Recovery-Oriented System of Care

​​​2024 ROSC Summit Series 

Registration is now open for the Recovery-Oriented System of Care (ROSC) Summit series. 

Building upon the efforts of the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health to increase efforts to better serve the justice-involved population, these one-day events seek to provide training and opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations on how the courts are uniquely positioned to identify and connect Kentucky’s citizens and families with behavioral health services while strengthening localized support networks. ​

​​​Northern Kentucky University: Student Union Hall 

20 Kenton Drive, Highland Heights, Kentucky ​41099

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Program Booklet

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Event Location: We will be meeting in Student Union Ballroom, Northern Kentucky University Student Union Hall, 20 Kenton Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099. ​​

​​​ Time: Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. ET. The summit will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 5:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided with extra time for networking opportunities. Attendees are encouraged to connect with other professionals in attendance. 

Agenda: We've planned a great program. ROSC Summit website and agenda information are coming soon! 

Parking: To access parking for the Student Union building, enter the Kenton Drive Garage at 20 Kenton Drive, Highland Heights. While summit parking has been paid for all attendees, a parking ticket may need to be pulled to enter the garage. There will be no associated payments to exit the garage as the gates will be open.  

Entrance Drop-Off: The NKU Student Union facility features an entrance drop-off circle specifically designed for individuals with disabilities, providing a convenient and safe space for drop-offs/ pick-ups. Entry for this area is located across from the Kenton Drive Garage between the bus stop shelter and bridge crosswalk. 

Smoke-Free Notification: Northern Kentucky University and the city of Highland Heights have a smoke-free policy. The use of tobacco is prohibited on all city and university properties, including interior and exterior building spaces, outside ground areas, walkways, parking structures and vehicles. 

Evaluation: The overarching goal of ROSC is to improve the court system's response to justice-involved individuals who experience substance use disorder, mental health illnesses and intellectual disabilities, as well as their families. We hope to accomplish this through educational efforts and cooperative partnerships. To assist in measuring our progress, we have contracted Austin Griffiths, Ph.D., CSW, Associate Professor, Master of Social Work, and Director with LifeSkills Center for Child Welfare Education and Research (LCCWEAR) at Western Kentucky University to serve as an external evaluator. At the end of each summit, Dr. Griffiths will administer a survey. We encourage each of you to complete the entire survey at the conclusion of the summit, as our future funding is dependent upon our ability to report on outcomes. ​​

​Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Expo Center  

830 Phillips Lane, Louisville, Kentucky ​​​40209

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Register Now

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​ Speaker Bio Booklet: Coming soon!​​​

Event Location: We will be meeting in the Crowne B&C rooms, Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Kentucky Expo Center, 815 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY 40209. 

Time: Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. EST. The summit will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 5:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided with extra time for networking opportunities. Attendees are encouraged to connect with other professionals​ in attendance. 

Agenda: We've planned a great program. ROSC Summit website and agenda information are coming soon! ​

Parking: Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Kentucky Expo Center provides ample onsite parking free of charge. 

Evaluation: The overarching goal of ROSC is to improve the court system's response to justice-involved individuals who experience substance use disorder, mental health illnesses and intellectual disabilities, as well as their families. We hope to accomplish this through educational efforts and cooperative partnerships. To assist in measuring our progress, we have contracted Austin Griffiths, Ph.D., CSW, Associate Professor, Master of Social Work, and Director with LifeSkills Center for Child Welfare Education and Research (LCCWEAR) at Western Kentucky University to serve as an external evaluator. At the end of each summit, Dr. Griffiths will administer a survey. We encourage each of you to complete the entire survey at the conclusion of the summit, as our future funding is dependent upon our ability to report on outcomes. ​

​Western K​​entucky University: Knicely Convention Center 

2355 Nashville Road, Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101

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Register Now

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​ ​ Speaker Bio Booklet: Coming soon!

Event Location: We will be meeting in the Knicely West Rooms 208 A-E, Western Kentucky University Kincely Convention Center, 2355 Nashville Road, Bowling Green, KY 42101. ​​

Time: Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. CST. The summit will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 5:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided with extra time for networking opportunities. Attendees are encouraged to connect with other professionals in attendance. 

