This ICSAI had two primary objectives at the beginning of the initiative. The first objective was to form both an Advisory Board and a Workgroup made up of local stakeholders that would assist the Health Department with decision-making and implementation and with approval of funding and initiatives. The second objective was to hold regular meetings of both groups to generate ideas for services and begin to implement those services. These objectives were achieved within the first year of operation. Since that time, the following programs have been implemented (asterisk indicates currently active):
1) "Too Good for Drugs" educational programs in area 3rd and 5th grade classrooms*.
2) Health Department subcontracting program with area providers to facilitate treatment services for Medicaid population.
3) In-house treatment services at the Health Department.
4) Treatment program for Inmates at Ionia County Jail*.
5) Syringe Serices/Harm Reduction program*.
6) "Hidden in Plain Sight" educational trailer*.
7) Prescription drug take-back drop-boxes at area law enforcement*.
8) Teen Intervene - intervention counseling for at-risk teens*.
9) Tobacco and Alcohol Vendor Education*.
10) Education for alcohol servers at area restaurants and bars*.
10) Compliance checks at area tobacco vendors*.
The Health Department collects data on the various programs, where possible, and reports these back to the Workgroup, Advisory Board, and County Board of Commissioners. During FY 2017-2018, 4 Advisory Board and 7 Workgroup meetings were held. Over 800 students were reached through the "Too Good For Drugs" program and over 80 inmates received substance use disorder treatment services at the County Jail. Compliance checks were performed at 42% of the tobacco vendors in Ionia County. Six alcohol server educational sessions were held for area restaurants and bars. FY 2019-2020 was the first year of our "Hidden in Plain Sight" and Harm Reduction programs and data are not yet available. Moving forward we have engaged with local schools to begin participation in a Statewide survey program known as MiPHY. The MiPHY program surveys school-aged children to determine their exposure to and use of illegal substances. We recently obtained agreement from multiple local schools to allow their students to take the survey. In future years, we intend to track the progress and effectiveness of our school-based programs through this survey. We also intend to track the progress of the jail-based program through recidivism rates.
On a foundational, qualitative level, the continued existence of the ICSAI, the continued function of the Advisory Board and Workgroup, and the existence of the programs listed above are all evidence of resounding success. On a more quantitative level, we are currently moving beyond counts and percentages to look at trends of substance use over time.