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 West Virginia Division of Criminal Justice Services will administer the FY 2009 RSAT funds and will subgrant the funds to the West Virginia Division of Corrections (DOC). They will use the funds to continue supporting the residential treatment programs in their correctional centers. The WV DOC RSAT program goals are: (1) To continue current programs in Huttonsville, Beckley, Pruntytown, St. Mary's, Mt. Olive, and Lakin Correctional Centers; (2) To develop a committee to study the best practices of successful Therapeutic Communities; (3) To provide the highest quality treatment programs within residential treatment units; (4) To have each RSAT Program incorporate an 'Effective Lifestyle' course to assist in the reentry into society; (5) To create a Committee to review curriculum and effective offender reentry issues; (6) To provide offenders living within treatment units with aftercare/transitional planning services; (7) To provide professional development for staff working within RSAT units, to include three levels of therapeutic community training and RSAT biannual meetings, and other specialized addictions trainings; and (8) To build solid relationships with the Department of Health and Human Resources, and the Department of Institutional Education in order to more effectively link offenders with services upon release.

Specifically, the WV DOC will use grant funds to support: (a) a substance abuse counselor for Pruntytown Correctional Center; (b) facilitators to conduct Community Building and Skills Building trainings; (c) travel for RSAT staff and curriculum committee meetings; (d)RSAT site visits; (e) Criminal Justice Addiction Certification for counselors; (f) license renewal fees; and, (g) resource materials and small equipment items for RSAT units to include books, workbooks, pamphlets, videos, audio tapes, poster boards, and bulletin boards.

NCA/NCF