Monday, May 12, 2025
5/12/2025
Oasis of Hope - According to the National Institute of Justice, the United States has some of the highest recidivism rates in the world. Almost 44% of criminals released return before the first year out of prison. In 2005, about 68% of 405,000 released prisoners were arrested for a new crime within three years, and 77% were arrested within five years. The same source states that while the state of Georgia reports a 30% recidivism rate; however, the actual recidivism rate is closer to 50% when considering the number of people who commit a technical violation while on probation or parole and the number of people who recidivate after the three-year period. CaringWorks proposes to reduce that risk of recidivism for the population of focus: 1) Sentenced adult male inmates in correctional facilities who are within four months of release and reentry into the community, and who have a substance use disorder (SUD) and/or co-occurring mental disorder (COD) and, 2) adult males on probation/parole with an SUD and/or COD who are at-risk of re-incarceration due to parole violation. Eligible male adults will likely include veterans, Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals (DHH), and individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Utilizing this grant, CaringWorks will serve a minimum of 25 people in year one, 30 people in each of the remaining four years, for a total of at least 145 served over the five-year grant period. The number of clients was determined by 1) the need in the catchment area and 2) housing capacity. The Oasis of Hope program increases access and improves the quality of treatment for eligible justice-involved individuals by offering a residential treatment program, transitional housing, behavioral health services, medication-assisted treatment, comprehensive case management, aftercare support, and an array of support services. All are delivered in a culturally sensitive environment, using evidence-based practices and assessments. The target geographical area is Georgia's Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton, and Rockdale counties. According to multiple sources, the most frequent demographic profile for the focus populations is male, Black, age 30 - 40, English speaking, and low- or no income (Georgia Department of Community Affairs, All County Jail Population Report, September 1, 2022; Georgia Department of Corrections, Inmate Statistical Profile, All Active Inmates, January 1, 2023; Georgia Department of Community Supervision, Interactive Dashboard, February 3, 2023; Fulton County Jail Population Report, Presented to Atlanta City Council, November 18, 2022; Vera Institute for Social Justice, Trends by State and County, February 14, 2023). A report on the SAMHSA website (Standardized Assessment of Substance Related, Other Psychiatric, and comorbid Disorders among Probationers) in 2016 indicates that 30% of parolees and probationers have an alcohol disorder and four times the rate of psychiatric disorders compared with the general population. In the catchment area for this project, from 2019-2022, the incidence of overdose deaths increased 137% and ER visits for overdose increased by 43% (Georgia Department of Public Health, Drug Surveillance Unit, February 2023). Oasis of Hope will utilize partnerships with the justice community to reach eligible persons. The project will provide trauma informed screening, assessment, diagnosis, patient-centered treatment planning, and treatment. It will facilitate access to ancillary services to assist clients in applying for disability benefits, Medicaid, Medicare, or other relevant mainstream entitlements. Employment readiness, training, and placement will be available. Based on the agency's experience, the average cost per client ($13,750 including housing) is reasonable considering the projected outcomes. Using an external evaluator, Oasis of Hope will measure three specific goals: 1) Increase in sustained recovery; 2) Improvement in daily functioning; and 3) Optimized self-sufficiency and deterred recidivism.
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).