Travis County, TX
Travis County Government
texas
Urban | Population: 1,334,961Travis County, Texas, faces a severe substance use disorder (SUD) crisis, with 501 drug-related deaths in 2023, a 160% increase since 2019, driven by fentanyl, which contributed to 56% of fatalities. Incarcerated individuals currently receive only three days of medication upon release, with no dedicated medication-assisted treatment (MAT) initiation programs in the jail to address opioid use disorder (OUD) during incarceration.
Key COSSUP Initiatives
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Expand access to medications to treat opioid use disorder in the Travis County jail facilities.
Transitional support for 90 days post-release, including MAT prescriptions, nursing services, and telehealth access.
comprehensive reentry support
Connect individuals to healthcare providers, housing resources, and treatment services upon release.
peer RECOVERY support services
Embed peer recovery specialists with lived experience in jail facilities to engage incarcerated individuals, build rapport, and provide recovery support.
overdose prevention
Educate individuals on overdose prevention and provide access to naloxone.
Anticipated Benefits of Project
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This project aims to reduce overdose fatalities through access to timely and effective treatment, including medications for opioid use disorders (MOUD) and naloxone distribution.
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This project aims to increase public safety through seamlessly transitioning individuals from treatment in custody to community-based treatment.
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With the support of peer recovery specialists, this project aims to increase treatment compliance and effectiveness.
Collaborative Partners
Travis County Sheriff’s Office
Travis County Health and Human Services
Integral Care
Project Director
Laura Peveto, Director of Health & Human Services
Travis County
laura.peveto@traviscountytx.gov
737-931-7834
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.