ATLANTA - Frank Berry, Commissioner for the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) joined Governor Nathan Deal, state representatives, and a host of advocates and community representatives at the capitol to celebrate more than 500 people in recovery.

As a former Georgia provider, Berry was recognized by Representative Jay Neal for understanding the challenges involved with providing treatment to people in recovery. Berry addressed the positive benefits of recovery and the many stories that serve as testimonies for people who were able to mend their families because a loved one received treatment. “What you are doing is impacting the direction the state is going,” said Berry. “It is you that drives this system. You are advocating for a better life.”

DBHDD’s Division of Addictive Diseases directly supports recovery through a number of services in the community. The department opened two recovery centers in Morrow and Americus Georgia in 2011. DBHDD also made a commitment to have a peer workforce of people who lived the experience of recovery and have become Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist (CARES). Transitional services have been put in place to support people coming out of detox who need additional support and the Ready for Work program supports women and their children. DBHDD also partners with community providers for a clubhouse program that addresses youth who need support in the community.

DBHDD is an annual participant in Recovery Day at the Capitol hosted by Representative Jay Neal and Neil Kaltenecker, Executive Director for the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse. For more information about DBHDD services, please visit dbhdd.georgia.gov.

Contact Information:

Kristie N. Swink, [email protected]