Past Projects
Previous MISSION projects have focused on the development, implementation, and evaluation of the co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders (CODs) services being provided through MISSION programs. These studies were the result of collaborative efforts between multiple partner organizations. Inactive MISSION project abstracts are listed below in chronological order.
MISSION Model Development Project
(1999-2005)
PI David Smelson, Psy.D.
Supported by VA OPCS/VISN 3 MIRECC
This project developed and piloted the original MISSION model. Military veterans with CODs were recruited from an acute inpatient psychiatry setting. The treatment group received eight weeks of MISSION services, and the comparison group received treatment as usual (TAU). The MISSION group showed improvements in treatment attendance, hospitalization days, and substance use compared to TAU participants.
MISSION-NJ
(2004-2010)
PI David Smelson, Psy.D.
Supported by SAMHSA
The MISSION-New Jersey (MISSION-NJ) project examined outcomes in a year long MISSION intervention. Recruited participants included veterans with CODs. Veterans received either treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU plus 12 months of MISSION services. MISSION participants had fewer days and episodes of hospitalization at two and six months post-study entry than controls. The MISSION group also exhibited greater improvements in global psychiatric functioning at the six month follow-up compared to the TAU group.
Brief 2-Month Intervention
(2005-2009)
PI David Smelson, Psy.D.
Supported by VA HSR&D
This study examined MISSION outcomes in a brief two month intervention. Veterans with CODs were recruited from an acute inpatient psychiatry setting. The treatment group received eight weeks of MISSION and the comparison group received eight weeks of matched attention health education. MISSION participants demonstrated significant improvements in service engagement compared to controls.
MISSION-DIRECT VET
(2008-2013)
PI Debra A. Pinals, M.D.
Supported by SAMHSA-CMHS
MISSION-Diversion and Recovery for Traumatized Veterans (MISSION-DIRECT VET) was a 12 month MISSION intervention for incarcerated veterans with CODs. These participants were offered MISSION services in lieu of jail time. Study participants demonstrated significant improvements in substance abuse, depression and functioning, and emotional lability at a six month follow-up assessment.
MISSION-Vet Model Development
(2010)
PI David Smelson, Psy.D.
Supported by VA ORD/HSR&D/NCHAV
This model development project resulted in the formal creation of the MISSION-Vet model and the corresponding treatment workbook. The model was developed specifically to meet the needs of veterans experiencing homelessness, and whose ability to return to independent community living is complicated by mental illness and substance abuse.
MISSION-CREW
(2010-2011)
PI Debra A. Pinals, M.D.
Supported by BJA
The MISSION-Community Re-entry for Women (MISSION-CREW) program was designed to promote successful community re-entry and care coordination among female inmates with CODs, by employing a model of evidence-based practices that integrates trauma-sensitive treatment, COD treatment, care coordination and peer support. In addition, the program addressed gender-specific re-entry treatment service needs together with comprehensive transition planning and linkages to community based care.
MISSION-RAPS
(2011-2012)
PI Debra A. Pinals, M.D.
Supported by BJA
MISSION-Re-entry and Peer Support (MISSION-RAPS) was an enhancement of the MISSION-CREW project. The primary goal was to examine the criminal justice outcomes of women released into the greater Boston area from MCI-Framingham and South Middlesex Correctional Center who had previously enrolled into the MISSION treatment program. The study focused specifically on women offenders with CODs.
MASS-MISSION
(2011-2014)
PI David Smelson, Psy.D.
Supported by SAMHSA-CABHI
MISSION-Ending Chronic Homelessness in Central and Western Massachusetts (Mass-MISSION) was a 12 month MISSION intervention aimed at rapidly housing chronically homeless individuals in permanent housing, while providing MISSION services to address underlying CODs.
MISSION-HUD VASH
(2012-2016)
PI David Smelson, Psy.D. & Matthew Chinman, Ph.D.
