Programs

The Samaritan Village treatment philosophy is based on the therapeutic community model, which is founded on the principles of social learning theory. This model places emphasis on personal responsibility, accountability, and recovery. This intensive peer-based approach assists clients in developing pro-social values and the skills necessary to reintegrate into the community.

Samaritan employs a continuum of care designed to meet the multiple needs of the adult substance abusing population.

Samaritan offers services including: residential treatment, outpatient treatment, homeless services, alternatives to incarceration referrals, and methadone to abstinence programs.

Samaritan's treatment includes addiction counseling; case management, including discharge planning; mental health services; social services; and vocational and educational service; and family reunification.

Adult Residential Treatment

Samaritan Village specifically designed residential treatment services to meet the needs of adults with chronic substance abuse histories. Our residential treatment programs provide intensive, highly structured treatment environments using the therapeutic community model as their foundation. Program participants are immersed in community and family-systems oriented settings. Through the combination of peer pressure, self and mutual help, and support, program participants have daily opportunities to develop new, prosocial attitudes and behaviors. Samaritan offers an expansive array of treatment services, including group and individual addiction-focused counseling, mental health services, employment skills training and basic education. Our motivational counseling approach instills a value for personal excellence through abstinence, thus promoting relapse prevention. Samaritan's residential treatment programs have a proven record of successful outcomes with a planned treatment duration between 12-18 months. In all cases, however, length of stay is ultimately determined by individual attainment of distinct treatment goals. Within our residential programs there are specialty components such as our co-occurring services at the Van Wyck facility and Re-entry transitional services at the 53rd Street facility.

Highbridge
Residential Treatment Program
1381 Dr Martin L King Jr. Blvd.
Bronx, NY 10452
(718) 681-9300

 

Methadone-to-Abstinence Residential (MTAR)

The Methadone-to-Abstinence Residential (MTAR) detoxification program, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, Inc. (CARF), is for adult male and female substance abusers requiring 24-hour, medically supervised detoxification from methadone. As the first methadone-to-abstinence program within a therapeutic community in the nation, this innovative program model has been widely replicated due to its impressive success rates. Samaritan's approach minimizes the discomfort of methadone detoxification while concurrently instilling prosocial values and accountability principles in participants. Treatment duration is based on individual need and an average length of stay is 15 months.

Methadone-to-Abstinence Ambulatory Program

The Methadone-To-Abstinence Ambulatory Program (MTAA) is designed for adult opiate addicts who are functioning in the community but need detoxification along with structured treatment services. Eligible candidates are in a supportive living environment, employed, enrolled in a school or training program and are conducive to ambulatory withdrawal. Treatment duration averages between six to eight months.

Alternatives to Incarceration

Since its inception, Samaritan Village has provided services that identify and meet the treatment needs of drug-dependent individuals involved with the criminal justice system. Samaritan's Village's collaborative relationships with a variety of criminal justice entities provide for coordinated, goal-directed service provision. Services are geared to attain the goal of breaking the cycle of arrest, addiction, and recidivism.

 

Parole Relapse Prevention

In collaboration with the New York State Division of Parole, Samaritan provides an array of rehabilitative services designed to assist recently released parolees transition back into the community. The program has established an impressive record of effectively addressing this special population's substance abuse recovery needs. We have simultaneously built productive relationships with supervising Parole Officers. Program services focus on teaching enrolled men and women the skills necessary to mitigate against relapse and criminogenic behaviors that lead to recidivism. A myriad of services, inclusive of group therapy, individual counseling, and vocational support place special emphasis on examining participants' criminal histories. The program has a planned duration of 12 months, although each client stay in the program is determined by each individual and their progress.

