Tennessee Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program

The Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Formula Grant Program (RSAT) assists states and local governments in developing and implementing substance abuse treatment programs in state and local correctional and detention facilities. The RSAT Program also assists states and local governments in creating and maintaining community-based aftercare services for offenders who are released from institutionally based substance abuse programs. Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Formula Grant funds may be used to implement three types of programs. At least 10 percent of the total state allocation for FY 2009 shall be made available to local correctional and detention facilities (provided such facilities exist) for either residential substance abuse treatment programs or jail-based substance abuse treatment programs as defined below.

The Office of Criminal Justice Programs (OCJP), in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Correction, will use the FY 2009 RSAT funds to continue to operate two RSAT programs. The Davidson County Drug Court Program will continue to operate a 100-bed (60 adult males/40 adult females) community-corrections residential facility for its participants. The residential phase of the program operates as a therapeutic community. All successful participants of the drug court program enter into a nine to twelve month aftercare program developed by the drug court. The Washington County Jail program will continue to operate a 24-bed adult male unit. All successful participants also enter into a community service work release program managed by the jail.

The primary goal of OCJP in the administration of the RSAT funds is to enhance, prepare and assist state and local agencies with implementation and continuation of quality residential substance abuse treatment programs that address the total needs of the offender population served. In addition to substance abuse treatment, OCJP seeks to incorporate into each RSAT program other key components of successful rehabilitation including: (a) vocational training and job placement assistance; (b) life skills training; (c) social skills development; (d) family therapy; (e) cognitive restructuring; and (f) other skills to solve substance abuse and related problems.

The objectives of the RSAT treatment program are to: (1) Support the State's Drug Courts by providing an RSAT grant to fund the aftercare component of a residential program serving as an alternative to incarceration for non-violent offenders; (2) Increase the availability of substance abuse treatment beds in jails and alternative placement facilities; (3) Increase the life skills, education and job training necessary for offenders to remain drug-free and lead productive lives upon release back into the community; (4) Enhance training opportunities and skill development for individuals directly responsible for providing treatment services to offenders; (5) Reduce the rate of recidivism for offenders completing residential treatment programs; (6) Develop other types of substance abuse prevention and treatment programs that will complement services provided to RSAT funded programs, thereby ensuring an effective continuum of care; (7) and Support the process for performance based management with outcome development and outcome reporting.

NCA/NCF