Assessing the Feasibility and Efficacy of Peer Support Specialists in an Urban Drug Treatment Court: A Multi-Agency Multi-System Research Collaboration

• In Event: Research-Practitioner Partnerships in Philadelphia: Data-Driven Crime Reduction Efforts and Evaluation in Action

Abstract

Peer Recovery Specialists (PRSs) are individuals in recovery from substance use disorders, trained to help peers succeed in treatment. Research demonstrates that peer support can facilitate recovery, but the model has not yet been tested in criminal justice settings. Funded by the Arnold Foundation, the project goal is to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of integrating PRSs into an adult drug treatment court. Through a collaboration among Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, and Temple University, this study aims to assess whether PRSs, working with Philadelphia Treatment Court (PTC) staff and treatment providers, can improve treatment retention and engagement, and reduce relapse and recidivism. The first project phase included semi-structured interviews and focus groups with key informants to assess how PRSs can best support PTC clients and interact with PTC and drug treatment staff. The second phase is a pilot randomized controlled trial in which 112 newly enrolled PTC clients are recruited and randomly assigned to be connected with a PRS or to receive treatment-as-usual, with a 9-month observation period. The paper will also discuss the benefits and challenges of implementing a rigorous research design in field settings involving multiple agencies and service systems.

Authors

• Steve Belenko, Temple University

• Archana Bodas LaPollo, Philadelphia Health Management Corporation

• Doris Weiland, Temple University

• Ingrid Johnson, Temple University

• Matthew Schmonsees, First Judicial District of Pennsylvania