Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
35 <br />E. Transportation <br />Ongoing communication exist between DSS and the local transportation agency. DSS staff <br />serve on the local transportation board. As a result of the collaboration, local transportation <br />routes have been expanded to meet the needs of some Work First participants. The local <br />transportation agency is coordinating discussions between DSS, Chapel Hill Transit, DOT, and <br />county planning to develop comprehensive strategies for better serving Work First participants. <br />F. Substance Abuse <br />The use of drugs and alcohol among Work First recipients in Orange County represents a <br />significant barrier to employment and independence from welfare. Most studies indicate <br />that 35% of welfare recipients use drugs and alcohol on some level. It is estimated that the <br />percentage is higher among public housing residents in Orange County. Demographic risk <br />factors for drug and alcohol use increase for the individuals between the ages of 18 -34 who do <br />not have a high school diploma and are unemployed. <br />The Chapel Hill Housing and Community Development received a $99,992 drug elimination <br />grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Town of Chapel Hill hired <br />a coordinator to work directly with housing residents around the issues of crime and drugs in <br />their neighborhoods as well as education and employment. The Department of Social Services <br />will collaborate with the project as we move Work First families to independence. <br />Judy Burke, OPC Mental Health Board member, and Tom Maynard, Director OPC Mental <br />Health have been involved in the development of the Work First Plan. Department of Social <br />Services staff and OPC Mental Health staff have met to coordinate a process for identification, <br />referral and treatment. <br />All participants entering the Work First program in Orange County will be evaluated by the DSS <br />case worker to determine if they have a substance abuse problem, using an evaluation tool <br />currently being selected by the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and <br />Substance Abuse Services. Any participant identified as having a substance abuse problem or <br />for whom there is a question will be referred to a Qualified Substance Abuse Professional <br />(QSAP) for further evaluation. Such evaluation may include urinalysis, interview with the client <br />and with family members or friends of the client. <br />If this evaluation results in a determination that there is a substance abuse problem, the QSAP <br />will determine the appropriate level of treatment and make the referral to that service. The QSAP <br />will maintain records of all evaluations and referrals, for purposes of reporting to the Division of <br />Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services; will monitor follow - <br />up on referrals and participation in treatment, in cooperation with treatment staff and the DSS <br />case worker; and will provide feedback on their initial evaluations and ongoing consultation on <br />substance abuse issues to DSS case workers. <br />Horizons, a substance abuse treatment program at UNC Hospitals has applied for a research grant <br />from the federal government to operate an intensive outpatient treatment program for Work First <br />recipients. The model was developed by Columbia University, university staff will be involved <br />34 <br />