From staff reports

CHAPEL HILL -- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has awarded a $900,000 grant to expand local Adult Drug Treatment Courts in Orange, Durham, Person and Caswell Counties.

The Orange, Durham, Person/Caswell Drug Treatment Court Collaborative (The Collaborative) is a cooperative effort between three North Carolina Adult Drug Treatment Courts, OPC LME, UNC's Cecil G. Sheps Center, and Freedom House Recovery Center, a substance abuse/mental health treatment provider. These organizations have joined together to enhance and expand existing services for drug treatment court participants through the provision of supportive housing, vocational and employment services, and evidence-based treatment practices.

Freedom House Recovery Center will serve as the treatment provider for this expansion of local drug treatment courts services. Trish Hussey, executive director, has appointed Billy Lee as the project director, and Clinical Director Heather Griffin-Dolciney will play a lead role in the project. Freedom House serves individuals with substance abuse, mental illness and developmental disabilities. Last year, Freedom House served more than 7,700 individuals in its continuum of care and 75 percent of these clients were homeless, unemployed or in deep poverty. All Drug Treatment Court participants will receive the following services through Freedom House:

n Up to six months in supportive housing.

n Evidence-based substance abuse treatment practices with access to a full array of services, such as Detoxification/Facility Based Crisis, Mobile Crisis, long and short term residential programs and Outpatient services.

n Mental health screenings and evidence-based treatment services where indicated.

n Access to Life skills training, vocational training, and job placement programs.

The Collaborative will target 459 adults for enhanced and expanded drug treatment court services (153 adults per year over three years). Participants will be identified during their appearance in the Durham County 14 Judicial District Court, Orange County 15B Judicial District Court, or Person/Caswell County 9A Judicial District Court.