Two recent evaluation studies conducted by the Wayne State University School of Social Work Center for Behavioral Health and Justice (CBHJ) show that graduates of the Michigan Re-entry Project (MIREP) experience improvements in drug cravings, mental health wellness, PTSD rates, and other positive outcomes.

MIREP, funded through the federal State Opioid Response (SOR) initiative via the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), provides wraparound services to individuals who are reentering the community and have co-occurring opioid use and mental health disorders. Using the evidence-based MISSION-CJ model, a case manager and peer support specialist provide three months of in-reach prior to release and six months of services after the participant is back in the community. Those with an opioid use disorder are especially vulnerable to overdose after release because of the sustained period of not using opioids during incarceration. MIREP teams provide the psychosocial supports needed to help participants address not only their substance use recovery but also needs related to mental health, trauma, parole, housing, transportation, employment, and more.

"I wish this program existed years ago. I've accomplished so much since I've been home. I've even got my own home. They helped me with everything. I would have never had any of this without [my MIREP team]. Any appointment I had to be at, they were here bright and early to make sure I got there. It was a godsend. I can't thank you guys enough." - MIREP graduate

MIREP-1 programming has been up and running since 2017 in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. MIREP-2 began in Kent and Monroe counties in 2019. The CBHJ is proud to work alongside MDHHS, the Michigan Department of Corrections, University of Massachusetts Medical School, and the five MIREP counties in implementing this program. The CBHJ serves as the program evaluator and system broker. As the evaluator, the CBHJ recently released a 3-year report for MIREP-1 and a 1-year report for MIREP-2.

Key findings from the evaluation:"¯

Participants show high levels of risk and need in several areas including histories of trauma, inpatient treatment for substance use and/or mental health, and homelessness. Eight in ten rate 'high-risk' for opioid use, over half have used opioids by injection, and over half have experienced at least one opioid overdose prior to MIREP.

Despite the high risks, 119 individuals have graduated from MIREP.

Around half of all participants take some form of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), primarily Suboxone, during programming."¯

Those who graduate from MIREP show statistically significant improvements in drug cravings, mental health wellness, and PTSD rates."¯

By the time of graduation, over half of MIREP graduates are employed, nearly all have health insurance, and 8 in 10 report no cravings for opioids.

See the 3-year evaluation of MIREP-1 and the 1-year evaluation of MIREP-2 to learn more about the participants, outcomes, and recommendations to further support recovery and connection to services. "¯

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About the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice: The Center for Behavioral Health and Justice in Wayne State University's School of Social Work envisions communities in which research, data, and best practices are used by multiple stakeholders to enhance the optimal well-being of individuals with mental illness and/or substance use disorders who come into contact with the criminal/legal system. Learn more