Exodus.Life Recovery Bridge: Peer-Led Recovery, Reentry, and Workforce Network - Exodus.Life Recovery Bridge will expand peer-led recovery, reentry, and workforce services for people age 16 and older with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions in Jefferson and Pulaski Counties, Arkansas. Over three years, the project will provide coordinated Peer Recovery Support Services (PRSS), treatment and housing navigation, family support, and Recovery-Ready Workplace partnerships to help participants achieve long-term recovery, stable employment, and successful community reintegration The two-county service area has 467,598 residents: 62,987 in Jefferson County and 404,611 in Pulaski County. Exodus.Life will serve 600 unduplicated participants in Year 1, with 240 from Jefferson County and 360 from Pulaski County; 700 in Year 2, with 280 and 420, respectively; and 800 in Year 3, with 320 and 480, respectively. The annual targets total 840 participant enrollments in Jefferson County and 1,260 in Pulaski County, for a 2,100. A project-wide unique-person count will also be maintained. Services are open to people age 16 and older, primarily adults ages 26-54, with a transition-age track for ages 16-25 and access for older adults. Based on current participants, the expected distribution is approximately 56% male and 44% female. Participants may have opioid, stimulant, or other substance use disorders; co-occurring mental health conditions; trauma exposure; relapse or overdose risk; nicotine dependence; chronic health needs; and barriers related to reentry, housing, transportation, employment, family stability, or treatment access. Peer workers with personal experience of recovery will provide individual coaching, peer groups, recovery education, planning based on each person's strengths and needs, release and reentry support, family navigation, and help with benefits, housing, transportation, education, and employment. The project will use Motivational Interviewing, strengths-based case management, a brief BARC-10 assessment of recovery strengths, trauma-informed support, coping and relapse-prevention education, warm referrals that are followed until a connection is confirmed, overdose-response education and access or referral to approved overdose-reversal medication, tobacco cessation referrals, and partnerships with employers that support hiring and retaining people in recovery. Services will be available in person, by telephone, through secure virtual platforms, and at partner and detention locations. The project's goals are to expand sustained peer recovery support, improve access, safety, and continuity, increase economic stability, and strengthen service quality and community capacity. By September 29, 2029, at least 90% of participants will receive an assessment and individualized plan within 10 business days, and at least 75% will complete three or more peer contacts or groups during their first 90 days. All participants will be screened for treatment, crisis, overdose, tobacco, housing, health, employment, family, and justice needs. At least 85% of participants with priority needs will receive a warm handoff within five business days, and at least 65% will have verified linkage within 30 days. Employment, education, certification, and retention supports will reach 150 participants in Year 1, 175 in Year 2, and 200 in Year 3; at least 55% of work-ready participants will enter employment, education, apprenticeship, or certification within six months. The project will educate 45 employers, verify adoption of Recovery-Ready Workplace practices by at least 18 employers, train or advance at least four peer workers or supervisors each year, maintain 16 active service or referral agreements by Year 3, meet an 85% quality benchmark for delivery of core practices, and submit at least 95% of required SAMHSA data on time.
