The ultimate aim of this research program is to improve provision of evidence-based practices (EBPs) to emerging adults (EAs) with substance use (SU) problems and criminal legal system (CLS) involvement. To that end, this project investigates if using similar-aged paraprofessional coaches can effectively engage this underserved community in SU services. Paraprofessional coaches are increasingly being utilized in behavioral health (e.g., recovery coaches, peer recovery support specialists). This workforce has high potential to improve service engagement in EAs with SU, particularly when provided to the community. However, there are unanswered questions: Can this workforce accurately deliver full EBPs, like contingency management? If so, does such delivery improve EA client engagement and outcomes? And, is it critical for these coaches to have direct lived experience (i.e., having achieved their own SU recovery and/or have involvement in the CLS)? For coaches with direct lived experience, delivery of an EBP for SU might (a) elevate their risk for relapse or (b) foster their skills for sustaining their recovery. This pilot project is a first step in directly investigating these possibilities by assessing coaches on their own SU and SU relapse risk factors, as well as the feasiblity and acceptaibilty of the services model and research protocol.
