1. RSAT History, Best Practices and Future
Presented to West Virginia RSAT Conference
July 21, 2011
Presented by :
Janelle Prueter, Illinois TASC
Director of Corrections and Reentry Services
Say a little about me, RSAT TTA Center and TASC

2. Session Objectives Current Status of RSAT Services and Funding
Brief Review of RSAT History
Current Status of RSAT Services and Funding
Current Best Practices for RSAT Programs
Future Considerations

3. The History of RSAT First established in 1994; moved to BJA in 2002
Funding specifically for Jail and Prison-Based Drug Treatment Programs
Originally funded at $64 million when moved to BJA in 2002

4. Current Status of RSAT Current funding available for:
State and Local Correctional Programs
Jail-Based Treatment Programs
Aftercare
Post Release Treatment
Recent allocation by Congress at $15 million
Overview the years—the use of RSAT funds has broadened to include aftercare and post-release treatment.
RSAT continues to fund state/local correctional programs and jail based programs.
Correctional programs are:
6-12 months in length
Inmates completion of treatment coincides with release into the community
Program is provided in a separate institution or unit within an institution
Treatment adresses not only substance use but also cognitive, behavioral, social and vocational needs that promote sustained recovery.
Program has aftercare component to focus on client’s transition for institution to community
Jail-Based Substance Abuse Programs
Jail-based substance abuse programs may be eligible for funding if they meet all of the following criteria:
■ Last at least 3 months.
■ Make every effort to separate RSAT participants from the general correctional population.
■ Focus on inmates’ substance abuse problems.
■ Develop inmates’ cognitive, behavioral, social, vocational, and other skills to solve the substance abuse and related problems.
■ Are science based and effective.
Aftercare Services
States must give preference to subgrant applicants who will provide aftercare services to program participants. Such services must involve coordination between the correctional treatment program and other human service and rehabilitation programs, such as education and job training, parole supervision, halfway houses, and
self-help and peer groups, that may help in rehabilitating offenders.
States may use amounts received for aftercare if a state’s chief executive officer certifies that the state is providing, and will continue to provide, an adequate level of residential treatment services.
States may use up to 10 percent of Postrelease Treatment their total RSAT award for treatment of parolees for up to 1 year after they have been released from a correctional facility.

5. Current Best Practices
Tailor Treatment to the Setting
Treatment Approach for Jails likely differs from that of Prisons
Jail=Short-term=Focus on Drug Education
Prison=Long-term=Therapeutic Community

6. Current Best Practices
Treatment Matching
Ensuring clients are matched to the right programs
Poor outcomes when low risk/need clients are matched to high intensity services—can actually do more harm than good

7. Current Best Pratices Screening
Screening used to quickly determine who is in need of treatment services--TCUDSII
Screening process should also include agreed upon legal criteria regarding who is
eligible for the program

8. Current Best Practices
Assessment
Assessment should follow screening once client enters the program
Use of a comprehensive psychosocial assessment is recommended—i.e. ASI; TCU Intake Assessment
Assessment drives treatment plan , treatment services and support services

9. Current Best Practices
Aftercare
All research shows that institution treatment combined with community based aftercare is the most effective in reducing recidivism
Aftercare should immediately follow discharge from institution-based treatment
When possible, tie aftercare to probation/parole conditions

10. Current Best Practices
Collaboration
Successful RSAT programs balance the treatment services with the institution’s requirements
Cross training is imperative—two systems speak different languages, have different cultures and different objectives

11. Current Best Practices
Know your numbers
What are your program outcomes?
Admission
Retention
Success
Recidivism
How does this translate into cost savings?

12. The Future Addressing criminal risk (for recidivism) Assess it
Address it
Include it

13. The Future Medication Assisted Treatment
Medications play a valuable role in treatment
Most effective when combined with counseling services
Use Sheridan example

14. Contact information:
Janelle Prueter
Illinois TASC