01 Sep Press Release: CADA Awarded Five-Year Grant to Launch “Project Reconnect” for Adult Reentry Program

New Orleans, LA – CADA, a CARF accredited substance use treatment, mental health, and HIV provider with more than six decades of experience, has been awarded a significant five-year Adult Reentry Program grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to implement the Project Reconnect program.

Adult reentry involves programs that focus on the transition of individuals from incarceration into the community. Reentry programs involve treatment or services that have been initiated while the individual is in custody and a follow-up component after the individual is released. As an experienced provider of SAMHSA federally funded initiatives resulting in improved behavioral health outcomes, CADA will work with state and local criminal justice partners to successfully implement the program.

Project Reconnect is a transformative initiative aimed at facilitating the reintegration of adult reentrants into the community in partnership with the New Orleans Reentry Task Force, and the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections Southeast Regional Reentry Program.

The Project Reconnect program will cater to high-risk, high-need adult reentrants aged 18 and above who require substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring disorder (COD) treatment. Of the 300 participants enrolled in services during the five-year project at least 54% will identify as racial, ethnic and/or LGBTQI+ individuals to address existing behavioral health disparities and improve access to care.

Project Reconnect will utilize a comprehensive range of evidence-based practices and programs to ensure successful reentry outcomes. The Risk-Needs-Responsivity (RNR) tool will assess the risk of recidivism and tailor service planning to each participant’s unique needs and risk profile. Project Reconnect will provide trauma-informed SUD/COD treatment, evidence-based services, peer recovery support, and comprehensive screening for infectious diseases and trauma.

“It is an honor to assist CADA in sustaining its Community Impact as they continue to improve the lives of individuals returning to their communities,” said Jackie Griffin, Executive Director of Jackie Sue Griffin & Associates, which facilitated the grant writing and award. “This grant is a significant step forward in enhancing reentry systems coordination while addressing the complex needs of individuals returning to communities in Greater New Orleans following incarceration.”

The New Orleans Reentry Task Force will play a pivotal role in providing oversight and guidance, ensuring that the project aligns with community priorities and best practices in reentry systems. The utilization of evidence-based practices, including Motivational Interviewing, Seeking Safety, Wellness Recovery Action Plan, MATRIX, and Medication Assisted Treatment, will bolster the effectiveness of the program.

Project Reconnect objectives for the five-year period (between Sept. 30, 2023 and Sept. 29, 2028) include 80% improvements in access to care, abstinence, education/employment status, housing stability, social connectedness and reductions in criminal justice involvement, and recidivism.

Over the course of the program, Project Reconnect will serve a total of 300 adult reentrants, providing them with the tools and support needed to successfully transition back into their communities.

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About Jackie Sue Griffin & Associates: Jackie Sue Griffin & Associates is a leading consulting firm specializing in behavioral health, healthcare and social services and assists with grant writing, program development, evaluation, capacity building and professional development. With a commitment to creating positive and lasting change, the firm collaborates with organizations to secure grants, develop effective strategies, and implement transformative programs. For more information, visit jsg-associates.com.

 About CADA: CADA is a leading provider of substance use treatment, mental health services, and HIV support, with more than 60 years of experience in New Orleans, LA. With a mission to empower individuals and communities to achieve self-sufficiency, CADA is committed to delivering evidence-based programs that drive positive change.