Current Studies

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Goal Congruence as a Predictor of Policy Adoption Among Providers of Child Psychiatric Services in Tennessee
Principal Investigator: Michael Cull, MSN

A Phase 3 Randomized, Placebo- and Active Comparator-Controlled, Clinical Trial to Study the Safety and the Efficacy of Two Doses of Lurasidone HCL in Acutely Psychotic Patients with Schizophrenia
Principal Investigator: Herbert Y. Meltzer, MD
This multi-site study is taking place in 50 locations throughout the United States and world.  Produced by Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma America, Lurasidone HCL is an antipsychotic medication that is still being studied.  With current effective antipsychotic medications still having severe side effects, researchers are looking for alternatives. This new medication has passed the phase 2 studies and is currently in phase 3 of its FDA studies.  The results from this trial will be used to measure Lurasidone HCL's efficacy, its impact on the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, and its potential for fewer side effects.   In animal studies, this drug has been effective on several different dopamine and serotonin receptors (an antagonist of dopamine-2, serotonin-2 and serotonin-7 receptors with a high affinity for serotonin-1A receptor).  Still recruiting in Nashville, this study is for anyone ages 18-75 with schizophrenia who has not abused drugs or alcohol in the last 6 months and is in good physical health.  For more information, see http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00615433.

Psychiatric Genotype/Phenotype Project
Principal Investigators: Herbert Y. Meltzer, M.D., Stephan Heckers, M.D. and Richard Shelton, M.D
This study looks at the links between mental health disorders and genetics.  It is part of a broader research effort to determine what role genetics play in mental illness and how a person's genetic make-up might inform more appropriate treatments. This study will study the DNA, MRI brain scan data, and physical and mental health indicators for 1,000 participants with mental health disorders.  This study is currently open and recruiting participants. For more information, contact Tynya Patton at 615-322-0505.

Development and Validation of Software for Internet and PC SCID Administration
Principal Investigator: Benjamin B. Brodey, M.D., M.P.H.
Done in collaboration with TeleSage, Inc and the National Institute of Mental Health, this study will be used  to develop a computerized version of a standard interview used in mental health care. Both clinicians and mental health clients will have the opportunity to participate in the study.

Incidence of New-Onset Diabetes in Antipsychotic Users
Principal Investigator: William Bobo, M.D.
This study, done in collaboration with Vanderbilt University, looks at data regarding mental health clients on antipsychotics and the prevalence of new-onset diabetes.

Schizophrenia and Response to Medications:  A Look at the Role of Genetics
Principal Investigatosr: Herbert Y. Meltzer, MD & Myung Lee, MD
This study is part of a nationwide project looking at the relationship between genetics and mental health. This particular study hopes to improve outcomes for patients with schizophrenia through the identification of genetic risk factors. The researchers are looking at variations in the DNA and RNA of people with schizophrenia to see if there is any link between genetic variations and the person’s response to various medications. People with schizophrenia respond well to different medications – and also have different side effects. This study will provide some direction on whether genetics determines a person's likelihood to gain weight or to quit having psychotic episodes on a particular medication.

Family Cognitive-Behavioral Prevention of Depression
Principal Investigator: Bruce E. Compas, PhD
This study compares the effectiveness of two interventions to prevent the possible negative effects on children of having a parent with depression. Studies have shown that children of depressed parents are at a higher risk for developing depression than those whose parents have not experienced depression. Safe and effective treatments that can help prevent children of depressed parents from becoming depressed are needed. This study compares Family Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to Depression Education to determine which is more effective in preventing depression in the children of depressed parents. Families involved in this 12-week study receive weekly sessions of either CBT or depression education for 12 weeks. This study is currently recruiting participants. For more information, go to: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00183482

Estimating and Reducing from Lipid Measures and Ischemic Electrocardiographic Changes the Cardiovascular Risk of Patients Treated with Anticonvulsant Mood Stabilizers and Antipsychotic Drugs and Evaluating Cognition
Principal Investiagors: Herbert Y. Meltzer, MD, Tianlai Tang,  & Yeujin Chen
Two hundred and fifty Centerstone clients with at-risk cholesterol levels who were on either an anticonvulsant mood stabilizer or an antipsychotic drug were recruited for this trial. Patients who agreed were switched from their original medications to either aripiprazole (Abilify) or ziprasidone (Geodon) – both atypical antipsychotic medications that have been shown in other trials to not contribute as heavily to weight gain as other atypical antipsychotic medications (like Zyprexa). This study measured several things: 

1. The effect that antipsychotic drugs and mood stabilizers have on cholesterol levels and blood pressure,
2. How these work together to increase a person’s risk of getting heart disease, cancer or having a stroke,
3. Whether switching medications and providing education can reduce the risk of developing these diseases, and
4. The cognition changes in a client before and after the switch to aripiprazole (Abilify) or ziprasidone (Geodon).

