Madison… Senator Jesse James (R-Thorp) and Representative Clint Moses (R Menomonie) recently testified on their bills that would restore needed access to mental health treatment in the Chippewa Falls area. The bills would allocate $1 million in the state budget to purchase and renovate the Libertas Treatment Center in Chippewa Falls that recently closed and restore it into a 50-bed treatment facility to help with addiction recovery services.
“Reopening this facility as a substance use treatment facility will help address the major void in our areas mental health services,” said Representative Moses. “Without this service, our vulnerable community members facing substance addiction will need to leave their local support networks and travel across the state in hopes of finding a treatment center.”
Lutheran Social Services (LSS) of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan recently acquired the former Libertas Treatment Center. Through the purchase and renovation of this facility, LSS plans to operate a 50-bed treatment center to men in need of recovery services while services for women will continue in Eau Claire. The bill has received support from both the Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls Area Chambers of Commerce.
The new treatment center will offer daily evidence-based treatment methods for addiction services. Clients will participate in a variety of group activities and therapy sessions designed to inform, educate, and motivate them as they heal, recover, and prepare for their transition home and within the community. Clients also can engage in other programs within the facility such as GED classes, employment outside of the facility, and other education.
“Our top priority this session is investing in mental health and substance use disorder services and restoring access in northwest-central Wisconsin,” said Senator James. “We’re proud to partner with Lutheran Social Services in a collaborative effort to reopen a much-needed facility in the Chippewa Valley, one that will benefit all of Wisconsin.”
Assembly Bill 304 and Senate Bill 308 received public hearings in front of the Assembly Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse and Senate Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Children and Families.
