Subject:
Title
Notice of grant award for year three of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant, Elevate: Raising Problem Solving to Another Level.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the grant award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for the Elevate: Raising Problem Solving to Another Level Grant Project (Elevate).
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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 third and final yearly continuation of the Elevate grant. The goal of the program is to reduce crime and substance abuse among high risk/high need, nonviolent, youthful offenders (ages 18-30) who have a substance abuse disorder, have experienced trauma, and may have a co-occurring mental health illness.
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). As of March 2017, the Elevate program has admitted 138 clients, which well exceeds the SAMHSA performance goal for services anticipated to date.
Background Information:
Pinellas County continues to see significant levels of addiction and substance abuse requiring treatment resources. In 2016, the Medical Examiner reported 277 accidental deaths attributed to drug-related causes compared to 179 in 2015. Of these 2016 deaths, 106 were attributed to prescription drugs, 65 to illicit drugs, 73 to prescription and illicit drugs combined, 28 to acute alcohol, and 5 to inhalants/chemicals/poisons. This rapid increase in drug-related deaths is significant and comes close to the peak of the prescription drug epidemic in 2010. After declining for close to four (4) years, a rise in illicit drug use has driven the new trend.
With the ongoing demand for treatment exceeding available resources, this 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.
Participants attend intensive outpatient treatment at WestCare and the Center for Rational Living who conduct gender-specific groups utilizing evidence-based treatment practices. Program participants attend weekly group counseling, comply with weekly random drug screening, participate in home visits by program staff, and may schedule individual counseling sessions as needed.
Fiscal Impact:
The total amount of the year three (3) SAMHSA award is $324,518.00 and has been included in the Human Services Fiscal Year 2018 proposed budget. The program is grant funded with no match required.
Staff Member Responsible:
Lourdes Benedict, Human Services
Partners:
Sixth Judicial Circuit
Center for Rational Living
Bureau of Justice Assistance
WestCare Gulfcoast-Florida, Inc.
Attachments:
Notice of Award - SAMHSA Year 3 Elevate
SAMHSA Year 3 Continuation Application
Intent to Apply May 2015