Transforming lives through employment - safer foundation proposes the transforming lives through employment project to serve individuals who have a criminal record, need support for substance use…

Transforming lives through employment - safer foundation proposes the transforming lives through employment project to serve individuals who have a criminal record, need support for substance use disorder, and employment in cook, dupage, kane, lake, and will counties. Typically, this population is 70% african american, 12% white, and 9% hispanic. Nearly 70% meet diagnostic criteria for drug and/or alcohol use disorders. Approximately 15% of men and 30% of women have a serious mental illness. Safer will partner with the illinois department of corrections and community organizations to provide an array of employment, education, and behavioral health services delivered directly at safer's chicago-based wellness center or through virtual case management. All participants will be immediately assessed for substance use disorder, education and employment training, and workforce placement services to be connected with appropriate programs and services. Safer will use cognitive behavioral therapy, asam criteria and guidelines, medication-assisted treatment, continuity of care upon release, and supported employment. Goal 1: increase the engagement of individuals with substance use needs and justice system involvement residing in the five-county catchment area into treatment. OBJ. 1.1 by end of year 1 and each subsequent year, 50% of referrals will result in a kept intake appointment within 14 days of the referral. OBJ. 1.2 by the end of year 1 and each subsequent year, 25% of clients who attended their initial intake appointment will attend one or more follow-up visits. Goal 2: increase the employment rate of individuals with substance use needs and justice system involvement residing in the five-county catchment area. OBJ. 2.1 by the end of year 1 and at the end of each subsequent year, 50% of unemployed clients who attended their intake appointment will also be enrolled in employment services. Goal 3: decrease the use of drugs and alcohol amongst individuals with a history of substance use needs and justice system involvement. OBJ. 3.1 by the end of year 1 and at the end of each subsequent year, 25% of clients who show negative or decreased levels during from a previous drug test during a subsequent visit. Goal 4: reduce the recidivism rate individuals with substance use needs and justice system involvement. OBJ. 4.1 criminal justice involvement: by the end of year 1 and at the end of each subsequent year, 75% of clients who enrolled in employment services will have not recidivated. Goal 5: decrease the use of tobacco amongst individuals with a history of substance use needs and justice system involvement residing in the five-county catchment area. OBJ. 5.1: by the end of year 1, 75% of patients will be screened for tobacco use, and for those identified as a tobacco user, will have received a cessation intervention. Goal 6: facilitate capacity building across the illinois workforce development ecosystem to assist justice-involved persons in substance use disorder treatment to participate in the workforce. OBJ.6.1: annually, conduct at least 3 virtual regional convenings and 1 state scoping session on workforce challenges and opportunities for the target population. The project will serve at least 75 unduplicated participants in year 1 (accounts for start-up period) for a total of 500 by end of project