Program/Practice Description: The CASC system is composed of eight contracted community-based organizations located throughout Los Angeles County's eight Service Planning Areas. Twenty service center sites are located throughout Los Angeles County. Some sites are co-located in behavioral health treatment centers and others are free-standing community sites where services are coordinated with the local DPSS GAIN office.

CASC works closely with a network of contracted alcohol and other drug treatment agencies, mental health providers, domestic violence agencies, and other community-based organizations providing substance abuse assessments, information, and referrals to a wide variety of supportive services. CASC ancillary referrals include job development, literacy training, and temporary housing, as well as referrals to food banks, health care, and other needed services.

Background/Program History: CASC began in 1997 prior to the inception of CalWorks (1998). The program was designed by a steering committee composed of DPSS representatives, county-based treatment providers, and advocates. GAIN service workers now also participate on the steering committee. The steering committee continues to be actively involved in the program by meeting quarterly to revise CASC program policies and procedures.

Innovations and Results: CASC serves as the liaison between the GAIN (TANF) client and provider. CASC workers must be able to determine if the provider is licensed and assess the quality of the care provided. A well-trained CASC worker also must be able to create a confidential setting for clients, correctly identify the client's service needs, and connect the client to appropriate mental health or substance abuse services. CASC clients can receive a referral to treatment at their initial intake/assessment before leaving the CASC office, thus "catching" the client at the point of highest motivation for change. CASC staff are trained in motivational interviewing techniques.

Operations: CASC is intended to operate on a large scale, specifically within the context of a large county or State-based social services system. To be implemented successfully, a network of treatment providers (substance abuse, mental health) must be available, licensed and/or certified, and able to comply with the requirements of the CASC model. These providers and their office staff should be culturally and linguistically competent.

Funding: Resources for the program are provided directly from State CalWorks allocations.

Staffing: CASC offices operate in two distinct types of settings: within a behavioral health treatment center, where clients receive both CASC assessments, treatment, and support services; or in an independent community-based site where both assessments are performed and treatment and services are coordinated between the treatment provider and the DPSS GAIN office. In addition to the CASC program director, there are four key staff positions: CASC advocate, CASC assessor, peer advocate, and community specialist.

Additional Information: To ensure standardization and continuity of diagnoses, CASC staff are trained to use the Addiction Severity Index (ASI). CASC employs a database tracking system, which can track clients across the county system and, through a review process, verify client engagement in treatment and match clients to the most appropriate treatment available.