SUD-Expansion Project

Legal name of the recipient: Volunteers of America Northern New England

Project title: SUD Expansion Program

Geographic service location: Knox and Waldo County, Maine

Correctional institutions: Knox County Sheriff’s Office – Knox County Jail

Waldo County Sheriff’s Office - Maine Coastal Regional Reentry Center

Target population characteristics: VOANNE anticipates that participants will be 25% female and 75% male; 92% White, 3% Black/African American, 2% American Indian or Alaska Native, 2% Latinx, and 1% identifying with another racial/ethnic group; and mostly rural residents.

# of participants to be served: 50 per year/150 total

Baseline recidivism rate: There is currently no baseline recidivism rate. The state of Maine does not have a uniform protocol for calculating recidivism and various jurisdictions and correctional facilities use different definitions.

Method of calculation: For this study, recidivism will be defined as 1) an increase in the risk score category of the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) score and/or 2) a conviction or probation violation (not including technical violations) within one year of the program end date (using data from the Corrections Information System).

Substance use screening and assessment tools: AC-OK,  Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI)

Pre- and post-release substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services: Pre-release services will include assessment, MAT, SUD counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, family-based treatment and counseling, case management, peer support, recovery counseling, and development of an individualized case plan. Post-release services will include MAT, SUD counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, family-based treatment and counseling case management, peer support, recovery counseling, and linkages to supportive services including job readiness and employment supports, educational and vocational linkages, linkages to housing assistance, referrals to healthcare, and transportation assistance. 

Training and other supports provided to staff: At hire, staff will receive training in reentry principles and approaches, LS/CMI & AC-OK assessments, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy programming, Moral Recognition Therapy, cultural diversity, trauma-informed care, restorative practices, and the Challenge-Context-Action-Result (CCAR) model for the peer recovery coach. SUD Expansion staff will also receive annual refresher training.

MOA signed with correctional agency: Yes

The SUD Expansion Program will enhance VOANNE’s currently funded Second Chance Community-Based Adult Reentry project that focuses on case management and limited SUD services for individuals. This opportunity will allow for greater coordination through data sharing and SUD services for individuals reentering the community after a period of incarceration. VOANNE seeks this grant to strengthen community partnerships to allow for seamless referrals to evidenced-based programs and services.