Subject:
Title
Year 3 continuation grant application with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for the drug court program, Elevate: Raising Problem Solving to Another Level.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Year 3 continuation grant application with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for the drug court program, Elevate: Raising Problem Solving to Another Level.Body
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety and Welfare
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener, and a purchases of services for those in need.
Summary:
In 2015, SAMHSA awarded the County a three (3) year grant for the Elevate Program that requires the submission of a new application each year. The Year 1 and Year 2 grant awards were accepted by the Board at their respective meetings held on October 20, 2015 and October 11, 2016.
Fiscal Year 2018 is the final year of the grant award that targets substance abuse among at risk/high need, nonviolent youthful offenders aged 18-30 who have been diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder, have experienced trauma, and may also be struggling with a mild co-occurring mental health disorder. During the program period, at least 185 youthful offenders are expected to enroll in the Elevate Program through joint funding from SAMHSA and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
Background/Explanation:
Pinellas County continues to see significant levels of addiction and substance abuse requiring treatment resources. In 2015, the Medical Examiner reported 179 accidental deaths attributed to drug related causes. Of these deaths, 98 were attributed to prescription drugs, 28 to illicit drugs, 41 to prescription and illicit drugs combined, 10 to acute alcohol, and 2 to inhalants. While this is down from a peak of 280 deaths in 2010, this is a slight increase from the 166 deaths reported in 2014.
With the ongoing demand for treatment exceeding available resources, seeking additional grant funding helps to alleviate increased pressures on local funding. Through a cooperative partnership between the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, Pinellas County, and local providers, the Elevate grant helps to bridge the demand and provides critical services for youthful offenders.
The Sixth Judicial Circuit Court initiated the Drug Court Elevate Program on October 1, 2015. Under the grant, SAMHSA requires that grantees maintain an intake rate above 80% of the target number of intakes. The Elevate program through August 19, 2016, has reached 100% of its target rate and has exceeded intakes with 69 unique intakes for the program. SAMHSA also requires an 80% or higher completion rate of six month follow-up assessments and the Elevate program is surpassing the target completion at 100%.
Fiscal Impact:
The total amount of the Year 3 SAMHSA continuation award is $324,518.00. There is no match required.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign these documents is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Lourdes Benedict, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Bureau of Justice Assistance
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
WestCare Florida-Gulfcoast, Inc.
Center for Rational Living
Attachments:
Year 3 SAMHSA Elevate Continuation Application
Attest Page - County Administrator
SAMHSA Year 1 Award Letter
SAMHSA Year 2 Award Letter
Elevate Program Narrative