Scaling MOUD Implementation in Correctional Settings Through a Digital Coaching Platform: A Mixed-Methods Pilot

External coaches and facilitators are increasingly used to support organizations implementing new practices, but these strategies are labor intensive and costly. To improve efficiency and scalability, the Dynamic Coaching Extender Platform (DyCEP) was developed as a digital tool designed to augment coaching capacity and reduce logistical burden. This pilot examined the use of DyCEP over six months in four county jails to assess staff engagement and explore changes in MOUD utilization across the Cascade of Care (screening, identification, referral, MOUD administration, and community hand-off). Sites using DyCEP experienced increases across most Cascade indicators. Screening increased by 56% relative to baseline, referrals rose by 109%, and MOUD census counts increased by 95%. Post-referral outcomes remained stable, with minimal change in community hand-offs. These preliminary findings suggest that DyCEP could offer a promising, scalable approach to strengthen coaching support while reducing resource demands, aiding carceral settings in advancing effective MOUD programming.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Drug Issues
Published
2026-08-24
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/00220426261484101
Primary Topic
Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Scaling MOUD Implementation in Correctional Settings Through a Digital Coaching Platform: A Mixed-Methods Pilot

Jessica Vechinski, Dharmaraj Veeramani, Todd Molfenter, Faye S. Taxman
Journal of Drug Issues
Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis
article

Scaling MOUD Implementation in Correctional Settings Through a Digital Coaching Platform: A Mixed-Methods Pilot

Jessica Vechinski, Dharmaraj Veeramani, Todd Molfenter, Faye S. Taxman
article en

Abstract

External coaches and facilitators are increasingly used to support organizations implementing new practices, but these strategies are labor intensive and costly. To improve efficiency and scalability, the Dynamic Coaching Extender Platform (DyCEP) was developed as a digital tool designed to augment coaching capacity and reduce logistical burden. This pilot examined the use of DyCEP over six months in four county jails to assess staff engagement and explore changes in MOUD utilization across the Cascade of Care (screening, identification, referral, MOUD administration, and community hand-off). Sites using DyCEP experienced increases across most Cascade indicators. Screening increased by 56% relative to baseline, referrals rose by 109%, and MOUD census counts increased by 95%. Post-referral outcomes remained stable, with minimal change in community hand-offs. These preliminary findings suggest that DyCEP could offer a promising, scalable approach to strengthen coaching support while reducing resource demands, aiding carceral settings in advancing effective MOUD programming.

Journal of Drug Issues
University of Wisconsin–Madison (US), George Mason University (US)
Decent work and economic growth
Openalex Percentile: Top 4%
Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis
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Scaling MOUD Implementation in Correctional Settings Through a Digital Coaching Platform: A Mixed-Methods Pilot — Jessica Vechinski, Dharmaraj Veeramani, et al. · Journal of Drug Issues (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS