BJA FY 22 comprehensive opioid, stimulant, and substance abuse site-based program weber county collaborative response to reentry through resource connection, systems navigation, and peer recovery…

BJA FY 22 comprehensive opioid, stimulant, and substance abuse site-based program weber county collaborative response to reentry through resource connection, systems navigation, and peer recovery support services proposal abstract as part of our collaborative response to reentry, weber county, utah seeks to enhance the reentry support services for justice-involved individuals in our community, with special attention to those who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing homelessness. We are seeking priority consideration under 1A (supporting documentation is addressed in the proposal narrative on PG. 11-14). Under this proposal, the weber county community reentry coalition will oversee the project and will build upon existing partnerships between the weber county sheriff's office, weber human services, utah support advocates for recovery awareness, ogden police department, lantern house homeless shelter, weber housing authority, and more. The project will integrate peer recovery support services within the local criminal justice system and homeless shelter, increase reentry coordination systems navigation capacity to bridge gaps along the sequential intercept model, provide funds for housing assistance, and mitigate costs associated with obtaining housing assistance and/or employment. Approximately 73% of grant funds will be used to support: 1) two full-time peer recovery support specialist positions to provide critical addiction recovery support services that are tailored to meet the specific needs of individuals returning from incarceration with substance use disorders and experiencing homelessness for the first time or chronically; 2) two full-time reentry coordinator positions to conduct assessment, reentry planning, resource connection, and systems navigation with the ability to work in the jail, shelter, and community policing as necessary to serve as a bridge between these agencies that see many people cycle between them; and 3) a full-time project and community engagement coordinator who will ensure collaboration between partner organizations and the communities, establish policies and procedures to support best practices for the needs of the identified population, coordinate data collection and performance reporting, and manage other grant requirements. Approximately 27% of grant funds will be used to help pay for: 1) supplemental housing assistance, along with vouchers, for initial costs such as first month's rent or deposit for those exiting incarceration with no income or means to pay; and 2) costs associated with reentry and recovery support services.