Fort Wayne has HART

Fort Wayne has undeniably come a long way in the past decade or two. And while its economic growth is something to behold, what’s even more admirable is its sense of community. One could argue that your community is only as strong as it is unifying. Luckily, the city is home to countless organizations dedicated to making Fort Wayne a better place for everybody. And the Home and Recovery Team (HART) exemplifies exactly what it takes to bring people together and lift them up—to find strength in your village.

Not familiar with HART? HART was founded back in 2019—born from a community facing a startling rise in overdoses and a desire to do better. Even though the community had been strategizing ways to pacify the opioid epidemic for years prior, that same year, the city of Fort Wayne experienced 289 nonfatal overdoses and 144 fatal overdoses. Despite a more intentional effort (and some progress), addiction was still rising.

So when the Lutheran Foundation secured a $2.5 million grant allocated for mental health and addiction social services, the HART cooperative was created. The program engaged the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) and Parkview Recovery Program to work symbiotically to aid those struggling with addiction. The FWPD was tasked with adding dedicated officers to identify those struggling with addiction, and connect them with the Parkview Recovery Program for treatment. From there, Parkview’s recovery coaches provide care that’s “patient-centered and self-directed.” Meaning they come up with a tailored, empowering approach to recovery based on the patient’s needs and experiences—versus a traditional 12-step program.

In addition to Parkview’s and the FWPD’s contributions to the program, Lutheran Social Service of Indiana (LSSI) provides case management for individuals who have suffered from an overdose, plus services like financial education, therapy, child and infant safety, and job training. LSSI also offers support services for family members, even if their affected family member declines to participate in the program or its services.

Rather than focusing on drug-related crimes, the HART program prioritizes intervention and recovery—reflective of a growing shift in the way the nation has been handling drug-related misdemeanors. It also prioritizes collaboration and community, where in the past, groups were often siloed, which limited outreach and impact. It really does take a village, and HART is just one example of what can happen when law enforcement, healthcare, and people like you and me come together to help the community they serve. Since its fruition, the program has connected with over 1,000 individuals facing addiction.

“HART, or the Hope and Recovery Team, is made up of individuals who deeply care for the community,” says Darcy Robins, Lead Social Worker for HART. “We put all of our efforts into the citizens of Allen County and ensure they have support through their mental health and recovery journeys. We have a passion to serve individuals from all walks of life. Our goals are to help people obtain services, education of health and wellness, be a non-judgmental shoulder to lean on, hear their voices, and be the folks they call when they need someone. We strive to help all community members of Allen County and we will continue to do so in a holistic and caring manner.”

And it’s that caring approach that makes all the difference. Recognizing the humanity behind everyone who experiences substance abuse has long been an issue for anyone in the recovery community, but attitudes toward addiction have been changing. And while stigma still exists, it’s fading thanks to a growing number of recovery professionals, advocates, and programs like HART.

In addition to the aforementioned services, HART also provides:

• a 24/7 phone line
• outpatient programs
• inpatient programs
• medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
• a syringe services program (SSP)
• counseling programs
• peer-led support groups (NA, AA, family)
• and many others

To learn more about HART, visit their website.

If you or someone you know is looking for support in an opioid and stimulant-related situation, please call The HART Line at 260-427-5801.