 

Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime (TASC)

In 1989, Samaritan Village, Inc. (SVI) entered a collaborative relationship with New York State under the Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime (TASC) program to accept referred offenders with prior non-violent felony convictions in drug treatment. Since then, hundreds of addicted individuals have transformed their lives by becoming drug and crime-free, self-sufficient citizens in their communities. TASC retains a vital role in the offenders' treatment beyond making the referral. TASC representatives work closely with Samaritan's case management staff to reinforce the clients' compliance with legal stipulations and to provide a seamless continuum of care and supervision beyond treatment. Those services include initial identification of drug-involved offenders (TASC), assessment of the offenders' drug and alcohol treatment needs (TASC and SVI), provision of appropriate levels-of-care (including aftercare) (SVI), legal advocacy (TASC), and continuous post-treatment case management (TASC). TASC-referred clients may be enrolled in residential or ambulatory treatment modalities, based on determination through assessment of their level-of-care needs and legal mandates. Since its inception, this service to criminal justice-involved clients has a proven record of success in elevating the quality of life for Samaritan's clients, their families and communities.

 

Drug Treatment Alternatives to Prison (DTAP)

Due to its impressive record of cost-savings and effectiveness in breaking the critical cycle of addiction and recidivism, the DTAP Program has gained widespread recognition. DTAP Program participation require addicted defendants to enter treatment in exchange for a favorable outcome of their cases. The program's premise is a simple, yet innovative one based on the postulation that offenders are less likely to reoffend once their substance abuse is addressed. Although embraced nationally today, at DTAP's inception in 1989, this was not the case and its precept was met with opposition from the criminal justice, as well as, treatment communities. Both entities viewed the program as being radical and questioned its ability to produce the desired outcomes. As far back as 1989, Samaritan Village had secured a reputation as an innovative provider dedicated to treating hard-to-serve populations. Samaritan was, therefore, the obvious choice to collaborate with the Kings County District Attorney's Office, DTAP's originator, and to pilot the program. Ultimately, Samaritan Village was one of only two programs contracted by the District Attorney to do so.

Today, the DTAP Program has been replicated in every borough of the city and extolled nationally as well. DTAP-mandated clients receive a full array of treatment services targeting their substance abuse/relapse prevention, vocational and educational, behavioral, socialization, and primary medical and HIV care needs. Discharge planning and length of stay is determined on an individual basis and in consideration of participants' legal stipulations.

 

Veteran's Services

During the 1980’s Samaritan recognized that veterans could greatly benefit from substance abuse treatment tailored to meet their special needs. What began as a veterans club and a special group has now grown into two, innovative treatment programs providing specialized services to 98 male veterans.

From the moment the homeless, male, substance abusing veteran walks into Samaritan's Veterans Program, the empathy, identification, and camaraderie that is so integral to successful treatment begins to transform him. Through the unconditional acceptance and support of the community, the program becomes a safe haven where healing can begin. The Veterans Program provides residential services specifically tailored to veterans' needs and designed to promote trust. Our service continuum includes post-traumatic stress disorder therapy and counseling designed to address other co-existing mental health problems. Program design is an integrated, six to twelve month therapeutic community model based on the principles of social learning theory. Program participants are engaged in mutually supportive recovery in an atmosphere that is sensitive to the special needs of homeless veterans.

 

 

Click the play button below for Samaritan Village Veteran Services Video

 

 

 

We are proud to inform you that Samaritan has just received an award to provide the first, residential substance abuse treatment program for women veterans in the country. This unique program will accommodate 25 women veterans and will be located at our Ellenville campus with construction beginning in 2009 and program services being implemented in 2010.

 

Homeless Services

Forbell Men's Shelter
In 1995, Samaritan Village, contracted with the New York City Department of Homeless Services, converted the Forbell custodial shelter to a shelter that provides a modified Therapeutic Community offering substance abuse treatment, on-site medical care, mental health services and comprehensive educational and vocational services to adult homeless men. Program services include a Supported Work Program; a sequence of work experiences, education programs and substance abuse counseling services, and on-site job training programs in culinary art and computer training. Experimental work skills training is provided via structured work assignments. Treatment duration for both programs is about 9 to 12 months.

 

Outreach and Referral Services

Samaritan Village Homeless Outreach Project provides engagement, assessment, crisis intervention, HIV education/prevention, referral, and placement services to NYC assessment shelters, street outreach, terminal outreach and seminars in local drop-in centers. During the eight years of its existence, the outreach project has assessed and referred approximately 17,000 homeless men and women to drug and alcohol treatment, mental health, and other social services.

