134 Participants Needed

MISSION-CJ Program for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues in Homeless Veterans

(MISSION-CJ Trial)

Recruiting at 3 trial locations
DA
AF
MA
Overseen ByMichael A Andre, MPH
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

What data supports the idea that MISSION-CJ Program for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues in Homeless Veterans is an effective treatment?

The available research shows that the MISSION-CJ program can enhance success among participants in drug treatment courts by addressing both mental health and substance use issues. It has been implemented in various courts and has shown preliminary effectiveness in helping individuals with co-occurring disorders, which means having both mental health and substance use problems. The program is designed to integrate different support systems, which helps participants maintain independence and sobriety. While the research highlights some challenges in implementation, it suggests that MISSION-CJ can be a valuable tool in improving outcomes for those involved in the criminal justice system.12345

What data supports the effectiveness of the MISSION-CJ treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues in homeless veterans?

Research suggests that the MISSION-CJ treatment can enhance success among participants in drug treatment courts by addressing both mental health and criminal justice needs, particularly for those with co-occurring disorders (having both mental health and substance use issues). Additionally, a pilot study showed that MISSION-CJ improved treatment access and engagement when used alongside housing support for homeless individuals.12345

What safety data is available for the MISSION-CJ treatment?

The provided research does not explicitly mention safety data for the MISSION-CJ treatment. However, it discusses the implementation and effectiveness of the program in drug treatment courts and mental health courts, focusing on co-occurring disorders and criminal justice risk factors. The studies highlight the importance of flexible implementation and equitable treatment but do not provide specific safety data.12356

Is the MISSION-CJ program safe for humans?

The available research does not provide specific safety data for the MISSION-CJ program, but it is an evidence-based intervention used in drug treatment courts, suggesting it is generally considered safe for participants in these settings.12356

Is the MISSION-CJ treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues in homeless veterans promising?

Yes, the MISSION-CJ treatment is promising. It has shown positive outcomes, such as reducing jail time, alcohol, and drug use, and increasing employment among participants. It helps veterans and others with mental health and substance use disorders by integrating support within court systems, making it easier for them to access and engage in treatment.24578

How is the MISSION-CJ treatment different from other treatments for substance abuse and mental health issues in homeless veterans?

MISSION-CJ is unique because it integrates mental health and substance use disorder treatment with criminal justice support, specifically targeting veterans involved in the justice system. It combines case management, peer support, and wraparound services to address both mental health and legal challenges, which is not typically offered in standard treatments.24578

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Maintaining Independence and Sobriety through Systems Integration, Outreach and Networking - Criminal Justice version (MISSION-CJ) is effective for reducing criminal recidivism and improving other health-related outcomes (substance use, mental health, housing, employment, community integration) among justice-involved, homeless Veterans with a co-occurring substance use and mental health disorder.

Research Team

DA

David A. Smelson, PsyD

Principal Investigator

VA Bedford HealthCare System, Bedford, MA

DM

Daniel M. Blonigen, PhD MA

Principal Investigator

VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for homeless veterans who have recently been in legal trouble, are about to enter a mental health program, and struggle with both substance use and mental health disorders. Veterans must be able to understand the study's consent process.

Inclusion Criteria

People who are struggling with their mental health are often entering residential rehabilitation treatment programs.
In the past 12 months, people who were arrested and charged or released from incarceration were mostly (a) men.
You have both a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder at the same time.

Exclusion Criteria

I understand the consent process and study procedures.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive MISSION-CJ programming targeting co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders, with assertive outreach, psychoeducation, and linkages to community-based services

12 months
Weekly sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in criminal recidivism, mental health, substance use, and community integration

3 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Maintaining Independence and Sobriety through Systems Integration Outreach and Networking- Criminal Justice
  • Maintaining Independence and Sobriety through Systems Integration Outreach and Networking Peer Support
Trial Overview The MISSION-CJ program aims to help these veterans by reducing criminal behavior and improving their overall well-being, including substance use, mental health status, housing stability, employment opportunities, and community involvement.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: MISSION-CJExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Maintaining Independence and Sobriety through Systems Integration Outreach and Networking- Criminal Justice version (MISSION-CJ) programming targets co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders and other related health outcomes faced by justice-involved homeless Veterans through assertive outreach, psychoeducation, and linkages to community-based services.
Group II: Enhanced Usual CareExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Usual care provided by the mental health residential rehabilitation treatment programs, with patients in both groups are enrolled in, in addition to peer support and community outreach case management. Patients receive 2 Peer Support Curriculum sessions per week (24 sessions total). Patients will receive unstructured community outreach and linkage support while enrolled in the mental health residential rehabilitation program. After discharge, patients will continue to receive 1 hour of weekly linkage support per week.

Maintaining Independence and Sobriety through Systems Integration Outreach and Networking- Criminal Justice is already approved in United States for the following indications:

🇺🇸
Approved in United States as MISSION-CJ for:
  • Co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders in justice-involved individuals

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Office of Research and Development

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,691
Recruited
3,759,000+

Findings from Research

This study aims to address racial and ethnic disparities in behavioral health treatment within drug treatment courts by implementing the MISSION-CJ intervention, which focuses on co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
Using qualitative interviews and community input, the research will identify barriers to equitable implementation and develop strategies to improve access and effectiveness of treatment for Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino individuals.
Identifying strategies to advance equitable implementation of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder treatment in drug treatment courts: A study protocol.Gaba, A., LoVette, A., Pridgen, B., et al.[2023]
The MISSION-CJ intervention, targeting co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, showed promising preliminary effectiveness in a pilot study with 97 participants enrolled in a mental health court.
After 6 months, participants experienced significant reductions in nights incarcerated, illegal drug use, trauma symptoms, and behavioral health symptoms, indicating that MISSION-CJ may effectively address the needs of individuals in the criminal justice system.
Implementation of MISSION-Criminal Justice in a Treatment Court: Preliminary Outcomes Among Individuals With Co-occurring Disorders.Pinals, DA., Gaba, A., Clary, KM., et al.[2020]
The CJ-DATS initiative focuses on testing and promoting effective addiction treatment interventions within the criminal justice system, using data from the National Criminal Justice Treatment Practice Survey to assess treatment access and service types.
The program aims to enhance the delivery and quality of drug abuse treatment services by applying systems change thinking, which could lead to more sustainable and research-supported treatment practices in correctional settings.
Understanding the importance of organizational and system variables on addiction treatment services within criminal justice settings.McCarty, D., Chandler, RK.[2009]

References

Identifying strategies to advance equitable implementation of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder treatment in drug treatment courts: A study protocol. [2023]
Implementation of MISSION-Criminal Justice in a Treatment Court: Preliminary Outcomes Among Individuals With Co-occurring Disorders. [2020]
Understanding the importance of organizational and system variables on addiction treatment services within criminal justice settings. [2009]
Permanent Supportive Housing and Specialized Co-Occurring Disorders Wraparound Services for Homeless Individuals. [2022]
Challenges and Lessons Learned in the Regional Implementation of MISSION-CJ in Drug Treatment Courts. [2022]
Using multiple case studies of health and justice services to inform the development of a new complex intervention for prison-leavers with common mental health problems (Engager). [2021]
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Justice Outreach Program: Connecting Justice-Involved Veterans with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment. [2021]
Integrating a Co-occurring Disorders Intervention in Drug Courts: An Open Pilot Trial. [2020]
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