Agenda: We've planned a great program. ROSC Summit website and agenda information are coming soon! 

Parking: The Knicely Conference Center provides ample onsite parking free of charge. 

Smoke-Free Notification: Western Kentucky University has a smoke-free policy that prohibits the use of tobacco on all university properties, including interior and exterior building spaces, outside ground areas, walkways, parking structures and vehicles. 

Evaluation: The overarching goal of ROSC is to improve the court system's response to justice-involved individuals who experience substance use disorder, mental health illnesses and intellectual disabilities, as well as their families. We hope to accomplish this through educational efforts and cooperative partnerships. To assist in measuring our progress, we have contracted Austin Griffiths, Ph.D., CSW, Associate Professor, Master of Social Work, and Director with LifeSkills Center for Child Welfare Education and Research (LCCWEAR) at Western Kentucky University to serve as an external evaluator. At the end of each summit, Dr. Griffiths will administer a survey. We encourage each of you to complete the entire survey at the conclusion of the summit, as our future funding is dependent upon our ability to report on outcomes. 

​McCracken County Convention and Expo Center 

415 Park Ave., Paducah, Kentucky 42001​

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Register Now

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​ Speaker Bio Booklet: Coming soon! 

Event Location: We will be meeting in the Cumberland Room, Paducah-McCracken County Convention & Expo Center​, 415 Park Ave., Paducah, KY 42001. 

Time: Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. CST. The summit will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 5:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided with extra time for networking opportunities. Attendees are encouraged to connect with other professionals in attendance. ​

Agenda: We've planned a great program. ROSC Summit website and agenda information are coming soon! 

Parking: The Paducah-McCracken County Convention & Expo Center provides ample onsite parking free of charge. ​

Evaluation: The overarching goal of ROSC is to improve the court system's response to justice-involved individuals who experience substance use disorder, mental health illnesses and intellectual disabilities, as well as their families. We hope to accomplish this through educational efforts and cooperative partnerships. To assist in measuring our progress, we have contracted Austin Griffiths, Ph.D., CSW, Associate Professor, Master of Social Work, and Director with LifeSkills Center for Child Welfare Education and Research (LCCWEAR) at Western Kentucky University to serve as an external evaluator. At the end of each summit, Dr. Griffiths will administer a survey. We encourage each of you to complete the entire survey at the conclusion of the summit, as our future funding is dependent upon our ability to report on outcomes. 

​Center for Rural Development 

2292 S Highway 27, Somerset, Kentucky 42501
Ste. 300

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Register Now

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Speaker Bio Booklet: Coming soon! 

Event Location: We will be meeting in the South Hall, Center for Rural Development​, 2292 S Highway 27, Somerset, KY 42501. Ste. 300

Time: Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. EST. The summit will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 5:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided with extra time for networking opportunities. Attendees are encouraged to connect with other professionals in attendance. 

Agenda: We've planned a great program. ROSC Summit website and agenda information are coming soon! 

Parking: The Center for Rural Development provides ample onsite parking free of charge. 

Evaluation: The overarching goal of ROSC is to improve.

​​​Ramada by Wyndham Paintsville Hotel and Convention Center 

624 James S. Trimble Blvd., Paintsville, Kentucky 41240

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Register Now

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​ Speaker Bio Booklet: Coming soon!

Event Location: We will be meeting in the Argand Room, Ramada Hotel & Conference Center by Wyndham Paintsville, 624 James S. Trimble Blvd., Paintsville, KY, 41240. ​

Time: Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. EST. The summit will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 5:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided with extra time for networking opportunities. Attendees are encouraged to connect with other professionals in attendance. 

Agenda: We've planned a great program. ROSC Summit website and agenda information are coming soon! ​

Parking: The Ramada by Wyndham-Paintsville provides onsite parking free of charge. 

