Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission
Annual Report
Fiscal Year 2012/13
Introduction
The Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission (AICDAC) is the Single County Authority (SCA) for Armstrong, Indiana, and Clarion Counties. In this role, the Commission is responsible for facilitating the provision of a comprehensive and balanced system of quality substance abuse prevention, intervention, treatment, and case management services for the three-county area.
The mission of the Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission is to address the abuse and destructive effects of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs through prevention, intervention, treatment, and case management. The vision of the Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission is to maximize resources that empower change to improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and the community impacted by the abuse and destructive effects of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
The Commission is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and is classified as an Independent Executive Commission that contracts directly with the PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. The Commission is also responsible for assessing substance abuse needs, planning, developing, and coordinating programming to meet service needs, and then monitoring and reviewing the outcomes. Administrative staff responsible for insuring contractual compliance, reporting and fiscal operations include the Executive Director (Kami Anderson), Chief Fiscal Officer (Amanda Schroeder), Fiscal Assistant (Tracy Stross), part-time Fiscal Officer (currently vacant), and the Administrative Assistant (Ashley Callihan) for the Clarion satellite office.
In early 2012, the Commission conducted a three-county-wide Needs Assessment under the direction of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Services (formerly the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services under the Department of Health). This document is available by calling the SCA Administrative Office at 724-354-2746 or email at .
The Commission has a functional Case Management Unit responsible for the provision of case management services which include: screening, assessment, placement, level of care determination and case coordination services. The Case Management Supervisor (Nicole Salvo) oversees a total of seven Case Managers for the three Counties.
The Case Management Department made significant structural changes at the end of the fiscal year 2012/13 in order to increase the availability of our Case Managers to our clients. Two Case Managers are now located in the main population centers of each County. For Armstrong County, twoCase Managers (Barbara Miklos and Amanda Cochran) are located in the Commission’s office at 354 Vine Street, Kittanning, PA. For Indiana County, two Case Managers (Steven Olish and Susan Graham) are located in the outpatient provider office, The Open Door, at the Atrium, 665 Philadelphia Street, Indiana, PA. For Clarion County, two Case Managers (Corrin Cochran and Meredith Karg) are located in the Commission’s Clarion Office at 1250 East Main Street, Clarion, PA.
Armstrong and Indiana County share a Criminal Justice Case Manager (Lisa Lloyd), who works primarily with Level 3 and 4 offenders who have been diverted to treatment or Drug Court Program through a Restrictive Intermediate Punishment grant funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). Armstrong County operates an Intensive Supervision and Treatment Program funded through PCCD, and Indiana County operates a Drug Treatment Court with PCCD funds.
For Clarion County, one of the Case Managers (Corrin Cochran) is employed at .5 FTE as a Criminal Justice Case Manager that works primarily with Level 3 and 4 offenders enrolled in the Clarion County Drug Court program. The other .5 FTE is spent providing Case Coordination services to the general population.
One of the Case Managers in each County also serves as the drug and alcohol liaison (at .5 FTE) for the SAP teams in their County, providing consultation and on-site assessments for students referred by the 33teams and other school personnel.
The Commission added a Recovery Support Services (RSS) department in 2010. Four full-time Certified Recovery Specialists (CRS) are employed by the SCA. The CRS Supervisor (Michael Krafick) and three CRS staff (Lea Bevick, Brandon Houston, and Paul Oresick) provide recovery support services to any client requesting those services. A recovery plan is developed with the client and progress is evaluated periodically. The CRS staff members provide recovery support in person or over the phone. All of the CRS staff are trained in the Criminal Justice population and are involved in the County Jail and Drug Court programs.
In the FY 2012/13, the Commission began providing Prevention services directly. The Commission employs six full-time Prevention Specialists (Matthew Antis, Courtney Hankinson, Michele Simpson, Sarah Muth, Jessica Snyder, and Rita Woodard) to provide Prevention Services in the three Counties. The Deputy Director (Carrie Bence) is responsible for the oversight of all Prevention Services in all three Counties.