Forbell Shelter
338 Forbell St.
Brooklyn, NY 11208
For Information/Admission, Please call (718) 277-6317 or, Email Us

 

Outpatient Services

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
The Intensive Outpatient program (IOP) is designed to meet the needs of clients who have recent or current substance abuse histories who do not require a more intensive level of care in residential or detoxification treatment. Eligible candidates are in a stable living environment, may be currently employed, enrolled in a school or training program and demonstrate a commitment to the recovery process. Treatment programming consists of two distinct phases with a combined duration of up to six (6) months. On completion of the IOP, clients are referred to continuing care/aftercare services within the Samaritan continuum of care. The initial funding for this program was provided through a Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) grant (grant #TI11594-01).

 

Continuing Care/Aftercare Service
The Intensive Outpatient program (IOP) is designed to meet the needs of clients who have recent or current substance abuse histories who do not require a more intensive level of care in residential or detoxification treatment. Eligible candidates are in a stable living environment, may be currently employed, enrolled in a school or training program and demonstrate a commitment to the recovery process. Treatment programming consists of two distinct phases with a combined duration of up to six (6) months. On completion of the IOP, clients are referred to continuing care/aftercare services within the Samaritan continuum of care. The initial funding for this program was provided through a Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) grant (grant #TI11594-01).

Career Development and Education

The philosophy of Career Development and Educational Services is to provide clients with the tools and skills needed to enter the workforce.

Samaritan Village recognizes that employment is a strong deterrent to substance abuse. Samaritan Village provides a full range of educational, vocational, and skills training options. English as a second language, G.E.D. preparation, and remedial assistance are some of the educational programs available to clients.

In 1999, Samaritan Village launched Computer and Office Skills Training, Food Service Training, and Carpentry Training as in-house vocational programs. Capitalizing on the comprehensive work readiness curriculum, these industry specific programs enhance the employment possibilities for our clients

The Program Evaluation and Research Department (PER) assesses program effectiveness, efficiency, and effort, as well as conducting a host of research projects. PER uses social science research methods to conduct outcome studies, client satisfaction studies, and program evaluation. Samaritan Village conducts extensive training courses and programs to ensure staff competency; PER assesses the knowledge acquired through these training initiatives. PER responds to research grant proposals offered by NIDA, NIMH, CSAT, and private foundations.

Program Evaluation and Research

The Program Evaluation and Research Department (PER) assesses program effectiveness, efficiency, and effort, as well as conducting a host of research projects. PER uses social science research methods to conduct outcome studies, client satisfaction studies, and program evaluation. Samaritan Village conducts extensive training courses and programs to ensure staff competency; PER assesses the knowledge acquired through these training initiatives. PER responds to research grant proposals offered by NIDA, NIMH, CSAT, and private foundations.

