In a recent government meeting, officials outlined a comprehensive new program aimed at addressing mental health and substance use disorders among individuals in detention. The program, known as ARROW, will implement a structured eligibility screening process using three evidence-based tools: the Texas Christian University drug screen with an opioid addendum, correctional mental health screens, and a PTSD checklist.

Once individuals are deemed eligible, a comprehensive clinical assessment will follow, leading to a tailored treatment plan developed in collaboration with Coastal Horizons, a key service provider. Participants will engage in moral recognition therapy twice a week, alongside monthly individual counseling sessions. Additionally, mental health services will include telehealth psychiatric evaluations and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, specifically designed for trauma survivors.

The program coordinator will play a pivotal role, overseeing operations, maintaining participant records, and facilitating communication between various stakeholders, including the sheriff's office and community agencies. A second position, a jailer, will ensure security during therapy sessions and manage inmate movements.

The budget for the ARROW program includes personnel costs for the two positions, contracted services from Coastal Horizons and Monumental Foundations, and funds for program evaluation by a doctorate-level professor. This evaluation aims to assess the program's effectiveness and inform necessary adjustments.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of addressing mental health issues within the detention system, emphasizing a proactive approach to rehabilitation rather than mere punitive measures.