Monthly Meeting Minutes April 21, 2010 5 7 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Kevin McConnell Edi Patrick Don Cobb Marvin Mars Trey Dunia John Abrahams Catherine Siegel MEMBERS ABSENT John Lloyd STAFF PRESENT Gino Giannavola, AODS Maureen Donaghue, AODS Lorrie Hanson, AODS Kelly Elder, Prevention PROVIDERS & GUESTS Elizabeth Ward, SRTP Tanya Sarcos, SRTP Cheryle Stanley, WRS Michael Spielman, DAAC Lynne Campanario, DAAC Yudith Vargas, Sonoma State Nursing Elle Doll, Sonoma State Nursing Allison Char, Sonoma State Nursing Danielle Humphreys, SSU Nursing Rebecca Schultz, Sonoma State Nursing Daniel Ramirez, Sonoma State Nursing Ursula Pagani, Student Advocacy Called to order at 5:05 pm, by Trey Dunia I. Introductions Welcome new board member Catherine Siegel from District 1 II. III. Public Comment None Action Items Approval of Minutes The February and March minutes were approved. Renewal of Narcotic Treatment Replacement (NTP) Certifications Page 1 of 5
Drug Abuse Alternatives Center - Redwood Empire Addiction Program (REAP) REAP serves approximately 130-150 clients at a time, and are currently experiencing an influx of young adults and women. There also seems to be more clients enrolling who are IV drug users, and about 50% are HCV positive. The living situations of the clients that are currently at REAP vary from homeless and unemployed to those with families and financial assistance or financial stability. REAP is working to align clients with Medicare and a medical home. REAP is working to expand their on site counseling services for the clients as well as addressing issues such as tobacco, obesity, women s services and family planning. Santa Rosa Treatment Program (SRTP) SRTP reports that the mission and goals of both programs are similar and that Methadone allows clients to have a better life. The Advisory Board recommended approval of the annual license renewal for both providers. IV. SACPA/OTP (Prop 36) Update AODS received the JAG allocation and has sent out contract amendments to treatment providers. Most of the OTP dollars have been spent out at this time. JAG monies may not be spent out by the end of June. As of April 30, 2010, the dedicated Prop 36 1210 Court will be disbursed to Alpha courts, with up to eight courts handling Prop 36 clients. There is some concern that if the Alpha Courts do not place clients on a dedicated calendar that it could be an audit issue. The courts are still developing the protocols that each court will follow; copies went out to the teams today for review. As of June 30, 2010 the Proposition 36/OTP office will be closing. As of April 30, 2010 out of county clients and Parole clients will no longer be accepted into the OTP program The OTP Steering Committee met, and provider focus groups met, to determine how to assist the courts in meeting the requirements of the law without a case management program. Page 2 of 5
Ideas included having treatment providers do a brief screening for clients and refer them to the appropriate level of recommended care. DAAC and CHD feel that they can both accept approximately five clients per week for theses brief screenings. Clients then will contact the recommended treatment provider for intake and assessment, and be placed on a waitlist if deemed necessary. However, some of our current contracted treatment providers state that they will be unable to continue to serve Prop 36 clients if there are no funds to cover treatment costs. The Court, the District Attorney s office and the Public Defender s office will set up trainings for their staff. AODS is asking the OTP Steering Committee to continue meeting with treatment providers ensure a smooth transition of Prop 36. AODS is working to ensure the courts understand that licensed and certified programs meet the requirements for treatment under Prop 36 law. Discussions with the Court will continue as to whether non-licensed/non-certified programs, such as Salvation Army or Victory Outreach, can fulfill treatment obligations for charges to be dismissed for Prop 36 clients. The closure of 1210 Court raised questions about audit exceptions due to the lack of a dedicated court. ADP advised that we group the 1210 clients in the alpha courts into a dedicated calendar in lieu of a dedicated court. ADP plans to layoff program staff, but audit staff are not targeted for layoff; if there is an OTP audit the state will be looking for dedicated courts. JAG dollars are Federal dollars and will be audited by Cal EMA. Most of the OTP monies have been spent at this time. Treatment providers are concerned that the allocated JAG monies will not be spent out by June 30, 2010 as originally planned, therefore, JAG monies may need to be carried over through July 2010. V. Prevention Division Report Prevention Partnership - The prevention partnership is working on policy and advocacy around a number of issues, including: the alcohol tax, county wide conditional use permits to regulate vendors and sales of alcohol, and the establishment of alcohol licensing fees to support law enforcement and education. The Partnership is also in the process of developing an issue brief on marijuana to address the health impact of legalization and the importance of dispensary regulation. The partnership is in the process of setting up a meeting with Noreen Evans to discuss the health issues associated with an increase in the alcohol tax, and the legalization of marijuana. The group is also working on issues surrounding Marijuana legalization. Prevention is in the process of updating the AOD strategic prevention framework which guides the work of the Partnership. Priorities are identified through a countywide assessment and at this time include under age binge drinking, adult binge drinking, and Methamphetamine use. Misuse/abuse of prescription drugs has become an issue and will be researched to determine the extent of the problem in Sonoma County. Page 3 of 5
