Residential Substance Abuse Treatment

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 State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management will sub-grant RSAT funds to the Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC). The DOC will utilize funds to provide substance abuse training for 10 staff at the New England School of Addiction Studies. In addition, DOC will utilize RSAT funds to support one correctional substance abuse counselor to continue the level of residential substance abuse treatment services at the Robinson Correctional Institution (RCI). The program staffing, in conjunction with other state-funded efforts, will provide a comprehensive substance abuse treatment strategy for the DOC. The strategy will include 6 months of treatment within a Tier 4 substance abuse treatment program, release to the community after completion of the program, involvement either in-patient or out-patient treatment in the community depending on the client's needs, and urinalysis for the entire length of treatment. The Therapeutic Community (TC) model will be used to promote behavioral change through a highly structured and disciplined framework, using small and large group interactions to manage negative behavior and shape new behavior. The TC is categorized as a self-help program as participants are ultimately responsible for personal change; however, the change process is promoted through interaction with others who may or may not have experienced similar life problems. Community-based residential substance abuse treatment beds are available to offenders prior to parole release and for individuals who relapse after being released to parole supervision. After completion of the program, inmates will be discharged directly to supervision in the community with the Parole Officer developing a case management plan which will ensure continued participation in outpatient substance abuse treatment.

NCA/NCF