Rural California Drug Court project to target Veterans with SUD and PTSD and/or TBI; Family interventions; Treatment (Trauma), Case Management, Recovery Support; MAT, Smoking Cessation, - The Rural California Drug Court Project (RCDCP) is a comprehensive drug court program with a population of focus of adult felons with substance use disorders (SUD) and Co-occurring mental illnesses who are involved in Tehama County’s criminal justice system. Under this initiative, RCDCP is expanding the number of drug court participants served from 70 to 85 (20% increase). The RCDCP expansion is targeting high risk/high need military veterans with a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Co-occurring mental illness (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) and/or Traumatic Brain Injury. Our efforts will include in-home support services to Veteran families by offering family mediation, Family System interventions and Nurturing Parenting skills. In addition, the proposed expansion will offer enhancement services for all current and future drug court participants by offering a tobacco cessation treatment group with Medication Assistance. RCDCP’s primary goals are to reduce substance abuse/dependence, stabilize mental health, increase public safety and eliminate recidivism among adult offenders. These goals are accomplished through evidence-based, immediate, continuous, and intensive judicially supervised treatment, regular drug testing, interagency supervision and monitoring, graduated incentives and sanctions, restitution, mental health services for co-occurring disorders, and an array of support services including transportation, child care, job training, employment, recovery residences, transitional and permanent housing and Recovery Support. The Support services are designed to increase retention by removing barriers to participant’s successful recovery. The RCDCP goals are further supported by community linkages (AA, NA, faith-based and community groups), and case management. The program is a minimum of 14 months of treatment and is dependent on the participants level of engagement and adherence to program requirements. A post-graduation Recovery Support group is required for Individuals who complete treatment however need assistance with accomplishing other life goals such as on-going education and/or full-time employment. The RCDCP program will demonstrate a decrease in criminogenic thinking and criminal behaviors (recidivism), abstinence from substance use, increase in access to physical health care, reduce the number of smokers, management of mental health symptoms, stable housing, increased rates of employment and improved intimate family relationships.
