Organizational, peer accountability leading to success at treatment center


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SALT LAKE CITY — A state investigation into the troubles at the Fortitude Treatment Center has drawn the spotlight to the care and oversight criminal offenders with substance abuse and mental health issues receive, but facilities that offer those kinds of specialized services have also seen their share of success stories.

Valley Behavioral Health's CORE (Co-Occuring Re-entry and Empowerment) program has noted a 67 percent decrease in recidivism for the people that have stayed engaged in the process long-term, according to the program's developer.

Rebecca Brown, director of Valley Behavioral Health's adult and substance abuse services, said Friday the program's success is largely attributable to an empowerment model that is not court-ordered and relies, in part, upon accountability to peers.

"They really work to engage each other," Brown said. "Really, you can't con a con. Our idea is we expect them to hold them accountable."

If a participant causes too many problems, Brown said peers can vote that person out of the program.

Oscar Castillo said he came to CORE after a three-month stint in jail and years dealing with mental illness and a meth addiction.

Four months later, he said he has already seen a significant difference.

"Coming to this program, it changed my life," Castillo said. "All the bad behaviors, now I'm turning into good behaviors."


They really work to engage each other. Really, you can't con a con. Our idea is we expect them to hold them accountable.

–Rebecca Brown, Valley Behavioral Health


The program, Brown said, wouldn't function properly if it didn't run like a tight ship.

Violations of rules and treatment guidelines are closely watched and documented, and caseworkers are constantly in communication with probation officers and the courts.

Brown said people taking part in the program have their plans away from the facility approved ahead of time, and they must call in every two hours when they are gone.

"I think it would be very easy to see how that could get out of control here if we did not have those processes," Brown said. "I don't think it's always been perfect. We've worked very hard and we've had lots of iterations of trying to figure out what we need to put in place and what works. If we didn't have those, it could have the potential to be very scary."

Instead, administrators at Valley CORE point to a growing list of personal successes.

(Photo: Jay Dortzbach, KSL-TV)
(Photo: Jay Dortzbach, KSL-TV)

James Ballamis credits the program for his change of fortunes. He said he had been in and out of jail for over 20 years and had tried other programs along the way. Now sober for 18 months, he is working toward employment while mentoring others in his shoes.

"The biggest thing for me is to give back to these guys here," Ballamis said. "If you're even thinking about a program, it means that you have a need in that area, so my suggestion would be to stop thinking about it and just do it."

Valley Behavioral Health opened up a CORE program for women in September, and already has a waiting list of 24 names. The waiting list for the men's program is 62 deep.

Brown said people taking part in the program must have a severe and persistent mental illness, a substance abuse diagnosis, and a strong criminal history or risk.

Those interested in the program can call 888-949-4864.

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