The program is also governed by the joint board of commissioners of York and Adams Counties and advised by a planning council of 15 volunteer members of various community backgrounds that form the York/Adams MH/MR/D&A Advisory Board. There are 9 representatives from York County and 6 from Adams County.
The direction of the SCA comes from an ongoing assessment of community needs. Priorities are identified and plans are developed to provide the most effective methods to meet the problems of those affected by substance abuse. After these priorities and plans are established, the SCA funds local non-profit and for-profit agencies to supply the community with the services that are needed. These services are monitored and evaluated by SCA staff on an ongoing basis. Though the specific services differ, they generally fall within the initiatives of prevention, intervention, and treatment.
In addition, the program office employs a full-time staff charged with carrying out policy, maintaining liaisons with government and private community service agencies and organizations, and demonstrating fiscal responsibility for the implementation of the SCA service plan.
After these priorities and plans are established, the program office funds local agencies to supply the community with the services that are needed. These agencies are located throughout the Commonwealth and the State of Maryland. These services are monitored and evaluated on a continuing basis by the program office.
Preferential treatment is available to pregnant injection drug users & pregnant substance abusers; followed by injection drug users & all other substance abusing populations.