For this initiative, full-time attorneys along with navigators will work with SUD service providers to assist individuals and address legal and/or social issues that are impeding their recovery process and/or successful outcomes in treatment. In this model, the attorney can serve as an advocate or counsel in civil and municipal criminal matters. Attorneys will not serve as primary counsel in Superior Court matters but may liaison with the public defender (or the individual’s private counsel) to assist individuals in their case. Navigators will provide one-to-one assistance to individuals to connect them to community resources and assist with navigating legal resources and needs. Contracts will be awarded to legal service providers. Eligible participants are individuals who have a substance use disorder and are currently using substances or who are in recovery. Individuals may self-refer or may be referred by a SUD service program. Successful bidders must have or obtain affiliation agreements with Department of Health (DOH) licensed SUD treatment provider agencies and recovery support programs in the awarded region. Priority referrals will come from DMHAS funded programs. This initiative supports a harm reduction model of care. Services provided should be delivered according to a person-centered philosophy. No individual shall be denied full access to legal or navigation services due to the use of legitimately prescribed medications or actively using illicit or other drugs. Bidders must provide a plan for sustainability that details how the proposed project approach will create project self-sufficiency in order to be considered for funding. This is to help ensure that the impact of the project will continue after State assistance has ended. The bidder may include information on plans to secure additional financial resources in their proposal.
