Evaluation of the Salt Lake County Criminal Justice Pay for Success (PFS) Program: Reach

Study completion: 2023
Contact Person: Kort Prince 

Pay for Success (PFS) is an innovative approach that leverages taxpayer risk by funding social service programs with private capital and ties payment for services to demonstrated outcomes through rigorous evaluation. Salt Lake County has partnered with the Utah Criminal Justice Center (UCJC), First Step House (FSH), Sorenson Impact Center, and a variety of community stakeholders to develop a PFS project to address high recidivism rates among offender populations. The Recovery, Engagement, Assessment, Career Development, and Housing (REACH) program was designed by FSH to serve high-risk, high-need adult male probationers with moderate to severe substance abuse disorders.

Specific program components include:

• Evidence-based interventions specifically designed to address criminogenic factors that are tied to recidivism
• Substance use disorder treatment
• Employment support through job placement, education, and training
• Support and case management to meet individual needs through benefits enrollment, health resources, and community engagement
• Housing support

UCJC was selected as the Independent Evaluator on this $6.3 million six-year project, and is currently conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) study to examine the program’s success improving criminal justice and employment outcomes.

 

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