Pilot Evaluation of Recovery-Based Reentry Services for Black and Latino Men

Client: Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS), Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Topic Areas: Behavioral health and substance use; Social determinants of health
Service: Participatory Evaluation

ICH, together with our partner the Crime and Justice Institute (CJI), is evaluating a pilot program funded by the Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS). The program funds six community-based service providers to offer care coordination and recovery support to Black and Latino men at high risk of post-incarceration overdose in five communities: Boston, Lawrence, Lynn, Worcester, and Springfield. ICH is conducting a participatory, mixed methods implementation evaluation to document each program’s model, and their progress in achieving goals for program recruitment and service utilization, recovery support, client goal achievement, and cultural responsiveness. The evaluation was designed in collaboration with BSAS and the awarded service providers, and the overall approach emphasizes equitable evaluation principles with all aspects of the data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The evaluation utilizes quantitative data from client enrollments, assessments, and service tracking, and qualitative data from staff and client interviews. Results have helped BSAS document individual program strengths, identify areas where additional capacity building support is needed, and understand how best to facilitate startup for future programs. The evaluation has also helped each program monitor their progress, learn from their peers, and incorporate feedback from clients.

Related Resources

Engaging Black and Latino men in recovery-based reentry programming: AMERSA-poster-BSAS.pdf