Portales, NM – Roosevelt County Detention Center’s Medication Assisted Treatment program works with detainees to address substance use disorders by providing a holistic approach to recovery. The program offers individual and group counseling, peer support services, life skills, mindfulness training, exercise, art, yoga, meditation, and recovery groups within the facility, along with the opportunity to participate in GED and parenting classes. Many are able to obtain their NM Food Handler’s certificate, develop skills in gardening/yard work, and learn to care for chickens. Participants are assisted in obtaining documents such as ID’s and birth certificates during their incarceration and can receive ongoing case management and/or counseling services when released.
Meeting basic needs upon release is challenging without the required documents, but even with them it can still be difficult due to a lack of both affordable housing and employers willing to work with persons involved in the criminal justice system. MAT Program staff are hoping to decrease these barriers by connecting and partnering with employers and landlords in the local area to give participants a “Second Chance”.
“Our participants have skills they will bring to the table, whether it be manual labor, food service, retail or office work,” stated MAT Program Manager Kris Paulus. “It is our hope that once people in the community are aware of the need they will be open to hiring or renting to persons recently released from the program as everyone deserves a second chance.”
The MAT program is funded by the Reach, Intervene, Support and Engage (RISE) grant through the NM Behavioral Health Services Division, which does have limited funding available to assist participants transitioning back into the community. For those wishing to partner with the MAT program or wanting additional information, please contact Kris Paulus, at 575-359-4825 ext. 180 or matprogrammgr@rooseveltcounty.com
