Drug and Alcohol Intervention
One of the historic challenges at most YouthBuild programs is how to identify and address the challenge of alcohol and drug use among students. For a long time, a significant number of programs have been reporting that substance use/abuse serves as an impediment to the in-program retention of students, and as a barrier to achieving outcomes in the classroom and most importantly, successful post program placement in the workplace.
In 2011, YouthBuild USA ran the DOL YouthBuild SBIRT Pilot Program, training 15 YouthBuild programs on the SBIRT methodology and curriculum. SBIRT stands for Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment and is a proven Evidence Based Model Curriculum, produced by the HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
SBIRT is a comprehensive, integrated, public health approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment services for persons with substance use disorders, as well as those who are “at risk” of developing these disorders. SBIRT methodology focuses on the resulting large group of people who may use alcohol or drugs in unhealthy ways, but who are most often not dependent.
After a successful pilot, the Conrad Hilton Foundation has partnered with YouthBuild USA to bring SBIRT training and support to more than 130 YouthBuild programs over a three year period of time begining in 2014.