The Commission is responsible for the Tobacco Prevention Education and Cessation Program in Armstrong, Indiana, Clarion, Clearfield and Jefferson Counties. The Deputy Director is responsible for the oversight of the project, including the coordination of all tobacco compliance checks, cessation programs, health fairs, and coalition activities. All Tobacco Services are provided by two Tobacco Coordinators (Kolaya Horne and Betsee Brunier).
The Deputy Director also oversees the Drug-Free Communities Coalition, which was created in 2003 as the Drug Awareness Prevention Partnership (DAPP), and provides oversight of the prevention grant programs. The name of the Coalition was changed in 2008 as a response to the new grant awarded to the Commission, SAMHSA’s Drug-Free Communities (DFC) federal grant. A Prevention Specialist (Jennifer McCroskey) acts as the Community Mobilizer for the Coaltion. The Commission is proud to announce that it was awarded the second five-year Drug Free Communities grant that will run from October 2013 through September 2018.
During the FY 2012/13, the Commission was also awarded the SAMHSA STOP ACT Grant, which is a three year grant that focuses on the prevention of underage drinking in Armstrong and Indiana Counties. Through this grant, the Commission collaborates with the Sheriff’s Department to provide an Alcohol and Driving curriculum class to all 9th or 10th graders in both counties. The Alcohol and Driving curriculum was also presented to all schools in Clarion County through a grant from the PA Liquor Control Board. The grants also provide funding for social norms campaigns in the schools and for increased Underage Drinking Enforcement activities.
The Commission was again awarded the Problem Gambling grant for the fiscal years 2013/14 and 2014/15 through the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) for the three counties. Problem gambling education and prevention services are provided by the Commission prevention staff.
The Commission is governed by a thirteen member volunteer board of directors. Five members represent our largest County of Indiana. Four members represent each Armstrong and Clarion Counties. The officers for FY 2013/2014 are: President, Marie Dillon-Griffith; Vice President, Jodi Beers; and Secretary-Treasurer, Robert Rout. Other board members are: Commissioner Patricia Evanko (Indiana), Commissioner Richard Fink (Armstrong), Commissioner Wayne Brosius (Clarion), Dennis Demangone, Erin Eisenman, Dr. Mary Swinker, Dr. Greg Clary, Sheriff Rex Munsee, Thomas Curry. There is currently one vacant position for Indiana County. Board meetings are open to the public and held the third Tuesday of each month.
The Service Provider’s Advisory Task Force consists of management staff of the local sub-contractors and meets on a monthly basis with management staff from the Commission. The role of the Task Force is to discuss service planning, current ATOD trends, and any SCA/provider issues that need addressed. Staff training is a major focus of the meeting, as well as contract requirements, service delivery, and fiscal concerns. The President of the Task Force is Vincent Mercuri, Executive Director of the Open Door.
An organizational chart for the Commission by job title is included on the following page (4).
1
Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug & Alcohol Commission
Organization Chart
FY 2012/2013
1
The SCA has offices at the following locations:
Armstrong/Indiana(Administrative Office):Armstrong County:
10829 U.S. Route 422354 Vine Street
P.O. Box 238Kittanning, PA 16201
Shelocta, PA 15774724-545-1614
724-354-2746
Clarion County:Indiana County:
1350 East Main Street, Suite 30665 Philadelphia Street
Clarion, PAIndiana, PA 15701
814-226-6350724-463-7860
The Commission has contracts with the following local treatment providers for the following services:
OUTPATIENT TREATMENT:
ARC ManorThe Open Door
200 Oak Avenue665 Philadelphia Street
Kittanning, PA 16201Indiana, PA 15701
724-548-7607 724-465-2605
Cindy McCrea, Executive DirectorVincent Mercuri, Executive Director
ARC Manor Satellite Offices:
116 Main Street
Leechburg, PA 15686
30 Pinnacle Drive, 2nd Floor
Clarion, PA 16214
INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT and
ENHANCED MAT INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT:
ARC ManorThe Open Door
200 Oak Avenue665 Philadelphia Street
Kittanning, PA 16201 Indiana, PA 15701
724-548-7607724-465-2605
Cindy McCrea, Executive DirectorVincent Mercuri, Executive Director
