in the morning.”
In addition to providing individuals a safe place to withdraw, the detox program partners with the local ER to initiate medication-assisted treatment..
The team also uses Comprehensive Healthcare’s Walk-in Clinic to help clients address basic health needs. While the average stay is three days, the program is flexible, tailoring care to the individual’s needs. Following their stay in the detox facility, clients are referred to treatment when appropriate, often partnering with local centers like Triumph to ensure smooth transitions. Although follow-up treatment is recommended, clients going through the program have no obligation to enroll in treatment after they finish the program.
The program fosters a supportive and communal atmosphere, where staff
members share meals with clients, teach recovery and coping skills, and engage in group activities like crafts to build rapport. The Detox program offers a safe and welcoming environment for all. As Clemmons explains, “We treat every single person that walks through our door as a basic human being. We make sure they feel seen, heard, and respected.”
Opioid Treatment Program and Mobile Medication Unit
Our Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) and Mobile Medication Unit (MMU) offer support to clients who need help with opioid addiction. We provide two main services: prescribing and managing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), such as Methadone or Suboxone, and substance use disorder treatment.
Our licensed medical providers oversee the entire process, from prescribing medication to monitoring its effects during different treatment stages – induction, stabilization, and maintenance. Initially, our nurses conduct thorough assessments to handle withdrawal symptoms and ensure medication is given safely. We also offer individual and group counseling, case management, and peer support, all customized to fit each client’s specific needs and goals. Medication management is based on best practices, with dose adjustments made as needed to ensure clients are comfortable and stable.
Hub and Spoke
Comprehensive Healthcare’s Hub and Spoke program is a critical initiative in the fight against opioid use disorder (OUD) in Central Washington. This state-funded program is designed to expand access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) by leveraging the strengths of Comprehensive Healthcare,
Kim Clemmons is the Program Manager for the Detox Center in Yakima. Marc Shellenberger is the Program Manager for the Hub and Spoke Team at Comprehensive Healthcare.
the central “hub,” and its network of smaller, communitybased “spokes.” “Our goal is to provide medicationassisted treatment (MAT) to individuals, reducing the potential for fatality from overdose by 50%,” said Hub and Spoke Program Manager Marc Shellenberger. “We believe that combining medication with comprehensive treatment and therapies enhances the chances of longterm abstinence and stability.”
Through this collaborative approach, the program ensures that individuals struggling with OUD receive comprehensive, integrated care that includes medication, counseling, and vital support services.
In addition to providing medication-assisted treatment (MAT), Hub and Spoke has a team of Navigators dedicated to addressing the unique and complex needs of individuals in this high-risk population by focusing on three key areas. First, they conduct outreach by engaging with people in the community, including on the streets, in residential treatment programs, hospitals, jails, and syringe service program (SSP) sites. They build relationships with opioid users, educate them about treatment options, screen for eligibility, and facilitate their induction into MAT services. Second, they provide motivation through one-on-one in-person or overthe-phone meetings with individuals who have started MAT, helping them overcome barriers to fully engage in their treatment and achieve stability. Third, they offer ongoing case management, linking MAT patients to additional services such as health care, mental health support, housing, and financial assistance to support their recovery journey.
This emphasis on patient engagement and tailored care lies at the core of the program’s success. Understanding that effective treatment starts with meeting individuals at their specific stage of change, the program’s dedicated Navigators work to build trusting relationships with each person. Understanding that early disengagement can hinder progress, the team prioritizes efforts to help patients maintain their connection to treatment. “We want to help people retain their connection to medicationassisted treatment in the critical first 90 days,” says Shellenberger. “By doing so, we can significantly reduce the risk of relapse and enhance the long-term success of their recovery.”
The Hub and Spoke Program serves as a beacon of hope, providing evidence that with an integrated approach, focused engagement, and access to medication-assisted treatment, recovery from opioid use disorder is attainable.
Understanding the Connection Between Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health Disorders
Imagine a young girl who has known nothing but chaos and neglect. Rather than having a home filled with warmth and safety, she is only met with cold indifference. Each day is marked by uncertainty, with the constant threat of abuse casting a dark shadow over her entire existence. At school, she struggles to connect with her peers, feeling like an outsider. None of the other children seem to understand what she’s going through.
As the years go on and she begins to navigate her teenage years, the weight of these early traumas morphs into something more sinister. Isolation, neglect, and abuse transform into anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Desperate for relief, she seeks solace in substances, hoping to numb the pain and escape her reality. What begins as a fleeting reprieve quickly spirals into a dependency, leading her down a road of chronic addiction, where the cycle of suffering continues to tighten its grip. This story illustrates the frequent intersection of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and mental health disorders. It’s evident that SUDs rarely occur in isolation—mental health disorders are often intricately linked and play a more significant role than previously recognized. This raises the crucial question: how deeply are these two conditions integrated?
