SD19 - The Effectiveness and Applicability of the Proposed Plan for Substance Abuse Treatment for Recipients of Public Assistance


Executive Summary:
Overview

• Virginia's welfare reform efforts have led to an almost 50 percent reduction in families receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), from 70,797 in June 1995 to 36,662 in June 1999. The `work first' focus of welfare reform has been effective in moving many individuals into the competitive labor market and off welfare. TANF is administered by the Department of Social Services (DSS), with services delivered through 122 local departments of social services (LDSSs). The TANF employment program is called Virginia Initiative for Employment Not Welfare (VIEW). Once enrolled in VIEW, participants are limited to a maximum of 24 months of additional cash assistance.

• Many of the remaining TANF cases are considered hard-to-serve. Substance abuse is a factor, often intertwined with other employment barriers, including mental illness, learning disabilities, and domestic violence. Treatment of substance abuse is critical to financial independence and family functioning, the core of welfare reform.

• The Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services (DMHMRSAS) administers publicly-funded treatment services through 40 community services boards (CSBs) that provide a range of mental health and substance abuse services including: emergency, inpatient detoxification, outpatient, day treatment, residential, and supportive services. However, not every CSB provides each of these services, and demand for some services exceeds capacity in many localities.

• In the fall of 1999, Governor James S. Gilmore, III announced the Substance Abuse Reduction Effort (SABRE) Project. The project will help eliminate drugs in neighborhoods, address needs of those caught in the downward spiral of dependence, prevent others from becoming drug-involved, and protect children. Screening and assessment for substance abuse, mandatory treatment, and prevention are among the components of this initiative.

• In 1998, DSS and DMHMRSAS developed a plan for substance abuse treatment for recipients of TAW.

• Senate Joint Resolution 387, approved by the 1999 General Assembly, requests an evaluation of the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed plan and current programs delivering substance abuse treatment to public assistance recipients.

• Five agencies -- the Departments of Social Services (DSS); Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services (DMHMRSAS); Medical Assistance Services (DMAS); Rehabilitative Services (DRS); and Health (VDH) completed the study.

• The study reviewed the prevalence and implications of substance abuse among TANF and other social services populations, funding resources and the status of treatment. Other areas explored were policy changes and options for incentives to encourage participation in and completion of a treatment program.