Camden County Peer Support Program

The Improving Reentry for Adults with Substance Use Disorders Program improves provision of services to offenders with substance use disorders when they leave incarceration to reenter the community, which in turn will help to reduce recidivism, promote public safety and recovery.

The purpose of the program is to enhance corrections systems’ ability to address the substance use treatment needs of offenders in order to reduce recidivism, promote recovery, and, in the process, to improve public safety and public health.

Camden County will funding to support their Peer Support Program, a comprehensive reentry initiative with pre- and post-release services to individuals with an identified substance use disorder in the Camden County Correctional Facility. The main component of this initiative is the development of Peer Support Teams, which provide individuals with mentorships and peer recovery group activities to ease the transition back into the community. Peer Support Teams are each comprised of two Peer Support Specialists, individuals with lived recovery and criminal justice experience. Specialists will complete a Peer Recovery Certification program as well as be trained in psycho-education and cognitive behavioral interventions for both pre- and post-release interactions with participants. This project will serve individuals receiving Medication Assisted Treatment for opioid or alcohol use while incarcerated. It is anticipated that approximately 80 individuals will receive treatment and reentry care coordination at any given time for 9-12 months post-release, while a minimum of 320 individuals are projected to be served over the duration of the grant.

CA/NCF