Statewide network of substance abuse providers express concerns about the impact of Cross Area Service Program Funding (CASP) under the expanded 1915 (b)(c) waiver program.

The Coalition, a statewide group of individuals and organizations working in partnership to protect the rights of North Carolinians living with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and the disease of addiction,reports that on June 2, the North Carolina Substance Abuse Federation met with MH/DD/SA Division Director, St, eve Jordan. Federation members expressed concerns about ensuring that the integrity of the Substance Abuse Cross Area Service Programs (CASPs) are maintained as the state moves to a managed care environment.

Historically, North Carolina’s public substance abuse system has been extremely sensitive to statewide system change policies. Admissions data for public substance abuse services obtained from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reflect how policy and budget changes have affected access to services. From 2001 to 2007, rapid policy changes in the LME system resulted in a nearly 20,000 less clients per year being able to access substance abuse services.

CASP programs provide many of the most intensive specialty substance abuse services, including those for federally-mandated target populations such as pregnant women and IV Drug users. It is also how adolescent residential substance abuse treatment and many family prevention services are provided in a cost-effective manner. CASP programs require both a certain level of clinical expertise and economy of scale to deliver these evidence-based services. Providers are allowed to serve people regardless of their county of residence. As a result, clients obtain treatment more quickly and providers can maintain their full service capacity. Many of the state’s CASP providers are also well-established substance abuse Critical Access Behavioral Health Agencies (CABHAs) and experienced public system agencies. They want to work within a system that maintains the accessibility and accountability that CASP has offered for years.

For more information on The Coalition, visit www.thecoalitionnc.org.