Prison Professionals from Across U.S. Visit Greene to Learn about MAT, CPS

Submitted by Lynn Miller, Advocates for Human Potential

The U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance and Advocates for Human Potential (AHP) partnered with SCI Greene to offer a training opportunity for teams of jail and prison professionals across the country who are interested in implementing or enhancing medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programming and/or Certified Peer Specialists in their institutions.

DOC Central Office staff, Greene’s leadership staff, social worker and CPS supervisors provided an overview of the programs and extended a very warm welcome to participants. The priority for this training was to assist Residential Substance Abuse Treatment grantees in providing best practices treatment and continuity of care to adult and juvenile participants with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders utilizing evidenced based resources. Professionals from 11 states (Washington, Kentucky, Alaska, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Georgia, Missouri, Maine, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Utah) and the Bureau of Justice Policy Advisor spent two days in an onsite experiential training which included direct observation of the MAT program as well as meetings with participants in the facility. Participants also visited various units where peer specialists were providing recovery services to other reentrants.