MODIFIED THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS

SAMHSA FIVE YEAR GRANT
Effective 9-30-04

The purpose of this project is to improve short- and long-term outcomes for homeless substance abusing clients through modifications and specifications to the traditional therapeutic community treatment model. The US Department of Health and Human Services ([DHHS], 2003) estimates that approximately 2-3 million individuals, nearly 1% of the US population, experiences a night of homelessness each year. NYC Department of Homeless Services estimates between 40%-60% of homeless single adult shelter residents have significant substance abuse problems (NYS DHCR, 2001). Samaritan Village, Inc. is a major provider of drug treatment services in the NYC area, licensed and contracted by NY State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services and NYC Department of Homeless Services. The addition of highly qualified clinical staff will allow for the provision of specialized mental health services to this underserved population. Research indicates that individuals with co-occurring disorders demonstrate positive treatment outcomes within modified therapeutic community settings (McLaughlin & Pepper 1991; De Leon et al., 2000; Rahav et al., 1995b; Burling et al., 1994). The population to be targeted for this grant is homeless persons in New York City with substance abuse problems who are in need of residential treatment. An extensive literature review reveals that this population is underserved and in need of targeted addiction and mental health services. A complex range of issues characterize many people who are homeless including low levels of educational achievement, few job skills, lack of family and social supports, alcohol and drug abuse problems, mental illness, experiences of violence and victimization, and frequent contact with the criminal justice system. Identified barriers for homeless individuals to enter and complete treatment include: lack of transportation, lack of support services, lack of documentation, scheduling difficulties, daily contact requirements and ineffective treatment methods. This information has been taken into consideration in the design of a modified therapeutic community treatment program for homeless substance abusers. Current programs available to meet the health care needs of homeless people do not have the resources necessary to address addiction disorders in a thorough manner (Cousineau, 1995). Homelessness will not be alleviated solely by the creation of additional housing resources, but is dependent on the expansion and enhancement of existing supportive services programs, such as substance abuse programs. The following specific substance abuse services will be offered to adequately meet the needs of homeless substance abusing clients: outreach and engagement; entitlements assistance; comprehensive on-site healthcare services; substance abuse treatment; case management; group counseling; individual counseling; psychiatric services; life skills services; educational services; vocational planning and preparation; discharge planning; legal advocacy; transportation support; and follow-up services. The following outcomes are anticipated: reduction and/or cessation of substance use; housing stability; improved social and family relationships; improved psychosocial functioning; improved physical health; improved employment related status; establishment of public entitlements; secured long-term housing and increased employment.

 

MODIFIED THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS
A collaborative effort (in alphabetical order):

Project Description

The QMTC project will expand treatment in an outpatient substance abuse treatment program in Jamaica, Queens and provide enhanced services to the QMTC by addressing unmet needs of availability and readily accessible treatment services for low-level nonviolent substance abusing offenders. In partnership with the QMTC and TASC, and in collaboration with the CCNY, LAS, OCA, QCDA, and QLA, SVI will improve engagement, assessment and treatment access for drug court participants. Eligibility will be determined rapidly on-site, and assessment, appropriate level of care, treatment engagement, orientation and provision of educational and motivational services will be provided promptly to participants. Fifty treatment slots will be allocated for 9-month intensive outpatient treatment program in Jamaica, Queens. Treatment is highly structured with comprehensive programs for substance abusing adult offenders, with resocialization, behavioral modification, education, vocational and employment services. The 3-year project anticipates providing treatment to up to 175 drug court participants annually. Data will be collected to evaluate primary goals of elimination or reduction in substance use, reduction in rearrest and conviction recidivism, and improvement in quality of life dimensions (e.g., family, social, vocational, employment, psychological, physical functioning). Program evaluation will also examine client demographics, as they relate to primary goals and treatment retention (length of stay), measures of treatment readiness, and motivation. A Steering Committee is established comprised of key stakeholders to monitor program implementation, identify barriers and facilitators to service delivery, and provide a forum for feedback as the program matures.

The project is in response to identified needs with substance abusing criminal justice offenders. Substance abuse and addiction have greatly affected America's criminal justice system over the past 20 years, where an estimated 80% of those incarcerated are involved with drugs or alcohol. Drug courts and alternative to incarceration treatment approaches provide a unique opportunity to identify addicted offenders and persuade them to enter treatment. These programs aim to reduce recidivism and substance abuse, and rehabilitate participants, and are less costly than incarceration. Preliminary findings show favorable outcomes with reduced substance use and criminal behavior, improvement in social functioning, employment, personal physical and emotional health, and reduction in public health and safety risks.

Related Links

• Al-Anon / Alateen
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers of New York State
• Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services
• Department of Veterans Affairs
• F E G S
• HELP USA
• HUD
• Join Together Online
• Narcotics Anonymous
• National Coalition for the Homeless
• National Coalition for the Homeless Veterans
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
• New York City Department of Homeless Services
• New York State Department of Family Assistance
• New York State Department of Health
• New York State
  Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
• New York State Office of Mental Health
• PBS Online - Close to Home
• SAMHSA -Center for Substance Abuse Treatment