Denver Problem Solving Court Enhancement Initiative

The Denver Problem Solving Court Expansion Initiative is requesting funding to enhance program services. This will be achieved through completion of project goals and measurable objectives, as follows: (1) integrate two dedicated Peer Specialist into the PSC teams to provide wrap-around support. Peer specialist will provide services to a minimum of 20 individuals per month. (NADCP, Best Practice Standard VI, pgs. 12-13) (2) Provide increased support to participants during the pandemic, (BPS VI, pg. 13). (3) Identify appropriate VTC participants through enhanced screening with 75% completing a clinical screen and 100% meeting appropriate eligibility criteria, (BPS I & V, pg. 14). (4) Demonstrate improved outcomes through development of data collection and evaluation to make improvements at regular grant meetings and will include data from 100% of participants, (BPS IX & X, pgs. 14-15) (5) Review fidelity to the Key Components to improve participant outcomes and pursue program accreditation, (BPS X, pg. 15).

Funding is requested under Category 3 and will serve three Problem Solving Courts within the Denver District Court; the Adult Drug Court, DUI Court and Veterans Treatment Court- type B. All three courts follow a post-adjudication model.

The total amount requested is $499,437 and 38% of funding is specifically designated for the Veterans Treatment Court.

The total number of participants to receive services is estimated at 550 over the lifetime of the project. The minimum program length is 12 months for the VTC and 18 months for the drug and DUI courts. Average length of participation is just over 2 years. There is no defined maximum program length, the Denver PSC Teams will continue to work with participants until all avenues are exhausted.

The Denver PSC target population includes adult felony level offenders who reside in the City and County of Denver and have a substance dependency and/or mental health diagnosis. All participants must be deemed high risk/high need by assessments conducted by probation at program entry. There is a variety of MAT providers in the Denver community which allows participants access to methadone, suboxone, vivitrol and other forms of MATs when appropriate. The PSCs contract with two treatment providers with a variety of treatment services to address opioid, stimulant and other substance use issues.

This jurisdiction is not leveraging any other federal funding sources to support the PSCs.

This jurisdiction is a previous recipient of OJP funds: 2016-DC-BX-0079, 2015-DC-BX-0031, 2013-DC-BX-0062, 2009-DC-BX-0087