Building Foundations for Well-Being and Belonging
The BH-JI program goals are to:
- Establish a sustainable model to support justice-involved individuals with mental health and substance use challenges
- Reinforce effective, efficient healthcare utilization to improve health outcomes and decrease fatal overdoses
- Connect eligible individuals to the vital support and community resources needed in the crucial weeks and months following release
By providing the critical links among individuals, support services, and the justice system, we reach the justice-involved population at the moments just before and after release, or before a person in trouble is incarcerated – creating a model for healthier lives and communities.
Court and Community Relationships
Riverside has deep connections with:
- The Norfolk County House of Correction and other Department of Correction facilities
- Probation offices
- Drug courts
- Police and fire departments
- Ambulance services
- Hospital emergency departments
- Primary care providers
A Riverside BH-JI navigator coordinates with court and correctional facility officials to obtain referrals and connect with individuals. In one-on-one or group “in-reach” sessions at facilities, the navigator provides a detailed explanation of the program so people nearing release understand the value of support and are more likely to accept and fully engage with services.
Individual Connections
We conduct a comprehensive “bio/psychosocial” assessment with each individual, answering critical questions about family and community support, education and employment prospects, current legal issues, and overall physical and mental health.
Our guiding principle is value and respect for every unique individual we serve. Our clients are the driving force in identifying the areas they feel are most important to address.
We arrange immediate appointments with recovery specialists and other services to integrate care and address barriers such as physical healthcare, transportation, housing, and food. Statistically, if a person makes it to an appointment within approximately a week following their release from jail, they are far more likely to continue to engage in recovery.
