Strategies for Change is a chemical dependency center open in two locations in the city of Sacramento, CA. Since 1978 they have provided their clients with free to low cost services relating to substance dependency. In its initial years, Strategies for Change only served women who suffered with problems relating to prescription drug addictions. After several years Strategies for Change branched out and started helping women with other drug addictions. After realizing that substance abuse was an issue affecting families as a whole and not just women, Strategies for Change opened its doors to men and adolescents. As of today Strategies for Change helps women, men, young adults, and families. In addition to helping a larger group of people this center has also expanded its services. Today, they provide their clients with mental health treatments, family services, educational classes, criminal justice programs, community support groups, and urinalysis testing. See also other Local Services & Organizations.

Sites

Strategies for Change offers their services at two Sacramento locations.

• North Site: 4441 Auburn Blvd., Suite E. Sacramento, California 95841 Phone: (916) 473-5764
• South Site: 4343 Williamsbourgh Drive. Sacramento, California 95823 Phone: (916) 395-3552

Mission Statement

In the introductory page of Strategies for Change website they include the following mission statement,"Strategies for Change mission is to provide exemplary evidence based substance abuse treatment and mental health, co-occurring & support services for adults, youth & families to promote self-sufficiency, health & wholeness in a collaborative community setting."

Services

• Drug Testing- Both locations offer low cost drug tests. These tests can read drugs like Alcohol, Cocaine, Ecstasy, PCP, Barbiturates, Methadone, Opiates, Steroids, Benzodiazepines, Methamphetamines, Oxycodone, and THC.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment- Clients who deal with substance abuse problems or mental health problems can take part in one or more of the following treatments: Intervention, Mental Screening and Assessment, Co-occurring Disorders, Outpatient Treatment, Intensive Outpatient Treatment, Day Treatment, Perinatal Treatment, Skills Development, and Aftercare.
• Youth Services – Young adults who are suspected or do have a problem with chemical dependency can be a part in the Prevention Program or the Treatment Program.
• Family Services – Family Services at Strategies for Change vary. Both locations provide child care for the children of the clients so they can go through their treatment appointments without interruptions. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy is a program that allows parents to interact with their children along with a therapist to improve the relationship between the parent and child and also teach parents how to properly discipline children. Strategies for Change offers Safe Exchange. Safe Exchange is a service that offers divorced or separated couples a safe place to exchange children during visits. Lastly, Strategies for Change offers Supervised & Therapeutic Visitation. Strategies for Change offers a safe location where parents can visit their child under the guidance of a mental health practitioner.
• Educational Classes –Strategies for Change offers classes to help families better themselves. These classes include anger management, domestic violence education, and parenting education.
• Criminal Justice Programs – Criminal Justice Programs are offered at Strategies to inform their clients about the connection between drug dependency and the criminal justice system. The Sacramento Sheriff, Sacramento County Court, and Sacramento County Mental Health Drug Court assist strategies for change conduct this program.
• Community Support Groups – Clients who enroll in the community support group offered will often be a part of LifeRing (an AA support group), Narcotics Anonymous, or Grandparents Support Group.

Statistics

According to a webpage posted on the Strategies for Change website statistics show that one year of treatment can make a change in a person’s life. The following statistics were gathered by Strategies for Change from the Office of National Drug Control Policy: 'Drug Abuse In America'

Statistics show that after a year of Chemical Dependency Treatment:

• Illegal drug use is decreased by 50%,
• Illegal activity is decreased by 60%,
• Drug Selling decreased by nearly 80%,
• Arrests decreased by more than 60%,
• Homelessness dropped by 43%,
• Receipt of welfare reduced by 11%, and
• Employment increased by 20%.

Qualifications

Anybody who wants to take advantage of the services Strategies for Change offers is welcomed. To receive a treatment plan and a more accurate statement call the location more convenient to you to schedule an appointment.

Donations

• Donations- Donations can be out of pocket direct donations.
• Volunteer Work - Volunteer work is always welcomed. People can volunteer by working at either locations or by doing work in their personal children's playground.

Personal Volunteer Experience

Volunteering at Strategies for Change is one of the most rewarding experiences one can have. I had the opportunity to volunteer at the north site for 3 months. At the site the personnel provided me with training so I could participate in some of the group activities. While working at Strategies for Change I got to see first-hand the long term effects of a drug addiction. The stories people share are inspiring and change a person’s perspective on drug addictions. I urge everyone to volunteer at Strategies for Change because not only is it personally rewarding to help those in need, but it is an inspirational life experience. -Jessica Hernandez, Sac State Student

Reference

Strategies4Change.org

This report was written for Cynthia Linville’s English English 20M class at CSU Sacramento Fall 2011