Treatment and Accessibilities

Current Chair: Susan G.

What is the Treatment Facilities Committee Chair?

The Mission of the Treatment Committee is to:

  • Carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous to the still suffering alcoholic.
  • Coordinate and assist with individual AA members, Groups, District committees and Central office committees, who are carrying our message of recovery to alcoholics in treatment facilities.
  • Set up means of transitioning from the facility to an AA group in the individual’s community.
  • Provide information and support for individual AA members, Groups, District committees and Central office committees addressing Accessibility requirements at meetings, service and other events, and to “Our Program of Recovery”.

Overview

Treatment committees are formed to coordinate the work of individual AA members and groups who are interested in carrying our message of recovery to alcoholics in treatment facilities. Also, to set up a means of transcending from the facility to an AA group in the individual’s community.

The purpose of Treatment Committee is to assist members to carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous to Treatment Facilities and outpatient settings. In addition to bringing the message of hope for recovery to alcoholics in a variety of treatment settings, the Treatment Committee demonstrates to administrators and staff “how it works” and are instruments of attraction to the AA program.

Self education is important for those involved in the Treatment & Accessibilities Committee service work. All members of the Area 78 Treatment Committee are encouraged to download and read both the Treatment Committee Workbook and the Accessibilities Workbook, using them to be better informed on AA best practices in regards to Treatment Facility & Accessibilities issues.

Tasks

The Treatment Committee is responsible for the following tasks:

  1. The active Treatment & Accessibilities Committee provides information about AA as well as literature and guidelines for setting up AA meetings in treatment facilitates and outpatient settings.
  2. Treatment settings may include; treatment facilities, hospitals, psychiatric wards, nursing homes, youth noncorrectional facilities, shelters, halfway houses, veteran facilities, senior centers, etc.
  3. The Treatment Committee maintains a list of members (the BTG Temporary Contact List) who are willing to extend the hand of AA to those released to their community after completion of a treatment facility program.
  4. The Accessibilities section of the Treatment Committee works to provide access to AA for those with accessibility issues so AA continues to be inclusive not exclusive.
  5. There are those of us who – are hearing, visually or speech impaired, homebound, chronically ill, use wheelchairs, walkers or crutches, and are developmentally disabled or suffer from brain damage, stroke, etc. Whatever the issue or challenge to receiving the AA message, it is hoped that no one would never be excluded from AA meetings, twelve step work or AA service.

Treatment & Accessibilities Committee

Facilitates carrying the AA message into treatment centres. Responsible for the Bridging the Gap program which endeavors to ensure those with disabilities have access to the AA message.

The Treatment & Accessibilities Committee for Area 78 serves the fellowship in a way that directly impacts the lives of many suffering alcoholics. Many new people entering Alcoholics Anonymous today come to us via treatment facilities. The Treatment chair works with local districts and chairs throughout Area 78, in the fields of Treatment, Bridging the Gap, and Accessibilities to reach out to the alcoholics in local facilities. We also cooperate with the administration staff of these facilities in any way we can.

Committee Composition

The committee consists of the Chair, and current DCMs and GSRs who are assigned to the committee by the Area 78 Registrar for their two-year term of service. Others selected for the committee may include past Area 78 officers or long-time members recommended for their knowledge in Treatment Facilities & Accessibilities service work. Area 78 visitors may participate on this committee, but they do not have a vote.

Background

In addition to overseeing the tasks and duties assigned to the Treatment & Accessibilities Committee, this chair also manages the Bridging the Gap program for Area 78.

Duties

  • Assisting districts, groups and members to carry the message and organize meetings in Treatment settings which may include; treatment facilities, hospitals, detox, psychiatric wards, nursing homes, youth non-correctional facilities, shelters, halfway houses, veteran facilities, senior centers, etc.
  • Staying in touch with district Treatment and/or Bridging the Gap chairs.
  • Keeping a current Bridging the Gap Contact list for our area.
  • Helping to arrange “Bridging the Gap” contacts.
  • Arranging temporary AA contacts when someone leaves a facility.
  • Replying to email from people reaching out for help.
  • Conduct Committee meetings with structure and purpose. This includes setting an agenda and having a member keep written minutes.
  • Facilitate full participation during meetings.
  • Make certain that all relevant matters are discussed.
  • Insure that all committee decisions are recorded in the Area Minutes.
  • Report directly to the Area Assembly on pertinent committee decisions.
  • Travel to and present at workshops in the Area, upon request.
  • Transport and set up of the Treatment & Accessibility display at Area 78 Area Committee Meetings.
  • Produce a synopsis of the background information on the Conference Agenda Items assigned by the Delegate for the Pre-Conference Assemblies.

Send an email to the Treatment Facilities Chair by using the contact form below.

Bridging the Gap

“Bridging the Gap” is a temporary contact program designed to assist the newcomer make the transition from a treatment, detox, or correctional facility to Alcoholics Anonymous.

People are often introduced to AA while they are in a hospital, treatment or correctional facility. When they return to their own community, it can be very difficult for them to reach out to AA for help in getting started in our program of recovery.

The purpose of “Bridging the Gap” is to offer the newcomer a temporary contact once they leave the facility. This contact person can assist them until they are comfortable attending meetings on their own.

How does it work?

Before a person leaves the facility, the client or their counsellor contacts the appropriate “Bridging the Gap” committee, who locates a temporary contact in their home community. The temporary contact gets in touch with the person leaving the facility and sets up a time and place to meet after they are discharged from the facility. The AA contact then offers to take the newcomer to a few meetings and introduces them to the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. This vital 12th Step work can help to alleviate their fear in attending meetings alone.

In Alberta, we have Bridging the Gap Committees in Calgary and Edmonton that coordinate the Bridging the Gap activities through the Central Offices in Calgary and Edmonton.

Our Central offices divide the province geographically by telephone area codes with 403 going to Calgary and 780 to Edmonton.

The forms for clients and for members to participate in the Bridging the Gap program can be found via the links below.

For more information you can contact the Treatment & Accessories Chair by using the contact form below.

Bridging the Gap Information

Information on AA's Bridging the Gap Program
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