Five-year SAMHSA grant will expand Lotus House and increase access to family-centered substance use disorder treatment in Southern Indiana, reaching more than 500 women and children.
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — Family Ark has been awarded over $2.6 million in federal funding over the next five years from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to expand Lotus House, its family-centered substance use disorder treatment and recovery program for pregnant, postpartum and parenting women and their children.
The funding will allow Family Ark to add ASAM Level 3.5 Clinically Managed High-Intensity Residential Services to an existing continuum that includes outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment, recovery housing, peer recovery support and coordinated family services. The expansion will help address a critical gap in Southern Indiana by allowing mothers who need a higher level of care to receive residential treatment while remaining with their children.
“This is an incredible investment in families in our community,” said Jeanean Jacobs, President and CEO of Family Ark. “For decades, our work has been grounded in the understanding that a mother’s recovery and a child’s well-being are deeply connected. This funding allows us to strengthen that work by providing a more intensive level of treatment without asking mothers to separate from their children in order to get the care they need.”
Filling a Gap in Southern Indiana
For pregnant and parenting women experiencing substance use disorders, accessing residential treatment can be particularly difficult. Evidence-based treatment options that allow mothers to remain with their children are limited, especially in rural communities. Some women also face barriers to accessing residential care when treatment is not reimbursed through the Indiana Department of Child Services.
The expanded Lotus House program will serve families across Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott and Washington counties and is expected to reachmore than 500 new women and children over the five-year grant period.
The project builds upon Family Ark’s existing Lotus House program, expanding the continuum of care available to women and families rather than creating a stand-alone service. Women will be able to access the level of treatment appropriate to their needs while remaining connected to Family Ark’s broader system of behavioral health treatment, recovery support and family services.
“This expansion gives us the ability to meet women where they are in their recovery and provide a higher level of clinical care when they need it,” said Kristi Glotzbach, Chief Operating Officer of Family Ark. “Just as importantly, we can provide that care in a way that recognizes the needs of the entire family. Our goal is not only to support a mother’s recovery, but to strengthen the relationships, stability and supports that help families move forward together.”
The impact of the expansion will extend beyond Family Ark’s campus and strengthen resources available to families throughout the region.
“This five-year SAMHSA grant is a game-changer for Southern Indiana families,” said the Hon. Lisa Garcia Reger, Judge, Clark Circuit Court 4. “In Family Recovery Court, we witness firsthand how critical safe, specialized residential support is for women fighting to rebuild their lives. Expanding Lotus House means more mothers will find recovery and more children will return to safe, loving homes. We celebrate Family Ark on this remarkable achievement and are deeply grateful for their continued partnership.”
Supporting Recovery for the Whole Family
The expanded program will provide comprehensive screening and assessment, individualized treatment planning, care coordination and connections to medical, behavioral health, developmental and social services for participating women and their children. Women will also receive individualized recovery support and transition planning to support a successful transition from residential treatment back into the community.
Family Ark will work with healthcare providers, child welfare agencies, criminal justice partners and community organizations to strengthen referral pathways and increase timely access to treatment, particularly for families in rural Southern Indiana. The project is designed to improve maternal recovery, child well-being, family stability and long-term recovery.
By expanding access to a higher level of residential treatment while preserving the connection between mothers and their children, Family Ark aims to reduce one of the significant barriers pregnant and parenting women can face when seeking care. Over the five-year project, the expansion is expected to bring new treatment and family support resources to more than 500 women and children across Southern Indiana.
The five-year project, formally titled “Lotus House: Expanding a Family-Centered Continuum of Care for Pregnant and Postpartum Women in Southern Indiana,” will begin September 30, 2026.
About Family Ark
Family Ark has served children and families in Southern Indiana for more than 50 years, helping families navigate some of society’s most challenging and complex circumstances, including substance use disorders, trauma, behavioral health needs and family instability. Through behavioral health treatment, residential and recovery services, and family-centered supports, Family Ark works across generations to create stronger families and stronger communities.
