One step on the pathway to
recovery: RAPIDS
Amanda Bladen & Heather Carmichael
RAPIDS
RAPIDS stands
for Responsive
Assessment
Planning,
Intervention
and Diversion
Service
RAPIDS clients are people ...
 whose substance use is placing
themselves and or others at risk
 who are active users, with a long history
of problematic substance abuse,
 men, women... glbt,
 both young and old,
 who can have co-occurring conditions,
including Acquired Brain Injury;
intellectual disability; mental illness and
physical conditions,
 with poor social connectedness
including lack of family supports and
social isolation, but
 who may have roles and responsibilities
as carers, partners, parents,
 who are likely to have a history of
instability e.g. housing, education,
employment and/or relationships.
(art by Catherine Bladen and Rebecca Bladen)
It was recognised that those most in need of the services
we provide often found the process of navigating our
systems too challenging....
Evidence for the RAPIDS approach...
Along with literature reviews we incorporated practice
evidence from other agencies, expert practitioners and
important others, such as our consumer advisory group and
carer perspectives...
We found that for high risk clients with significant drug and
alcohol needs, who might not otherwise engage in
treatment, there were strong indicators and evidence of
the need to provide timely court based assessment, access
to brief intervention outreach services and care planning,
diversion and referral.
Evidence supports the use of rapid, responsive assessment
and brief intervention treatment approaches. Baker et al., 2001;
Copeland et al., 2001; Stephens et al., 2000; Saunders et al., 1995)
The evidence for bridging support and
brief intervention
We found that the efficacy of brief interventions is well
established and is enhanced by the provision of:
• Instant link between courts and AOD service process
• Initial bridging treatment/ brief intervention
• Tailored care planning, referral and diversion and facilitated
supported engagement (Baker et al., 2001; Copeland et al., 2001; Stephens et al., 2000; Saunders et al.,
1995)
Brief interventions can provide both stand alone short term assistance
and be an important first step (Breslin, Curtis; Li, Selina; Sdao-Jarvie, Kathy; Tupker, Elsbeth; Ittig-Deland,
Virginia)
Brief interventions have a strong potential to prevent harm: are widely
recognized as being cost-effective and an important part of the overall
approach to responding to people with AOD problems (Crime Delinquency. 2006;
52(1): 52–76. doi: 10.1177/0011128705281746; Higgins-Biddle & Babor 1996:4;
www.health.gov.au/internet/alcohol/publishing.nsf);
Collaboration, consultation and liaison:
creating a shared understanding
problem
• There was an urgent need for reform but we did not want to put in a reactive/ knee
jerk response to a complex situation: we had a short time frame and wanted a right
fit response
consultation
• Meetings to establish common language, understandings and expectations with the
funding bodies: robust discussion and differing viewpoints and perspectives and a
willingness to challenge underpinned the process
Response &
plan
• We had to do the best within available resources: due to funding constraints and
high demand our vision for a well funded pilot became a less well funded state wide
program
Implement
and review
• Service consultation and supported change management were critical to the
process...The change prompted us to look at other process differently- for example
our CAG group provided ruthlessly constructive brochure feedback !
The Model
Model
The
•
•
•
•
•
Intake
Same Day Assessment
Verbal and Written feedback
Bridging Support
Brokerage
Client
Client Recovery
Recovery Pathway
Pathway
Referral in
to RAPIDS
Assessment
by RAPIDS
worker with
program
planning
Bridging
support
and active
liaison and
linkage in
to the
referral
agency
“Bridging Support”
We go to the client, enabling rather than
enforcing bureaucratic obstacles
Bridging Support allows RAPIDS
assessors to provide the following types
of support to our clients:
 Motivational Interviewing to build
rapport quickly, approach behaviour
changes and treatment readiness
 Advocate and provide additional
support and referral to community
agencies
 Provide some material aid including:
Myki tickets, Woolworths gift vouchers,
Pre-paid mobile phones, food parcels
provided by “the ACSO Pantry” &
clothing donated through “Pass It On”
Workforce Skills and Attributes
• Works with the client to instill hope, facilitate a
recovery approach and a sense of potential mastery
and control
• Understanding of Justice System
• Motivational Interviewing
• lived experience
• Empathy and compassion
• Negotiation
• Assessment skills
• Reflective Practice
Behind
Scenes
Assessor
Behind
theThe
scenes
forFor
the
assessor
Liaison with
courts, referrers,
other agencies
to meet broader
client needs
Bridging
support
with client
Referral and
liaison to
agencies and
brokerage of
services via CSU
TheRAPIDS
RAPIDS assessor
assessor role
The
role
Case
Case Study
Study
Corrections Referral
• Simon – 39 year old male
• Substantial history of substance abuse since the
age of 18 years
• Mental Health/ ABI
• Community Corrections Order imposed
• Previous attempts at treatment were
unsuccessful, past breaches
• Recent relapse into heroin
Any Question,
Comments
or
Any Questions?
Feedback?