Baltimore County has partnered with the University of Maryland School of Social Work’s Institute for Innovation and Implementation to provide evaluation support on a federal grant that Baltimore County received from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.
The Baltimore County Department of Health (BCDH) uses peer recovery support specialists and behavioral therapies to address the needs of incarcerated individuals with OUD. In addition to these two evidence-based practices, BCDH has now added MAT, as supported by Baltimore County’s SAMHSA grant.
In order to evaluate the impact of this MAT program in Baltimore County, the Institute will design data collection protocols and provide training and support on how to maintain contact with people who are in reentry. The study will compare the outcomes of MAT-treated and non-MAT treated individuals incarcerated at BCDC to include post-release recidivism, re-incarceration, fatal and non-fatal overdose incidences, and healthcare utilization. Through this study, we will better understand how to best support people with OUD during incarceration and in community reentry.