Evaluation: The overarching goal of ROSC is to improve the court system's response to justice-involved individuals who experience substance use disorder, mental health illnesses and intellectual disabilities, as well as their families. We hope to accomplish this through educational efforts and cooperative partnerships. To assist in measuring our progress, we have contracted Austin Griffiths, Ph.D., CSW, Associate Professor, Master of Social Work, and Director with LifeSkills Center for Child Welfare Education and Research (LCCWEAR) at Western Kentucky University to serve as an external evaluator. At the end of each summit, Dr. Griffiths will administer a survey. We encourage each of you to complete the entire survey at the conclusion of the summit, as our future funding is dependent upon our ability to report on outcomes.  

​Administrative Office of the Courts 

1001 Vandalay Drive, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

Registration closed 

Speaker Bio Booklet: Coming soon!

Event Location: We will be meeting in the Conference Room, Administrative Office of the Courts,1001 Vandalay Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601. 

Time: Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. EST. The summit will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 5:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided with extra time for networking opportunities. Attendees are encouraged to connect with other professionals in attendance. 

Agenda: We've planned a great program. ROSC Summit website and agenda information are coming soon! 

Parking: The Administrative Office of the Courts provides ample onsite parking free of charge. 

Evaluation: The overarching goal of ROSC is to improve the court system's response to justice-involved individuals who experience substance use disorder, mental health illnesses and intellectual disabilities, as well as their families. We hope to accomplish this through educational efforts and cooperative partnerships. To assist in measuring our progress, we have contracted Austin Griffiths, Ph.D., CSW, Associate Professor, Master of Social Work, and Director with LifeSkills Center for Child Welfare Education and Research (LCCWEAR) at Western Kentucky University to serve as an external evaluator. At the end of each summit, Dr. Griffiths will administer a survey. We encourage each of you to complete the entire survey at the conclusion of the summit, as our future funding is dependent upon our ability to report on outcomes.  

​​​Vision

Kentucky Court of Justice (KCOJ) is committed to improving responses to justice-involved Kentuckians and their families, focusing on individuals with substance use disorder, mental illness and intellectual disabilities. The KCOJ strives f​or equitable pathways to recovery that divert justice-involved individuals into necessary treatments and out of the court system. This is achieved through intentional collaborations involving a multidisciplinary system of the KCOJ, behavioral health systems and local communities.

Goals​​

The Crime and Justice Institute (CJI) report, outlines recommendations that KCOJ will utilize in its efforts toward the adoption of the Recovery-Oriented System of Care (ROSC) court model and the implementation of the following goals: ​

  • Ensure adequate screening is done for individuals who are referred for assessments  

  • Examine the shift from a sanction-based, compliance court model to a Recovery-Oriented System of Care court model to address substance use disorders (including co-occurring disorders)

  • Leverage resources to achieve better outcomes for individuals with substance use and or mental health disorders, by expanding services provided and matching those who are in need 

  • Consider the continuity of needs/recovery pathways to ensure staff understand how individuals can navigate their recovery

  • Work to enhance recovery capital by removing barriers and connecting individuals to services through other agencies such as childcare, housing, transportation and employment assistance

History

In the last few years, the Kentucky Court of Justice has been striving to improve its understanding of evidence-based treatment and recovery supports. This includes the best practices for handling cases involving individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorder. Since 2019, the steps below have been implemented:​

  • 2019: Launch of RESTORE initiative, which provided judges, circuit court clerks and court personnel with up-to-date information on best practices to support the treatment of substance abuse disorder 

  • 2020: Grant Funding from the State Justice Institute was used to coordinate with the Crime and Justice Institute (CJI), which conducted a formal assessment of strengths, opportunities and challenges faced by Kentucky judges, court personnel and stakeholders when trying to connect justice-involved individuals to services 

  • 2021:​ CJI completed its assessment and presented a final report titled “Recovery Oriented Systems of Care: Needs and Opportunities for Kentucky’s Court System”

CJI Report Summary

The Crime and Justice Institute (CJI) report​ found that Kentucky appears to be the first state court system to move toward a Recovery-Oriented System of Care (ROSC). While there is no roadmap for transitioning a court system, Kentucky will look to other states that have sought to improve their various systems with ROSC. The CJI report is the first step toward outlining this transition. Below, are the findings from the 2021 report.​

​There are challenges in coordinating care between courts and treatment providers. The different expectations about the roles of courts and treatment providers, make efficient and effective service delivery difficult.​

