Telehealth is an important tool for jail staff members and justice involved individuals (JIIs). Telehealth can provide JIIs with better access to medical services, mental health counseling, and medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. For jail staff members, telehealth can decrease the security risks of bringing JIIs out of a facility and into a hospital or clinical setting and reduce the likelihood that contraband will be smuggled into the jail facility.

Telehealth has the potential to save taxpayers' money, increase the physical and psychological well-being of JIIs, and improve public safety. The possibility of these benefits has led jails to explore implementing telehealth in their facilities. However, jails need to successfully overcome several virtual services challenges to implement telehealth. Our presenters have extensive knowledge of considerations in developing, implementing, and evaluating telehealth programs for identification and management of substance use disorders in jails.

This webinar focuses on demonstrating the Telehealth Implementation Support Tool created by RTI staff members, supported by the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program State-Based Training and Technical Assistance task order.

During this webinar, attendees learn how jail facilities can use the tool to understand the various protocols, policies, technologies, and staff positions that will need to be in place to facilitate the implementation of telehealth. Attendees also learn how they can volunteer their agencies to test the tool.

Presenters:

• Saira Haque, Ph.D., Senior Health Informaticist and Virtual Care Portfolio Leader, RTI International
• Nick Richardson, Ph.D., Research Public Health Analyst, RTI International

To view a PDF version of the slide deck that was used during this presentation, click here.