The Forensic Intensive Recovery (FIR) Unit and the other Criminal Justice Treatment Initiatives (CJTI) described on this site provide a vast array of clinical and social services. All client referrals, except for Family Dependency Court clients, must initially come through the Defender Association of Philadelphia. The following is a description of services provided or service referrals made by the agencies participating in these programs:

CLINICAL ASSESSMENT

Every client referred to a CJTI receives a comprehensive behavioral health assessment. Trained and credentialized Evaluators interview referred clients using several clinical assessment instruments. Based on information gained through the assessment, Evaluators determine the medically necessary level of care (e.g. detoxification, residential or intensive outpatient treatment, etc). Treatment referrals are made to licensed, clinically appropriate programs.

FUNDING

Evaluators review each case with a representative from either Community Behavioral Health (CBH) or the Behavioral Health Special Initiative (BHSI). These agencies provide behavioral health treatment funding for persons eligible for Medical Assistance (MA) and for select persons who are not eligible for MA. A collaborative decision is made for the client's level of care and specific treatment program.

TREATMENT

All of the CJTI programs may refer clients to a variety of licensed, credentialed behavioral health programs. The levels of care include detoxification, long and short-term residential treatment, intensive outpatient, regular outpatient and methadone maintenance. Programs are available for certain clients needing both substance abuse and mental health treatment. There are also programs for persons with certain medical problems, Spanish-speaking persons and for women who have custody of their children.

CASE MANAGEMENT

All FIR, IPP, Treatment Court, and Domestic Violence Court clients will be assigned to a Case Manager (CM). Clients in other initiatives will receive case monitoring services in order to track treatment progress and assist clients with ancillary social service referrals. CMs meet with clients bi-weekly at either the assigned treatment program or recovery house. They develop service plans, monitor treatment compliance and work closely with program counselors and probation officers to make sure clients are receiving needed services and following treatment directives. CMs also help clients connect to other services, such as GED/ABE classes, vocational training, public assistance, 12-step support groups and numerous core social services provided through OAS.

RECOVERY HOUSING

The Department of Behavioral Health provides funding for recovery housing through the Office of Addiction Services (OAS). Clients in any of the Criminal Justice Treatment Initiatives can access recovery housing. Clients preferring to live at home during outpatient treatment must have a housing check performed by the FIR Housing Unit. The Housing Coordinator will visit the location and meet iwth other residents of the home to evaluate the clinical appropriateness of the client residing in that home. Should the Housing Coordinator deem the residence a detriment to the client's recovery, a referral will be made to the OAS Housing Initiative for placement in a recovery house.

PROBATION SUPERVISION

All FIR and IPP clients are supervised by the Philadelphia Adult Probation and Parole Department (APPD). Probation Officers (PO) work closely with FIR/IPP Case Managers to monitor clients' treatment progress. Clients who leave treatment or who fail to attend treatment as court-ordered, may receive sanctions by the PO or be reincarcerated for non-compliance. Any client who commits a crime while in any of the programs will be immediately discharged from treatment.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Clients who are presently incarcerated at the Philadelphia Prison System and who are scheduled to be released to FIR/IPP treatment will have an application for Medical Assistance (MA) completed with the help of the FIR MA Coordinator. The MA Coordinator will assist the client with the application and have the FIR-CEU physician review it for assinment to an MA category. The application is taken to the Boulevard District DPA office and reviewed for eligibility. Clients who are approved for both FIR/IPP and MA will have their benefits activated within two weeks of discharge from jail.

VOCATIONAL SERVICES

All clients may be referred to one of several vocational training programs. Clients must complete the majority of their prescribed treatment before receiving a vocational referral. Available training programs include Pioneers Training International, Impact Services and the Diversity Apprentice Project. Some of the available training programs are in the field of hospitality, office/computer work and construction trades.

FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

As clients prepare to reenter their community, they may receive a referral to a participating local faith-based or community organization. Numerous faith-based organizations from various denominations are participating in prison reentry to help ex-offenders positively transition from jail back into the community. Local community agencies are also participating in this reentry initiative. This service is optional but strongly advised in order to help clients and their families deal with the stressors associated with "going home".

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

The Alumni Association is open to all clients who complete treatment and are seeking either a peer support group or who want to "give back" by providing mentoring services to new clients. Alumni can also access needed social services through the CJTI network.