COMPASS

In keeping with our agency mission Tri-County Community Action Agency launched their Substance Abuse Resource Program in July 2016 in response to the needs identified by our annual community needs assessment.
After collaborating with the County Judge Executives in Henry, Oldham and Trimble counties and out of a community forum organized and held primarily by the faith based community in Henry County in April 2016 and meetings with the District and Circuit court Judges and other judicial partners we focused on expanding our information and referral services to help individuals/families locate the substance use services they need.

The COMPASS name was adopted because the definition in the Learner’s Dictionary states in part that a compass is
1: a device that is used to find direction by means of a needle that always points north
and
2: something that helps a person make choices about what is right, effective, etc.

The program serves to help people make informed choices and locate the services they need. We provide information and assistance, locating support groups, recovery meetings, counseling, detox, outpatient or inpatient treatment and other community services.

Our COMPASS staff work within Kentucky’s 12th Judicial District maintaining a continual presence primarily in District Court in Henry, Oldham and Trimble counties to connect with clients involved in the court system.

Staff continually looks for opportunities to provide information, education and support to our local communities. The program participates with local community organizations and coalitions to provide community education events as well.

Figuring out if your child is using drugs or alcohol can be challenging. We offer services to help. Our staff had received training and utilizes the 20-item GAIN-Short Screener that is validated for use with adolescents ages 10 and older. The tool is a widely used measure of internalizing disorders, externalizing disorders, substance abuse, and criminal and violent behavior and those results assist in referral and treatment planning. A take home drug test can be provided at the time of that screening appointment.

We have partnered to learn about Casey’s Law, locate local providers to do the needed evaluations and are here to support families in filing Casey’s Law petitions and locate treatment services. The Matthew Casey Wethington Act for Substance Abuse Intervention known as Casey’s Law provides parents, relatives, or friends with a means of intervening on a loved one regardless of age or substance and without criminal charges. Visit CaseysLaw.Org for additional information.

​COMPASS staff has spent countless hours researching and revising a list of support groups, recovery meetings, counseling, detox, and outpatient and inpatient treatment services, sober living homes and shelters, along with other community resources for education, employment, insurance and social services. We continue to reach out for information and make visits to these providers to understand how to guide our clients to enter services. Staff continues to explore potential solutions to the barriers to clients’ receipt of services. We understand how complicated accessing substance use services can be.
Don’t get overwhelmed by the maze of information. We are here to help. 
Michelle Hayden
michelle@tricountycaaky.org
502-845-7808

Client Feedback

Trusted Resources:
Casey’s Law facebook group
FindHelpNowKY
Gabriel Project 930
Metro United Way 2-1-1
National Institute on Drug Abuse
NKY Hates Heroin
Partnership for Drug Free Kids
SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration