• Identification of good, evidence-based best practices:
• Collaboration with Federal partners such as NIC, SAMHSA, and BJA;
• Collaboration with organizational partners such as CSG, NASADAD and NASMHPD;
• Advocacy for both preventative and community-based alternatives; and
• Collaboration with state and local partners such as state mental health directors and state substance abuse directors.
Message from the Chair
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Committee
Substance abuse is the leading cause of increasing prison populations and specifically female prison populations. ASCA’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Committee has been active in supporting efforts to improve substance abuse treatment services in corrections. The Committee recently completed a series of collaboration projects with the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) and the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) through funding from BJA. Although that funding ended in 2009, it resulted in several work products that will be beneficial to corrections. The three associations developed “Guiding Principles” and action steps to enable implementation of those collaborative guiding principles. In addition, we developed a White Paper, “Substance Abuse Treatment in Correctional Settings: Recommended Practices” to be used as a guide to help members make decisions about the type of substance abuse programs to establish, maintain or eliminate. The committee’s charge was changed in 2010 to include Mental Health. This was a logical addition given the prevalence of these co-occurring disorders. The year ahead will be active for the committee. ASCA is now working with the Council of State Governments on two related projects: (1) As a steering committee member of the Second Chance National Reentry Resource Center; and (2) Continuing the collaboration work with the NASADAD and NASMHPD to promote the expansion of needed substance abuse and mental health treatment for offenders in institutions and in the community to aid reentry through CSG’s substance abuse and mental health grant from BJA.
Recently Updated
May 9 SAMHSA BulletinMarch 26 - CSG Justice Center Webinar: Mental Health Courts Research Roundup - Applying Research to Practice
Changing Behavior of Drug-Involved Offenders: Supervision That Works Seminar
Adult Mental Health Treatment Courts Database
SAMHSA's FY 2012 Grant Announcements and Awards
SAMHSA Grant Applications to be Submitted only Electronically
Bureau of Justice Assistance Provides $27 million to Drug Courts and Mental Health Programs
CSG Report: Adults with Behavioral Health Needs under Correctional Supervision: A Shared Framework for Reducing Recidivism and Promoting Recovery
Provide Your Feedback on a Criminal Justice/Mental Health Learning Sites Needs Assessment
Vera Study Highlights Mental Health Needs of People Arrested in DC
National Corrections Mental Health Network Announced
Grant Opportunity - Pilot Project to Improve Access to Treatment for Corrections Populations
SAMHSA Announces a Working Definition of "Recovery"
Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders Among Adult Men on Probation or Parole: Some Success against a Persistent Challenge
Members of the Committee
John Baldwin (IA)
Robert Houston (NE)
Denny Kaemingk (SD)
Robert Lampert (WY)
James Le Blanc (LA)
Bruce Lemmon (IN)
Brad Livingston (TX)
Joe Ponte (ME)
Brent Reinke (ID)
Jim Rubenstein (WV)
Charles Ryan (AZ)
Derrick Schofield (TN)
Luis Spencer (MA)
Kim Thomas (AL)
A.T. Wall (RI)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Committee Leadership
John Baldwin, (IA)
Reminder: If you see any documents or information that is out of date please contact jfenton@asca.net so that the issue can be addressed as soon as possible. Thank you for your help in keeping this information as current as possible.