Safe, Healthy Santa Cruz: Improving Response to Substance Abuse Needs
Over the last several months, we have conducted an exhaustive effort with stakeholders and community members to develop a draft strategic plan that has the potential for significantly changing how we deliver SUD treatment services in the community. The draft plan recommendations are broad and detailed, and in order to ensure that key stakeholders have sufficient opportunity to review the draft plan, its issuance to the community is in the process of being rescheduled for a few weeks from now. In addition, we are hopeful that the State and Federal governments will provide further clarification on the expansion of Drug MediCal benefits in the near future. We will contact you shortly with the revised community review meeting date. We appreciate the hard work that many of you have put into developing the draft plan, and we look forward to your participation in the next steps of the planning process.
Previous Meetings
Strategic Planning for Improving Responses to Substance Abuse Needs
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
LOCATION: Del Mar Elementary School
1959 Merrill St., Santa Cruz, CA
Items discussed at meeting:
- treatment & support for substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring disorder (COD) and related issues
- reduction of costly impacts to individuals, families, and community
- increase wellness and success of individuals recovering from SUD/COD
A presentation of the SUD Treatment Strategic Plan, included:
- desired improvements and results
- proven and innovative solutions, and
- approaches for advancing how we can work together.
Discussion to include effective services and systems for:
- treatment & support for substance use disorder (SUD/COD) & related issues
- reduction of costly impacts to individuals, families, & our community, and
- increase in wellness & success of individuals recovering from SUD/COD
Schedule:
- 5:30 PM Greetings from Supervisor John Leopold
Overview of strategic plan content
- 6:30 PM Small group discussion
Telling the Substance Use Story: Data Review and Community Conversation
DATE/TIME: June 11, 2014, 12:30 - 4pm
LOCATION: City of Watsonville Community Room
275 Main St., Watsonville, CA 95076
This meeting included a community forum to review data findings on substance use needs and discuss what we can do about it.
Presentation of findings from the strategic plan Needs Assessment and discussions, engaging all sectors, to move our community forward to solutions.
Discussion group format addressed the following questions:
- What needs stand out?
- What’s the story behind the need?
- Is the continuum of need met?
Schedule:
- 12:30 PM Lunch & Resources
- 1:00 PM
- Greetings from Supervisor Greg Caput
- Here We Are: Telling the community data story
- Where We Want To Be: Small group discussions
- Sectors include
- Public Safety/Justice
- Housing/Homelessness
- Mental Health/Co-occurring Disorders
- Education: Elementary to Higher Ed
- Health/Health Care
- Social Services: Children & Families
3:30 PM How We Will Get There: Review of prioritization criteria for decision-making and next steps.
Needs and Solutions for Substance Abuse:
A Community Conversation
DATE: May 8, 2014
LOCATION: Simpkins Swim Center
This community forum consisted of a discussion of how substance abuse impacts all of us and what we can do about it.
6:30 PM Welcome Reception Resources
7:00 PM Greetings from Supervisor John Leopold Small group discussion.
Topics to include:
- Public Safety/Justice
- Mental Health/Co-occurring Disorders
- Health/Health Care
- Housing/Homelessness
- Education: Elementary to Higher Education
- Social Services: Children and Families
A discussion group format will focus on:
- key issues and contributing factors,
- proven and innovative solutions, and
- ideas for advancing how we can work together.
Who Suffers from Substance Abuse?
A Community Conversation
DATE: March 6, 2014
LOCATION: Aptos High School
On March 6, 2014 members of the Santa Cruz County community gathered at Aptos High School for a town hall-style Community Conversation on how substance abuse impacts all of us and what we can do about it. Substance abuse, including addiction, is a chronic disease with devastating impacts on individuals, families, community members and our local systems of services and supports. Consequences of this health condition cost individual and community safety and quality of life, and impose financial burdens on county agencies and community organizations. In fact, everyone in the Santa Cruz County community suffers from the consequences of untreated substance use disorders.
The Community Conversation event was a kickoff for the development of a strategic plan for substance abuse treatment systems and services. Probation, Child Protective Services, and Alcohol and Drug Programs, highlighted successful community solutions. A local resident shared her personal experience, too. The event showcased local examples of coordinated efforts that maximize the incentives and leverage available to our government agencies in order to effectively address the needs associated with substance abuse. Community members provided input on needs and current resources available.
Below are the available presentations and the event agenda:
We Want Your Input...
Please Send Us Your Input or Comments Regarding the Strategic Plan for Substance Use Treatment. The HSA Alcohol and Drug Program (ADP) is facilitating the development of strategic plan for substance abuse treatment in Santa Cruz County. Over the first six months of 2014, ADP collected information about local needs and resources relevant to substance use disorders (SUDs). Broad community input for this data-driven strategic planning process was used to draft recommendations for SUD/COD treatment systems and services. Emphasis is on successful partnership with sister agencies and the community for effective, coordinated treatment services and supports.
You are welcome to:
• Provide feedback on the planning process
• Comment on the strategic plan
• Indicate your support for the strategic plan recommendations
• Ask questions
Thank you!