Eastern Indiana rehab program enrolls women with children

WINCHESTER, Ind. (AP) - An eastern Indiana rehabilitation center for women battling addiction issues allows their children younger than 5 to live with them.

The 23-bed Winchester House in the city by the same name had enrolled three women as of earlier this month. It's operated as a Fresh Start Recovery Center by Volunteers of America Indiana, which runs a similar, slightly larger facility in Indianapolis and has plans for others in Evansville and Columbus.

The Richmond Palladium-Item reports it allows women to have up to two children live with them there.

The center operates with funding from the Indiana Department of Child Services and at no cost to the women.

Devon Jones, who oversees VOA Indiana's Fresh Start programs, says they rely referrals from DCS, the Department of Corrections and the women themselves.

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Information from: Palladium-Item, http://www.pal-item.com