Overview
Louisiana is one of 14 states and one tribal organization out of 66 applicants that has been awarded a national three-year Access to Recovery (ATR) grant.   The grant, funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will pay $22.8 million over the next three years.  ATR will provide client choice among substance abuse clinical treatment and recovery support services by allowing clients to choose from a comprehensive array of treatment providers that include both community- and faith-based programmatic options.  The goals of ATR are to increase capacity in substance abuse treatment and recovery support services, broaden the range of faith-and community-based providers and allow clients the freedom to choose among eligible providers.

Freedom of Choice
Once assessed for an appropriate level of care, clients are presented with a unique opportunity whereby they are allowed the freedom to choose a treatment provider.  Clients can choose from a matrix of eligible treatment providers appropriate to the level of care required.  Since ATR also broadens the array of faith- and community– based providers, clients will also have the option of selecting a provider based upon their faith or cultural beliefs.  Client choice is a concept heretofore not practiced in the substance abuse treatment arena.  Since this process is based on client choice, there will be no contracts for service or request for proposals (RFPs) extended to providers under this program.  Interested providers should sign up at the OAD website.  Once all criteria is met, the provider will then be added to the matrix of eligible providers that clients can choose from for treatment and recovery support services appropriate to their recommended level of care.

Targeted Population
While the vouchers will be available to all eligible Louisiana citizens, special emphasis will be placed on women, pregnant women, women with dependent children and adolescents.  During the first year emphasis will be placed on New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport and Alexandria areas.  The remaining areas of the state will be phased in during year two.

Organizational Model
The organizational model for ATR is that of a collaborative partnership that includes the federal government, state government, recovery support community and faith- or community-based entities, in addition to the public and private sectors.  Nonprofit and faith based agencies will be recruited, trained and supported to provide essential treatment and recovery support services. 

Outreach
Over the next three to four months OAD will engage in a multi-pronged recruitment effort aimed at partnerships with public, private, community- and faith-based providers, and the recovery support community.  As a continued effort to improve linkages with the recovering community OAD will contract with WeRecover, our statewide grassroots recovery support and education organization.  This outreach effort will be ongoing as OAD continues to inform and engage clients on how to link with substance abuse treatment and recovery support services provided through ATR.  Set Free Indeed will be contracted to provide training and outreach to potential faith-based organizations who are interested in becoming licensed treatment providers or providing recovery support services.  

Electronic Voucher System
With the implementation of an innovative and cost-effective electronic voucher system, Louisiana will ensure genuine free and independent client choice for substance abuse clinical treatment and recovery support services

Recovery Support Services 
ATR will allow OAD to provide recovery support services to clients in the following areas:  Employment/Education, Safe Housing, Life Skills and Life Management.  For example, clients needing assistance with pre-employment activities such as short-term job skill training or resume writing will be able to access this support through the ATR voucher. 

Incentives for Positive Outcomes
Programs will receive monetary incentives equal to 10% above their base rates if they demonstrate positive outcomes in the following domains

 

• Abstinence
• Employment/Education
• Crime/Criminal Justice
• Family/Living Conditions
• Social Support of Recovery
• Retention

 OAD anticipates the use of this model throughout its entire treatment system.

Further Information

WebCast on Faith & Recovery along with HopeNetworks/WeRecover Members Q&A

More on Faith and Recovery

The federal government  initiatives to assist Faith based services in communities