Workforce Training for Substance Use Disorder

Overseen By Evonne L Richards, M.Ed., MPH

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Disqualifiers: Violent felonies, Sexual offenses, Firearm offenses, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 7

Duration: 6 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether a job training program called Community Restitution Apprenticeship-Focused Training (CRAFT) can assist individuals with substance use issues who are also involved in the justice system. The aim is to determine if CRAFT can enhance recovery by improving job skills and reducing violations in a Day Report Program. Participants will compare the CRAFT model with the standard employment approach, which includes therapy and support from a recovery job agency. This trial suits adults in the Greenbrier County Day Report program who face nonviolent charges and are dealing with substance abuse. As an unphased trial, it provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative recovery methods.

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's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

What prior data suggests that the CRAFT workforce model is safe for participants?

Previous studies have examined the Community Restitution Apprenticeship-Focused Training (CRAFT) as a way to assist individuals with substance use disorder. Research suggests that this program is a promising method for improving recovery outcomes. CRAFT includes job training and mentorship to enhance both recovery and job skills.

As a training program rather than a medication, CRAFT presents different safety concerns than a drug. No reports indicate direct physical side effects from participating in CRAFT. However, the program's success depends on active participation and support, which are crucial for any behavioral program.

Overall, CRAFT appears well-tolerated, with no specific safety issues identified in previous studies. Participants engage in community service and mentorship, generally safe activities. Participants should always communicate with study staff if they have any concerns during the trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the CRAFT Workforce Model because it offers a unique approach to supporting individuals with substance use disorders. Unlike standard treatment models that focus primarily on cognitive behavioral therapy and structured incentives, the CRAFT model integrates job-specific training through community service and apprenticeship-based work experiences. This approach not only helps participants build employment skills but also strengthens their social and recovery capital. By providing mentoring and ongoing support from workplace supervisors and case managers, CRAFT aims to reduce program violations and enhance overall recovery outcomes.

What evidence suggests that the CRAFT workforce model is effective for improving recovery outcomes for substance use disorder?

Research has shown that the Community Restitution Apprenticeship-Focused Training (CRAFT) model, one of the approaches studied in this trial, can aid recovery from substance use disorder. One study found that CRAFT outperformed usual methods in helping young people secure jobs and attend GED classes. This suggests that the skills and support from CRAFT may assist individuals in recovery with employment and education. CRAFT emphasizes building recovery resources and social support by providing job training and mentoring. Although more research is needed, these early findings suggest that CRAFT could improve recovery outcomes. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Brian M Hendricks, PhD

Principal Investigator

WV School of Osteopathic Medicine

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with substance use disorder who are involved in the justice system. They must be part of a Day Report Program and willing to complete questionnaires, engage in job training, and work closely with case managers.

Inclusion Criteria

Active client of the Greenbrier County, West Virginia Day Report program

An adult who has been charged with a nonviolent felony or misdemeanor offense and has a substance abuse problem

I am 18 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Persons with a prior felony conviction involving the use of force against another person with intent to cause serious bodily harm or death

Offender currently charged with a sexual offense or any offense involving a child victim or offense involving the illegal use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon

Death or serious bodily injury occurred to any person during an offender's crime or if any offender used force against another person during the crime.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete a baseline survey at enrollment

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants engage in either the CRAFT workforce model or the standard employment model, with monthly questionnaires and mentoring

6 months

6 visits (monthly, in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for recovery capital and Day Report Program violations

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Community Restitution Apprenticeship-Focused Training (CRAFT)

Trial Overview

The study compares two employment models: CRAFT, an apprenticeship-based model focusing on job-specific training and mentoring, versus the standard employment approach. It aims to see if CRAFT leads to better recovery outcomes.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: CRAFT Workforce Model Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants assigned to the Community Restitution Apprenticeship-Focused Training (CRAFT) workforce model will complete community service assignments focused on job-specific training, participate in apprenticeship-based work experiences with local employers, and receive mentoring from study staff and workplace supervisors. Participants will also maintain routine follow-up with their Day Report Program case managers. The CRAFT model is designed to integrate employment-based skill-building with structured recovery support to improve recovery capital, social capital, and reduce Day Report Program violations.

Group II: Standard Day Report employment model Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants assigned to the Standard Employment Model will receive cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) supports offered through the Day Report Program. CBT incorporates small rewards such as gift cards, small giveaways, or hosted events, determined by Day Report case coordinators as part of standard programming. Participants may also be offered the opportunity to enroll in Jobs and Hope West Virginia, a recovery-oriented employment agency that provides support for employees in recovery and employers hiring a recovery workforce. Enrollment in Jobs and Hope WV is encouraged but voluntary. All participants will also have access to free public transportation through the Mountain Transit Authority to commute to and from work.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Lead Sponsor

Trials

6

Recruited

520+

West Virginia First Foundation, Inc.

Collaborator

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3840119/

RCT of a Promising Vocational/Employment Program for High ...

CRAFT was significantly more effective than EAU at increasing rates of youth employment and GED attendance. Intervention effects were not observed, however, for ...

2.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07216612

Facilitating Sustainable Recovery Through Workforce

... Community Restitution Apprenticeship-Focused Training (CRAFT), improves recovery outcomes for persons with substance use disorder. The main ...

3.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0740547213001463

RCT of a promising vocational/employment program for ...

CRAFT was significantly more effective than EAU at increasing rates of youth employment and GED attendance. Intervention effects were not observed, however, for ...

4.

jsatjournal.com

jsatjournal.com/article/S0740-5472(13)00146-3/abstract

RCT of a promising vocational/employment program for ...

Multi-method procedures measured employment, education, substance use, mental health, and criminal outcomes through a 30-month post-baseline follow-up. CRAFT ...

5.

library.samhsa.gov

library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/SAMHSA_Digital_Download/pep21-pl-guide-6.pdf

Substance Use Disorders Recovery with a Focus on ...

One important recovery-focused EBP requiring additional rigorous study is the Community Restitution. Apprenticeship-Focused Training. (CRAFT). CRAFT provides ...

6.

ojp.gov

ojp.gov/library/publications/job-training-juveniles-project-craft

Job Training for Juveniles: Project CRAFT

This document describes a vocational training program for high-risk youth and juvenile offenders. Abstract. The Community Restitution and Apprenticeship Focused ...

7.

withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/phase-substance-related-disorders-9-2025-b905f

Workforce Training for Substance Use Disorder

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether an apprenticeship-based workforce model, the Community Restitution Apprenticeship-Focused Training ...