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| Co-Occurring State Incentive Grant |
| What are Co-Occurring Disorders? |
A co-occurring disorder (COD) refers to an individual diagnosed with both a mental health and substance use disorder. Individuals with CODs may have one or more mental disorders (i.e. schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, or mood disorder) as well as one or more disorders relating to the use or abuse of or dependence on alcohol and/or other drugs (licit or illicit). |
In 2004, a team from Arizona participated in the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration’s Co-Occurring Policy Academy to develop a comprehensive statewide action plan that would address the needs and provide services to individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Arizona was then awarded a Co-Occurring State Incentive Grant for Treatment of Persons with Co-Occurring Substance Related and Mental Disorders from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Four (4) state agencies have partnered to implement multi-level systems transformation that has supported the efforts of the Arizona COSIG. The participating agencies are the: |
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The COSIG grant, now in its fifth year, has been focusing on identifying, assessing, and treating individuals in the AZ criminal justice system diagnosed with the co-occurring issues of mental health and substance abuse disorders. The mission of this project has been to build the workforce, clinical, and information infrastructure necessary to ensure that all individuals who come into contact with the criminal justice system are provided with a consistent and comprehensive approach to the detection, assessment, and treatment of co-occurring substance use and mental illness in a culturally competent manner that is reflective of evidence-based practices. The services pilot project endeavors to reduce the high rate of recidivism and violations in the target population by focusing on community re-entry through a Comprehensive Continuous Integrated System of Care model that provides enhanced pre- and post-release community reintegration services. Arizona’s Co-Occurring Policy Advisory Team continues to meet to regularly to address needed changes in agency infrastructure and policies that address co-occurring disorders. It is expected that the efforts put forth during the COSIG funding period (2004-09) will result in significant infrastructure re-organization in the criminal justice system that will provide for appropriate identification (through screening and assessment), treatment, and re-entry planning for inmates with mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders. Additionally, it is anticipated the intra- and inter-organizational communication between the four (4) agencies will increase and reach a higher level of effectiveness in addressing the needs of this target population. |
Source of Funds: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (http://www.samhsa.org) |
| For further information please contact: |
La Tanya King |
