Colorado Access to Recovery is a federally funded initiative expanding access to substance abuse treatment to over 6000 people over a three-year period. The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division (ADAD) in partnership with Peer Assistance Services, Inc. was a awarded a three-year grant by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to expand existing treatment capacity, increase client choice of treatment provider, and enhance the participation of community and faith based organizations in providing support for individuals with substance abuse problems.

In response to these federal requirements, ADAD and Peer Assistance Services are convening partners from across the state to build a network of treatment and support services that will:

1. Enhance consumer participation and choice;
2. Maximize service effectiveness; and
3. Expand community support for recovery

Eligibility

In order to receive a voucher for substance abuse treatment or support services, adults and youth must have a current problem with alcohol or drugs, not be required to participate in treatment by courts as a result of a driving or other offense, have exhausted other sources of payment for services, and complete an independent assessment of their service needs. Specialized outreach and engagement efforts will target individuals under the age of 26 and methamphetamine users.

Access to Treatment and Support Services

Upon completion of an assessment conducted by staff from Mines and Associates, a state-wide employee assistance program, eligible individuals will choose from a list of at least two state licensed substance abuse treatment providers who are enrolled in Colorado Access to Recovery. At this time, consumers will be issued a voucher to pay for services and will be directed to the treatment provider they choose. Further, consumers needing other supportive services such as childcare or transportation will be provided with vouchers to purchase these services.

Although no final decision has been made on exactly which services will be offered, the aim of Colorado Access to Recovery is to provide consumers with a full range of needed treatment and support services based on an assessment of their individual needs. This will include residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment , peer support services, transportation, child care, employment and housing assistance and other services that will enhance the likelihood that the consumer will sustain their recovery.

Provider Eligibility to Participate

All ADAD licensed substance abuse treatment providers who enroll with Colorado Access to Recovery will be included in the provider database. Recovery support service providers who meet recognized industry standards in their field will be enrolled to provide other support services.

Becoming involved in Colorado Access to Recovery

Treatment and other service providers along with recovering persons are invited to participate in the development of Colorado Access to Recovery. In addition to enrolling as a provider, the following workgroups have been established to make recommendations on the implementation of the program.

Stakeholder Council – will assist with marketing and public relations for the project and recruit treatment and recovery support services providers across the state.

Access Workgroup – will assist in the development of procedures for access, assessment, and referral to treatment; establish time and quality indicators for access to services; draft the treatment and support services enrollment process; and establish a process for review of consumer complaints.

Treatment Workgroup - will assist in the development of the service delivery process referral to treatment through continuing care, establish time and quality indicators for substance abuse treatment, catalogue treatment providers in terms of specialization and geography, identify training needs, and conduct treatment provider training.

Recovery Support Services Workgroup - will assist in development of policies regarding recovery support services eligibility, draft procedures for enrolling recovery support providers, establish time and quality indicators for recovery support services providers, and develop and conduct training for recovery support services providers.

Consumer/Peer Integration Workgroup - will develop the peer support services, assist in identification of consumer/peer advocate service providers, and identify and implement strategies to ensure consumer integration throughout all aspects of the project.

Assessment and Evaluation Workgroup – will develop the assessment procedures for adults and adolescents, refine the project’s logic model, develop data sharing procedures and agreements, implement training on data collection, and oversee data reporting and evaluation requirements for the project.

Workgroups will begin meeting in November and will meet at least twice monthly during the next three months. Provider, consumer, and community representatives are needed for each of these workgroups. To participate on a workgroup or to be included in mailings regarding provider enrollment, please contact us at 303.369.0039 extension 300 or atr@peerassist.org and leave your name, contact information, and the workgroup of interest to you.