Sojourner Recovery Services, Inc.

294 N. Fair Avenue
Hamilton, OH 45011
513-868-7654

Project Title
Bi-lingual Awareness Program
Grant Description
To provide culturally competent and bilingual services to Hispanic/Latino individuals and their families needing substance abuse services in Butler County
Focus Area
Joint Substance Use Disorders/Severe Mental Illness
Region Served
Butler County, OH
Award Amount
$37,773
Year Awarded
2002
Grant Duration
18 months
Results The grantee successfully developed the infrastructure to provided bi-lingual services. Sojourner contracted an interpreter and the clinical assistant became certified in assessment and GAIN certified.

Over 60 staff were provided training but not in four sessions. An initial training involved all staff from all locations.  Thereafter trainings were provided in clinical staffings and working one to one or in small groups.  Training in a smaller setting, addressing particular issues that arose, proved to be more effective and relevant than broad base training.  The clinical assistant was also able to attend staff meetings and client groups and to combine staff and client training. The grantee did not implement pre and post testing for the training.

Once the grant period was over, the grantee was able to move the clinical assistant into an Operations Manager position for Adolescent Services.  She is able to continue providing services for any Hispanic client in need of her specialized talents.

Outcomes:

  • Interpretation services along with treatment services were provided to 14 clients and six family members.
  • Individualized treatment plans were developed for 100% of the clients and their families

Sojourner continued the employment of the individual hired by this grant.  This person is available to continue providing services for any Hispanic client in need of her specialized talents.  Butler County continues to have a large number of Hispanics residing in the area. Sojourner intends to continue to explore needs and provide services to those they are able to identify and engage.  Sojourner will also continue to explore options and resources to develop a treatment track that would accommodate both language and cultural needs of the Hispanic population.

Unless the outreach, recruitment and engagement issues are addressed, the number of Hispanics receiving services will remain flat and this population will continue to be underserved.  Addressing these issues will require the collaboration of multiple organizations and systems, rather than the efforts of just one agency.

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Project Title
Global Appraisal of Individual Needs Technical Assistance
Grant Description
To assist 8-10 grantee organizations in implementing the web-based version of the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs
Focus Area
Substance Use Disorders
Region Served
HFGC total service area
Award Amount
$6,000
Year Awarded
2007
Grant Duration
36 months

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Project Title
Seeking Safety Enhancement Project
Grant Description
To reduce harm from substance use by providing integrated treatment to people with co-occurring substance abuse and trauma-related disorders
Focus Area
Substance Use Disorders
Region Served
Butler County, OH
Award Amount
$190,000
Year Awarded
2007
Grant Duration
36 months

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Project Title
The Seven Challenges Program Implementation
Grant Description
To implement two evidence-based practices, The Seven Challenges and the GAIN M-90, in the agency's adolescent treatment services
Focus Area
Substance Use Disorders
Region Served
Butler County, OH
Award Amount
$131,500
Year Awarded
2005
Grant Duration
24 months
Results
A grant of $131,500.00 was approved on February 9, 2005 to implement two evidence-based practices, The Seven Challenges and the GAIN M-90, in the agency's adolescent treatment services. Sojourner began the project on March 1, 2005 and completed the grant on February 28, 2007. All funds were used as allocated and the agency is maintaining the practices in all of their adolescent services.

Sojourner developed an infrastructure and implemented "The Seven Challenges" and the GAIN M-90 Programs

The training for “The Seven Challenges” program was completed on April 6 & 7, 2005 by Dr. Robert Schwebel, Seven Challenges developer.  He returned to the agency for fidelity checks quarterly in the first year and bi-yearly in the second year.  See the Learnings section below.

The GAIN M90 was installed on May 15, 2005. The follow-ups with clients began on August 1, 2005.

Sojourner implemented “The Seven Challenges” Program beginning on April 12, 2005. Over the two years of the grant, 370 adolescents (103% of the target) were served using this model. 72% of teens who participated in “The Seven Challenges” participated in the M-90 Follow Up. This includes those who completed treatment and those who did not.

Sojourner reports that they will be able to sustain the Seven Challenges Program and the M-90 follow-up in the foreseeable future.  The agency has included the funding for the Data Coordinator’s salary and benefits and twice yearly consultation with Dr. Schwebel in its unit cost for payment from Medicaid and ODADAS. 

Of the 370 clients admitted, 244 or 66% either remained in treatment or had successfully completed at 6 weeks post- admission.

Of the 370 clients admitted, 188 or 51% either remained in treatment or had successfully completed at 3 months post-admission.

140 youth successfully completed the program by the end of the project and were 90 days post-discharge.  Of these, 99 (71%) were interviewed and 74% of these reported reduced use of alcohol and other drugs.  (The percentage of youth completing the program increased in year two as staff used the program with more skill.)

100 youth successfully completed the program by the end of the project and were 180 days post-discharge.  Of these, 78 (78%) were interviewed and 59 (76%) of these reported reduced use of alcohol and other drugs.

Of the 370 clients admitted, 266 (72%) of their parents or guardians were involved in family sessions. 

Of the 99 interviewed, 62 had attendance problems before treatment.  Of those 62, 56 (90%) demonstrated improved school attendance. 

Of the 99 interviewed, 58 had previous arrests.  Of those, 49 (85%) had no new legal charges.

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Project Title
Strategic Planning to Provide Dual Disorder Services
Grant Description
To plan to improve the agency's ability to serve individuals with co-occurring substance use disorders and mental illnesses
Focus Area
Substance Use Disorders
Region Served
Butler County, OH
Award Amount
$50,000
Year Awarded
2008
Grant Duration
12 months

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