Yamhill branch family facilitator for substance abusing families

Number Served: 24 children

Cost: $50,964.

Major Goals:

• Get parents into treatment immediately after children are taken into custody due to substance abuse issues
• Build on the existing strengths in the county and expand existing services.

Expanding men's services, improving the Better Survivor Groups, consolidating treatment, co-leading groups and in general improving coordination are commitments made by CAF, Chemical Dependency and the local Mental Health provider.

Project Synopsis:

The plan addresses the identified need for a para-professional drug and alcohol "Facilitator" to provide the link between Protective Services and Chemical Dependency. Parents need to get into treatment immediately after children are taken into custody due to substance abuse issues. The Facilitator will act as a "helper" and "advocate" and "natural helper" to meet family needs.

• The problem being addressed is the time it takes to get people connected to treatment. In some cases this is due to the person's resistance and in others because of barriers such as transportation or day care. The "Facilitator" will do whatever is feasible to help the client go to treatment. He/she may transport the client to the appointments for the first weeks or until other arrangements are made or problem-solve and remove other barriers preventing treatment.

• Treatment is available (service capacity) in this county and funding is not an issue because of access to the Oregon Health Plan. The plan takes advantage of existing resources in the county geared towards working with substance abusing families such as the "Women in Treatment" program ran by the Chemical Dependency and the Mutual Home Project (Reflections). This program provides housing (on a limited basis) to women and their children.

• In addition to coordinating services and maximizing dollars, the County will use the Judicial System (Drug Court) to increase service capacity and quicken CAF's response.