Supported by VA ORD
The collaboration between Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) Supportive Housing Program (VASH) was the VA’s largest initiative to end homelessness among Veterans. At the time, participant dropout rate from the HUD-VASH program was high, due to the fact that little attention was given to COD treatment. To combat this issue, MISSION-HUD VASH augmented the MISSION-Vet model with an implementation platform called Getting to Outcomes (GTO). Participants receiving GTO and MISSION-Vet were compared to a control group receiving MISSION-Vet implemented as usual.
MISSION-I-RAPS
(2013-2015)
PI David Smelson, Psy.D.
Supported by BJA
The MISSION-Integrated Re-entry and Peer Support (MISSION-I-RAPS) project delivered specialized MISSION services to inmates with CODs being released from the Massachusetts Correctional Institutions at Framingham, South Middlesex Correctional Center, and Old Colony Correctional Center. The main goals were to reduce recidivism, reduce substance abuse, and improve mental health outcomes.
MISSION-FORWARD
(2013-2016)
PI Hilary Jacobs, M.S.W.
Supported by SAMHSA/CSAT
MISSION-For Offenders Recovering With Awareness, Resources, and Dignity (MISSION-FORWARD) aimed to enhance two Metro Boston area specialty courts, the Quincy Adult Drug Court and the Dedham Veterans Treatment Court, by directly embedding the MISSION wraparound service model within both courts. The objective for MISSION-FORWARD was to specifically treat CODs and other related problems found to affect recidivism.
MISSION-Housed
(2013-2016)
PI David Smelson, Psy.D.
Supported by CSAT/CMHS
MISSION-Housed was designed to enhance the efforts of the Massachusetts Interagency Council on Housing and Homeless in reaching their goal of ending homelessness in Massachusetts. MISSION-Housed directly delivered permanent housing and needed support services to chronically homeless individuals with CODs in the Metro Boston area through the use of the MISSION wraparound service model.
Improving Outcomes for Homeless Veterans with Peer Support
(2012-2017)
PI Marsha Ellison, Ph.D.
Supported by VA HSR&D
The purpose of this project is to conduct a multi-site randomized controlled trial by delivering peer support to homeless veterans with co-occurring mental illnesses and substance abuses issues, by using the peer support intervention treatment guide available in the MISSION-Vet Consumer Workbook.
MISSION-DIRECT VET
(2014-2018)
PI David Smelson, Psy.D.
Supported by MA DMH
The MISSION-Diversion and Recovery for Traumatized Veterans (MISSION-DIRECT VET) is an alternative to incarceration and trauma recovery treatment program for criminally-involved veterans with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Services and treatment are provided to veterans as a condition of probation in lieu of incarceration at sites located in Western and Central Massachusetts. The program originated as a SAMHSA-funded grant, and since 2014 has been funded by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health.
MISSION-CREST
(2014-2018)
PI Debra A. Pinals, M.D.
Supported by SAMHSA/CMHS
The MISSION-Court Related Enhancement Services for Treatment (MISSION-CREST) project aims to enhance and expand existing Springfield Mental Health Court services through infrastructure planning and development activities, while also providing MISSION-Criminal Justice to individuals with CODs involved in the Springfield District Court.
MISSION-WI-RAPS
(2015-2018)
PI Debra A. Pinals, M.D.
Supported by BJA
MISSION-West: Integrated Re-entry and Peer Support (MISSION-WI-RAPS) delivers specialized MISSION services to inmates with CODs being released from the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department correctional centers. The main goals are to reduce recidivism, reduce substance abuse, and improve mental health outcomes.
MISSION-Cape
(2015-2018)
PI Sheila Casey, Esq.
Supported by SAMHSA/CSAT
The MISSION-Cape project aims to enhance the existing COD treatment services being provided through the Barnstable Drug Court by administering MISSION-Criminal Justice services. These services include medication assisted treatment, mental health and trauma-informed therapy, employment opportunities, and housing through intensive case management and peer-support.
MISSION/BMetro
(2016-2019)
PI Sheila Casey, Esq.
