Travis county proposes to implement a continuity of care service model that connects services within the jail with ongoing community-based services immediately upon release from incarceration

The Travis County Proposes to Implement a Continuity of Care Service Model Project is a $1,600,000 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and other Substances Use Program (CFDA 16.838). The project aims to connect services within the jail with ongoing community-based services immediately upon release from incarceration, with a focus on addressing opioid overdoses and deaths in the region. Key services to be provided include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), reentry planning, coordination with the court system, peer recovery support services, and service coordination through the sub-recipient Integral Care. The project seeks to provide seamless continuity of care from jail to the community, with expected outcomes of reductions in recidivism and overdoses for participating individuals. The award period is from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027.

Like many areas of the country, travis county struggles with opioid overdoses and deaths. Over the past few years, the county has seen the number of drug-related deaths increase from 193 in 2019 to 501 in 2023, equal to 15 drug-related deaths per 100,000 people in 2019 increasing to 38 drug-related deaths per 100,000 people in 2023. The percentage of deaths involving fentanyl has similarly increased from 11 percent in 2019 to 56 percent in 2023. A population particularly vulnerable to this public health crisis are individuals who cycle through jails and emergency departments in a state of homelessness due to unmet behavioral health needs. Most of these individuals live with a CO-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder (SUD). The proposed projects seek to help this vulnerable population. Individuals in travis county facilities have limited access to SUD treatments, medication assisted treatment (mat), and do not have dedicated reentry service planning to ensure continuity of care. As a result, individuals released from jail do not have a plan to access treatment, do not have active engagement with community providers, and only three days of medication if they are on mat. Additionally, they do not have access to prescribers in the community to continue their mat, putting them at high risk for overdose and death. This proposal seeks to support incarcerated individuals with SUD as a primary diagnosis and who reside or intend to reside in travis county following release. Services include mat, reentry planning, coordination with the court system, peer recovery support services, and service coordination from the subrecipient, integral care. This program will provide seamless continuity of care from jail to the community, ensuring individuals have the support needed to begin their recovery journey. Expected outcomes are reductions in recidivism and overdoses for individuals participating in the program.