San Francisco, CA

Started in 1992, the Supportive Living Program is part of the Bay Area Parole Services Network, a project funded by the state Department of Corrections to reduce the number of state parolees returning to prison for parole violation.

SLP provides drug and alcohol treatment services for sixteen participants, housed in two residential San Francisco neighborhoods for up to 180 days. When new clients enter the program, case managers work with them to develop individualized treatment plans to address their specific psychological and social needs. An addiction severity tool helps to properly assess clients' treatment. Case plans are culturally specific and they typically include participation in education, employment, vocational training, family reunification, mental health, post-release housing, and life skills training.

Unlike traditional clinical approaches to substance abuse treatment for parolees, SLP uses social model recovery principles that focus on experiential learning and on building self-reliance in a population that is often over-institutionalized. Residents are encouraged to obtain outside jobs, and to access resources in the community that will provide a system of support that can sustain their recovery once they graduate.

Also distinct from traditional clinical approaches, SLP staff are selected not only on the basis of clinical training but also on experience-based knowledge of substance abuse and its dangers. This emphasis on commonality allows for closer identification between clients and staff and facilitates the development of trust and support.

SLP residents participate in weekly group and individual counseling sessions. SLP staff use NA & AA methodology as well as spiritually based ideas to structure the rehabilitation process. Group sessions focus on relapse prevention, building support for ongoing recovery, anger management, life skills, employment readiness and tools for getting off parole and staying out of criminal activity.

For the past eleven years, SLP graduates have consistently shown higher rates of employment and lower rates of recidivism. The successes of SLP have led many programs across the country to use it as a model.

Case Study
John D. entered the Supportive Living Program when he was 40 years old. A poly drug user with a long history of heroin, cocaine, and alcohol addiction, John was given little chance of succeeding. He had spent most of his adult life in state prison with repeated commitments for robbery and burglary. Each time he was released he would immediately resort to drug use and petty crime. As his drug use escalated his crimes would become more serious as he struggled to support his habit.

Prior to his referral, John was on the verge of violating his parole and being returned to prison. As a last resort, he was referred to CJCJ. During his initial interview, John was told by SLP staff that the program required personal initiative and that there would be no authority figure dictating his actions. His success in the program would be determined by personal determination and commitment. John assured CJCJ staff that he wanted to come to the program and he expressed his desire to participate in the development of personal objectives.

During the development of his personal case plan, John informed SLP staff that because of his long substance abuse history, he would need additional treatment to stay clean and sober. He expressed interest in attending outpatient therapy at Walden House, a San Francisco-based drug treatment program that provides a more traditional clinical approach. With assistance from SLP staff, John was referred to Walden House where he attended four weekly therapy session in addition to his three in-house weekly group sessions.

John exhibited many of the patterns common to most program participants. Initially, he was enthusiastic, but soon settled into patterns and became more complacent and restive. John's first major crisis occurred when his ex-wife, who was also in recovery, started calling him asking for help when she began using again. On several occasions John went to meet her in an area known for drug activity. When this was brought to the group's attention, John was reminded that he could not help someone else until he was in control of his own problems. From that point on, he became a model participant.

While in the program, John acquired a full-time job as a waiter in an upscale restaurant. Along with his therapy sessions, he also adopted a vigorous exercise program.

Since graduating from the program, John has remained gainfully employed and is married and has purchased his own home. He remains sober and continues to participate in NA. In addition, he still maintains contact with program staff.

For more information about SLP, please contact:

[Abu Qadir Al-Amin, Program Director]
Center of Juvenile and Criminal Justice
54 Dore Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Tel: (415) 621-5661
Fax: (415) 621-5466