Community Linkage to Care (CLC) was identified by Substance Use Coalition as an action, that when combined with other actions in our community, that has a reasonable chance of making a difference in reducing substance use in our community. This is a ongoing program in our community that connects justice-involoved persons with resources they need (i.e. food, clothes, phones, sober living housing, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), menthal health providers, recovery treatment, and suppot groups). CLC also helps to connect justice-involved persons with the recovery community and provides hope and models recovery to clients. 

The priority population/customers for this Community Linkage to Care program are justice-involved persons, and the Community Linkage to Care program aims to make a difference at the individual/interpersonal behavior and policy level. Implementation will take place in the Graham County Jail and at the Graham County Department of Public Health. 

This strategy addresses health disparities by working with clients from all income levels, ages, races, and genders. People with low incomes have access to the same resources and services when working with us. 

The partners for this Community Linkage to Care include:

Progress continues to be made with the Community Linkage to Care program. In 2022, many of the clients in this program held jobs, got housing and kept it, got transportation needs met, and there was a 25% success rate. This program is continuing in 2023. 

Some things that didn't work well were:

• Diversion - lack of support with Sheriff's Office deputy's and justice system which hinders our Peer Support Specialists in helping their clients. 
• Tallulah Community Health Clinic - Contracted with Graham County Jail to provide medical services to inmates but are not holding up their end of the contract. Inmates with serious medical conditions are taking top priority but those who don't have serious medical conditions, aren't being seen and MAT services are not being provided. 

Progress continues to be made with the Community Linkage to Care program. In 2023, many of the clients in this program held jobs, got housing and kept it, got transportation needs met. In June 2023, one of the Peer Support Specialists resigned and that left an open position until it was filled in mid-September. While we were down one specialist, a lot of work still was accomplished. This program still faces challenges in the form of stigma, funding, limited services provided in our county, and the amount of people wanting to use these services. This program will continue providing services to our community in 2024. 

Some things that didn't work well were:

• Diversion - lack of support with Sheriff's Office deputy's and justice system which hinders our Peer Support Specialists in helping their clients. 
• Tallulah Community Health Clinic - Contracted with Graham County Jail to provide medical services to inmates but are not holding up their end of the contract. Inmates with serious medical conditions are taking top priority but those who don't have serious medical conditions, aren't being seen and MAT services are not being provided.