Removing Barriers to Recovery: Community Partnering for Innovative Solutions to the Opioid Crisis

STUDY JOB OPENINGS $15-23/ hour

Hiring one or more part-time Research Assistants (100% remote). I am a felony friendly employer. Please contact Candice Tudor at ctudor@umich.edu for questions or to request a job application. No calls please. If you are referring someone, please have them note that in their application.

Research Assistant “RA” position on the “Removing Barriers to Recovery: Community Partnering for Innovative Solutions to the Opioid Crisis” Primary Investigator: Meghan O’Neil, PhD.

Position Requirements:

Associate’s Degree or higher with an A- or better GPA
4 or more years of work experience in courts, treatment centers, policing, corrections or similar or an equivalent combination of education and work experience, with at least of min of 1 year work experience
Record of commitment to public service

This study is supported by the National Science Foundation. The RA should be a self-starter, ambitious, responsible and goal-oriented professional with knowledge of issues facing persons involved in the criminal justice system. Assist faculty with administrative tasks related to the implementation of a randomized controlled trial involving legal services in addiction treatment centers. Support the implementation of mixed methods work including focus groups, surveys, and interviews. Communicate with and maintain a professional and engaging rapport with diverse partners including: clients and staff in treatment centers, law enforcement, judicial officers, government officials, and non-profit community organizations. Familiarity with cloud based computing, such as Dropbox and Google Drive preferred. An opportunity to publish in peer reviewed journals exists for experienced candidates, but is not required. Familiarity with 12-step programs is a plus.

Related Local Resources:

DAWN FARM

HOME OF NEW VISION

Support Meetin gs

Support Meetings for Friends and Family

Legal barriers can interfere with treatment when clients seeking recovery from addiction are revoked to jail. By providing free online legal dispute resolution, the intervention aims to support sustained treatment and increase hope among those seeking recovery. Even minor legal issues such as outstanding fines and fees can interfere with completion of treatment by spiraling into bench warrants which land people in jail. By removing legal barriers like warrants, suspended licenses, and outdated parenting time plans, we aim to help those seeking recovery get into a place where they are better positioned to participate in the labor market, return to their families and local communities, and obtain secure housing.

This interdisciplinary community intervention partners with (7) courts, (2) non-profit treatment centers, a local tech startup, and the University of Michigan Law School.

Our local non-profit partners have an excellent reputation for providing comprehensive addiction treatment and a wide-range of supportive services and referrals such as transitional housing, jobs training, mental health services, family services, and public health resources.

This intervention won the 2018 INNOVATE public service pitch competition at the University of Michigan and the Judge’s Choice Award. This intervention is supported by Mcubed in 2019-2020.