The Link Between Mental Health and SUDs
Jon Schlenske, Division Chief of Substance Use Disorders at Comprehensive Healthcare, states there’s a near-universal overlap between SUD and mental health disorders. “We’re finding more out now in regards to childhood trauma and childhood neglect, trauma in general, especially early in life, how that leads to self-medication, which is really the first step in terms of becoming chronically addicted,” Schlenske explains.
Several risk factors contribute to the development of both SUD and mental health disorders. As mentioned earlier, these include genetic, environmental, and social factors. Schlenske points out that negative family systems, childhood abuse, neglect, and a
lack of emotional support during formative years can set the stage for these co-occurring conditions. Additionally, social determinants of health, such as inadequate access to basic needs, play a crucial role. "Sliding into a negative peer group, trying to find your place, or just ultimately numbing the pain because you haven't been able to get help" are common pathways leading to SUD and mental health issues, Schlenske notes. While genetics play a role, the foundation of these disorders is often laid by early negative experiences.
Treatment: Evidence-Based Approaches
Treating individuals with co-occurring SUD and mental health disorders requires a multifaceted approach. Schlenske highlights the importance of integrating various evidence-based practices, such as cognitivebehavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing. These methods are crucial in addressing the intricate needs of
individuals facing both substance use and mental health disorders. Despite the effectiveness of these treatments, Schlenske points out the concurrent challenges in treating these disorders. “The average addict enters inpatient seven times before they generally attain one year of sobriety. Relapse rates are in the 80 percentile. For opioids, it’s even higher than that,” Schlenske shares. This high rate of relapse underscores the importance of a structured and phased approach to treatment. “Typically, you want to treat the SUD first so they can stabilize and get a good recovery foundation,” he advises. This method helps prevent premature dives into trauma that could destabilize recovery, ensuring a more stable and sustainable path to wellness.
Barriers to Treatment: A Complex Landscape
Accessing timely and adequate treatment remains a significant hurdle for those with an SUD.
“Bed availability, wait times, access issues, insurance issues. Wait times are a barrier. Folks are months out,” Schlenske states. Post-COVID, these issues have intensified due to a shortage of healthcare workers, making access to treatment even more difficult. Additionally, transportation and childcare can further complicate access to care for Medicaid populations, as these individuals often lack the resources needed to attend appointments regularly. Long wait times can be particularly discouraging for individuals in crisis. “If you’re in a crisis and you finally reach that point where you really want to
address this and you reach out, and they say, ‘We can see you in six weeks,’ it makes it pretty difficult,” Schlenske shares.
"We want to get folks in, and we don't want to make them wait," Schlenske stresses. Streamlining assessments and reducing wait times are essential to removing those barriers to care.
Advice for Those Struggling: Persistence Is Key
For those struggling with both SUD and mental health issues, Schlenske's advice is clear: "Reach out. Don't stop. Make phone calls. Don't take no for an answer." He stresses the importance of utilizing community resources and hotlines, emphasizing that help is available for those who persist in seeking it.
Looking Ahead: Integrated Care for Better Outcomes
Jon Schlenske’s role as Division Chief of Substance Use Disorders is a new position to Comprehensive Healthcare, created as a proactive approach to addressing the SUD crisis. This move aligns with the agency’s strategic vision to improve its infrastructure and enhance the delivery of whole-person care. Comprehensive Healthcare has also recently hired a full-time addictionologist, further signaling a strengthented commitment to treating co-occurring disorders and advancing the integrated care model. Schlenske is optimistic about this new direction. “I’m thrilled that we are valuing cooccurring disorders like we are now,” he says. This shift towards holistic care and concurrent treatment marks a significant progress in the healthcare system. By acknowledging and addressing the intertwined nature of SUD and mental health disorders, providers can now offer more effective and compassionate care.
“The average addict enters inpatient seven times before they generally attain one year of sobriety.”
Jon
the Division Chief of Substance Use Disorders at Comprehensive Healthcare.
Schlenske is
Out in the Community
Comprehensive Healthcare is deeply committed to engaging with our community, especially in the fight against Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). This summer, we actively participated in Overdose Awareness Days across Eastern Washington, including events in Ellensburg, Yakima, Pasco, and Walla Walla. These events provided crucial education, support, and resources to those affected by SUDs. Additionally, our presence at National Night Out events in Sunnyside and Walla Walla helped strengthen community bonds and promote awareness about the importance of mental health and substance use prevention. Through these efforts, we continue to foster a safer, healthier community.
