News about Community Counseling Institute

Offender Reentry Program for Youth The United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment has awarded an Offender Reentry grant of $400,000 annually for up to three years to the Community Counseling Institute to provide substance abuse treatment and related recovery support services to juvenile offenders returning to the community from incarceration. The Institute will plan, develop and provide a successful transition from incarceration to community-based substance abuse treatment and recovery support services for youth in need, beginning in the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (JRA) facilities---before release. “Treating substance abuse and providing transitional and recovery services in the community is the key to breaking the cycle between drug abuse and incarceration” said Dr. William James, executive director of the Community Counseling Institute. “This Offender Reentry Program will provide a foundation for youth interested in resetting their lives and becoming productive members of society.” The Community Counseling Institute will use its stakeholder partnerships to plan, develop and provide services designed to reduce the health and social costs of substance abuse to the public, and increase the safety of citizens by reducing substance abuse related crime and violence. The program will assist with reentry into the community and reintegration into the family. Substance abuse treatment for offenders in facilities and in the community has been extensively studied and evaluated over the past several years, with the results indicating that treatment works and reduces crime and recidivism.   Northwest Leadership Foundation We continue to work with and receive grant support from the Northwest Leadership Foundation (NLF). NLF provides the agency with technical assistance, training, and consultation for our programs serving youth at-risk of substance abuse and related risk behaviors. We look forward to another year of collaboration.      County Contract and Medicaid Agreement   Pierce County has awarded the Community Counseling Institute a contract for Youth Outpatient Treatment. Services may be covered by Medical Coupons, Insurance or on a sliding scale based on income.

Drug-Free Communities Grant Continues for another 5 Years!

In 2009, the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) in conjunction with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) awarded a $125,000 per year grant over five years, to the Community Counseling Institute in support of the Tacoma Drug-Free Community Coalition which serves as a catalyst for local participation in environmental change strategies designed to prevent substance use among youth. The Tacoma DFC Coalition is a partnership of over 12 sectors including youth, parents, law enforcement, the media, health care, business, faith-based organizations, schools, substance abuse treatment programs, organizations serving youth, civic and volunteer groups, and local government.

“This is terrific news for the prevention efforts of the Tacoma Coalition” said Dr. William James, executive director of the Community Counseling Institute and chair of the Tacoma DFC Coalition. “The Drug-Free Communities Program and other prevention efforts are significant components of a balanced national drug prevention and control strategy. The Tacoma Coalition is excited about continuing its efforts with the support of these federal dollars. We are making significant progress in promoting positive community norms and environmental change strategies and policies needed to ensure that young people stay free from the dangers of substance abuse. Continuing this grant will help the community of Tacoma contribute even more to these changes and assist in building on the progress made to keep our children healthy and drug-free.”

The Drug-Free Communities Support Program currently supports over 700 communities in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, Palau, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In August of 2009, 161 new DFC grants were awarded across the country along with ten new DFC Mentoring grants. The DFC program provides grants of up to $625,000 over five years to community organizations that facilitate citizen participation in local drug prevention efforts. Each grantee is required to match their grant award with non-federal funds or in-kind support. At the national level, the Drug-Free Communities Program represents a collaborative effort involving the White House Office on National Drug Control Policy and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Guidance is provided by an advisory commission appointed by the President.

The DFC program was created by the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997, and was reauthorized by Congress in 2001 and 2006. Since 1988, ONDCP has awarded approximately 1,500 Drug-Free Communities grants to local communities.

The Community Counseling Institute Continues the SAMHSA Awarded Substance Abuse Treatment and HIV/AIDS Services to the Tacoma Community

One of the problems addressed by the TCE/HIV grant is the high incidence of substance abuse among youth in Pierce County as 42% of 12th graders reported using alcohol; 21% reported using marijuana; and 21% reported smoking cigarettes in the past 30 days (Healthy Youth Survey, 2008). Substance using youth are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors placing them at risk for HIV infection. The TCE/HIV grant provides accurate, age-appropriate information about HIV infection and AIDS, including how to talk about HIV and AIDS, how to reduce or eliminate risk factors, and where to get tested. The grant provides on-site Rapid HIV Testing and the agency tested over 70 youth in 2009. Along with substance abuse treatment and HIV counseling and testing, the TCE/HIV program refers youth clients to health education, referrals, case management, and testing for sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis and tuberculosis.

“Extending our services to youth at high risk for substance abuse and HIV/AIDS requires a special effort to build trust with youth and being able to provide services right where they are located,” said CCI Executive Director William James, Ph.D., CDP. “This grant continues to bring assessment, education, treatment and Rapid HIV testing to youth involved with the local public schools and the legal system.”

Community Counseling Institute

"Strengthening Families and Communities"

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