Patients who participated in this 12-month trial had their heart rate and cholesterol levels checked at regular intervals. Results have not yet been published.

Quantifying Abnormalities in Cortical Activation Associated with Auditory Hallucinations using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Principal Investigators: Adam Anderson, PhD and Herbert Meltzer, MD
This study recruited people diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder or another psychiatric disorder that have hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).

Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI), this study hoped to better understand the parts of the brain that are used when a person has auditory hallucinations and completes tasks using memory and attention. This study also hoped to find out how treatment with antipsychotic drugs affects these parts of the brain. This study has already been completed, but the results have not yet been published.

Effect of Addition of Armodafinil on the Tolerability and Efficacy for Cognition of Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs on Patients with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder
Principal Investigators: Willam Bobo, MD & Herbert Meltzer, MD
This study measures the safety and efficacy of Armodafinil (Nuvigil) in improving cognition for people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who are already being prescribed atypical antipsychotic medications. The study will discover whether the addition of Nuvigil affects how well patients remember things, pay attention and solve problems. The study will also see whether weight is impacted. Nuvigil, a stimulant, is approved by the FDA for treatment of some sleep disorders like narcolepsy. It is not currently approved for any other use, though several other studies are also underway. This study is still open and recruiting participants. To get more information, go to: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00373672.

Computerized Decision Support System for Depression (CDSS-D)--Project IMPACTS
Principal Investigator: Madhukar H. Trivedi, MD
Project IMPACTS (Implementation of Algorithms using Computerized Treatment Systems ) has the potential to revolutionize mental health treatment in the United States. Its goal is to find the best way to integrate evidenced-based depression treatments into routine care. This study compares three different approaches treatment providers can use to treat major depressive disorder. The study compares current standard depression treatment with two alternative strategies that both involve using step-by-step treatment guidelines. These guidelines, also known as treatment algorithms, have each been shown by research to be effective, but this study will show which is more effective than the other.

Neuroimaging Study of Ordered Transitivity in Schizophrenia
Principal Investigator: Stephan Heckers, MD
This study is looking at changes in how the brain works for people with no diagnosis compared to those with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), this study is producing detailed images of participants' brains. Participants in the study will receive compensation for their time. This study is currently open and recruiting clients.

High Dose Risperidone Consta for Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia with Unsatisfactory Response to Standard Dose Risperidone 
Principal Investigator: Herbert Y. Meltzer, MD
This study is looking at two different options for people diagnosed with treatment resistant schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Participants will be randomized to either the regular dosage of Risperdal Consta (37.5 mg – 50 mg given every two weeks) or a high dose version (75 mg given every two weeks). This study will see which one is better at improving symptoms of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder for people who are treatment resistant or not fully responsive to regular treatment guidelines. This study is currently recruiting participants. For more information, go to: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00539071.

Health Services Coordination Project
Principal Investigator: W. Craig Carter, PhD
This study, done in coordination with Middle Tennessee State University, looks at the presence and absence of coordination between health and mental health services.

BRIDGES Evaluation
Principal Investigator: Judith A. Cook, PhD
The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of the BRIDGES (Building Recovery of Individual Dreams and Goals through Education and Support) program. BRIDGES is a peer-led education course that works to improve mentally ill individuals' lives through focusing on recovery skills and integration with the community. Developed by the Tennessee Mental Health Consumers' Association, Bridges has been replicated in 12 states and provinces in the U.S. and Canada. Through using phone interviews with a random sample of Bridges participants in Tennessee, this study will find out if BRIDGES affects how people feel, and if it helps them have more choices when coping with mental health problems. It will also measure if BRIDGES helps people have fewer crises and more support.

