Subject:
Title
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant award for Elevate: Raising Problem Solving to Another Level.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the grant award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for Elevate: Raising Problem Solving to Another Level Grant Project (Elevate), and the corresponding SAMHSA Statement of Assurance.
No match is required for the $324,978 year two grant award.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener, and purchaser of services for those in need
Summary:
SAMHSA has awarded the County the second year of a three (3) year Drug Court grant for the Elevate program. The aim is to reduce crime and substance abuse among high risk/high need, nonviolent youthful offenders ages 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.
Between 2015 and 2018, at least 185 youthful offenders are expected to enroll in Elevate through joint funding from SAMHSA and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
Background Information:
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. Currently, the Elevate program is exceeding the target completion at 100%.
Participants attend intensive outpatient treatment at WestCare and the Center for Rational Living who conduct gender-specific groups utilizing evidence-based treatment practices. There are currently 48 active participants, 28 males and 20 females, with another 8 pending a treatment start date. While in the program, participants will attend group counseling weekly, have individual counseling sessions as needed, comply with weekly, random drug screening, and participate in home visits conducted by designated members of the treatment team and the Department of Corrections.
Fiscal Impact:
The total amount of the year two (2) SAMHSA award is $324,978. The program is grant funded with no match required.
Staff Member Responsible:
Lourdes Benedict, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
WestCare
Center for Rational Living
SAMHSA
BJA
Attachments:
Notice of Award - SAMHSA Year 2 Elevate
SAMHSA Year 2 Continuation Application
Statement of Assurance HHS Form 690 (05/16)
Disparity Impact Statement