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CBIRS Request 1662
 
Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1662
La Nueva Vida Pregnant Postpartum Women & Infants Program
 
Requester: Dick Jacobs, M.S., C.A.P., L.M Organization: The Center For Drug - Free Living, Inc.
 
Project Title: La Nueva Vida Pregnant Postpartum Women & Infants Program Date Submitted 1/11/2006 3:10:12 PM
 
Sponsors: Posey
 
Statewide Interest:
This project supports the purpose of the Governor's Drug Control Strategy "to protect our citizens from the dangers posed by illegal drugs" as well as the goals and objectives outlined in the Strategy. It focuses on one of the populations identified in the Strategy as being of highest risk by placing the "Treatment Emphasis on the Most Vulnerable." In fact, as stated on page 4-18 of the Governor's Drug Control Strategy, "many treatment centers around Florida, such as The Center For Drug-Free Living in Orlando, provide vital services to mothers and children. Their humane efforts and social activism serves not only the people they treat, but also all Floridians. We need to expand such beneficial services." The Center For Drug - Free Living, Inc. has provided services to this population for over 12 years. During this period, the program's outcomes have been consistent with the Governor's Drug Control Strategy while exceeding the outcomes established by the Department of Children and Families. Since its inception in 1993, it is estimated that this program has saved the State in excess of $300 million. The program produces results by reducing incarceration among women, reducing health related diseases, decreasing utilization of deep end, high cost hospital beds for the high-risk mothers, reducing use of neonatal intensive care services for substance exposed babies, and increasing the functioning level of at-risk children as a result of the developmental and therapeutic services they receive. This type of program is supported at the National, State and local levels, including SAMHSA, DCF's District 7, the Orange, Brevard and Osceola County Commissions and the Heart of Florida United Way.
 
Recipient: The Center For Drug - Free Living, Inc.   Contact: Stephen Hill  
  205 South Eola Avenue   Contact Phone: (850) 668-3900  
  Orlando 32801   Contact email: ash001@comcast.net
 
Counties: Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Seminole
 
Gov't Entity:   Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): Yes
 
Project Description:
This project seeks to replicate a highly successful residential treatment program for women and children, including pregnant and postpartum women and infants while also building on a successful federal grant that provides culturally competent services to hispanics. The program provides safe and stable living arrangements, complemented by highly professional comprehensive, individualized, on site services for substance abusing pregnant and postpartum women. The average length of stay is six months which allows women the opportunity to fully recover in a safe environment under the supervision of trained professional staff who provide services and linkages including: counseling, vocational, GED, life skills, parenting and other critical training. The therapeutic regimen ensures that women can take responsibility for identifying and utilizing the services they need to reintegrate into the community, remain addiction free and develop the skills necessary for independent, productive lives for themselves and their children. In addition, to ensure successful treatment for these women, the model incorporates on site childcare and living arrangement for children up through age four. This allows for a comprehensive service delivery design that enables the mother and the child to live healthy, productive lifestyles.
 
Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? No
 
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
The Center For Drug - Free Living, Inc. takes the need for outcomes and accountability very seriously. Our experience serving women and children has produced some remarkable outcomes for the women, their children, the programs, and communities they serve. Since 1993 these have included 600+ women successfully treated, 350+ babies born drug-free and of normal birth weight, 95% of the women free from criminal activity while in treatment or after completing treatment, all mothers reunited with their children, 98% regained custody and 80% of the women employed at discharge. The Center For Drug - Free Living, Inc. fully expects to continue these remarkable outcomes.
 
Amount requested from the State for this project this year: $650,000
 
Total cost of the project: $830,000
 
Request has been made to fund: Operations
 
What type of match exists for this project? Local, Private
  Cash Amount $130,000  
 
Was this project previously funded by the state?   No
 
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?   Yes
  Amount: $650,000 To Fund: Operations
 
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?   No
 
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? No
 
Is there a documented need for this project? Yes
  Documentation: The Governor's Drug Control Strategy as well as the Department of Children and Families and local co
 
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?   Yes
  Hearing Body: Orange County Legislative Delegation
  Hearing Meeting Date: 11/14/2005
 
Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida?   No