Engaging a Community Corrections in Process Improvement Efforts: Lessons from the JCOIN Project

• In Event: Using Implementation Science to Improve Services for Substance-Involved People on Probation

Abstract

Implementation science models, methods, and interventions can help agencies successfully adopt evidence-based practices and implement meaningful, sustainable changes in operations, policies, and procedures. This presentation describes procedures and results from the Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network project’s efforts to build capacity and motivation in a community corrections agency to address service gaps for people on probation with opioid use disorders (OUD). Despite the high prevalence of OUD in probation populations, risk of overdose, and impact of OUD on recidivism, access to treatment remains limited. We conducted an implementation science project, grounded in the EPIS framework, to help a probation agency recognize the importance of identifying clients with OUD, referring them to evidence-based treatment, training staff on the importance of OUD and treatment access, identifying gaps in services, and identifying and addressing a goal to increase treatment access. This effort included multiple components: key stakeholder interviewers, staff training on OUD and treatment, a data-informed needs assessment, system mapping exercise, site feedback report, goal selection support, and convening a local change team to address process improvement goals. Successes and challenges in changing policies and procedures are described, and the results provide a template for engaging community corrections agencies in other change efforts.

Authors

• Steven Belenko, Temple University

• Lauren Perron, Temple University

• Jennifer Wood, Temple University