Project NORTH

Project NORTH is a $6 million dollar grant from the Department of Justice that was awarded to the Trial Court to expand access to behavioral health treatment for court users across the Commonwealth. Project NORTH provides voluntary court-based Recovery Support Navigation services, transportation to court and court-mandated treatment, and rent for up to six months in a certified sober home. Project NORTH services are available to court users and their families in Barnstable, Boston, Brockton, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Quincy, Springfield, Taunton, and Worcester.

Project NORTH (Navigation, Outreach, Recovery, Treatment, and Hope) is a free, grant-funded service managed by the Massachusetts Trial Court and the Massachusetts Probation Service. The main components of Project NORTH include voluntary court-based recovery support navigation, transportation to court and court-mandated treatment, and rent for up to 90 days in a certified and participating sober home.

There are 13 Project NORTH Locations:

Recovery support navigation is a free, confidential, and voluntary service for court-involved people impacted by substance use. Navigation is provided by licensed treatment providers located in 13 courthouses across the state who assist individuals and loved ones with:

• Understanding the evaluation, treatment, recovery support, family support, and overdose prevention resources available in the community
• MassHealth enrollment and adjustment
• Accessing treatment and support services, including prescribers for addiction and psychiatric medications
• Developing personal goals and objectives related to substance use, treatment, and recovery
• Short-term case management and connections to long-term and comprehensive care coordination services

Project NORTH services are available to court users involved with any court type. Court users and their loved ones do not need to have an open case or be on probation to access recovery support navigation services.

Participation in Project NORTH is voluntary. Referrals may come from Trial Court staff, Probation, Defense Counsel, and the District Attorney’s office. Individuals may self-refer. Walk-ins are welcome.

Project NORTH is a Recovery Support Navigation program with resources for sober housing for eligible clients. Sober housing funds through Project NORTH are managed in collaboration with the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing and the Massachusetts Probation Service. Individuals who need assistance with sober housing must:

• Meet with a Navigator in-person for an intake to ensure that the individual meets the Project NORTH and MASH sober home eligibility requirements.
• Agree to be contacted by the Recovery Support Navigator at regular intervals after intake, typically 24 hours, 7 days, and 30 days.