On August 30, our Youth Mobile Outreach team attended the Hands Across the Bridge 2nd Annual Overdose Awareness and Recovery event in Pasco.
OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY
Coryne Nustad Pasco
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
Louise Thesman
Walla Walla
On August 6th, our Walla Walla team attended the National Night Out event, which brought the community together for an evening of fun, food, and safety awareness, fostering strong relationships between neighbors and local law enforcement.
OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY
Arianna Rhodes & Ruby Collins
Ellensburg
On August 28, our Hub and Spoke team and SUD professionals attended Overdose Awareness Day at the Hal Holmes Community Center in Ellensburg, joining the community in raising awareness about substance use disorders and supporting overdose prevention efforts.
OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY
Emily Bush, Liz Flores Carlos, and Francie Pfeiffer Yakima
On August 29, our Yakima Hub and Spoke Team participated in the Overdose Awareness Day event at Sarge Hubbard Park, where attendees gained valuable insights into overdose prevention and available resources for support.
Youth Substance Use Disorder Services at Comprehensive Healthcare A Lifeline for Our Future
Amid the pressures of adolescence – school stress, social dynamics, and personal struggles –many young people find themselves turning to substances as an escape. Recent studies reveal that nearly 1 in 5 adolescents have used an illicit drug in the past year, with the onset of SUD often beginning during these formative years. The adolescent brain, still in its developmental stages, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of substance use, making early intervention and targeted support crucial in preventing long-term consequences and helping these young individuals build healthier futures.
The typical path for adolescents struggling with SUDs often involves navigating a fragmented system with significant gaps in care. Many young people, especially those in crisis, may find themselves in emergency rooms or even in contact with law enforcement due to a lack of specialized services. Once the immediate crisis is addressed, these youths are often left without ongoing support, falling through the cracks as they wait for followup care or are unable to access appropriate resources. This disconnect not only causes cycles of repeated crises and escalating substance use, but additionally, it bogs down those channels being used for the wrong purpose, leading to over-run ERs and overworked first responders. Comprehensive Healthcare’s services, particularly Youth Mobile Outreach, are designed to fill these critical gaps, providing continuous, tailored support that bridges the divide between crisis intervention and long-term care, helping young people move from instability to recovery.
The Importance of Early Intervention
Early intervention can significantly impact the treatment of SUD and prevent its escalation into adulthood. Comprehensive Healthcare recognizes this critical window and has developed specialized programs to address the unique needs of young people struggling with substance use. By focusing on early identification and intervention, Comprehensive Healthcare aims to reduce the likelihood of long-term addiction and the associated risks of cognitive and behavioral issues. One of the main challenges in addressing substance use among youth is the lack of insight many young people have into the dangers associated with their behavior. "If their peer group is actively involved in substance use, it can be difficult to get the buy-in needed for them to recognize the need for change," said Jennifer Trevino, Program Manager of the Youth Mobile Outreach team in Yakima at Comprehensive Healthcare. Many teens
believe that occasional use is harmless, particularly with substances like marijuana and alcohol, which are often perceived as less dangerous than other drugs. However, the reality is that even occasional use can have serious consequences, particularly with the rise of substances like fentanyl, where a single mistake can be fatal.
Youth Mobile Outreach: Bridging the Gap
One of the standout initiatives at Comprehensive Healthcare is the Youth Mobile Outreach (YMO) program, launched nearly two years ago in Benton and Franklin counties and a year ago in Yakima, with additional programs gearing up to launch in Kittitas County and Walla Walla. This innovative program is designed to provide immediate, community-based intervention and stabilization for youth in crisis, focusing on those who don’t meet the criteria for higher-level evaluations but still require urgent care. “We designed it to bridge the gap between inpatient and outpatient services. Our goal is to reduce hospitalizations and law enforcement interactions by providing immediate, on-site stabilization services,” Trevino explains.
Shane Brewer, Program Manager for YMO in Benton and Franklin Counties, elaborates on the importance of this approach: “We’re able to meet them where they are, whether that’s at home, in school, or even in the community, and provide the support they need to start making positive changes.”
YMO typically runs for eight weeks, but Jennifer Hansen, program manager of YMO in Kittitas, emphasizes that the program is designed to be flexible to each client’s needs. “We can only provide services for that long unless we can get them with a therapist. Then we can extend it to keep them based on it until we can graduate them into the next level of care,” she explains. Brewer explains further: “It’s designed to bridge the gap until youth can transition into longer-term care programs like WISe.”
“The team is made up of a mental health professional, two peers, and a care coordinator,” explains Lindsay Fuchs, Program Manager of YMO in Walla Walla. “We provide peer services to both the youth and the family.”
