This unique reentry program through Coastal Horizons: ReEntry Systems for Effective Treatment (RESET) was developed through funding from BJA’s FY2014 Second Chance Act Reentry Program for Adults with Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and Mental Disorders Grant.

Originally, the project aimed to address treatment service gaps for females returning to New Hanover County, North Carolina following a period of incarceration. The idea was to develop a one-stop shop approach to meet the needs of formerly incarcerated women living with a substance use or co-occurring disorder as they transitioned back into the community. Following a full substance use and mental health clinical screening, women were linked with outpatient services and provided safe housing through a partnering transitional home.

Over time, and as they continued to identify what the community needed, the project stakeholders began incorporating improvements into the program. These included the implementation of programming focused on developing healthy parenting skills and providing peer support from staff with the lived experience of substance use and justice involvement. Since its inception, RESET has continued to evolve to meet the needs of the New Hanover County community.

This article was originally published in the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) Sheriff & Deputy magazine in the January/February 2023 issue.  It is reprinted for COSSUP with the permission of NSA.