Drug court expansion - this proposal is being submitted through a partnership with epic behavioral healthcare (epic) and the ST

Johns county (SCJ ADC), located in northeast florida within the jacksonville MSA along i-95. The following narrative describes a plan for the "ST johns county adult drug court expansion project" which aims broadly to: 1) increase the number of clients severed each year, and 2) expand the range of treatment options available to program participants. The current SJC ADC has been in existence since 2002 in partnership with behavioral healthcare provider epic and serves approximately 30-35 clients each year. The drug court operates with two full-time clinical staff and one part-time life skills coach. By expanding the ADC, we aim to add services for an additional 40 clients in year 1 progressing by 5% each year until we reach 50 clients in year 5 or 223 total participants. In order to expand the number of clients served each year, we propose to hire one new full-time clinician, one full-time peer support specialist, and one part-time psychiatric nurse. The expansion of treatment options includes peer support, intensive outpatient treatment, timely access to psychiatric treatment for CO-occurring mental health disorders, transportation and housing assistance, and medication assisted treatment, along with additional screening for infectious diseases common in drug using populations. The target population includes adults 18 or older residing in ST. Johns county charged with a non-violent drug related felony and capable of benefiting from program regimen (i.e., those meeting the clinical definition for substance use disorder (SUD)). Those with histories of violence are disqualified for participation in drug court. The program aims to assist participants achieve abstinence and reduce criminal activity through an intensive intervention that involves individuals in a minimum year-long course of treatment, urinalysis, and extensive court supervision. The treatment regimen includes cognitive-behavioral group and individual counseling 2-3 times per week, family counseling, life skills training, random urinalysis at least weekly, and AA/NA participation. All participants must also be employed, participate in community service, and fulfill the requirements of their probation. The project's specific goals and objectives include the increase for capacity of the ADC to reduce SUD and recidivism by increasing the number of clinical and case management staff, increasing enrollment by 5% each year, reducing the rate of program termination by 5% each year, and reducing recidivism by 5% each year; expand the scope of treatment options for clients by providing peer recovery support services, offering intensive outpatient services, adding a psychiatric nurse for the purposes of mat, screening for infectious diseases, and providing transportation support to clients; increase the number of clients from historically under-served groups by targeted recruitment of these individuals by ADC staff so as to better approximate the jail population; and assess the fidelity and effectiveness of the ADC by partnering with an evaluation team from the university of north florida to conduct a mixed methodological process and outcome evaluation of the drug court.