RISE (Recovery, Integration, Support and Empowerment) Initiative

The Detroit Recovery Project (DRP) proposes a three-year initiative to provide quality continuity of care for members of minority populations who are released from correctional institutions to reenter and reintegrate into communities and neighborhoods of the city of Detroit.  Michigan has seen a 40% increase in the number of incarcerated individuals released on parole from Michigan prisons returned to communities in Michigan.  Within Wayne County, the majority (2,962 or 80%) of prisoners released to parole returned to Detroit (Solomon et. al 2004).  Ironically, although Detroit receives the highest proportion of returning individuals in the state of Michigan, it is the least well equipped to handle returning reintegration, less connected to community-based structures, and more likely to have medical, psychiatric and substance abuse problems than the general population.  In fact, the prevalence of communicable disease (HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C, mental illness and substance abuse are inordinately high among those reentering Detroit’s communities.  The difficulties faced by this population are particularly acute, and the associated services in Detroit further impede the returning person’s ability to successfully reintegrate. 

In order to improve post-release behavioral health and medical status and reduce the likelihood of continued involvement in the criminal justice system, linkages must be established for these reentry populations to substance abuse services, mental health care and medical treatment.  To achieve these aims, the proposed RISE (Recovery, Integration, Support and Empowerment) Initiative will provide pre and post release services to 100 individuals reintegrating directly from jail, prison or individuals involved in Community Corrections.  The target areas are the cities of Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck, all located within Wayne County, Michigan.   

RISE will work collaboratively with the Wayne County Jail, Courts or Community Corrections to determine eligibility, conduct pre-screenings and begin re-entry interventions pre-release;  utilize evidence-based interventions to provide the following services:  substance abuse  treatment (including outpatient and MAT as needed); Peer recovery coaching; recovery support; referrals to inpatient treatment; primary health care screening and treatment; family support services (parent skills, family reunification); case management; cognitive behavioral therapy; housing support; mental health counseling (individual, group and family); employment assistance (including life skills development, education, vocational training, job readiness, placement, transportation, etc.); and linkage for individuals and families/significant others to other essential community-based services. 

This reentry initiative will include formulative process and short-term outcome evaluations to assist the program in achieving its specific aims and to document its clinical and social effectiveness.