SUD treatment and COD treatment in communities - cristo pobre, a nonprofit organization located in ponce, puerto rico, proposes an ambulatory-based recovery program focused on providing evidence-based…

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded $1.125 million to Centro Deambulantes Cristo Pobre Inc. on September 30, 2025, under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.243).

Centro Deambulantes Cristo Pobre, a nonprofit organization located in Ponce, Puerto Rico, will deliver an ambulatory-based recovery program for adults aged 18 and older experiencing substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. The program will serve 160 unduplicated individuals over three years—40 in Year 1 and 60 in each of Years 2 and 3. Participants will receive medication-assisted treatment (including Suboxone), outpatient individual and group behavioral health counseling, case management, housing navigation, medical and mental health referrals, transportation assistance, legal support, and vocational or educational linkages. Each client will complete a comprehensive needs assessment and develop an individualized service plan. The program will implement evidence-based practices including motivational interviewing, Seeking Safety for trauma and substance use, Moral Reconation Therapy, and the Housing First model. Clients at risk for HIV or Hepatitis will receive screening and care referrals. Services will be delivered by a trained, bilingual multidisciplinary team. Referrals will be accepted from hospitals, clinics, shelters, correctional facilities, outreach workers, and community organizations.

The period of performance runs from September 30, 2025, through September 29, 2028. Place of performance is Puerto Rico.

SUD treatment and COD treatment in communities - cristo pobre, a nonprofit organization located in ponce, puerto rico, proposes an ambulatory-based recovery program focused on providing evidence-based treatment for adults experiencing substance use disorders (SUD) and CO-occurring mental health conditions (COD). The program aims to promote recovery, stability, and reintegration through medication-assisted treatment (mat) and comprehensive supportive services delivered in a trauma-informed, culturally competent, and person-centered manner. Over a three-year period, the program will serve a total of 160 unduplicated individuals-40 in year 1 and 60 in both years 2 and 3. Each participant will receive mat (e.g., suboxone), outpatient individual and group behavioral health counseling, and a full array of wraparound services, including case management, housing navigation, medical and mental health referrals, transportation assistance, legal support, and vocational or educational linkages. Each client will complete a comprehensive needs assessment and develop an individualized service plan (ISP) to guide recovery and stabilization. The program is open to adult men and women aged 18 and older who are experiencing substance use challenges and/or CO-occurring mental health issues and are seeking treatment and recovery support. Referrals will be accepted from various sources, including hospitals, clinics, shelters, correctional facilities, outreach workers, and community organizations. Cristo pobre will implement proven evidence-based practices such as motivational interviewing, seeking safety (for trauma and SUD), moral reconation therapy (MRT), and the housing first model (to support housing stability). Clients at risk for HIV or hepatitis will receive referrals for screening and care. All services will be delivered by a trained, bilingual, multidisciplinary team with strong experience working with high-need populations across southern puerto rico. The primary goal of the project is to provide high-quality, outpatient treatment for individuals with substance use and CO-occurring mental health conditions, while addressing the social determinants that hinder recovery-such as housing instability, unemployment, legal issues, and trauma. Additional program goals include: expanding access to mat and behavioral health care in southern puerto rico; reducing substance use, trauma-related symptoms, and criminal justice involvement; promoting long-term recovery through increased housing stability, employment, and social integration. Expected outcomes include increased treatment engagement and abstinence from substances, improved mental health, reduced recidivism and homelessness, and higher rates of employment and educational enrollment. Cristo pobre's longstanding experience in ponce and its holistic, client-centered approach make IT well-positioned to deliver this impactful initiative to individuals seeking recovery and stability.