College of Social WorkUniversity of South Carolina

May, 2016

Recovery Program Transformation & Innovation Fund

Annual Report of Program Implementation by Funded Agencies

Pantridge, C., Clone, S., DeHart, D., Iachini, A., Seay, K., & Browne, T. (2016). Recovery Program Transformation and Innovation Fund: Annual report of program implementation by funded agencies. Submitted to South Carolina

Department of Health and Human Services. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina, College of Social Work.

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Contents

Overview of the Recovery Program Transformation & Innovation Fund Initiative 1

2015 Project Areas 1

UofSC Dissemination Activities 4

2015 Funded Projects by Priority Area 5

Priority Area 1: Collaboration and Integration of Services 5

Priority Area 2: Workforce Development 8

Priority Area 3: Re-application or Supplemental Funds 11

RPTIF Accomplishments by the Numbers 12

Conclusions 12

1Recovery Program Transformation & Innovation Fund

overview of the RecoveRy PRogRam TRansfoRmaTion & innovaTion fund initiative

The Recovery Program Transformation & Innovation Fund (RPTIF) is a collaborative initiative designed to enhance services for addictions treatment and recovery support in South Carolina (SC). Utilizing funds from SC lawsuits against pharmaceutical firms for misrepresentation, violation of regulations, etc., this initiative helps the state put funds back into communities for evidence-based, innovative projects addressing substance use treatment and recovery.

Through RPTIF, the Department of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services funds projects across SC, in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services and the University of South Carolina, College of Social Work (UofSC CoSW).

Fifteen agencies received funds in 2015 and are currently implementing their projects in the areas of collaboration and integration of services, workforce development, and the continuation of projects initiated or proposed during the first round of funding in 2014.

2015 Project areas

Priority Area 1: Collaboration and Integration of Services

• Cornerstone Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse• Ernest E. Kennedy Center• Circle Park Behavioral Health Services• Westview Behavioral Health Services• Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County• Saluda Behavioral Health System

Priority Area 2: Workforce Development

• Anderson-Oconee Behavioral Health Services• Axis I Center of Barnwell• Charleston Center• Clarendon Behavioral Health Services• Colleton County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse• The Phoenix Center

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Priority Area 3: Re-application or Supplemental Funds

• Fairfield Behavioral Health Services• Shoreline Behavioral Health Services• Sumter Behavioral Health Services

Percentage of Total Funds Distributed to Each 2015 Priority Area (Total Funds: $2.2 million)

Priority Area 1Improving Access to Service

Priority Area 2Improving Service Engagement

Priority Area 3Enhancing Collaboration and Integration of Services

48.2%

25.4%

26.4%

Dear Reader,

Over the past year, we have had the opportunity to work with many substance use treatment agencies across the state, including those funded through RPTIF in 2014 and 2015. We conducted follow-up visits for concluding 2014 projects in order to learn about their implementation successes and challenges, and to assist in strategizing for future program planning and sustainability. In our 2015 Semi-Annual Report, we outlined these findings. Overall, 2014 projects resulted in a large number of individuals being screened for substance use, as well as an increase in agency collaborations with both family members and community partners. We also conducted our baseline visits for projects funded in 2015, including agencies that participated in our mini-grant initiative last spring. We met with project teams and stakeholders at each agency to hear more about their goals and plans for implementation. These visits were also an opportunity to offer technical assistance, with our team providing approximately 1430 hours of direct support since the start of the initiative.

This past fall, we facilitated the application and review process for 2016 project funding. Agencies applied for Planning and Implementation Grants or Expansion Grants. The priority areas for the Planning and Implementation Grants were medication-assisted treatment, integration of behavioral health services, adolescent/family services, and infrastructure investments. Agencies funded previously had the option of applying for an Expansion Grant to broaden or replicate their previous project. We were excited to receive 24 applications, the highest number since the beginning of the RPTIF initiative. We were also encouraged to see multiple agencies entering the application process for the first time. Over the past three years, a total of 25 different agencies have applied, out of a total of 33 eligible. Funding for 2016 projects has recently been announced.

We look forward to strengthening our relationships with funded agencies and to providing ongoing project support.

Dana DeHart Principal Investigator

Teri Browne Co-Principal Investigator

Aidyn Iachini Co-Principal Investigator

Kristen Seay Co-Principal Investigator

Stephanie Clone Senior Project Manager

Caroline Pantridge Project Manager

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UofsC Dissemination aCtivities

Each year, the UofSC team contributes a significant amount of time to disseminating information from the RPTIF initiative to both local and national stakeholders. This takes the form of scholarly publications, practice briefs, conference presentations, and webinars.

accomplishments include:

617CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

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8

PRAC

TICE

BRI

EFS

6PEER-REVIEWEDPUBLICATIONS

HOURS OF DIRECTTECHNICAL SUPPORT

1430

CONFERENCE TRAININGS

WEBINARS

team spotlight: society for social work and research Conference

In January, the UofSC team had the opportunity to present a variety of findings related to the RPTIF initiative to a national audience in Washington, DC at the annual Society for Social Work and Research Conference. The six accepted presentations covered the following topics: treatment barriers and facilitators in rural areas, the role of peer support specialists in treatment, the role of children as motivators or inhibitors to parental engagement in treatment, middle school substance use prevention programs, the Mini-Grant Initiative, and interagency collaboration around mother-child residential treatment programs. Showcasing SC’s successes, challenges, and lessons learned is an important step in advancing the field of substance abuse treatment and recovery services.

