The recent passage of Proposition 36 in California brings with it increased substance abuse treatment funding, as well as the need for Statewide expansion of treatment capacity. In the effort to implement Proposition 36, it is crucial that the larger issues of treatment need, demand, and capacity are not ignored, and that the spectrum of substance abusing populations is not neglected in the attempt to serve the Proposition 36 population.

In light of this opportunity, Children and Family Futures, the Alcohol and Other Drug Policy Institute of the County Alcohol and Drug Program Administrators Association of California, and the UCLA Drug Abuse Research Center have begun a collaborative effort to develop a model to define and measure substance abuse treatment capacity and assist California counties in the strategic planning necessary to expand treatment capacity.

The project partners, in consultation with an Advisory Group of State and local substance abuse policy experts, will conduct a two-phase project to develop and pilot the implementation of a Capacity Identification, Assessment and Management Tool. This tool will aid California counties in a comprehensive assessment of their residents' treatment needs, demand for services, current capacity, and opportunities for capacity expansion.