Saturday, March 15, 2025
3/15/2025
The Alabama Rural Counties Drug Court Treatment Expansion Project will expand treatment services for non-violent, criminal offenders with substance use disorders and/or co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health illnesses who are enrolled in drug courts in five rural Alabama counties: Dallas, Wilcox, Butler, Crenshaw, and Lowndes. The current capacity of the selected courts is 45 people. The project will expand services to an additional 60 people, allowing the courts to see 105 people annually and 525 over the five-year grant period. The population of focus will be low-income and/or uninsured adults with a substance use-disorder, or co-occurring substance use and mental disorder, arrested in the five selected counties. The Alabama Department of Mental Health, the state's agency responsible for serving Alabama's citizens with mental health disorders, intellectual disabilities, and substance use disorders will be the project lead. Aletheia House, a community-based nonprofit organization with more than forty years' experience, will provide the treatment services. 70.3% of the population of focus will be African-American, 65.3% will identify as male, 62.7% will be ages 25-44, 56% will have a high school degree or less, 75% will be unemployed or disabled. 93% will have a low-to-moderate income, and 79% will be uninsured. The project will use evidence-based strategies/interventions including: 1) cognitive behavioral therapy, 2) integrated service for individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental disorders; 3) medication-assisted treatment; 4) recovery support services; and 5) tobacco cessation services. 100% of eligible participants who present with an opioid disorder will be offered Medicated Assistant Treatment. 80% drug court participants will receive peer recovery support services. The project's goals include: 1) increasing the capacity the selected courts to provide treatment for substance use disorders and/or co-occurring mental health disorders; and 2) decreasing the gaps in the continuum of treatment to individuals with substance use disorders and/or co-occurring mental illnesses.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).