Free Falling: Reentry Without a Safety Net

Each week, I spend a significant amount of time filtering through emails from court officials (attorneys, probation officers) requesting treatment for someone involved in our local justice system, urgently seeking assistance. One may ask for placement in a residential program for substance use treatment, another may be seeking outpatient treatment for someone with chronic mental health problem. Within the confines of local policies and available resources, coordination is a straightforward process, examine what is available and facilitate a warm handoff as the person transitions into care. Though imperfect, referencing my own work and the process of behavioral health and justice system coordination at large, partnerships like these are the key to local justice reform. But reform requires more than just formal collaboration between systems, we need people connect with each other.

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