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Transportation Grant Brings New Hope for New Hampshire Recovery Center

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Tuesday, December 23rd 2025 at 17:21 GMT by Eagle-Tribune

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Transportation Grant Brings New Hope for New Hampshire Recovery Center

A long‑standing hurdle for people in recovery—getting to appointments, therapy sessions, and support meetings—has finally been tackled in a quiet corner of New Hampshire. The Eagle Tribune’s coverage of the recent announcement that the Southeast Recovery Center (SRC) has received a transportation grant from the state’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) paints a picture of both the challenges faced by the center’s clients and the tangible benefits the grant will bring.

The Problem: Mobility is a Barrier to Recovery

SRC, located in the rural town of Newmarket, has been providing addiction treatment, mental health counseling, and after‑care support for more than two decades. According to the article, one of the center’s biggest obstacles has been transportation. “Many of our clients live in areas where public transit is non‑existent or unreliable,” says Dr. Maria Lopez, the center’s medical director. “Missing a single session can derail progress and increase the risk of relapse.”

The article cites a 2021 study by the New Hampshire Substance Use Research Center that found rural patients were twice as likely to miss treatment appointments as those in urban areas—an outcome that leads to higher rates of treatment dropout and readmission. In the wake of the COVID‑19 pandemic, transportation challenges only intensified, with the state’s public transportation budgets being cut and many local rideshare services pulling out of smaller towns.

The Grant: A Targeted Solution

In response to these persistent gaps, DHHS launched the “Transportation for Treatment” initiative in 2023. The Eagle Tribune report notes that the grant—worth $45,000—was awarded to SRC to fund a comprehensive mobility program that includes:

• Bus Vouchers: Each client receives a monthly voucher for the local transit system (a partnership with the New Hampshire Public Transit Authority), allowing them to ride to the center for individual counseling or group therapy.
• Ride‑Share Subsidies: For clients who cannot use public buses, the center partners with a regional rideshare company to provide discounted rides, covering up to 80% of the fare.
• Volunteer Driver Program: A volunteer network, coordinated by SRC’s Community Outreach Coordinator, will pick up clients who need last‑minute transportation to after‑care meetings.
• Specialized Vehicle Procurement: Part of the grant will go toward purchasing a wheelchair‑accessible van, ensuring clients with mobility impairments are not left out.

The Eagle Tribune’s piece includes a link to the DHHS grant page, which provides a detailed breakdown of the funding structure and the criteria used to award the grant. The DHHS page confirms that the grant is intended to address “geographic and socioeconomic barriers to care” and is a pilot that may be expanded statewide if successful.

Anticipated Impact

According to the article, SRC’s administrators predict that the new transportation services will reduce missed appointments by 30% and improve treatment completion rates by at least 15%. Dr. Lopez explains, “When clients can reliably get to their appointments, we see higher engagement, stronger therapeutic alliances, and, ultimately, better long‑term outcomes.”

The piece also shares the story of one client, “Alex” (name changed for privacy), who had been struggling with intermittent access to transportation. Alex’s counselor notes that the transportation program has made it possible for him to attend his weekly 12‑step meeting—a crucial component of his recovery plan—without having to rely on friends or family for rides.

Community and Stakeholder Support

The grant has not only benefited the center’s clients but also galvanized the local community. The article quotes Mayor Thomas Nguyen of Newmarket, who says that the transportation program has encouraged more residents to participate in local volunteer programs. “It’s a win for the entire town,” Nguyen remarks. “By ensuring our residents have the means to get the help they need, we’re strengthening our community’s resilience.”

The grant also dovetails with New Hampshire’s broader health strategy, “Vision 2025,” which seeks to expand access to addiction treatment services across the state. The article’s linked “Vision 2025” page underscores the importance of addressing logistical barriers as a priority for the state’s public health initiatives.

How the Grant Will Be Administered

The Eagle Tribune outlines that SRC will administer the grant under the oversight of DHHS’s Transportation and Mobility Program. Each client’s transportation needs will be assessed on a case‑by‑case basis, and a quarterly report will be submitted to DHHS to demonstrate outcomes and impact. The article includes a link to SRC’s official transportation policy document, detailing how clients can apply for vouchers and how the center will maintain records to ensure compliance with state regulations.

A Model for the Future

While the grant is a significant step for SRC, the Eagle Tribune frames it as a potential model for other rural treatment centers across the state. The article’s “See also” section includes links to similar transportation initiatives in Vermont and Maine, highlighting the trend of states investing in mobility solutions to improve health outcomes. The article concludes by noting that, if successful, the program could be scaled up, possibly leading to a state‑wide transportation assistance fund for people in recovery.

Key Takeaways

• Problem: Rural clients at Southeast Recovery Center face severe transportation barriers, leading to missed appointments and higher relapse rates.
• Solution: DHHS awarded a $45,000 grant under the “Transportation for Treatment” program to provide bus vouchers, rideshare subsidies, a volunteer driver network, and a specialized van.
• Impact: Anticipated 30% reduction in missed appointments and a 15% increase in treatment completion rates.
• Community Involvement: Local volunteers and the town of Newmarket are supporting the program, which aligns with New Hampshire’s “Vision 2025” health strategy.
• Future Prospects: The grant may serve as a blueprint for similar programs in other rural areas, potentially expanding statewide coverage.

By focusing on the practical problem of getting people to where they need to be—both literally and metaphorically—the transportation grant gives many in New Hampshire a new, concrete path toward sustained recovery.