Policy Research Associates

For more than two decades, the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) has guided communities seeking to reduce criminal justice system involvement of people with mental and substance use disorders by improving cross-systems collaboration. In 2021, a new framework using the SIM was developed to address individuals with complex needs associated with a range of disabilities ... The post Changing the Land…

Suicide is the number one cause of death not related to physical illness among individuals who are incarcerated in state and federal prisons. The rate of suicide is approximately twice as high in jails as in prisons. Correctional facilities have long recognized this risk and taken steps to address it. Still, suicide prevention is ... The post Suicide Prevention: Looking Beyond the Walls appeared…

The Transitions Clinic Network (TCN) transforms both lives and health systems. Individuals released from incarceration receive support that helps them thrive in the community. In addition, primary care clinics improve their services for people returning from incarceration who often experience challenges accessing health care. The key to this success? The power of lived experience. ... The post T…

The Challenge Correctional Systems Face Among people with serious mental illness involved with the criminal legal system, lifetime trauma exposure is nearly universal (Policy Research Associates, 2011). However, criminal legal system professionals are often not equipped to recognize trauma's effects—and without that understanding, even routine interactions can escalate, leading to retraumatizatio…

Each May, Mental Health Awareness Month, Military Appreciation Month, and Memorial Day offer a wealth of opportunities to honor the contributions of service members, Veterans, and their families and recognize the impacts that military service can have on mental health. In recognition of this connection between service and mental wellness, SAMHSA's Service Members, Veterans, ... The post SMVF Spo…

The Month of the Military Child, recognized every April, honors the more than 1.6 million children who face unique experiences and challenges as members of military families. Across the world, military bases, cities, and schools hold special events to celebrate and thank military youth such as wearing purple on April 15, known as Purple ... The post SMVF Spotlight: Month of the Military Child ap…

Communities applying for SAMHSA’s Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) funding opportunity face an important challenge: designing sustainable programs that combine court oversight with robust behavioral health and community supports. Policy Research Associates (PRA) is offering community leaders research and technical assistance support to build evidence-backed programs. For more than two decades,…

Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) is a civil court mandate that requires individuals to participate in community-based mental health services. Southern Alabama has been a success story for how AOT programs can reduce both arrests and psychiatric hospitalizations. “We’ve seen dramatic improvement across the board,” says Dr. Cindy Gipson, director of crisis and justice-involved services ... The …

In January, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a new resource: 988 & 911: Strengthening Crisis Response While Managing Risk and Liability. The Veterans Crisis Line is available to Veterans and their supporters 24/7. For decades, 911 first responders – police, emergency management services, fire fighters – were ... The post SMVF Spotlight: Strengthen…

Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) is a civil court mandate requiring individuals to participate in community-based mental health services. Research shows us that people in well-run AOT programs are more likely to participate in treatment, are less likely to be hospitalized, and are less likely to be arrested. Evidence also tells us that planning is ... The post AOT Program Planning: Designing …