This dual approach is essential, as it offers support both to the client and their family support system, which helps to increase the efficacy of care. “We can have the peers follow up, work on skill building, work on meeting the goals of the care plan, and then simultaneously, have a family partner giving the parents support, walking them through their piece of helping the client meet their goals on the care plan, and kind of bringing it together in
Jennifer Trevino is the Youth Mobile Outreach Program Manager for Yakima County. Jennifer Hansen is the Family Partner on the Youth Mobile Outreach Team for Kittitas County. Lindsey Fuchs is the Youth Mobile Outreach Program Manager for Walla Walla. Rosa Tovar is the Project Director for the Youth and Family Tree Grant. Shane Brewer is the Youth Mobile Outreach Program Manager for Benton and Franklin counties.
terms of supporting the whole family unit,” Trevino elaborates.
Brewer emphasizes that the team’s support goes well beyond mental health care. “If a family needs help with transportation, food, or other resources, we connect them with the right services. When we discharge clients, they know they can always return if another crisis arises. We’re not just there in the moment of crisis; we stick around to help the youth and their families navigate the next steps, ensuring they have the tools and resources they need to succeed.”
One of the challenges the YMO team faces is the unpredictability of each situation. Hansen shares a particularly poignant case: a teenager who, overwhelmed by anger towards his father, started drinking excessively over the summer and eventually engaged in destructive behavior, which led to his arrest. “He thought his dad was a quitter and didn’t understand why his dad had decided to quit drinking to save himself rather than quitting sooner to be a better dad. The guilt on his dad's face was evident, and it was heartbreaking to see how the situation impacted both of them,” Hansen recalls.
In scenarios like this, having both a youth partner and a family partner working in tandem is invaluable. The youth partner can build trust with the teenager, offering a peer perspective and creating a safe space for the youth to express their feelings and frustrations. “If you have a peer that’s able to come alongside them and go, actually, I do get it. Here’s where I’ve been and here’s what helped. They can break it down with their own life experiences,” Trevino elaborates.
Brewer adds, “It’s kind of like AA – your best sponsors are usually a former alcoholic or former drug addict. The youth take the people who have lived through it more seriously than
somebody just talking to them.”
Overall, the YMO program represents a lifeline for many young people in these counties, helping them navigate crises and move towards stability. As Comprehensive Healthcare continues to develop and expand these services, the focus remains on early intervention, education, and community involvement to make a lasting impact on the lives of youth and their families.
Youth and Family Tree: Holistic Support
Beyond the Youth Mobile Outreach (YMO) program, Comprehensive Healthcare offers the Youth and Family Tree program, which supports adolescents and young adults aged 12 to 25 struggling with substance use. This program provides tailored treatment plans that address each individual's unique needs, offering various services such as individual and group therapy sessions, educational resources, and life skills development. These services are designed to help youth not only achieve sobriety but also build a healthy life beyond treatment.
Rosa Tovar, the Project Director for Youth and Family Tree, emphasizes the program’s holistic approach, stating, “We aim to increase access to substance use treatment in the counties of Walla Walla and Benton-Franklin, while also working closely with the families of our clients. We try to provide a more wraparound type of service, including case management and addressing cooccurring mental health issues.”
Tovar also highlights the program’s flexibility in treatment, which is largely up to the clinician's discretion. “The specific evidence-based practice we use is the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach, which encourages a healthy life outside of treatment and replaces maladaptive behaviors often associated with substance use.”
One of the program's biggest challenges is maintaining consistent contact with clients, as many youth can be difficult to reach. "Sometimes they just fall off the radar," Tovar explains. "We’re working with juvenile justice centers in both counties, and they see it too. It’s a challenge, but we’re committed to staying in contact and providing the support these young people need."
Despite these challenges, Tovar has seen success stories, particularly in the Benton-Franklin area, where there has been strong family engagement. “We’re seeing parents attending therapy sessions with their kids, and it’s making a difference. It’s rewarding when we can build that rapport and help clients feel less alone in their recovery journey.”
Building a Supportive Community
Beyond direct treatment, Comprehensive Healthcare emphasizes education and prevention through school-based programs and community outreach. These efforts are vital in reducing stigma associated with SUD and encouraging young people to seek help before the disorder takes hold. The fight against youth SUD requires the collective effort of families, schools, and community organizations. Comprehensive Healthcare is committed to leading this charge, providing the necessary tools and support to empower young people to overcome their challenges and build a brighter future. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, don’t hesitate to reach out. Comprehensive Healthcare is here to help, offering a compassionate and all-encompassing approach to recovery.
We’re not just there in the moment of crisis; we stick around...
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