​​Each direct service department within the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), operates independent court programs and collaborates on joint projects. However, they have yet to establish a shared definition, vision and approach to recovery. Differences in perspectives toward recovery result in different uses of program conditions.​

​​The collaboration between the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID), Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) and Administrative Offices of the Courts (AOC) has strengthened in the past six years. In family law and juvenile cases, efforts to move towards a system of care for families can provide a roadmap to developing a similar approach within the adult court system.​​

​​Certain courts, DBHDID, and DCBS are already implementing ROSC principles, including person-centered care, timely and equitable access to services, and the use of natural supports.​​

​​Treatment availability improved with Medicaid expansion and recent changes. It allows service provision via telehealth to be billable, but challenges persist, such as transportation, limited provider office hours, stigma and lack of resources to access telehealth services.​

​​Essential services to coordinate care for individuals involved in the court and behavioral health systems do not have adequate funding, which has caused some communities to rely on short-term grants to fill in gaps. Without a long-term sustainability plan, the care coordination services will disappear when grant periods end.​​

​​Courts and communities have increased their awareness of substance use and recovery. They would benefit from ongoing education to increase collaboration, awareness of community-based resources, and appropriate advocacy for recovery-oriented responses to substance use and mental health.​

​​A perception among some system stakeholders is that diversion and deferred prosecution programs are too lenient in results. It’s specifically designed to target people with substance use issues and connect them to treatment. A lack of meaningful participant incentives prevents some specialty courts from operating at full capacity.​

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Frequently Asked Questions

​​A ROSC is an approach that prioritizes the rehabilitation and recovery of individuals in the justice system who struggle with substance use disorders or mental health issues. It emphasizes collaboration between judicial agencies, healthcare providers and community organizations to support individuals in their recovery journey.​

​​Traditional approaches often focus on punishment and deterrence, whereas ROSC emphasizes treatment, support and rehabilitation. Instead of solely punishing individuals for their offenses, ROSC aims to address underlying issues, such as substance abuse or mental health disorders.​​

​Key components include:

  • Screening and assessment for substance use and mental health disorders

  • Access to evidence-based treatment services, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and counseling

  • Collaboration between court agencies, healthcare providers and community organizations

  • Peer support services to promote recovery and connection with the community

  • Continuity of care, including support during incarceration and post-release

  • Education and training for court professionals on addiction and mental health issues

​​ROSC provides justice-involved individuals with access to comprehensive treatment and support services that can address the root causes of their involvement in the justice system. It can lead to reduced rates of recidivism, improved health outcomes and increased opportunities for successful re-entry.​​

​​Peer support services, which involve individuals with lived experience of addiction or mental health issues provide guidance and encouragement to others in similar situations. Peers can offer empathy, understanding and practical assistance to individuals navigating the challenges of recovery and reentry into the community.​​

​Communities can support ROSC by:

  • Advocating for policy changes that prioritize treatment and rehabilitation over punitive measures

  • Investing in resources for substance abuse treatment, mental health services and supportive housing

  • Promoting collaboration between judicial agencies, healthcare providers and community organizations

  • Providing education and training on addiction and mental health issues for justice professionals

  • Fostering a supportive environment that embraces individuals in recovery and promotes successful connection within their communities

​​Research has shown that ROSC approaches can lead to reductions in substance misuse, recidivism and healthcare costs while improving overall well-being and quality of life for individuals involved in the justice system. Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive impact of integrated treatment and support services on recovery outcomes.​​

​Individuals can access resources and support through various avenues including:

  • Screening and assessment processes within the justice system

  • Referrals from probation or parole officers, court officials or healthcare providers

  • Community-based organizations that offer substance abuse treatment, mental health services and peer support programs

  • Reentry programs designed to assist individuals transitioning from incarceration back into the community

​​Yes, challenges may include:

  • Limited funding and resources for treatment and support services

  • Stigma associated with addiction and mental health disorders

  • Fragmentation of services and lack of coordination between agencies

  • Legal and policy barriers that hinder access to treatment or support for certain populations, such as individuals with prior convictions

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