Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Social Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Empowerhouse updates Osage County Commission on recovery residences and rising service needs
Summary
Melissa Lopez told the commission Empowerhouse is seeing older residents, higher prevalence of mental-health diagnoses and steady homelessness among new clients, and outlined expanded testing, goal planning and leadership opportunities as the program grows its service area that includes Osage County.
Melissa Lopez, director of Empowerhouse, told the Osage County Commission on Dec. 16 that the nonprofit’s recovery residences continue to serve people with complex needs and that several program metrics are trending upward.
Lopez said the average age of residents has risen toward the mid-40s, about one-third of new clients are homeless and another third are precariously housed, and a larger share — roughly 84 percent — now report a mental-health condition. She said education outcomes at intake remain relatively strong, with about 88 percent holding a GED, and described heavy prior criminal histories and frequent supervision: roughly 71 percent on probation and a rising share in drug courts.
“My goal is gravity,” Lopez said as she described expanded weekly goal-setting that tapers to monthly check-ins and new leadership roles for residents to practice responsibility. She outlined stepped-up drug testing (urine screens, mouth swabs, breathalyzer), leadership opportunities such as monthly peer leaders, and plans to hire administrative support and a grant writer in 2025 to help manage growth.
Lopez said Empowerhouse has served about 240 people to date across its men’s and women’s houses and open clinics, and that referrals from Osage County — particularly from the county jail — have increased recently. Commissioners thanked her for the update and had no substantive objections to the program report; Lopez said she will return with further updates next spring.
The commission did not take formal action on the presentation; the report will inform future local coordination with treatment and reentry services.
