DePaul Community Health Centers continues to expand community access to behavioral health and substance abuse services across metro New Orleans through its work with the Jefferson Parish 24th Judicial District Court’s Specialty Treatment Program, commonly known as “drug court.”
DePaul’s behavioral health department currently provides services at 11 locations and more than 20 schools throughout metro New Orleans. For the past three years, the team has also served clients participating in the Jefferson Parish drug court program, which offers first-time, non-violent offenders an opportunity to receive treatment and support in lieu of incarceration.
The program includes multiple treatment tracks tailored to clients’ needs. Track One focuses on individuals considered high-risk and high-need who have struggled with substance abuse for much of their lives. Track Two, known as “swift and certain,” serves individuals identified as high-risk for reoffending but with lower treatment and intervention needs due to criminological thinking patterns. A separate DWI track supports individuals with three or more driving while intoxicated offenses who are eligible to participate in treatment rather than serve mandatory jail sentences.
Many participants in the program would otherwise face average prison sentences of approximately five years through the Department of Corrections. Through drug court, clients receive structured mental health and substance abuse treatment designed to help reduce recidivism and support successful reintegration into society. Participants remain in the program for a minimum of 18 months under the supervision of case managers, probation officers and the court’s five judges.
DePaul’s behavioral health team provides case management and supervision services as assigned by the judges overseeing the program. Team members also support individuals participating in reentry services after serving at least two years at Angola State Penitentiary.
The organization’s work with drug court reflects the work of DePaul’sMedication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program, which for years was the only program in Louisiana providing MAT services to Medicaid and Medicare recipients, veterans, self-pay patients and other underserved populations without barriers to access.
Prior to DePaul launching the MAT program 11 years ago, Medicaid and Medicare recipients were often unable to access this level of treatment.
“I’m very proud of the fact that we piloted the program that was able to provide services to the neediest population, but who are also the most socioeconomically damaged,” said Mia Kacmarcik-Sanders, LCSW, BACS, DePaul’s substance abuse specialist manager. “That program sort of opened the door to say that we don’t limit access. Up until four months ago, we were still the only entity that had no barrier to access, meaning no primary care appointment was needed for treatment. Patients could be scheduled within 24 hours.”