Other Psychiatric, Medical, and Socioeconomic Needs

• Treatment court clinicians work to address barriers to treatment, including those posed by other members of the team. They should be aware of and prepared to proactively address stigma, discrimination, and other barriers that may impede a participant's access to evidence-based care.
• Persons in treatment court settings with OUD are at higher risk of other SUDs, chronic medical conditions, and psychiatric needs.
• They are also more likely to experience barriers accessing:
  • Housing
  • Healthcare
  • Transportation
  • Food
  • Childcare
  • Mental and psychiatric care
  • Employment
• These barriers impact a treatment court participant's engagement and retention in treatment for OUD and related services.
• The treatment court provides a reachable moment to not only address treatment for OUD but also to address the possible barriers to receiving medication for OUD.
• Other SUDs, as well as psychiatric needs, should be identified and addressed. This may include access to medication to treat mental health disorders.

Solutions

• Consider the option of telehealth, if available.
• Treatment court clinicians should have an up-to-date resource list available, including a list of OUD medication providers.
• Identified barriers should be routinely discussed with participants.
• Collaborate with divisions and grantees of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
• Collaborate with community resources for job searching and procurement.
• Collaborate with community resources for food services (food pantries, soup kitchens, etc.).
• Collaborate with housing areas and landlords accepting of this population.
• Maintain a list of childcare resources and support for applying for state-funded support of childcare.