Free Through Recovery FAQs

Established through legislation in Senate Bill 2015 and House Bill 1041 during North Dakota’s 65th Legislative Assembly (2017), Free Through Recovery is a community-based behavioral health program jointly administered by the Department of Health & Human Services Behavioral Health Division (DHHS BHD) and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR). 

FTR was created to expand access to recovery support services for justice-involved individuals on DOCR supervised probation and parole, with behavioral health needs. The program aims to contain jail and prison population growth while reinvesting savings into strategies that reduce recidivism, enhance public safety, and improve public health outcomes. 

The mission of Free Through Recovery is to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce recidivism by delivering high-quality community behavioral health services linked with community supervision. 

Recovery is a personal, non-linear process that may include clinical treatment, medication, faith-based approaches, peer and family support, self-care, and other strategies. It involves ongoing growth and improvement in health, well-being, and quality of life.  

Because recovery looks different for each person, Free Through Recovery services are individualized and person-centered.   

FTR providers can contact their assigned FTR Administrator or the Lead FTR Administrator with questions or concerns. FTR Administrators are available to provide technical assistance upon request. 

For other general program questions or concerns, email freethroughrecovery@nd.gov or call 701.328.8920 and your call with be directed accordingly. Questions about the referral process can be directed to DOCR FTR Clinical Administrator at 701.328.6046. 

Agencies may serve as program providers by entering into a formal agreement with the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Behavioral Health Division (BHD) and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR). These agreements authorize agencies to deliver care coordination, peer support, and access to recovery support services as part of the program.  

Organizations or individuals interested in becoming FTR providers may email freethroughrecovery@nd.gov. 

All Care Coordinators and Peer Support Specialists in FTR receive foundational training from the Behavioral Health Division to build the core skills needed for their roles. 

In addition to this initial training, providers must also: 

• Receive ongoing and appropriate supervision 

• Participate in required trainings, technical assistance, meetings, and reviews 

• Complete certifications or other activities as requested by DOCR or BHD 

These requirements ensure providers deliver consistent, high-quality, and person-centered care throughout the program. 

Care Coordinators in Free Through Recovery must meet the following requirements: 

• Hold a degree in a related field or have at least one year of human services experience. 

• Successfully pass a background check through the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR). 

• Agree to follow the Care Coordinator Code of Ethics. 

To become a Care Coordinator in Free Through Recovery, individuals must: 

1. Be hired by an approved FTR provider. 

2. Complete Behavioral Health Division–approved onboarding. 

3. Attend and complete the Behavioral Health Division’s in-person Care Coordinator Training 

Individuals wishing to work as a Peer Support in Free Through Recovery must: 

1. Be hired by a Free Through Recovery provider. 

2. Meet the state certification requirements outlined below, and become certified within 90 days of becoming a service provider   

3. Complete onboarding requirements.  

To be certified as a Peer Support Specialist in North Dakota, individuals must:   

• Have at least one year of healthy living and/or recovery.   

• Reside or work in North Dakota.   

• Identify as being in recovery from a mental health disorder, brain injury, substance use disorder, or combination thereof.   

• Possess a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent literacy skills.   

• Successfully complete an approved Peer Support Training Program.  

Click here for more information about Peer Support training and certification.  

FTR participants will work with community providers to receive individualized, person-centered services with an opportunity to work on desired goals through: 

• Care coordination — Includes coordinating participant care, developing the person-centered care plan, and assisting participants to gain access to needed community resources and services. Care Coordination helps ensure a comprehensive, coordinated, and effective utilization of services. 

• Peer Support — Through shared understanding and mutual empowerment, Peer Support Specialists help others become and stay engaged in the recovery process by using their lived experience and skills learned in formal Peer Support training. Peer Support Specialists are individuals with personal lived experience who are willing to publicly identify as an individual in recovery from a mental health or substance use disorder, brain injury, or any combination thereof.

• Recovery Support Services — Ensuring program participants are navigated and connected to services designed to support their recovery. Some examples include housing, addiction and/or mental health treatment, nourishment assistance, education, employment, parenting, leisure and wellness activities, spiritual engagement, and any other community resource. 

To be eligible for Free Through Recovery, individuals must:  

• Be 18 years of age or older 

• Reside in North Dakota 

• Have behavioral health needs, such as a mental health and/or substance use disorder 

• Display concerns in areas of daily living, such as meeting their needs relating to housing or employment 

• Criminal Justice Involvement 
   

Must meet one of the following: 

• Charged with a crime and ordered to pre-trial supervision with DOCR by the district court 

• Sentenced to DOCR supervised probation without prior incarceration in a DOCR facility 

• Currently incarcerated in a DOCR facility and transitioning to the community on DOCR parole or supervised probation following incarceration 

Participants work with their Care Coordinator and Peer Support Specialist to plan for successful program completion, guided by the participant’s needs and goals, as well as their supervision end date. A participant might be considered to have successfully completed the program and ready to discharge when they have achieved or made progress toward their goals and have resources in place to continue this progress. 

Discharge may also be requested in other situations, such as if a participant is not engaged with their Care Coordinator or if they are no longer living in North Dakota. A participant may also choose to opt out of services at any time. 

When the care team (including the participant, Care Coordinator, Peer Support Specialist, and PO) agree that it is appropriate, the provider may request a discharge. Discharges are approved by the FTR Clinical Administrator.