5Recovery Program Transformation & Innovation Fund

2015 fUnDeD ProjeCts by Priority area

Priority area 1: Collaboration and integration of servicesPriority Area 1 focuses on partnerships with healthcare providers, schools, or criminal justice agencies. Six agencies are implementing projects in this area.

Cornerstone Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Cornerstone is using Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) to engage adolescents in services. They are partnering with the Abbeville Sheriff ’s Department and Abbeville jail staff to coordinate referrals and have hired a clinical counselor to implement the program. The SBIRT program has led to referrals being made to Cornerstone’s outpatient treatment program, a treatment group established within the jail, and other outside agencies. Cornerstone is also relocating their facility to gain additional space for offering services. After focusing their efforts on preparing the necessary documentation for the loan, closing process, and construction, the official groundbreaking ceremony took place in January with about 30 agency and community stakeholders attending.

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Ernest E. Kennedy Center

Ernest E. Kennedy Center is implementing a technology upgrade to improve communication between staff in its two county offices as well as enhance agency ability to offer community-wide trainings on treatment topics. Smart boards have been installed at the agency, and clinical staff have been trained on the corresponding hardware and software. A Community Resource Team has been established to work with community partners, including the county Department of Mental Health (DMH), Department of Social Services (DSS), Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), and Vocational Rehab to identify joint training needs. The first training will focus on Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care. Both clients and staff have reacted favorably to the technology improvements.

Circle Park Behavioral Health Services

Circle Park Behavioral Health Services is using technology to connect its four offices throughout the county. This technology will also be used to connect with community partners to provide tele-counseling services to clients. These upgrades also have other widespread potential uses, particularly for connecting those in their women’s residential program to family support and transition planning. The agency has thoroughly researched different telehealth options through talking with various service providers and collaborators, as well as sending its director to a training hosted by the Addiction Technology Transfer Network. Necessary technology upgrades have been initiated and will be ongoing as the agency moves into its new building this summer.

Westview Behavioral Health Services

Westview Behavioral Health Services is collaborating with DJJ and the Department of Probation, Pardon, and Parole to provide a program, Step Up 2 Success, aimed at preventing further involvement with the justice system through skill-building and reduced substance use. Increasing program completions has been a challenge, but DJJ is helping address this issue through actions such as eliminating community service requirements for program completers. The agency also recently expanded the program to the Newberry Alternative School, with ten participants initiating sessions since the start of the partnership.

7Recovery Program Transformation & Innovation Fund

Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County

Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County is working with their local DSS to coordinate intervention efforts to support families involved with the child welfare system. The “Recover Together Team” consists of a clinical counselor, DSS caseworker, and peer support specialist. Twelve families have been accepted into the program, with three already reaching completion. The intervention spans six months with specialized treatment components. So far, all of the families involved in the program have maintained custody of their children. The agency has also strengthened its collaborative relationship with DSS through this initiative, the DSS liaison position, and cross-trainings.

Saluda Behavioral Health System

In response to the growing Hispanic population in the county, Saluda Behavioral Health is providing school-based behavioral health services and developing a parent outreach campaign for families of Hispanic and Latino descent. Students at both the middle and high school level are referred and receive services at both the individual and group level. A group of parents are also receiving an evidence-based parenting curriculum called Triple P: Positive Parenting Program, and a new parent community group has been established and is meeting monthly to discuss topics such as healthy development and school readiness. The agency has built relationships with the school district, DJJ, and First Steps, all of which provide the agency with referrals.

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Priority area 2: workforce DevelopmentPriority Area 2 focuses on staff training and retention. Six projects received funding in this area.

Anderson-Oconee Behavioral Health Services

Anderson/Oconee Behavioral Health Services is increasing staff access to clinical supervision through technology upgrades. By offering tele-supervision between county agencies, clinical supervisors have been more efficient, resulting in an increase in overall hours of supervision provided. Video conferencing equipment has been installed, and recording policies and procedures have been established by the agency. Clinical supervisors have been trained on the equipment and orientation sessions for staff and clients have been held. Staff have now begun receiving supervision using the new procedures and equipment.

Axis I Center of Barnwell

Axis I Center of Barnwell is implementing a Professional Learning Community (PLC) with its community partners, enhancing the education and licensure for its staff through providing reimbursement for professional development, and delivering training on self-care through a program called Barnwell CARES. Additionally, Axis I Center is completing needed building improvements. PLC trainings have been held close to monthly since the start of the grant period. Pre and post surveys show an increase in participants’ knowledge of the training topics covered, as well as a high level of satisfaction with the initiative. The agency has completed its five-session Barnwell CARES program for staff which was also well-received. Progress continues to be made on facility upgrades, including the installation of new flooring and paint.

