Resources for Courts
This page is intended as a quick reference resource for judges and court professionals who work with people in Tennessee's Recovery Courts. The links below have more details about each program and contact information.
Need Help Now
Statewide Crisis Line 855-CRISIS-1 for mental health crisis help
TN REDLINE 800-889-9789 for substance use disorder treatment referrals
Criminal Justice-Specific Resources
Alcohol & Drug Addiction Treatment (ADAT)
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment is available to those convicted of DUI and ordered by the court into treatment. Residential and outpatient treatment costs are covered for those unable to pay.
Community Treatment Collaborative
The Community Treatment Collaborative is a substance abuse treatment service for Tennessee Department of Correction state probation and parole technical violators. The program offers the following services: Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient, Halfway House, Residential, Social Detox, and Medically Monitored Detox
Criminal Justice Liaisons
Individuals in the court system who have a mental health and/or substance abuse issue can secure the support of a Criminal Justice Behavioral Health Liaison. This service can prove to be critical for those struggling with behavioral health issues, to ensure they get the help and support they need.
Juvenile Justice Diversion Programs
The primary purpose of this funding is to expand community-based services and training to provide treatment options for juvenile courts to utilize across the state, specifically services and training that are evidence-based and outcomes oriented. The targeted population is youth who have been referred to juvenile court for a delinquent/unruly charge, or who have already been adjudicated delinquent/unruly, and are at risk of being placed in DCS custody. Partners in this effort include the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts, and juvenile judges and court staff from across the state.
Pre-Arrest Diversion Programs
7 Local grantees across the state received state funding with a goal of developing infrastructure aimed at reducing or eliminating the time individuals with mental illness, substance use, or co-occurring disorder spend incarcerated by redirecting them from the criminal justice system to community-based treatment and supports.
Recovery Courts
Tennessee’s 82 recovery courts are special courts willing to handle cases involving substance-abusing offenders through comprehensive supervision, drug testing, treatment services and immediate sanctions and incentives. The expectations of those willing to participate are intensive, as the road to recovery is not easy. Individuals who complete all the parameters of the Recovery Court graduate with their sobriety and a new lease on life.
Safe Baby Courts
Tennessee’s 12 Safe Baby Courts focus on children ages birth to four. These courts have their roots in the Tennessee Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Initiative that began in 2010 and continued for several years.
Supervised Probation Offender Treatment (SPOT)
Supervised probation offender treatment pays for court-ordered alcohol and drug treatment on a residential rehabilitation, halfway house, and outpatient basis.
Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Resources
Abstinence-based Community Treatment Services
Adult Substance Abuse Treatment is for adults with an alcohol or drug dependency, or adults with a co-occurring substance use and a psychiatric diagnosis. The program offers the following services: Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient, Halfway House, Residential, Social Detox, and Medically Monitored Detox. A listing of state-funded treatment providers along with contact information and a listing of the services they provide is available at this link.
Addiction Recovery Program (ARP)
The Addictions Recovery Program (ARP) offers a variety of services to individuals with issues brought on by their substance abuse. Services include: Recovery Assessment and Service Plan, Screening for Drug & Alcohol Abuse, Case Management, Drug Testing, Pastoral/Spiritual Support, Recovery Skills, Relapse , Prevention Skills, Transitional Housing, Transportation, Employment Skills, Health and Wellness, Recovery Activities.
Community-Anti Drug Coalitions
Tennessee’s 46 Community-Anti Drug Coalitions cover an area representing about 75% of the state’s population. Coalitions are working to reduce dependence on harmful and potentially lethal substances such as prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
Faith-Based Supports at Certified Recovery Congregations
TDMHSAS has more than 500 Certified Recovery Congregations across the state who have agreed to do several things to support people recovering from substance use disorder. Those commitments include: Providing Spiritual/Pastoral Support; Viewing addiction as a treatable disease, not a moral issue; Embracing and support people in recovery and walk with them on their journey; Providing a visible outreach in the community; Sharing recovery information; Hosting recovery support groups
Lifeline Peer Project
TDMHSAS and its community behavioral health partners employ 10 individuals with lived experience of addiction whose mission is to start recovery support groups and connect people with treatment services.
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of medications with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to treatment of substance use disorders. MAT is primarily used for the treatment of addiction to opioids such as heroin and prescription pain relievers that contain opiates. The prescribed medication operates to normalize brain chemistry, block the euphoric effects of alcohol and opioids, relieve physiological cravings, and normalize body functions without the negative effects of the abused drug.
Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists
A total of 20 Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists (ROPS) are located throughout the state of Tennessee as a point of contact for training and education on opioid overdose and for overdose prevention through the distribution of naloxone. From October 2017 to December 2019, the ROPS distributed more than 134,000 units of naloxone, and TDMHSAS has documented at least 13,400 lives saved because of naloxone distributed during that time.
Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SAPT)
TDMHSAS receives the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant from the federal government to provide prevention, treatment and recovery support services, and activities for people who are at-risk of or have a substance abuse problem. Individuals will receive priority for admission to licensed treatment agencies if he or she meets one or more of the following: Pregnant intravenous drug users, Pregnant substance users, and Intravenous drug users
TN Recovery Navigators
Tennessee Recovery Navigators are people in long-term recovery who meet patients who have recently overdosed in the Emergency Department and connect them with the substance abuse treatment and recovery services they need. Navigators maintain a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) Certification in order to use their lived experience to help others find recovery.
Mental Health Resources
Behavioral Health Safety Net (BHSN)
Tennessee’s Behavioral Health Safety Net provides essential mental health services to individuals who are uninsured and at or below 138% of Federal Poverty Level. The most commonly accessed services include: Assessment and Evaluation, Case Management, Psychiatric Medication Management, Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services, and Therapeutic Interventions
Certified Peer Recovery Specialists
A Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) is a person who has lived experience of a mental illness, substance use disorder or co-occurring disorder, who has made the journey from illness to wellness, and who now wishes to help others. People use their CPRS certification to work in a variety of locations from behavioral health providers to insurance companies to criminal justice settings.
Crisis Respite
Crisis Respite Services provides short-term relief for a person experiencing a mental health emergency. The average length of stay is 48 hours or less.
Crisis Walk-In Centers
Crisis Walk-In Centers offer face-to-face, 24/7/365 evaluation for those who are experiencing a mental health emergency. Services May Include: Mental health assessment, referral to services, and follow-up services
Crisis Stabilization Units
Crisis Stabilization Units (CSU) offer 24/7/365 intensive, short-term stabilization for someone experiencing a mental health emergency and is willing to receive services. The average length of stay in a CSU is 3 days. The service is free of charge.
Mobile Crisis Response Teams
Mobile Crisis Services is a 24/7/365 response team for those who are experiencing a mental health emergency. Services include Mobile Crisis Services for children and youth. You may access both adult and children and youth services by calling the Statewide Crisis Line at 855-CRISIS-1.
Individual Placement and Support / Supported Employment
Work can be a big boost to a person’s recovery. Not only does a job help pay the bills, it can also provide a person with a sense of pride and belonging. Having a job adds structure to daily life, increases social contacts and support, and enhances opportunities for personal achievement.
Peer Support Centers
The 45 Peer Support Centers across Tennessee are places where people with mental illness and substance use disorders can learn about recovery, find peer support, and have fun—all for free.
Housing Resources
Community Targeted Transitional Support
The Community Targeted Transitional Support program provides specific, temporary financial assistance that allows consumers to live independently in the community by providing funding for rental deposits, rental assistance, utility deposits, utility payments, eye care, and dental care. Eligible individual are those receiving treatment for a mental illness or co-occurring substance abuse disorder whose household income is below the Federal Poverty Level and can show this is a temporary or one-time need. Payments are not made to service recipients, but rather directly to the vendor, such as the landlord or utility company.
Consumer Housing Specialists and Regional Housing Facilitators
Consumer Housing Specialists partner with existing community housing stakeholders in creating linkages, resource development, and community education efforts. Researching, evaluating, and building a comprehensive information collection and dissemination database of housing resources, housing options, community housing development programs which will identify current needs and issues to aid in the process of developing solutions.
Regional Housing Facilitators work "hands-on" in collaboration with grassroots community task forces in each of the seven statewide Mental Health Planning and Policy Council regions to create and develop safe, affordable, quality, permanent housing options for persons diagnosed with a mental illness or co-occurring disorder.
Oxford House
Oxford Houses are safe, supportive housing options for adults at least 18 years old who are in recovery from alcohol abuse and/or drug abuse.
Projects for Assistance in the Transition from Homelessness (PATH)
PATH), serves people with serious mental illness, including those with co-occurring substance use disorders who are experiencing homelessness or are at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Outreach is focused on helping people who are living on the streets or in homeless shelters. Among the services eligible for funding under PATH are: Outreach services, Screening and diagnostic treatment services, Habilitation and rehabilitation services, Community mental health services, Alcohol and drug treatment services, Staff training, Case management services, Supportive and supervisory services in residential settings, Referrals for primary health services, job training, educational services, Relevant housing services