Providence House currently operates an alcohol treatment center in McKenzie County. Jonathan Layne, representing Providence House, said the organization plans to open a similar treatment center for pregnant women and women with children in Minot, due to the shortage of services in the area.

“This is a very well structured program. We’re having excellent results,” Layne said. The program works closely with its community, and women in treatment are assisted in becoming part of the community and in finding jobs, he said.

“We are not a get out of jail free card,” he added. Women who aren’t serious about the program do not remain in the program, he said.

“At this time we have a list of 44 people requiring our services,” Layne said, noting the wait time can be 30 days. “It’s a really serious problem and we are barely scratching the surface of it. We would be honored and privileged to come to Minot and mirror the program that we are doing there (McKenzie).”

The former Trinity Guest House is being acquired for conversion to an in-patient alcohol treatment center for women, operated by Providence House.

The program will utilize the former Trinity Guest House at 415 Main St. S., just east of the former Trinity Hospital. A zoning change from neighborhood commercial to central business district is required because, as an inpatient treatment center, it must be located in a zone in which a hospital is allowed.

The zone change generated concern from some neighbors, who supported the treatment center concept but questioned the location. There was concern about how the location would provide recreational areas and safety for children in residence. Neighbors voiced concern about the possibility that the treatment center won’t work out and the mission could shift, for instance to become a home for sex offenders. They worry that partners of the women might come to the facility and create crisis situations that end badly before law enforcement can arrive.

Layne said Providence House is acquiring the guest house from Trinity Health Foundation and also purchasing a piece of adjacent land that can be used for children to play outdoors. The entire property will be fenced, he said. The operation will provide 24-hour daycare, licensed through the state.

Layne added the center conducts background checks and does not take violent offenders or sex offenders. The center also operates with surveillance cameras and staff on site around the clock. Staff take a five-day training that includes addressing crisis situations, such as might occur with an angry partner or ex-partner, he said. That staff response is designed to de-escalate situations until law enforcement can arrive.

Layne explained patient stays typically are 32 days, but outpatient treatment then is offered, providing a complete program of eight to nine months. The women can take cooking and parenting classes and, if separated from their children, they work with social services on reunification, he said.

He encouraged the community to check out the center and offer suggestions.

“Because it takes all of us to do this. It’s not just us,” he said.

Principal Planner John Van Dyke with the City of Minot said, throughout downtown, the central business district operates in harmony with neighboring areas that are differently zoned, including residential. The area of the guest house is located within the fringe of the central business district in the city’s master plan, making the rezoning appropriate, he said.

The commission voted to recommend the Minot City Council approve the zone change.