30 Pinnacle Drive, 2nd Floor
Clarion, PA 16214
PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION and
ENHANCED MAT PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION:
ARC ManorThe Open Door
200 Oak Avenue665 Philadelphia Street
Kittanning, PA 16201Indiana, PA 15701
724-548-7607724-465-2605
Cindy McCrea, Executive DirectorVincent Mercuri, Executive Director
30 Pinnacle Drive, 2nd Floor
Clarion, PA 16214
ADULT RESIDENTIAL:
ARC Manor
200 Oak Avenue
Kittanning, PA 16201
724-548-7607
Cindy McCrea, Executive Director
In addition, the Commission contracted with the following out-of-county treatment providers:
HOSPITAL-BASED DETOX AND REHABILITATION:
Stepping Stones – Meadville Medical Center
NON-HOSPITAL DETOX:
Conewago-PottsvilleTransitions at Wilkinsburg
Cove Forge Behavioral Health SystemTurning Point - Franklin
Gateway Rehab CenterTwin Lakes Recovery Center
Gaudenzia Erie-CrossroadsWhite Deer Run - Allenwood
Greenbriar Treatment CenterWhite Deer Run - Lancaster
Pyramid HealthCareWhite Deer Run – New Perspectives
Roxbury
NON-HOSPITAL RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION:
Conewago-IndianaPyramid HealthCare - Belleville
Cove Forge Behavioral HealthRenewal Inc.
Freedom CenterRoxbury
Gaiser Addiction CenterTransitions - Wilkinsburg
Gateway ErieTurning Point – Franklin
Gateway Rehab CenterTwin Lakes Recovery Center
Greenbriar Treatment CenterWhite Deer Run - Allenwood
Gaudenzia Erie- CrossroadsWhite Deer Run - Lancaster
Pyramid HealthCareWhite Deer Run – New Perspectives
ADOLESCENT NON-HOSPITAL RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION:
Gateway Rehab CenterPyramid Ridgeview Adolescent Center
White Deer Run
WOMEN W/CHILDREN NON-HOSPITAL RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION:
Family LinksSamara House of CYWA
Gaudenzia
NON-HOSPITAL DUAL DIAGNOSIS RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION:
Cove ForgePyramid HealthCare
Gaudenzia ErieTransitions at Wilkinsburg
Greenbriar Treatment CenterWhite Deer Run
HALFWAY HOUSE:
Abstinent Living at the Turning PointHighland House
of WashingtonLighthouse for Women
Another WayLighthouse for Men
Clem-Mar House (Male and Female Programs)Moffett House
Cove Forge Renewal CenterNew Directions @ Cove Forge
Davis Archway HousePyramid HealthCare
Gaudenzia Erie (Male and Female Programs)Pyramid-Gratitude House & Pine Ridge
Halfway Home of Lehigh ValleyTom Rutter House
OUTPATIENT METHADONE MAINTENANCE:
RHJ Medical Med-Tech Rehab
Administration
The Commission continued to be active in the fiscal year 2012/13 on a statewide basis through the Executive Director’s (Kami Anderson) participation as an Officer in the PA Association of County Drug and Alcohol Administrators (PACDAA), and the Deputy Director’s (Carrie Bence) participation in the PA Commonwealth Prevention Alliance, Southwestern PA Tobacco Free Coalition, and the Western PA Regional Prevention Workgroup. The Commission’s Executive Director (Kami Anderson) currently holds the following Board positions:
Treasurer, PA Association of County Drug and Alcohol Administrators (PACDAA)
Treasurer, Southwest Behavioral Health Management Corporation (SBHM)
Executive Committee, Behavioral Health Alliance of Rural PA (BHARP)
The Commission staff was active on the local level with membership and participation in the following:
Armstrong/Indiana/Clarion Service Providers Advisory Task Force
Armstrong and Indiana County Criminal Justice Advisory Boards
Armstrong/Indiana/Clarion County Human Service/Resource Councils
Armstrong/Indiana/Clarion County Chambers of Commerce
Armstrong and Indiana County Family Group Decision Making
Indiana County LINK
Indiana County Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)
Indiana County Children’s Advisory Council (CAC)
Indiana/Clarion County Child Death Review Team
Clarion County Family Net
Clarion County Jail Treatment Team
Clarion County Disaster Crisis Response Team
Clarion County Shelter Task Force
Clarion University Of PA Rehabilitation Sciences Advisory Board
SAP District Council
SAP Coordination Teams
Training
Training was made available to staff of the SCA and the SCA’s contracted providers in the three county drug and alcohol service delivery system via workshops and seminars sponsored solely by the Commission or in partnership with the Service Providers Advisory Task Force. The training programs included Confidentiality, Ethics, PA Client Placement Criteria (PCPC), Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), Screening and Assessment, and Addictions 101.
