The U.S. Department of Justice recently awarded the Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget’s Criminal Legal section a $1 million grant to contract for virtual re-entry services for people being released from King County jail and people returning to King County after being release from Washington State prisons. PSB’s Criminal Legal section will use the funding to procure and implement an electronic, 24/7/365 substance-use disorder (SUD) recovery system that offers immediate and interim SUD interventions specifically designed to address the unique needs of people involved in the criminal legal system. Interventions will include evidence based online interventions, coaching, and counseling. The platform will also include services by and for the African American population, medication management support, and partnerships with local providers who can support other re-entry-oriented critical needs, such as housing and employment.

The overall goal of the project is to decrease barriers to quality substance use disorder care and improve the lives of re-entering persons. The program will primarily seek to improve access to and completion of treatment, increase engagement in care for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) populations, to improve recovery and reduce King County jail bookings and Department of Corrections violations. King County intends to serve 500 people during the grant period.

To learn more, please reach out to Patty Noble-Desy.