Massachusetts
Serves Berkshire County
Project NORTH is a free, confidential, and voluntary court-based program providing access to recovery support navigation, transportation, and certified sober housing for court-involved individuals and families impacted by substance use. Project NORTH is operational in 14 courts across Massachusetts, with Project NORTH in Berkshire County serving the most rural portion of the state. Recovery Support Navigation is provided by one navigator who works for Clinical Support Options, a licensed treatment provider in the community. The Recovery Support Navigator provides connections to care, such as therapy, medication, and other support, including linkage to recovery coaches in the community. Other services the navigator provides include applying for benefits, filling out applications, connecting with medical providers, and providing employment support. The navigator also provides transportation to detox or residential programs when needed. The program serves anyone involved in the court, regardless of case type. Sober housing funding is presently limited to cases that originate in Pittsfield Court. Linkage to the Recovery Support Navigator can occur in a variety of ways. There is no formal referral process, but connections are typically made through probation, judges, friends, family members, and by self-referral. Individuals who are court-involved can call or walk in at any time to apply for services. After an individual is linked to treatment or services, the navigator follows up with the individual after 24 hours, one week, and 30 days. The program's objectives include increased access to evidence-based treatment, increased care coordination, decreased barriers to treatment retention, increased recovery support, and increased access to overdose prevention and naloxone distribution.