Pubdate: Thu, 06 Sep 2001
Source: Fayetteville Observer-Times (NC)
Copyright: 2001 Fayetteville Observer-Times
Contact:  http://www.fayettevillenc.com/foto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/150
Author: Michelle Washington
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

MENTAL HEALTH GRANT GOES TOWARD TREATMENT PROGRAM

The Cumberland County Mental Health Department has received a grant 
for $430,752 from the state.

The money is from the Department of Health and Human Services' 
Substance Abuse Services Division. The money will be used to expand 
the state Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime program.

The program is designed to help people in the court system who need 
treatment for drug or alcohol abuse or mental illnesses. Cumberland 
County will coordinate the program for 21 counties.

Mental Health Director Tom Miriello announced the award at the mental 
health board meeting on Wednesday. William McDougal, the substance 
abuse director at Mental Health, said the department will hire eight 
people for the program.

The board approved a plan to share the cost of hiring a personnel 
analyst with the Health Department, the Department of Social 
Services, and the county. Miriello said the state cut its regional 
personnel office in Fayetteville, and told the county to handle 
personnel needs for those three departments. Mental Health will spend 
$17,000 to pay for the position.

Miriello told the board that the department received two awards. One 
is a commendation from Gov. Mike Easley for the department's State 
Incentive Grant program, which develops science-based drug prevention 
programs in cooperation with schools, churches, and law enforcement. 
The second award was recognition from the state Department of Labor 
for safety.

In other business, the Mental Health Department Auxiliary will hold a 
garage sale from 7 a.m. to noon on Sept. 29. The sale will raise 
money to help patients at mental health.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Josh