First Call’s Recovery Support Navigation Program is dedicated to helping uninsured and underserved individuals in Jackson County, Missouri, access effective treatment and sustain their recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). Many participants face multiple challenges, including co-occurring mental health conditions and trauma, making recovery especially complex. This program focuses on providing compassionate, evidence-based care and personalized support to individuals living in high-need areas, often referred to as “violence hot spots,” as well as those reentering the community after incarceration.

The Need for Recovery Support

Substance use disorder remains a critical public health issue, particularly for vulnerable populations. Recently incarcerated individuals and those involved in drug court programs face alarming risks: within the first two weeks after release, they are 13 times more likely to die from overdose than the general population. This heightened risk stems from a combination of factors such as easy availability of drugs, underestimation of potential harm, untreated mental health disorders, and limited access to services.

First Call’s Recovery Support Navigation Program addresses these risks head-on by focusing on protective factors. These include building clients’ confidence in their ability to change (self-efficacy), sustaining their motivation for recovery, and mitigating barriers that could cause relapse. The program understands that recovery is not just about stopping substance use—it’s about supporting the whole person.

Program Goals

The program pursues three key goals:

1.    Ensure Access to Counseling and Recovery Support

The program aims to maintain or boost participants’ motivation to pursue recovery by providing consistent counseling and ongoing support.

2.    Conduct Consistent Substance Use Assessments

Regular assessments help to track progress and adjust care plans to meet changing needs.

3.    Remove Barriers to Care

By coordinating resources such as safe housing, childcare, transportation, and employment, the program helps clients overcome obstacles that could impede their recovery.

A Holistic & Person-Centered Approach

First Call recognizes that substance use disorder affects every aspect of a person’s life—physical, emotional, social, and economic. Therefore, the Recovery Support Navigation Program is designed to support clients’ full range of needs, helping them secure basic necessities so they can focus their energy on healing and growth.

Clients work closely with Recovery Advocates—specialized therapeutic case managers who are experts in substance use, mental health, and community resources. These advocates serve as guides and allies, meeting clients where they are, both emotionally and physically. They provide services at locations convenient to clients, including recovery homes, inpatient centers, and community hotspots.

Key Program Activities

1. Comprehensive Assessment

First Call is one of the few agencies in Jackson County to offer standalone substance use disorder assessments. When referred by a community partner, clients undergo thorough evaluations that measure the severity of their substance use and any mental health concerns. The assessment tools include the Addiction Severity Index (ASI), Modified Mini Screen (MMS), Arizona Self-Sufficiency Matrix (ASSM), and Primary Care PTSD screen (PC-PTSD). These evaluations can be conducted in person or via telehealth to accommodate clients’ needs.

2. Individual Counseling and Recovery Support

Clients receive weekly one-on-one counseling sessions for as long as they find them beneficial. Using evidence-based methods like Motivational Interviewing, advocates help clients explore and strengthen their personal motivation to change. This counseling supports clients in identifying triggers and building strategies to prevent relapse. Treatment goals are developed collaboratively and reviewed every 90 days, ensuring care remains tailored and effective.

3. Care Coordination and Barrier Removal

Recovery Advocates actively work to reduce obstacles that could derail recovery. They help clients secure stable housing, find childcare, arrange transportation, and access employment opportunities. These wraparound services are essential to creating an environment where clients can focus on their healing journey without being overwhelmed by external stressors.

4. Group Counseling and Relapse Prevention

In addition to individual support, clients can participate in group counseling sessions focused on relapse prevention. These groups are based on proven models that combine educational content with interactive discussion, guided by Motivational Interviewing techniques. Topics cover self-awareness, stages of change, grief in sobriety, and strategies to maintain motivation. Despite growing demand, First Call offers these groups free of charge, reinforcing its commitment to accessible, community-based care.

Measuring Success

To ensure the program’s effectiveness, First Call tracks several important outcomes:

•    Improvement in Self-Sufficiency: Clients engaged in recovery advocacy are expected to show a 60% improvement in self-sufficiency, measured by the Arizona Self-Sufficiency Matrix. This reflects progress in managing life’s challenges independently.

•    Reduction in Addiction Severity: A 50% decrease in Addiction Severity Index scores indicates a meaningful reduction in substance use disorder symptoms and their impact on daily living.

These metrics guide continuous program improvement and demonstrate the program’s impact on clients’ lives.

Serving The Community’s Most Vulnerable

First Call’s Recovery Support Navigation Program specifically targets underserved populations in Jackson County. This includes residents of neighborhoods with high rates of violence and poverty, as well as people returning from incarceration who face significant challenges in reentry. By partnering with community organizations and agencies, First Call ensures that individuals in greatest need receive timely, culturally competent, and comprehensive support.

A Compassionate Team For Lasting Change

The Recovery Advocates at First Call are more than case managers—they are trusted partners who understand the complex challenges of recovery. Their expertise in coordinating care across mental health, substance use treatment, and social services creates a seamless support network that empowers clients to reclaim their lives.

This compassionate, person-centered approach helps clients move beyond survival toward thriving, fostering hope and resilience in individuals and families affected by substance use disorder.

A Vital Lifeline

First Call’s Recovery Support Navigation Program offers a vital lifeline for uninsured and underserved individuals struggling with substance use disorder in Jackson County. Through personalized counseling, comprehensive assessment, coordinated care, and community engagement, the program addresses the whole person—removing barriers, sustaining motivation, and promoting lasting recovery. By focusing on both immediate needs and long-term goals, First Call helps clients build self-sufficiency and create healthier, more stable futures.

Locations

Click on the window icon (upper right corner) of the map below to expand. List of all program locations is included with expanded view of map. Locations are also listed on this page below the map.