Seattle, WA
Seattle Police Department
Washington
Urban | Population: 2,271,380The Seattle Police Department’s Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) initiative is transforming reentry outcomes for women in King County, Washington’s most populous and dynamic region. With a population exceeding two million, King County embraces a collaborative, data-driven approach to public safety and community wellness.
This initiative's heart is a powerful partnership with The IF Project, the Washington Department of Corrections, and the New York University Marron Institute. Together, these organizations expand access to essential services through the Seattle Women’s Reentry (SWR) Programming and Resource Center and the Helen B. Ratcliff Reentry Center. A dedicated reentry navigator addresses critical needs such as housing, employment, transportation, and education. At the same time, a licensed substance use disorder professional provides timely assessments, evaluates eligibility for medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and guides participants into treatment. By addressing the root causes of recidivism and prioritizing continuity of care, the initiative lays a foundation for personal stability and healthier, safer communities.
“Before this program, I didn’t think I had a second chance. The support from my case manager to the rest of the team helped me to believe in myself again. Now I’ve got a job, I’m clean, and I've reconnected with my kids. I finally feel like I’m thriving and not just surviving.”
— program participant
Key Components of the Program
Reentry Services and Discharge Planning
The initiative sets a new standard for preparing women to succeed after incarceration. Discharge planning begins at least six months before release, with the SPD Reentry Coordinator working closely with each participant and the supervision team to secure stable, supportive housing. Despite the challenges of rising housing costs, the program expands access to Oxford Houses and other recovery-oriented housing options, ensuring women have a solid foundation upon reentry.
Individualized Support and Assessment
Each participant receives the Women’s Risk and Needs Assessment (WRNA) at program intake, and at end of program, throughout her 12-month enrollment. This evidence-based tool allows the case management team to create tailored reentry plans for housing, behavioral health, employment, and reunification. A multidisciplinary team regularly reviews progress and adapts plans, ensuring coordinated and informed care at every stage.
Mobile Health Support
Each participant has access to SAFE, a mobile health application designed to assess seven key domains of women’s health and well-being, allowing the women to identify personal wellness strengths and areas for improvement.
Innovative Tools and Wellness Spaces
The program integrates virtual reality modules to support mindfulness, emotional regulation, and community resource navigation. Newly renovated wellness spaces at Helen B Ratcliff work release facility provide a calming environment for training and therapeutic sessions, reflecting a commitment to trauma-responsive, dignified care.
Technology-Enabled Engagement
Each participant typically has a smartphone upon release, if not one is provided by the grant. These devices are linked to the Community Collaborative Integration System (CCIS), which allows staff to monitor trends, customize services, and maintain responsive, client-centered plans.
Establishing Structure
Participants use personalized calendars as essential tools for building structure, accountability, and daily wellness routines. These calendars help track appointments, court dates, treatment sessions, and job-related responsibilities while also supporting goal setting and milestone recognition. Reviewed regularly with their case manager, the calendars create opportunities for shared reflection and planning. Many participants also use them as personal wellness journals, noting moods, triggers, or affirmations to deepen self-awareness. This simple tool becomes a powerful part of recovery, reinforcing routine, responsibility, and emotional healing.
Evidence-Based Substance Use Disorder Treatment
The program offers access to evidence-based interventions, including MAT, in partnership with local providers. Participants in the SPD Work Release Facility benefit from wraparound programming while still in custody, building recovery skills and ensuring continuity of care before reentry. With 24 active participants at the work release site, the program continues to expand its reach and impact.
12
individuals participated in “leading with heart”
Emotional Intelligence Training
The IF Project recently launched a new initiative (Leading with Heart – Emotional Intelligence Training) for justice-impacted individuals that offers structured emotional intelligence training. Participants engage in workshops designed to build self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship skills. The training is integrated with leadership development modules and emphasizes creating genuine human connections. Overall, it supports participants' transformation through emotional resilience, community-building, and empowerment.
122
individuals utilized “we thrive” engagement center
WE THRIVE Engagement Center
WE THRIVE stands for We Engage in Transformational Healing Reclaiming our Individual Voices of Excellence). The IF Project’s WE THRIVE initiative serves as a transformative reentry and Engagement Center specifically for justice-impacted women. It provides a safe, community-based space where participants can access peer support, healing workshops. Through storytelling, authentic conversation, and structured healing practices, WE THRIVE empowers individuals to reclaim their voices, foster connection, and build resilience as they reintegrate into their communities.
Law Enforcement Training and Officer Wellness
5
staff trained in trauma-informed care
2
staff trained in emotional intelligence development
The Seattle Police Department recognizes that building safer communities begins with supporting its officers. Officers and recruits learn directly from individuals with lived experience, deepening their understanding of trauma, addiction, and pathways into the criminal legal system. The curriculum, which includes the Before the Badge program, emphasizes compassionate policing and has already engaged. Since October 2024, staff have engaged 116 recruits and 54 community members.
SPD also prioritizes officer wellness, embedding mindfulness, stress regulation, and self-care strategies throughout training. Piloting virtual reality technology, the department reinforces these skills in realistic scenarios, supporting personal resilience and effective community engagement. Regular follow-up sessions ensure training remains relevant and impactful, fostering continuous growth and adaptation.
Program Evaluation and Continuous Improvement
The initiative undergoes rigorous evaluation in partnership with the NYU Marron Institute to ensure meaningful outcomes. This process tracks participant engagement, service delivery, and reentry outcomes, using qualitative and quantitative feedback to identify successes and areas for improvement. By maintaining a dynamic, responsive evaluation framework, the program demonstrates its impact and drives ongoing innovation in recovery, reentry, and public safety strategies across Seattle.
Collaborative Partners
Washington State Department of Corrections
Arms Around You
Fare Start
Fresh Start
YMCA/YWCA
NYU Marron Institute
Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
Seattle Jobs Institute (SJI)
ANEW/PACT
Dress for Success
Women’s Jubilee Center
Community Passageways
Adonai Counseling and Employment
Pioneer Human Services
King County METRO
Looking Forward
Continued growth will include increasing recruitment, training, and supervision of peer support specialists to ensure that participants are supported by individuals who understand their journey. These future investments will help ensure that every woman has access to the support, guidance, and resources needed to build a life beyond incarceration, strengthening families, neighborhoods, and the broader Seattle community.
Project Director
Diane Pilon, Grant Manager
Seattle Police Department
diane.pilon@seattle.gov
(206) 715-4655
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.