Feasibility of Mobile and Technology Assisted Aftercare Services for Crisis Stabilization Units

NCT04899934 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: STUDY0000157019-02811
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 22
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

In this study investigators are examining the feasibility and acceptability of an expanded and technology-assisted aftercare program with persons released from a crisis stabilization unit (CSU) who were brought to the CSU by choice of law enforcement. Investigators are assessing the critical elements of CSUs, examining the feasibility and acceptability of pairing mobile and technology-assisted aftercare to improve treatment access and retention; and developing a study protocol to be used in a future multisite randomized controlled trial (RCT). Crisis stabilization units provide law enforcement officers an alternative to jail for individuals experiencing a substance use or mental health disorder crisis contributing to criminalized behavior. This study is designed to assist with the diversion of individuals toward treatment and away from subsequent contact with law enforcement through piloting mobile and technology assisted aftercare services to persons released from a CSU. One of the largest barriers to the effectiveness of CSUs is retaining the individual in treatment after discharge. Logistical factors including transportation, stable housing, and long waitlists for community-based treatment decrease treatment access. These factors may also be complicated by an individual's understanding of the importance of remaining in treatment as well as their motivation to continue. To overcome these barriers and enhance the impact of CSUs, investigators are developing an expanded model which includes mobile and technology-assisted modalities that address psychological, behavioral, and medication-assisted treatment.

Conditions

Substance Abuse; Criminal Behavior; Mental Disorder

Keywords

crisis stabilization; psychological well-being; law enforcement; mental health treatment; substance use disorder treatment

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Number of participants recruited

  Number of eligible participant who agree to participate out of total number of eligible participants

  up to 6 months

• Retention of participants

  Retention of participants is tracked by the number of recruited participants who complete the intervention

  up to 6 months

• Number of intervention sessions completed

  Number of intervention sessions completed is tracked by the number of sessions participants complete over 6 months

  up to 6 months

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Change in arrest rates

  up to 6 months

• Frequency of acute service use

  up to 6 months

• Frequency of long-term treatment use

  up to 6 months

• Admission into a crisis stabilization unit

  up to 6 months

• Acceptability of intervention specific aftercare services

  up to 12 months

Other Outcomes (43)

• Change in law breaking behavior

  2 weeks post-release

• Change in law breaking behavior

  3 months post-release

• Change in law breaking behavior

  6 months post-release

Study Arms (2)

Mobile and technology assisted aftercare

EXPERIMENTAL

participants randomized to this condition will receive up to 26 sessions with a community support specialist aftercare provider and 6 months of access to behavioral health mobile applications.

Behavioral: mobile and technology assisted aftercare

Treatment as usual (TAU)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants randomized to this condition receive standard treatment services available to persons discharging from a CSU.

Other: Treatment as usual

Interventions

mobile and technology assisted aftercare BEHAVIORAL

The mobile and technology assisted aftercare consists of mobile mental health professionals who travel to participants to provide mental health services including counseling, navigation of community referrals, motivational interviewing, solution focused therapy, psycho-education, and social support. Participants randomized to this condition will also receive 24/7 access to evidence-based behavioral health mobile applications that are recommended based on the participant's diagnostic status, learning style, and goals. Frequency of app use is up to the participant's discretion. However, during weekly aftercare sessions, the CSS may assist the participant with creation of an app use schedule that is realistic for the participant's needs and treatment goals.

Mobile and technology assisted aftercare

Treatment as usual OTHER

Treatment as usual services include a personalized discharge plan, a follow up appointment within a month of discharge for evaluation and connection to other agency services if applicable. Some of these services may include outpatient counseling for behavioral and emotional problems, psychiatric services, group therapy, case management, rehabilitation services, homeless recovery services, employment services, medication-assisted treatment, group-based team building activities, primary care clinic, and forensic services. Individuals may also receive ancillary referrals for applicable healthcare services, access to residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment services, and access to a tablet.

Treatment as usual (TAU)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• brought to Meridian Behavioral Health CSU by the choice of law enforcement
• over 18 years of age
• self-report to be residing in Alachua, Columbia, or Levy county for at least 6 months following their discharge from the CSU.
• conversational in English
• being able to cognitively consent

You may not qualify if:

• younger than 18 years old
• not cognitively able to consent
• not conversational in English
• not releasing from the CSU to Alachua, Columbia, or Levy County, Florida
• not brought to the CSU by choice of law enforcement

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Florida State University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Institute for Justice Research and Development

Tallahassee, Florida, 32310, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Pettus C, Fulmer R, Pederson SD, Eikenberry J. Study protocol paper for the multi-site feasibility evaluation of mobile and technology-assisted aftercare services for crisis stabilization units. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2023 Jul 31;9(1):135. doi: 10.1186/s40814-023-01361-8.

  PMID: 37525253 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Substance-Related Disorders; Criminal Behavior; Mental Disorders; Psychological Well-Being

Interventions

Therapeutics

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Chemically-Induced Disorders; Behavior; Personal Satisfaction

Study Officials

• Carrie Pettus, PHD

  Florida State University College of Social Work, Institute for Justice Research and Development

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: associate professor; founder and executive director Institute of Justice Research & Development

Model Details: A total of 24 adults releasing to one of the three participating counties in Florida will be randomly assigned to participate in the mobile and technology assisted aftercare or a treatment-as-usual (TAU) control group. Participants assigned to the treatment-as-usual control group will remain eligible to participate in all agency specific services offered to persons discharging the CSU as well as, any community resources they normally would have access to.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 30, 2021
• First Posted: May 25, 2021
• Study Start: April 14, 2021
• Primary Completion: March 31, 2022
• Study Completion: March 20, 2023
• Last Updated: June 5, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)