SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT Drug Free Communities Support Grantee In Fall, 2005 The Community Backyard was awarded a major federal grant from The Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The grant, which is renewable for up to five years for a total of $500,000, supports The Community Backyard’s efforts to reduce underage drinking and drug use by building community coalitions in Orange and Chatham Counties. For more information about the Drug Free Communities Support program, go to: http://drugfreecommunities.samhsa.gov/history/history.html Committee For Alcohol and Drug Free Teenagers www.cadft.org The Community Backyard has partnered with the Committee for Alcohol and Drug Free Teenagers, the leading community coalition within Chapel Hill and Carrboro whose objective is to effectively address the epidemic of teenage drinking and drug use in the towns. The committee has brought together a unique coalition of forces including area police departments, mental health professionals, the school systems, news media, town leaders, concerned citizens and parents. For more information, contact Dale Pratt-Wilson: dalepratt-wilson@nc.rr.com. Substance Abuse Treatment Training Institute (SATTI) The Community Backyard’s Substance Abuse Treatment Training Institute (SATTI) has been established to provide training to professionals in Orange and Chatham counties who are working with adolescents dealing with substance abuse issues. In response to the escalating number of young people using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs along with the scarcity of local treatment options, The Community Backyard provides opportunities for qualified local professionals to become trained in best practice, evidence-based interventions and treatment. SATTI offers trainings conducted by nationally recognized leaders in adolescent substance abuse treatment right here in Orange and Chatham Counties. Watch this website for announcements of upcoming trainings. In addition, in 2004 and 2005, SATTI offered up to 6 full scholarships to in-depth training programs available in North Carolina: Governors Academy of Prevention Professionals (GAPP) http://www.shs.unc.edu/chsb/gapp.html North Carolina Winter School for Alcohol and Drug Studies http://www.NCFADS.org Participants were awarded through an application process evaluated by SATTI’s Board of Advisors. Requirements for application include: * Employment in a public or non-profit organization that treats adolescents. * Up-front commitment from agency director regarding applicant’s full participation. * Articulated commitment to treatment of adolescents with substance abuse challenges. * Demonstrated commitment to the Orange and/or Chatham County communities. * Participation in year-long post-training seminar with Board of Advisors to evaluate efficacy of training. * Participation by agency director in quarterly post-training seminars with applicant to evaluate efficacy of training. The SATTI Board of Advisors includes Dr. John Curry, psychologist with Duke University’s Program in Child Affective and Anxiety Disorders where he treats adolescents with substance abuse challenges, George Greger-Holt, Student Assistance Counselor/Chatham County Schools, Carolyn Ikenberry, Director of Child and Family Services/OPC Mental Health, Beverly Scarlett, Assistant District Attorney, Judicial District 15-B, and Matt Sullivan, Chapel Hill Police Department Crisis Unit. SATTI Scholars: Richard Benson, OPC Mental Health/Chatham County Maura Dillon, OPC Mental Health/Chatham County Jessica Gunn, OPC Mental Health/Orange County Mervyn Jenkins, Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Susan Marshall, Chatham County Schools Jackie Reid, Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Wendy Stewart, Orange County Schools Matt Streng, Orange County Health Department Julie Wells, Boomerang Stephanie Willis, Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools Home • Who We Are • What We Do • Resources • Publications • Contact Us The Community Backyard is a program of Mental Health Association of Orange County (MHA), a 501c-3 non-profit organization. The Community Backyard • The Veneable Building • 302 W. Weaver Street • Carrboro, NC • 27510 919-942-8083 • bguthrie@mhaoc.com