Sober living services are a collaborative effort between VOTC, HHSA and Probation. Sober living services provided by VOTC are a less restrictive level of care than residential treatment but a more comprehensive level of care than outpatient services alone. Sober living services will include: housing for individuals referred by HHSA or Probation, including having up to two children living with their parent who is the referred client; case management; bus passes; food; and transitional support. Additionally, the agreement contains psycho-educational therapeutic services including parent education courses known as Parent University and Moral Reconation Therapy programs. Client residents participating in the program will be required to enroll in concurrent substance use treatment services. VOTC is the only Drug Medi-Cal certified provider in Shasta County that also has on-site sober living housing.
Through this agreement, HHSA Children’s Services will be addressing the treatment needs of parents whose children have been referred to Children’s Services due to allegations of neglect or abuse related to harmful substance use. The goals of this service are to provide clients with support, education and substance use treatment in order to reduce the time to reunification and prevent future referrals related to child neglect or abuse. If the child cannot safely reside with the parent in sober housing initially, the intent would be to reunify the child with the parent when the parent is able to demonstrate stability and progress in recovery. Priority would be given to those individuals who have very young children and an assessed need for a more intensive level of intervention than outpatient substance abuse treatment alone. In calendar year 2017 there were 21 adults and 24 children referred by Children’s Services, receiving supportive sober living services. Of those referred by Children’s Services, there were 7 adults that graduated the 6-month sober living program and 8 still currently participating in services to represent a 53.6% graduation rate.
Through this agreement, Probation will be addressing specific criminogenic needs of offenders through stable residential housing, pro-social friends and associates, while in substance use treatment. The goal is that offenders will gain the ability to maintain a substance abuse free stable living environment and choose more pro-social associates in order to reduce recidivism. Long-term success for offenders is a primary concern. An important, early determinant of long-term sobriety is time spent living in a supportive and structured environment. Offenders have the greatest opportunity to transition back into society without slipping back into substance abuse when they are given a personalized case plan based on a discharge assessment.
VOTC will provide a written report on all discharged clients, giving the Deputy Probation Officer information to develop strategies to coach and mentor the offender in appropriate pro-social associates and stable living environments. The Deputy Probation Officer will be able to track and monitor outcomes for sustained sobriety for the duration of the offender’s time on supervision. Probation has been using VOTC more than previous because another less expensive provider raised their rates to be comparable to VOTC but VOTC provides more services for the rate. Over the term of the agreement, 81 offenders referred by Probation have been housed by VOTC an average of 90 days.
HHSA and Probation referred clients regularly meet with VOTC staff, HHSA or Probation staff, and others involved in their care to assess the appropriateness and success of the sober living program. Progress is evaluated monthly through written reports provided by VOTC. HHSA and Probation are responsible for monitoring outcomes achieved by Consultant.