CCSC Relapse Prevention Program

Name of Board: Mecklenburg (already been submitted online)

County: Mecklenburg

Grantee: Community Culinary School of Charlotte (CCSC)

Title of Project: CCSC Relapse Prevention Program

Description of project: Community Culinary School of Charlotte’s (CCSC) Relapse Prevention Program serves its students, alumni, and staff who are at-risk for substance use disorder. Their recovery prevention specialist program meaningfully supports CCSC’s mission to provide training and job placement assistance for adults with barriers in gaining living-wage employment. Having a trained RPS, who is also a certified CSAC, on staff, is a powerful tool that contributes to individuals’ successful transitions. CCSC’s relapse prevention program encompasses individual and group sessions woven into the 14-week workforce training curriculum; mandatory drug screens at the beginning and end of each class; random drug screens throughout class; and treatment protocol and follow-up as needed. CCSC encourages their alumni to continue meeting with RPS counselors after graduation for ongoing progress maintaining employment and life goals, and recovery treatment recommendations. CCSC’s ultimate goal is educating students to recognize the symptoms of substance use disorder so that they will: complete CCSC’s program and graduate, find and sustain living-wage employment, prevent future relapse, and maintain abstinence. CCSC wants their graduates to learn sober living and coping skills needed for successful lives, and to become productive contributing members of society.

Why you chose it: CCSP’s relapse prevention program emphasizes substance use disorder prevention as a path to students’ long-term health in addressing barriers. Many students are chronically unemployed due to substance use disorder. At 14 weeks, our program begins the process of making life-changing differences, encouraging alumni to continue counseling at CCSC. As a primary support system in the shaky days of early sobriety, they help identify triggers for relapse and guide those in denial to take steps toward recovery. (Continued)

Who this project impacted: Located in Charlotte, Community Culinary School of Charlotte serves Mecklenburg and surrounding counties. Students range in age from 18–65. Their average applicant has little income, coming from fragile circumstances: 54% male, 46% female, 20% white, 75% black, and 5% other.Results of project: During the grant period, Community Culinary School of Charlotte provided career paths in food service to 128 adults with barriers including addiction, incarceration, homelessness, veterans’ issues, and lack of skills