A consultant heads the planning effort, working in collaboration with the executive staff of both CCAT and CASS. The process includes an extensive literature review, key informant interviews, (especially with programs operating in Florida), local interviews with service providers, and two focus groups. Focus groups of consumers and chemical dependency treatment professionals helped to identify barriers to treatment for the older adult.

The product of the planning grant is an outline for a targeted treatment program based on national best practices, with the goal of aiding the participants in reaching a more productive life and an improved quality of life through recovery.

Because of the risk associated with the program, the grant was divided into three years with the second and third years contingent on obtaining specific amounts of sustaining dollars each year. 

The award for the second year was contingent on CCAT raising at least $18,000 in funds from Medicaid, Medicare, or other fees for services during the first year.  As of January 31, 2004, $25,894.51 had been collected in fees for services. CCAT met the contingency conditions for the second year of funding.

The award for the third year was contingent on CCAT raising at least $63,000 in funds from fees for services, government and private grants, and individual fundraising during the second year.  As of March 1, 2005, $43,412.55 had been collected in fees for services, $43,191 in government and private grants, and $7,500 in fundraising for a total of $94,103.  CCAT met the contingency conditions for the third year of funding.

The total grant amount of $259,123 was expended and $237,712.44 in service billings were collected.

The grantee did an outstanding job of outreach and community education, including sponsoring conferences on senior substance abuse issues that educated over 500 professionals. Age specific materials for all literacy levels were developed and a volunteer advisory/peer group was established for broad based project input. A strong collaboration was forged with Cincinnati Area Senior Services (CASS).

Orginally CCAT was suppose to provide age-appropriate intensive outpatient services to 300 persons over 55 annually and it changed to 174 to people over 50 because of an error in original estimates. The number of clients served was 138 (80%). Outreach and recruitment efforts were vigorous, with 671 clients (112% of target) screened for services. Within small variances, all additional performance targets were met. The grantee was especially successful in engaging clients in continuing care, with an 83% completion rate and 95% of the 49 clients who responded to follow-up reported an increase satisfaction with social interactions.

CCAT sustained the program, by billing services, $237,712.44 in service billings was collected; a grant for $100,000 for an Addiction Outreach Position was received from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation as a result of a partnership with CASS, Deaconess Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital; and $27,438 was raised by the advisory group.

Results:

• 100% (138 of 138 that received out-patient services)
• 57.14% (28 of 49 contacted) was abstinent 180 post treatment
• 57.58% (19 of 33 contacted) are abstinent 360 days post treatment
• 92.42% (61/66 who completed intensive outpatient services) had 10 sober social interactions in the 12 week period following completion of treatment