MADISON – The Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) convened today to consider and unanimously approve a plan for the distribution of $31 million in opioid settlement funds. Rep. Jessie Rodriguez highlighted a portion of the plan that will benefit a Milwaukee provider called Meta House.
“We are proud to approve a plan that will strategically deploy settlement proceeds to high-impact initiatives,” said Rep. Rodriguez. “The plan we approved today will ensure that quality services are accessible for Wisconsin residents and that quality service providers across the state are supported in the work they do.”
“Meta House is a nonprofit organization that is doing great work in my region to end the generational cycle of addiction by healing women and strengthening families,” Rodriguez stated. For nearly 60 years, Meta House has been at the forefront of addiction treatment for vulnerable women and families struggling with substance use disorder in Southeastern Wisconsin and around the state.
Providers like Meta House will have the opportunity to benefit from the various strategic objectives included in the plan JFC approved today.Meta House provides inpatient treatment to 35 women and provides support services to their families (offering priority to women who are currently pregnant). They also provide outpatient treatment and have a recovery housing facility of 28 units for single women and families. “We know that we need to support mothers who are addicted to help them recover and build better lives for themselves and their kids,” proclaimed Rodriguez.
Meta House has proven that they are effective in helping women recover from substance use disorder. In 2021, 100% of Meta House babies were born free of alcohol and illegal drugs – all 100% were also born with no serious health concerns. Meta House provides wrap-around services that help women not only recover but improve their lives, with 88% of the women who stayed in recovery housing for 90+ days being employed or having made progress towards employability (such as enrolling in school).
“By providing funding for their expansion, we will support Meta House as they carry out their shovel-ready plan to double the capacity of their inpatient program and further build out their programs to provide support and promote long-lasting recovery,” concluded Rep. Rodriguez.