Comprehensive Patient-Reported Outcomes Tracking Solution for State SPMI Clients
Principal Investigator: Benjamin B. Brodey, MD, MPH
A collaboration between Centerstone and TeleSage, the purpose of this study is to develop a new survey to help evaluate a person’s mental health. This new survey will measure many areas of a person’s mental health, including depression, anxiety, social functioning and occupational functioning. The goal of this study is to be able to create a complete, comprehensive outcomes tracking system for use by state mental health agencies. This will allow collection of uniform data sets across states for identification of best practices and efficient resource allocation. The hoped-for result is better care for patients, better resources for state administrators to use in decision making and more uniform data regarding mental health systems for federal, state and local stakeholders.

Monitoring Change in the Network of Organizations Addressing Youth Violence
Principal Investigator: Douglas Perkins, PhD
This three-year long study will monitor and evaluate changes in the network of organizations addressing youth violence in the targeted neighborhoods of Nashville. Measuring and mapping change over time, this study wants to look at several things. First, this study wants to identify the resources organizations devote to youth violence prevention work. Second, this study wants to determine how organizations do that work. It will be evaluating if the approach is individual direct-service based, correctionally-based, strengths-based, preventive or empowering. It will also see whether how this work is done addresses underlying community conditions. Lastly, this study seeks to measure the precise nature, extent and dynamics of the local network of cooperative relationships among such organizations.

Psychometric Properties of a Brief Suicide Measure for Older Adults
Principal Investigator: Sherry Cummings, PhD
This study will examine the reliability, convergent validity, predictive validity and sensitivity and specificity of the Ultra Short Suicide Thinking Measure (USSTM) with older adults. This study is being conducted in collaboration with the University of Tennessee College of Social Work. It will examine the usefulness of a brief suicide thoughts measure to specifically be used with older clients. This measure is curently part of the initial intake interview administered to all new Centerstone clients.

A Model for Using Information Technology to Provide Measurement Based Care for Chronic Illness
Principal Investigator: Madhukar Trivedi, MD
The purpose of this research study is to find out whether using a computer program, which is part of an electronic health record (EHR), in a psychiatric outpatient setting (Centerstone behavioral healthcare clinics) improves the quality of patient treatment. This study is merging a computerized decision support system for major depressive disorder with the electronic health record in order to facilitate guideline-based measurement based care. The computer program is a Computer-Decision Support System for Depression (CDSS-D) that provides medical providers with information about what the best treatments are for depression based on current research knowledge. The program uses an algorithm or, in other words, a set of rules to help determine when to increase medication strength or when a medical provider may want to consider using a different medication. People eligible for the study are Centerstone clients who are being treated for major depressive disorder and need change in treatment.

Co-Occurring Continuum Program
Principal Investigator: Cathy Blakely
This project seeks to determine the effectiveness of expanding and enhancing existing treatment services for adults who are affected by substance abuse and at risk for HIV/AIDS. This study is being conducted by Centerstone under a grant funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment in the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The study will focus on enhancement and expansion of community-based treatment and services for adult men and women (primarily African-American, Latino/Hispanic, other racial or ethnic minorities) who are highly affected by substance abuse and at risk for HIV/AIDS.

A Phase2a, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Parallel-group, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of MEM 3454 as Adjunctive Treatment in Combination with a Pre-existing Antipsychotic in Patients with Cognitive Impairment Associated with Schizophrenia
Principal Investigator: Herbert Y. Meltzer, MD
This new study seeks to investigate the safety and efficacy of several different doses of an investigational medication, MEM 3454, in individuals with cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia. Participants who are currently taking Risperdal (risperidone), Abilify (aripiprazole) or Invega (paliperidone) will be given MEM 3454 in addition to their regular medications. This study will test how safe and effective MEM 3454 is at several different doses. This study will also test the drug, MEM 3454, to see if it helps in treating problems with attention, memory, learning and problem solving that are associated with schizophrenia. MEM 3454 is currently an investigational drug that is not approved by the FDA. With 20 centers taking part in this study, only eight Centerstone patients will have the opportunity to participate in this 13-week study.

