FSU Center Receives Grant to Support Innovative Substance Use Disorder Program for Justice-Involved Individuals
The Stoops Center for Communities, Families, and Children (Stoops CFC Center) in the FSU College of Social Work received a $670,000 grant from Elevance Health Foundation to launch a new program designed to help individuals who are involved in the justice system break the cycle of substance use and build healthier lives.
The new program, Level Up with EASE uses a strength-based perspective and focuses on increasing protective factors while reducing risk factors for later substance use for individuals who are incarcerated or on community supervision.
The two-year grant supports the program’s innovative approach to addressing the root causes of substance use and promotes long-term recovery. Participants in the program explore four key components — or levels — for improving their lives with EASE: Engage, Assess, Support, and Evaluate.
“Limited staff and resources create significant barriers for justice-involved individuals seeking evidence-based interventions,” said Jennifer D. Luther, an accomplished curricula author, and CEO of Correctional Rehabilitation (CoRe) Services who designed and developed the program. “The Level Up with EASE program addresses this challenge by empowering individuals with the tools and support they need to drive their own positive change."
Drawing from social learning theory, humanistic psychology, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and family system theory, the program supports personal growth and focuses on building a healthy, chosen family. The project intends to serve more than 3,000 justice-involved individuals across 15 sites in states such as Florida, Texas, California, Ohio, and New Mexico.
At each of the four levels of the program, participants are provided with 10-minute sessions designed to offer practical, hands-on opportunities for skill enhancement. Participants are granted access to virtual coaching sessions, which offer additional support and facilitate further practice and refinement of acquired skills. The program uses a secured platform through Socrates Software, another partner in this project.
“This initiative will provide a critical resource for individuals facing substance use challenges and seeking to pursue a more constructive and positive trajectory," said Ellen Piekalkiewicz, director of the Stoops CFC Center. “This project wouldn’t be possible without the support of Elevance Health Foundation, which strives to improve the health of humanity by addressing health inequalities and strengthening communities.”
The strategic partnership underscores each partner’s commitment to serving socially vulnerable individuals involved with the justice system. The Level Up with EASE program is a significant step forward in addressing the pressing issue of substance use disorders among justice-involved families.
For more information about the Stoops CFC Center visit cfc.fsu.edu.