Florida Office of the Governor

Program Description

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), has awarded the Florida Department of Children and Families $2.8 million per year for 5 years to implement a substance abuse screening and intervention program for older adults (60 years and older) by partnering with primary care and emergency physicians who come into contact with individuals who are at risk for or experiencing substance abuse problems. Older adults will be screened and provided brief interventions in such non-specialty (generalist) sites as primary and emergency health care settings and trauma centers, senior nutrition programs, public health clinics, and other aging services systems, thus broadening the base of an existing, evidence-based pilot program of brief interventions that specifically targets older adults.

Program Model

Screening

A 6-question Pre-Screen Questionnaire is conducted to identify potential clients for appropriateness and eligibility. If indicated by the pre-screen, program staff uses the ASSIST and the Short Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS) for screening.

Brief Intervention

Program staff conduct short-term intervention (1-5 sessions) based on the Health Promotion Workbook, published in SAMHSA TIP #26 and TIP #34. Sessions focus on reducing risk factors generally associated with the progression of substance use disorders.

Brief Treatment

Brief terms of 6 to 12 sessions are conducted by program staff and directed toward helping a client resolve or manage a specific substance use issue. It is solution-focused, goal-oriented, concentrates on here-and-now issues, and follows the SAMHSA curriculum, Substance Abuse Relapse Prevention for Older Adults.

Referral

Program staff may refer clients for specialized treatment services at any point in the continuum of screening, brief intervention, or brief treatment services. Upon referral, the client will receive an assessment, and placement according to the American Society of Addictions Medicine PPC-II.

Service Features

  • Expands upon the Florida BRITE Project (Brief Intervention and Treatment for Elders).
  • Services are implemented in conjunction with primary care, emergency services, and the publicly funded aging services' systems.
  • Identifies and serves older adults considered at risk for, or demonstrating problems with medication misuse, alcohol or other illicit drug use, and depression.
  • Linkages to aging services and in-home services intended to support, to the extent possible, the independence of those being served.
  • Long-term management support (care management and recovery support systems).
  • English/Hispanic bi-lingual staff and program materials. Haitian/Creole to be added for the Miami/Dade area.

Collaborative Partners

  • Executive Office of the Governor
  • FL Office of Drug Control
  • FL Department of Children and Families
  • University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute
  • AARP-Florida
  • Area Agencies on Aging
  • FL Agency for Health Care Administration
  • FL Department of Health
  • FL Academy of Family Physicians
  • FL College of Emergency Physicians
  • FL Medical Association
  • FL Geriatrics Society
  • FL Department of Elder Affairs
  • FL Hospital Association
  • University of Miami Veterans Administration

FL BRITE Integrated Services

  • Five current providers deliver BRITE services in:
    • Orange County
    • Broward County
    • Hillsborough County
    • Pinellas County
    • Sarasota County
  • Fourteen additional sites will be procured in 2007:
    • Duval County
    • Orange County
    • Broward County
    • Palm Beach County
    • Hillsborough County
    • Pinellas County
    • Pasco County
    • Lee County
    • Charlotte County
    • Sarasota County

Contact Information

Vance Burns, Project Director
Substance Abuse Program Office
Department of Children and Families
1317 Winewood Blvd.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700
(850) 921-8495
vance_burns@dcf.state.fl.us