Methamphetamine Task Force - The Methamphetamine Task Force core members are discussing broadening the focus of the group to include all substance abuse. The group will begin to look at parity under the broader objective of treatment on demand. The group understands that treatment on demand cannot happen without additional resources. Under parity, a person with health insurance that pays for substance abuse treatment opens the opportunity for reimbursement for treatment providers. The task force is considering spearheading a parity preparation project to assist treatment providers in preparation for accepting health insurance. Seniors/Aging Adults The Council on Aging and the Area Agency on Aging, in conjunction with the Aging Adult Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, is offering a Gerontology 101 training to provide basic information on dealing with aging clients on May 28 th. The AASAP Coalition has launched its public information campaign to raise awareness of substance abuse prevention. Presentations to raise awareness about the issue will be available upon request please call Gabrielle Truback (gtrubach@sonoma-county.org) if interested in hosting a presentation with providers and or clients. VI. AODS Division Report 2010/2011 Budget There is no change to the state budget, we are waiting for the May revise due in mid May. A number of hearings on Prop 36 resulted in both the senate and the assembly noting that the program should be funded, but there has been no formal recommendation for funding. The County budget reductions have fluctuated we were initially told to reduce $1.9 million from our budget, it was revised to $1.1 million, which saved jobs; - now it is back at $1.9 million. In addition to our proposal for transfer of Detox, ATP and BASN, AODS will also reduce TASC services, Starting Point, and a management position. DHS, as a department will not recommend reductions to contracts. The savings resulting from the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP) on a department level are under review the departments must come up with the funds to cover the separations. The CAO has announced a $60 million budget shortfall. On March 21 st, the Board of Supervisors gave direction for AODS to assess the level of services we are about to embark on the process. The report will be submitted to the board on June 8 th in preparation for budget hearings. Representatives from staff, labor, the advisory board, juvenile probation, treatment, parole and the Santa Rosa Police Department will be invited to participate in focus groups. Treatment providers participating will be limited to those who do not provide these types of services. The assessment will involve two groups, one to provide expert opinion and another to collate these opinions and submit them to the department. Three options are available: elimination of services, alternative service delivery of current program models, or create new models. Page 4 of 5
Advisory Board members were asked about their availability to serve on either one or both of these groups. VII. Roundtable Discussion Trey Dunia: Next month Rita Scardaci will attend the advisory board meeting to discuss the DHS Reorganization. Issues the Advisory Board needs to address include whether the Advisory Board will continue or be combined with the Mental Health Board. Don Cobb: If needed, I will participate in the assessment workgroup. Kelly Elder: The Sonoma Valley coalition to prevent underage drinking is holding a town hall forum on under aged drinking Wednesday April 28 th. 7-8:30pm at Alta Mira middle school. Gino Giannavola: We have received another letter from a Norco prisoner looking for help in representation. Staff will draft a letter for Trey s signature referring her to the Prison Law Office. At the May 12 th provider meeting UCLA will be providing a 3-hour training on the chronic care model for treatment, in conference room A at 1250 Coddingtown Center. Michael Spielman: DAAC will be celebrating the 20 th anniversary of the Perinatal program on May 12 th in the evening, 5pm to 7:30pm. Perinatal capacity is 36, there are 36 are enrolled and 20 women are waiting. The program will be reduced to 28 women, and the waitlist will be longer. Turning Point residential is full 134 beds. Meeting Adjourned at 6:50 pm. Next Meeting: May 19, 2010 Orenda Center conference room #1-1430 Neotomas Avenue Santa Rosa, CA 95405 Page 5 of 5