February 28, 2020 – OSF hosted the Commencement for Cohort 7 comprised of veteran social workers representing service providers contracted by ADAD (the Department of Health’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division). The group was brought together to work beside ADAD and the UH Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work to shepherd the successful roll-out, evaluation then improvement of Hawai’i’s Coordinated Addiction Resource Entry System (CARES). The CARES program offers improved access to and coordination of treatment and recovery support services for those impacted by substance use disorders. More than 30 people involved in treatment and recovery across the state gathered at Ka Waiwai for the commencement where 14 cohort members presented their Springboard projects that focused on: an orientation, surveys and FAQs for CARES, bed availability and wait list management, and streamlining access to the prison system. Congratulations to Cohort 7 whose members’ contributions improved the intake system across the board. Mahalo!