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social services, criminal justice, behavioral therapy, K-12 education, and others, and analyzed UNC Chapel Hill Emergency Department records. <br /> BARRIERS TO ACCESSING TREATMENT The primary findings of the assessment showed that existing levels of service do not adequately address the needs of this population although there are many examples of successful collaborations taking place across the county in an attempt to address the gaps. Responses from key opinion leaders around the barriers to accessing treatment for mental health and substance abuse helped to inform the findings included in the below table. These common themes were also incorporated into the survey questionnaire as a method for confirming their validity with a larger group. <br />BARRIERS TO MENTAL HEALTH (MH) AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE (SA) <br />TREATMENT AND RESOURCES <br />Theme Description <br />Affordability - #1 Gap The #1 gap in the OC mental health system is affordability. Many low-income residents either do not have insurance or find their coverage inadequately covers treatment services for MH and SA (e.g. must meet a high deductible before any coverage is provided, lack of reimbursement options, restricted to a low maximum number of appointments, etc.). This issue is exacerbated when adolescents age out of the Medicaid system at 18. There are very few sliding scale or pro bono options to fill this gap. Children and adolescents have difficulty with recovery if parents with mental health issues aren’t treated as well, but parents run into these same issues with affordability. <br /> <br />Location/Transportation - #2 Gap <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Transportation was ranked as the 2nd largest barrier to MH/SA services in Orange County. Services are especially scarce in the northern part of the county (i.e. Hillsborough and unincorporated areas). Public transportation helps somewhat with the older patients in the southern sector, but the younger ones still have unmet needs. This dilemma emphasizes the need for more accessible treatment centers and in/near-school care, especially when parents are unable to take their children to necessary appointments due to busy work schedules or other conflicts. <br />Language/Cultural - #3 Gap <br /> <br /> <br />For the most part, services for non-English speaking patients are either difficult to obtain or virtually inaccessible. 60% of respondents said it was difficult for non-English speaking