They probably should have received treatment rather than sent to jail, but until we change our view on substance abuse and the war on drugs we will still fill our jails. But at leat jail inmates who graduate from Maricopa County’s ALPHA substance abuse treatment program will get the chance to leave jail with medical care for a better shot at success, thanks to a new partnership between Maricopa County agencies, the State Department of Economic Security (DES), and non-profit health educators.
Qualifying inmates who have finished the program will be able to apply for State coverage through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) so they can be covered once they step out into their new lives. Through the ALPHA program, started by the MCSO in 1996, inmates take classes that teach them how to transition out of jail and stay drug free. Part of that transition is helping them sign up for medical care.
With the new partnership, the County is working closely with AHCCCS, DES, Adult Probation, MCSO, Keogh Health Connection and Enroll America to make this happen. “Pairing together the right medical services, the right coverage through AHCCCS as these individuals come out of jail is a very powerful tool that they need to be successful,” said District 1 Supervisor Denny Barney.
This is one more way the county can reduce the number of people returning to jail. Since November, this partnership has helped nearly 100 ALPHA graduates. “If an individual leaves jail and applies for benefits on their own, it could take up to 45 days for AHCCCS to give an eligibility determination,” said Jennifer Hawkins, Maricopa County’s Health Care Services Integration Administrator. “Through this partnership, DES is giving us almost an instantaneous eligibility determination within just a few days of us submitting the application.” All of that translates to an easier adjustment for inmates once they are released. “I’m walking out there. I’m enrolled in school. I’ve got a place to live. I’ve got health insurance. It’s wonderful,” said John Earle, a recent ALPHA graduate.