The gaston county, north carolina project proposes to implement the comprehensive opioid, stimulant, and substance use site-based program

The Gaston County, North Carolina project is funded by a $1,219,877 award from the Bureau of Justice Assistance's (BJA) Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (CFDA 16.838). The project aims to provide therapeutic services and substance abuse counseling to children in foster care due to parental drug use, as well as their families. Key activities include supervised visitations, therapeutic services for opioid-impacted children and foster children, and substance abuse counseling to help parents and guardians navigate recovery and improve family stability, resilience, and healing. The project period runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027, with the goal of strengthening resilience for children and families, improving substance abuse recovery rates, and enhancing community support in Gaston County.

The purpose is to provide services to children and their families in foster care due to parental drug use through the therapeutic visitation center. Through this program, gaston county can make significant strides towards mitigating the opioid crisis and fostering a safer, healthier community for all residents. Project activities include supervised visitations for children in foster care; therapeutic services for opioid-impacted children and foster children who were removed from their homes because of substance abuse or aging out of the system. Activities also include substance abuse counseling for both children and their families, helping parents and guardians better navigate the challenges of substance use, abuse, and recovery. Dedicated substance abuse counseling will enhance communication and understanding within families, and promote stability, resilience, and healing. Expected outcomes include strengthened resilience for children and their families impacted by substance abuse, improved substance abuse recovery rates throughout gaston county, and enhanced community support. The intended beneficiaries of this program are children in foster care due to parental drug use andtheir families.