CHRIS 180's Power to Change project

CHRIS 180, in partnership with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO), Fulton County District Attorney’s Office (FCDAO), Fulton County Office of the Public Defender (FCOPD), Fulton County Superior Court (FCSP), and Fulton Competency & Restoration Program, proposes Power to Change (PTC), a comprehensive strategy that implements demonstratedeffective activities (program-specific priority consideration 2A, pages 9-10) to support primarily Black/African American adult males aged 25-40 with Substance Use Disorder (SUD), Cooccurring Disorders (COD), and/or other behavioral health concerns as they transition from incarceration to independent living in Atlanta-area communities that have been underserved and historically marginalized (DOJ priority consideration 1A, pages 1-2). CHRIS 180 has a signed MOU with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) that evidences FCSO’s commitment to support the program. PTC will serve 80 participants in Year 1, 100 in Year 2, and 100 in Year 3 for a total of 280 total participants throughout the project period, providing intensive case management, linkages to behavioral health care, warm handoffs to support services, and ongoing follow-up to ensure successful reentry into the community. As a well-established and connected community service provider, and the author of the Fulton County Reentry Services Resource Handbook, CHRIS 180 is uniquely qualified to provide most all post-release services (e.g., behavioral health care, housing, employment/educational services, etc.), or to facilitate direct handoffs to other vetted community providers based on participant preference. The current rate of recidivism in Fulton County is 47%. Of the PTC participants who are released, 70% will not re-involve with the justice system within 12 months of release (only 30% will recidivate).