East Hudson Valley News

The Dutchess County Department of Mental Health (DMH) held a ribbon-cutting event for the Dutchess County Empowerment Center today at 230 North Road in Poughkeepsie. The center is a free, accessible resource open to adults 18 and older at any stage of their substance use or mental health recovery journey. It provides support from recovery coaches and peers in a non-traditional, non-clinical setting.

Dutchess County Mental Health Commissioner Jean-Marie Niebuhr was joined by Dutchess County Legislature Chairman Will Truitt, Empowerment Center recovery coaches and staff, program participants, local officials, and others to celebrate National Recovery Month with the ribbon cutting.

County Executive Sue Serino commented on the importance of individualized recovery journeys. "Our Empowerment Center ensures a wide range of tools and resources are available to help people be successful in their recovery," said Serino. "Working with peers who have similar lived experience helps people realize their goals in a supportive environment."

The Empowerment Center offers various services including recovery-oriented coaching from peers, connections to healthcare, housing, benefits and employment resources, wellness activities, and support groups. The center also organizes “Recovery Connections” activities such as hikes and visits to farmers markets. One popular activity is working in the Community Garden through a partnership with Eden Share.

The center was developed following the Dutchess County Opioid Task Force’s Community Gaps Assessment which identified a need for a peer-driven program addressing gaps in mental health and substance use services. Since opening in 2022, over 400 individuals have utilized one-on-one Recovery Coach services at the center.

Services provided year-to-date for 2024 include:

- Housing for 15 individuals

- Educational access for 15 individuals

- Benefits obtained by 32 individuals

- Medical care connections for 47 individuals

- Mental health care connections for 43 individuals

- Substance use treatment connections for 16 individuals

- Vocational opportunities for 35 individuals

- Healthy new connections reported by 58 individuals

DMH Commissioner Jean-Marie Niebuhr emphasized the effectiveness of peer recovery coaching. “Peer recovery coaching is an evidence-based method that reduces substance use and dramatically improves recovery outcomes,” said Niebuhr.

The Empowerment Center operates Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Individuals can call a recovery coach at 845-486-2893 or visit during “All Access Hours” on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:30 pm to 4 pm. More information about the center's programming can be found at www.dutchessny.gov/empowermentcenter.