Supported by SAMHSA/CSAT
Similar to the MISSION-Cape project, MISSION-Boston/Metro (MISSION/BMetro) aims to enhance the existing COD treatment services being provided by the Quincy and Chelsea Drug Courts via the provision of the MISSION-Criminal Justice model. This service enhancement initiative intends to increase access to mental health, substance abuse, trauma, and employment services among active drug court participants who are transitioning out of residential care.
MAT-RI STR
(2017-2019)
PI Allison Bauer, J.D.
Supported by SAMHSA/CSAT
The Medication Assisted Treatment Reentry Initiative (MAT-RI) is a part of the Massachusetts State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis (MA-STR) that aims to increase access to treatment and recovery support services, reduce unmet treatment needs, as well as reduce opioid misuse, abuse, and overdose in Massachusetts. MAT-RI will specifically work towards achieving these goals by providing individuals reentering the community from correctional facilities with medication assisted treatment, case management, and post linkage services using the MISSION-Criminal Justice and Recovery Support Navigator models.
MI-REP
(2017-2019)
PI Elizabeth Agius, B.A.
Supported by SAMHSA/CSAT
The Michigan Reentry Project (MI-REP) is embedded within the larger framework of the Michigan State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis (MI-STR) intended to increase access to treatment, reduce unmet treatment needs, and reduce opioid overdose related deaths among criminally-involved individuals. This project utilizes the MISSION-Criminal Justice model to target the co-occurring mental health and opiate use disorder treatment needs of this population.
MISSION-HPACT Implementation
(2015-2020)
PI David Smelson, Psy.D.
Supported by VA QUERI
The MISSION-Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team Implementation (MISSION-HPACT) project is part of the Veterans Affairs' Bridging the Care Continuum QUERI Center. The primary role of the project is to implement the MISSION-Vet model in Greater Los Angeles Homeless-PACT clinics in order to better understand how to implement and sustain complex interventions.
MISSION-MAT
(2018-2021)
PI Ayorkor Gaba, Psy.D.
Supported by SAMHSA/CSAT
MISSION-to Enhance Access to Medication Assisted Treatment (MISSION-MAT) seeks to provide Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and MISSION wraparound treatment and support services to 180 homeless individuals, and individuals at risk for homelessness, with a co-occurring opioid use disorder (OUD) and mental health disorder to increase MAT utilization, reduce substance use, and improve mental health in Central Massachusetts.
MAT-RI SOR
(2018-2020)
PI Jim Cremer
SAMHSA/CSAT
Part of the Massachusetts State Opioid Response Grant (MA-SOR), that aims to increase access to treatment and recovery support services, reduce unmet treatment needs, as well as reduce opioid misuse, abuse, and overdose in Massachusetts. MA SOR provides individuals reentering the community from correctional facilities with medication assisted treatment, case management, and post linkage services using the MISSION-Criminal Justice and Recovery Support Navigator models.
MI-REP 2
(2018-2020)
PI Elizabeth Agius, B.A.
Supported by SAMHSA/CSAT
Part of the Michigan State Opioid Response Grant (MA-SOR) that aims to increase access to treatment and recovery support services, reduce unmet treatment needs, as well as reduce opioid misuse, abuse, and overdose in Michigan. MI-REP 2 provides individuals reentering the community from correctional facilities, both jails and prisons, with medication assisted treatment, case management, and post linkage services using the MISSION-Criminal Justice model.
MI-West
(2017-2020)
PI David Smelson Psy.D.
Supported by SAMHSA/CSAT
Ending Chronic Homelessness Through Permanent Housing, Integrated Treatment, Case Management, and Peer Support in Western and Central Massachusetts: The Mass Mission Program The goal of this project is to test MISSION as a wraparound service for chronically homeless individuals in rural Western Massachusetts.
MISSION U
(2019-2021)
PI David Smelson Psy.D.
Supported by NIH/NIDA
MISSION-U: A Multimedia Training Tool for Treating Individuals with Co-occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. This is a phase 2 study in partnership between UMass Chan Medical School and Praxis to commercialize a continuing education e-learning program to train treatment providers on the MISSION Model.