Tennessee Child Maltreatment Best Practices Learning Collaborative
Principal Investigator: Janet Todd
This project involves a contract to develop and implement a Best Practices Project in the area of evidence informed treatment for children with child maltreatment and attachment problems.

Applying Motivational Interviewing to Increase Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Service Utilization with Dually Diagnosed Case-management Clients
Principal Investigator: R. Lyle Cooper, PhD
This research study is a collaboration between the University of Tennessee and Centerstone. This project hopes to determine the effectiveness of web-based clinical supervision in improving motivational interviewing skills. Motivational interviewing is an evidence based treatment for substance abuse. Centerstone case managers who participate in this training will receive 12 hours of training in motivational interviewing and three months of clinical supervision. This study will also measure the effects of motivational interviewing on the treatment plan goals of dually diagnosed clients.

Metformin in the Treatment of Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain in Schizophrenia
Principal Investigator: Herbert Y. Meltzer, MD
This study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, is being done in coordination with Vanderbilt University and 15 other sites across the U.S. Persons with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and are overweight will be randomly given either Metformin or a placebo in addition to their regular medications. Metformin is an FDA approved medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Since some studies have found that people with type 2 diabetes often lose some weight when they take metformin, this study will test whether metformin can help people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder lose weight. This study will provide more information about how to treat people who are overweight and who are taking antipsychotic medication to treat schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

High Field Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies of Working Memory in Schizophrenia
Principal Investigator: James Christopher Gatenby, PhD
This research study is looking at the differences in brain function between people with schizophrenia and those with no psychiatric diagnosis. This study will specifically look at brain function as it relates to working memory. This study will utilize MRI scans of participant’s brains to collect information. Participants will be reimbursed for their time.

Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Schizophrenia
Principal Investigator: James M. Joers, PhD
This research study is looking specifically at whether there are differences in brain chemicals between people with schizophrenia compared to people with no diagnosis. This research study is using a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in its brain imaging. Participants will be reimbursed for their time.

Incidence of adverse health outcomes in youth who are new antipsychotic users
Principal Investigator: Wayne Ray, PhD
This study reviews Centerstone data to measure the incidence of side effects for adolescents who had been prescribed antipsychotics.

Evaluation Studies

Methamphetamine Evidence-based Treatment and Healing (METH) Program
Principal Investigator:  Freida Outlaw, DNSc, RN, FAAN, Assistant Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
Evaluators: Jules Marquart, PhD and Kathryn Bowen, PhD
This SAMHSA-funded project is a partnership between the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities and Centerstone. Serving users of methamphetamine and other emerging drugs in six rural counties in south central Tennessee, the project uses the Matrix Model. The Matrix Model is an evidence-based, highly structured treatment program that uses a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, client and family education, urine screening and other tools in order to support recovery. This study will measure the effectiveness of the Matrix Model in reducing drug and alcohol use, mental health symptoms and criminal justice involvement in the project participants.

IMPACT Project for Older Adults with Depression
Principal Investigator: Mary Moran, MS, LPC, Centerstone Tennessee
Evaluator: Ajanta Roy
This project provides mental health services to adults age 60 and over diagnosed with depression in a primary care practice. Funded through SAMHSA, this project uses the evidence-based IMPACT model – a depression treatment that combines medication and/or outpatient treatment with Problem Solving Treatment (PST) and Behavioral Activation (BA). PST identifies problems, is goal-oriented and has weekly homework assignments. This study will measure the efficacy of the IMPACT model on an older population by assessing the participants’ mental and physical health, social connectedness, and functioning as treatment progresses.

Mule Town Family Network: A System of Care for Maury County, TN
Principal Investigator: Freida Outlaw, PhD, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
Evaluators: James Schut, PhD, Jules Marquart, PhD, & Kathryn Bowen, PhD
This SAMHSA-funded project is a partnership between the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, Centerstone and Tennessee Voices for Children. Its goals are to develop a system of care in Maury County and provide child-centered, family-focused, culturally competent, high fidelity wraparound to 440 children and youth with serious emotional disturbance. The evaluation team collaborates with the national evaluation and conducts a local evaluation to assess system development and measure progress in areas such as child mental health, delinquency, functioning in school and community and family functioning.

