Page County, VA
Page County Government
virginia
Rural | Population: 23,741The Page County COSSUP initiative expands the Sheriff’s Office Jail MAT Enhancement (JMATE) program by establishing a dedicated treatment team. This team provides crucial jail-based discharge planning, peer support, and clinical services and facilitates referrals to community-based MAT providers upon release, ensuring a smoother transition from incarceration.
Program Elements
Peer Recovery Support
232
individuals engaged in peer support
Peer Support Specialists provided by Strength In Peers (SIP) meet with participants before release and remain in contact with them throughout their program enrollment and beyond as mentors and support. The PSSs assist participants with completing applications for public health insurance and benefits and provide education on opioid overdose prevention and navigating substance and alcohol use treatment, mental health treatment, housing, employment, and other community services.
Clinical Therapists
The jail has hired two part-time therapists solely for providing jail-based treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs) and co-occurring disorders. The clinical therapists work with program participants to address their past trauma and underlying mental health concerns, in addition to SUD.
Substance Use Screening
273
individuals screened for sud
Individuals booked in the jail receive an initial screening using the DAST-10/MAST-10 and the TCU-5 with Opioid Supplement by the program staff - to identify the presence of a substance use disorder. If an individual scores positive, the JMATE program is explained to the individual, and they have a choice to opt in or out.
Case Management
Each participant is assigned a case manager to coordinate all treatment activities. The case manager meets with individuals at the jail before their release to the community to conduct a needs assessment to determine post-release support needs.
Looking Ahead
As the grant funding for the COSSUP initiative phases out, the program's primary focus will shift toward ensuring the sustainability of its vital services.
The goal is to successfully integrate the program into the Sheriff's Office budget, securing long-term funding to continue providing essential support for individuals with substance use and co-occurring disorders.
20
community partner meetings conducted
This integration will guarantee the ongoing delivery of discharge planning, peer support, and clinical services and facilitate crucial referrals to community-based MAT, ensuring a seamless and supportive transition from jail to the community for years to come.
Collaborative Partners
Page County Sheriff’s Office
Strength in Peers
District 39 Virginia Department of Corrections
Dr. Debra Stanley, TRACS, LLC (evaluator)
Project Director
Louis Podrasky, MAT Re-Entry Coordinator
Page County Sheriff’s Office
lpodrasky@pagesheriff.com
540-743-6571
This project was supported by Grant No. 15PBJA23GK02258COAP awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.