Training needs identified by the SCA and the contracted providers include the DDAP-required Prevention trainings for new staff; Common Behavioral Health Medications trainings; Practical Applications of Confidentiality and PCPC; Recovery Coaching; Affordable Care Act informational trainings and how it will affect drug and alcohol services; and Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Compliance trainings.
Prevention Services
Armstrong, Indiana, and Clarion Counties
The Commission spent $257,552 in funding for Prevention Services for Armstrong, Indiana, and Clarion counties during the Fiscal Year 2012/13. The prevention plan for FY 2012/13 focused on the prevention of youth usage of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and prescription drugs. The target communities of focus were Kittanning in Armstrong County, Blairsville in Indiana County, and Knox in Clarion County.
The Commission implemented over 2,360 direct service hours on prevention efforts concentrating in the areas of education, information dissemination, alternative activities, problem identification and referral, community-based process, and environmental activities.
Over 1,035 direct service hours and were provided in education and training in the areas of critical life and social skills such as decision-making, refusal skills, critical analysis of media messages, and the effects of ATOD usage. Presentations were made through Act 211 ATOD education using the evidence based and innovative programs; such as, Too Good For Drugs (TGFD), Too Good For Drugs and Violence, BABES, Alcohol and Driving Course, alternative school programs, after school skills groups, Underage Users’ group, minority youth groups, school personnel presentations, worksite presentations and Teen Leadership training. The TGFD program was presented to a total of 2,527 youth, the Alcohol and Driving program was presented to 1,344 youth, the Class Action curriculum was presented to 65 students, and the BABES program was presented to 481 children.
During the FY 2012/13, 883 staff hours were spent on information dissemination activities that provide awareness and knowledge of the nature and extent of ATOD use, abuse, and addiction and their effects on individuals, families, and communities. Contacts were made through community health fairs and presentations, media campaigns, public service announcements, phone contacts, pamphlets, brochures, and video distribution to approximately 41,137 youth and adults.
Prevention staff spent 48 hours coordinating alternative activities that excluded alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use for youth. Over 500 youth and adults benefited from alternative activities sponsored by the Commission in the FY 2012/13.
Problem identification and referral services were provided during the FY 2012/13. This strategy aims at identifying those who have indulged in illegal and/or age inappropriate use of tobacco and alcohol and those individuals who have indulged in the first use of illicit drugs in order to assess if their behavior can be reversed through education. 181 direct service hours were provided through the Underage Users’ group and various community/parental requests for information and training. 231 youth received services through the problem identification and referral process.
Community-based services aimed at enhancing the ability of the community to more effectively provide and participate in prevention services were provided to area residents. Local community-based coalition meetings, church and civic group presentations, staff training at housing authorities, domestic violence shelters, and WIC are examples of community-based services that were provided through 157 direct service hours that reached 149 individuals.
Environmental activities attempt to establish or change written and unwritten community standards, codes, and attitudes to influence incidence and prevalence of the abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs used in the general population. Prevention staff spent 60 direct service hours and reached 659 individuals participating in various committees and coalitions and contacting local legislatures, school superintendents, and public officials.
The Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission Prevention Department educated the communities of Armstrong, Indiana, and Clarion counties on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness (FASD) by distributing approximately 2,000 table tents to alcohol licensees and the community with an awareness message that “there is No safe time, No safe amount and No safe alcohol use during pregnancy.”
Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program
Armstrong and Indiana Counties
The Commission was awarded a grant to be a sub-contractor for Washington County Health Partners to provide tobacco prevention, cessation and exposure activities in Armstrong and Indiana Counties. This grant is a result of the Master Settlement Agreement funding awarded through the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The grant is carried out through three program areas.