The St. Mary’s County Board of Commissioners has authorized onetime funding of $35,000 to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office to provide for Correctional Level 2.1 Intensive Outpatient Services for female inmates at the St. Mary’s County Detention Center. These services will utilize a trauma informed approach linking to community outpatient and/or residential care as needed which will be provided by Walden. Walden will provide assessments and substance abuse treatment. Walden holds both State and National accreditation to provide correctional level services and currently works with male inmates requiring substance abuse treatment.

"This grant funding provides much needed treatment for female inmates with emphasis on coordinated care that will help them return to the community, stay in the community, and not re-offend” said Tim Camron of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office.
“This grant opportunity expands on the longstanding partnership between Walden and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. These dollars will provide for more intensive treatment interventions as well as helping female inmates transition back into the community reducing the likelihood they will return to the detention center” said Walden’s CEO, Dr. Kathleen O’Brien.
It is expected that in FY 16 funding will be available to continue this project through the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Primary Outcome Indicators:

• Increase in the number of female inmates remaining in treatment and having a successful follow up with treatment in the community after their release.
• Decrease in the recidivism rate for the one year following release for female inmates receiving IOP services. 

Process Measures:

• Number of female assessments for IOP services
• Number of females participating in IOP services
• Number of women receiving Trauma Informed Care
• Number of women transitioning to community based outpatient/residential treatment

To help support this project Walden recently was awarded a Byrne Justice Memorial Assistance Grant. This grant in the amount of $50,000 will provide residential treatment access which will be prioritized for female inmates participating in the IOP program and provide coordinated access to residential services both helping to relieve overcrowding and ensuring a transition to community based services.