9Recovery Program Transformation & Innovation Fund

Charleston Center

The Charleston Center is providing training and opportunities to improve licensure status for their clinicians. Staff are receiving training in Motivational Interviewing (MI), including sending out tapes for review and coding for fidelity to the model. Staff are also being trained in Modified Interpersonal Group Psychotherapy and some staff are also enrolled in an LPC Supervision course at the Citadel. Technology has been purchased to facilitate these training and supervision activities.

Clarendon Behavioral Health Services

Clarendon Behavioral Health Services aims to retain qualified clinical staff by assisting them in attaining advanced credentials and licensure and providing team-building activities and staff wellness programs. Procedures and policies have been developed for staff incentives and wellness initiatives, and staff are participating in each. The agency has hosted a variety of trainings on topics such as Basic Group Counseling, Motivational Interviewing, and Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Agency partners including DSS, DJJ, and Hope Health have been invited to participate in these trainings, enhancing community relationships.

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Colleton County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Colleton Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse is increasing education levels and certifications of its clinical and administrative staff. The agency developed an application for its staff to participate through the project, and seven individuals are in the process of taking classes or pursuing licensure. Those taking classes have enrolled at one of five institutions and are currently maintaining high grades. Participating staff feel supported by agency leadership in pursuing their professional development goals. Those pursuing licensure are also working to fulfill the necessary requirements.

The Phoenix Center

The Phoenix Center is providing Motivational Interviewing training to staff in all ten of the 301 treatment agencies in Region One of South Carolina. The trainings have also been opened to other community partners, including the Department of Mental Health, and Palmetto Health Behavioral Services. The courses include coding and coaching for clinicians to reach competency in MI. Four cohorts have completed their training, and the Justice-Systems Assessment and Training Center in Boulder, Colorado is responsible for the coding and coaching for the model. A number of those trained have been deemed proficient or competent in the model.

11Recovery Program Transformation & Innovation Fund

Priority area 3: re-application or supplemental fundsPriority Area 3 is for agencies that applied during the first round of RPTIF funds to revise and strengthen an unfunded application or to receive additional funding to expand their ongoing RPTIF project. Three projects received funding in this area.

Fairfield Behavioral Health Services

Fairfield Behavioral Health Services is expanding their services to include an intensive outpatient program (IOP) that serves DSS-involved women. To facilitate this, the agency is partnering with a local hospital, detention center, and county DSS. A clinical counselor and substance abuse specialist for the program are conducting the SBIRT screenings. The agency has enrolled 24 clients in the IOP initiative, with 11 clients successfully graduating from the program. A women’s treatment group at the detention center has also been initiated during the project period.

Shoreline Behavioral Health Services

Shoreline Behavioral Health Services is working with DSS on substance use assessments and referrals to their Family Recovery Center. The project includes a substance abuse counselor-liaison position, and the agency contracted with Jeff and Becki Georgi to conduct a series of eleven trainings over the course of the year. A Children and Family Enhanced Services Steering Committee was developed, which includes DSS, the Waccamaw Center for Mental Health, and Guardian at Litem. This committee and joint trainings have led to stronger partnerships with these agencies.

Sumter Behavioral Health Services

Sumter Behavioral Health Services is focusing on improving the agency’s services for mothers and families through both training and staffing channels. A family care coordinator has been hired, and the agency is working to implement more family-focused programming, including family days. The two main community partners for the project are the county DSS and Crosswell Children’s Home. A cross-training with DSS focusing on family dynamics was recently completed.

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ConClUsions

At the conclusion of the third year, RPTIF-funded projects have been implemented at a majority of South Carolina’s 301 agencies. This impact is encouraging, as it highlights the increase in capacity-building across the state as a result of the initiative. Staff are benefiting from enhancements in professional development opportunities, including trainings and further credentialing, and clients are being served by these workforce investments. In addition, numerous inter-agency partnerships have been strengthened across the state as a result of the RPTIF initiative. Looking ahead, sustaining the positive impact of the RPTIF funds will be crucial to continued agency successes as they learn from, and move forward with, program implementation.

rPtif aCComPlishments by the nUmbers

SERVICES 5,421 individuals screened to determine substance use severity

452 individuals referred to substance use treatment services or other community supports

360 clients engaged in services

25HIRED STAFF

25

UPDATED POLICIES & PROCEDURES

TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES

12 6DATA TRACKING MECHANISMS

PARTNERSHIPS ESTABLISHED99 23

COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

7TRAININGS OFFERED

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$4MILLION DOLLARS AWARDED

This Project was supported by contract number A201611015A with the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS). Points of view in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of SCDHHS.

for further information, contact: Stephanie Clone, RPTIF Program Coordinator

1512 Pendleton St, Hamilton College, Room 115Columbia, SC 29208

CLONE@mailbox.sc.edu803.777.9919

rptif.cosw.sc.edu