Tennessee Lives Count
Principal Investigator: Lygia Williams, MA, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
Evaluator: James Schut, PhD
A partnership between Centerstone and the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, Tennessee Lives Count (TLC) aims to prevent suicides and suicide attempts for youth 10-24 years old. Funded by SAMHSA, TLC has trained more than 16,000 adult "gatekeepers" in education, child welfare, juvenile justice, and health, using a 2-hour, enhanced "Question, Persuade, Refer" model. In addition to participating in the national evaluation of TLC, Centerstone received funding from the Centers for Disease Control to enhance the evaluation. Through pretests, posttests and 6-month follow-ups, the enhanced evaluation is examining whether training impacts trainer knowledge, self-efficacy and helping behaviors for youth who are at risk for suicide. Research findings will help inform local communities and state and national officials about effective public health methods in suicide prevention.

Tennessee Lives Count: Juvenile Justice (Oct 2008-Sept 2011)
Principal Investigator: Lygia Williams, M.A., Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
Evaluator: James Schut, PhD
Building on a successful three-year project to conduct suicide prevention training with over 16,000 adults in child-serving systems across the state, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities has received a renewal award to expand its suicide prevention efforts. With the Mental Health Association of Middle Tennessee and Centerstone Research Institute as its partners, the new project focuses on reducing suicides and suicides attempts among youth in the juvenile justice system. This project seeks to serve over 500 youth using the Jason Foundation suicide prevention curriculum coupled with a resiliency-based prevention program. The project will also train 650 juvenile justice staff in a 2-day suicide prevention training known as ASIST, and 4,000 adults across the state using a 2-hour version of Question, Persuade, Refer.

Montgomery County School-Based Counseling Program
Principal Investigator: Vickie Wallace, EdD, Clarksville Montgomery County School System
Evaluator: Ajanta Roy, PhD
This project provides school-based therapy and case management services for children in grades K-5 with behavioral and emotional problems in Montgomery County, Tenn. Case Manager Therapists in the program utilize the Circle of Courage, Wrap-around Care Principles and the 12 Principles of Re-Education in their work with the children. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, this project’s evaluation determines whether these mental health services enhance children’s personal growth, progress at school and emotional well-being by decreasing office referrals, decreasing problem severity and improving behavioral functioning.

Cheatham County School-based Counseling Program
Principal Investigator: Katherine Adams, MSEd, Cheatham County School System
Evaluator: Ajanta Roy, PhD
This project provides school-based therapy and case management services for children in grades K-5 with behavioral and emotional problems in Cheatham County, Tennessee. Case Manager Therapists in the program utilize the Circle of Courage, Wrap-around Care Principles and the 12 Principles of Re-Education in their work with the children. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, this project’s e valuation determines whether these mental health services enhance children’s personal growth, progress at school and emotional well-being by decreasing office referrals, decreasing problem severity and improving behavioral functioning.

Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment and HIV/AIDS Services
Principal Investigator: Cathy Blakely, MS, Centerstone Tennessee
Evaluator: Charles Brown, PhD
This SAMHSA-funded project serves adults who have a mental illness and a substance use disorder and are at-risk for HIV/AIDS. Taking place in nine counties in Tennessee, it uses the Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment (IDDT) Model. This is a complex model of prevention and treatment services that includes rapid HIV testing and counseling, intensive outpatient therapy, medication education, medication monitoring, counseling with family and friends and peer-driven social activities (i.e. Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous). This project will be evaluated to look at its effectiveness in reducing drug and alcohol use, reducing risky sexual behavior, increasing employment, reducing criminal justice involvement and increasing levels of mental and physical health.

Project SELF (Students Experiencing Life Free) in Maury County
Principal Investigator: Beth Hail, MSSW, LCSW, Centerstone Tennessee
Evaluator: Katie Sewall, MBA
Project SELF is a SAMHSA-funded project that serves adolescents with substance abuse disorders and/or co-occurring mental health disorders in Maury County, Tenn. This program utilizes the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (ACRA) in conjunction with Assertive Continuing Care (ACC). The ACRA/ACC model is an evidence based treatment that incorporates individual therapy, case management, urine screens, advocacy and increased family and community involvement to promote recovery and relapse prevention. This study measures to what extent the ACRA/ACC model decreases alcohol and drug use, mental health symptoms and involvement in the juvenile justice system in adolescent participants.

