2009 RSAT for Puerto Rico

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 Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (PRDOC) will use the FY 2009 RSAT to continue to support the RSAT projects in the Arecibo and Bayamon correctional facilities. Each project will house 75 residents. The program will offer services to participants revoked from community rehabilitation programs and/or inmates who are required to participate in treatment programs as a condition to benefits and privileges. The PRDOC's goal is to have at least 40% of the inmates admitted to the program finish their treatment in the period stipulated by the program guideline. The PRDOC plans the following activities throughout the program: (1) Provide housing and food services; (2) Provide social penal services and social workers for the participant and their family; (3) Provide medical, psychological and counseling to treat the addictions; (4) Strengthen family ties through positive communication and good effective relations; (5) Offer bio-psycho-social treatment for the abuse and use of controlled substances and the prevention of recurrence of its use; (6) Develop effective family skills to deal with substance abuse and conduct associated with the use of drugs; (7) Offer educational services in the academic and vocational areas; (8) Offer active and passive recreational activities; (9) Coordinate religious services; (10) Administer drug testing on a frequent basis; (11) Evaluate the commitment the family has with the participant in the process and be there for them for the changes and the way they deal with them; (12) Make the family aware of the importance and their responsibility to the participant in this crucial time of the recuperating process by their support; and (13) Coordinate job opportunities with potential employers and educational centers for the participants and their families in the community.

The PRDOC will continue to provide follow-up services to participants in the community who have completed the treatment program by: (1) Providing follow-up services through the regional offices of the Bureau of Treatment and Rehabilitation; (2) Maintaining telephone communication with the participants and their family to give them support in their return to the free community; (3) Maintaining good communication with families and government officials involved who intervene with the clients by monitoring their progress; and (4) Administering drug-testing on a frequent basis.

The treatment will consist of five (5) phases for adults and four (4) phases for young adults. All of the participants admitted to the program will complete all of these phases in a period no greater than 1 year and 6 months time (18 months). The evaluation method to be used by the Residential Treatment Centers in all locations will be Impact Evaluation. The comparative basis used for this evaluation will be the behavior of the clients before the intermediate phase and after the evaluations, orientations and treatments.

NCA/NCF