The albany county adult treatment court (actc) is seeking category 2 funding to better engage and retain participants

The Unified Court System of New York State has been awarded a $1,000,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program (CFDA 16.585). The grant funding will support the Albany County Adult Treatment Court (ACTC) by providing peer mentor and continuum of care services to approximately 100 participants over the 4-year award period. This includes engaging participants, overcoming barriers to services, and assisting with completion of the treatment court program. The award will also support staff training and an independent program evaluation.

Two sub-awards have been provided under this grant. Catholic Charities Aids Services will deliver continuum of care coordination services, including case management and connection to treatment, recovery, and community support services. Second Chance Opportunities, Inc. will provide peer mentor services to help participants with psychosocial needs, goal-setting, transportation, and community reintegration. These comprehensive services are intended to enhance participant engagement and retention in the ACTC program.

Actc, which utilizes a post-adjudication model, includes an adult drug court and driving while intoxicated (DWI) court, both of which are overseen by the same judge and team members. We are requesting $1,000,000. Grant funds are being requested so said courts participants will be more engaged in their recovery and more fully integrated into services within their community. This will be done by providing peer mentor and continuum of care services to its participants, a comprehensive training series for staff, and utilization of an independent evaluator. Actc will serve approximately 100 eligible defendants over the life of the grant; 25 participants will receive peer mentor services per year and continuum of care services per year. The length of participation in actc is a minimum of 17 months and a maximum of 24 months, with an average length of program participation of 19 months. The target population served are HR/HN defendants. Currently, there are barriers in locating and accessing services that lead to noncompliance with substance abuse treatment and overall recovery/sobriety. With funds from this grant, the peer mentor and the continuum of care coordinator will assist in overcoming barriers to ensure participants have all the services they need to not only successfully gradate but also remain sober. The plan to provide treatment and services to address opioid, stimulant, and substance abuse reduction includes using validated risk and needs assessment tools, such as the drug court assessment tool, to identify eligible defendants and coordinating with local treatment agencies who provide drug treatment services, including access to mat.