Project SELF (Students Experiencing Life Free) in Davidson County
Principal Investigator: Beth Hail, MSSW, LCSW, Centerstone Tennessee
Evaluator: Katie Sewall, MBA
Project SELF is a SAMHSA-funded project that serves adolescents with substance abuse disorders and/or co-occurring mental health disorders in Davidson County, Tennessee. Building off the already established Project SELF in Maury County, Tenn., this program also utilizes the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (ACRA) in conjunction with Assertive Continuing Care (ACC). The ACRA/ACC model is an evidence based treatment that incorporates individual therapy, case management, urine screens, advocacy and increased family and community involvement to promote recovery and relapse prevention. This study measures to what extent the ACRA/ACC model decreases alcohol and drug use, mental health symptoms and involvement in the juvenile justice system in adolescent participants.

Building Strong Families in Rural Tennessee Program
Principal Investigator: Edwina Chappell, PhD & Freida Outlaw, DNSc, RN, FAAN, Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
Evaluators: Kathryn Bowen, PhD & Jules Marquart, PhD
This project is a partnership between the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (TDMHDD) and Centerstone. Funded by the Administration for Children and Families, this study is evaluating the efficacy of a program providing intensive in-home services to families residing in eight rural counties in south central Tennessee. Families served either have children at-risk of state custody because of parent’s methamphetamine or other substance use or have children who are being reunified with the family after state custody. Building Strong Families uses the Homebuilders Model, an evidence-based approach that is designed to help keep the child safely with their families by removing risk factors and increasing family skills. The Homebuilders Model uses goal-oriented service planning, life skills training, parenting education, problem solving, motivational interviewing and other tools in order to strengthen families, prevent relapse and promote recovery. This program is being evaluated to assess whether increasing family communication and problem solving skills, reducing substance use and decreasing mental health symptoms results in better safety, permanency and well-being outcomes among children.

Project For Recovery, Encouragement, and Empowerment (Project FREE)
Principal Investigator: Ken Stewart, MS
Evaluator: Kathryn Bowen, PhD
This SAMHSA-funded project serves adults 18 years and older under community justice supervision who have a substance abuse or co-occurring substance abuse/mental health disorder. Project FREE provides comprehensive, integrated and community-based treatment for eligible clients residing in seven rural counties in south central Tennessee. The program focuses on identifying, enrolling, treating and preventing relapse by implementing a comprehensive treatment model that matches the intensity of the treatment to the severity of each individual’s need. Treatment includes counseling, substance abuse education, relapse prevention, recovery support, drug testing, psychiatric services and transportation. The evaluation will measure the effectiveness of Project FREE in assisting clients in reducing substance abuse, reducing criminal justice involvement, reducing mental health symptoms and increasing self-sufficiency.

Substance Abuse and HIV Prevention Services
Principal Investigator: Doris Vaughan, M.Ed., Centerstone Tennessee
Evaluator: Charles Brown, PhD
Funded by SAMHSA, this project is focused on youth between the ages of 12-17 years old in 13 counties in Tennessee (primarily African-American and Hispanic/Latino) who are at risk for substance abuse and HIV/AIDS. Using two evidence-based curricula, Keepin’ it REAL and Be Proud! Be Responsible!, this program aims to reduce the risk of youth developing substance abuse disorders and contracting HIV and other STDs. In addition, this program will offer rapid HIV testing/counseling to all participants and their sexual partners. During the course of this program, youth substance use and HIV risk behaviors will be assessed.

Substance Abuse Treatment and HIV/AIDs Services – Indiana
Principal Investigator: Linda Grove-Paul, Centerstone Indiana
Evaluator: Gisoo Barnes, PhD
This recently SAMHSA-funded grant serves adults with substance use and/or co-occurring disorders (i.e. bipolar disorder, schizophrenia), this project hopes to reduce substance abuse, reduce mental health symptoms and assist in recovery. Targeting 11 counties in south central Indiana, this project will use Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment (IDDT), a model that includes rapid HIV testing and counseling, substance abuse counseling, medication education, medication monitoring, counseling with family and friends and peer-driven social activities (i.e. Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous). The level of drug and alcohol use, risky sexual behavior, criminal involvement, and mental health symptoms will be measured in order to assess the effectiveness of the project.