Arnold/BJA Bridges Project Evaluation (009)

Completed

Study Information

Nearly 20% of people entering jail nationally have an opioid use disorder, with even higher rates reported in some communities.

This supplement is to conduct an implementation process evaluation for the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and Arnold Ventures’ “Planning Initiative to Build Bridges between Jail and Community-Based Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder.” The goal of the 9-month planning initiative is to help 16 communities develop a continuum of care for providing medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs) in jails and extending services into the community, bridging jails, community corrections, and community treatment providers.

The evaluation will include mixed methods data collected and analyzed continuously over the planning initiative. Quantitative data sources include baseline and follow-up questionnaires of planning initiative team members’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices concerning MOUDs, as well as baseline and follow-up MOUD implementation and readiness checklists. Qualitative data will include site visits and interviews with team members, as well as meeting minutes and documented changes to each team’s strategic plans. A five-member Steering Committee, made up of national leaders in corrections, correctional health, and implementation science, will provide guidance on implementation framework selection, implementation checklist development, and MOUD screening tools for use in correctional settings. Tools created for the evaluation will be shared with the HEAL JCOIN CTC and participating hubs. Findings will be presented at national correctional and scientific meetings.

Study Settings: Jails/Prisons

Study Team

PI: Michael Gordon, DPA

Logo of Friends Research Institute (FRI)

Study Aims

• Assess changes in stakeholder understanding of promising practices in the use of MOUDs in jails and community-based settings among planning initiative team members

• Document the planning teams’ development and refinement of comprehensive plans for initiating or expanding an MOUD continuum of care from jail to community

• Evaluate progress towards partnership development and MOUD coordination planning over the course of participation in the planning initiative

Research Type

Accelerator Supplement