What is Healthy Reentry?
Healthy Reentry®, previously called Healthy Transitions, is a prescription bridge medication program that was created by Rx Outreach to support individuals transitioning back into the community. Since Rx Outreach separated from Express Scripts in 2010 and became an independent nonprofit organization, our mission has been to provide affordable medication to people in need.
Who Are Our Partners?
Rx Outreach works in collaboration with Healthcare Systems and Rehabilitative Communities to create healthier communities by increasing the mental and physical wellness of men and women returning to the community.
How Is This Accomplished?
Together we strengthen healthcare networks for individuals in transition by providing access to prescription medications and linkages to healthcare providers at no cost to the individual. Medications are sent directly to participants which eliminates transportation barriers. We aim to guide people back into the community healthier than when they entered their various correctional facilities.
Why Healthy Reentry?
Few groups are as at-risk as ex-offenders, most leave prison unemployed, uninsured, and wearing the scarlet letter of their crime. They also suffer from a high rate of physical and mental illnesses and generally lack access to affordable healthcare and medication which makes the transition to society more difficult.
Healthy Reentry® was launched in April 2016 to fill the “medication gap” that occurs between when an ex-offender is released from prison and the time that they can get a new prescription. Most people are released with 30 days of medication, but the additional 60 days of free medication gives people time to manage their mental and physical health needs until they can get to a community clinic, have an examination, get a new prescription, and establish a new medical home.
How can I learn more?
For more information about Healthy Reentry, please contact Jaelyn Peebles, director of programs at 314-627-6139 or Jaelyn.peebles@rxoutreach.org.
Since 2017, over 10,000 people across 30 states have received medications through Healthy Reentry®.
Research Documents
HEALTHY TRANSITIONS EVALUATION
Read the Program Evaluation that was conducted by Dr. Kelli Canada, a professor at the University of Missouri.
Gender Difference Research -Journal of Correctional Health Care
Upon release from correctional facilities, little is known – especially with regard to sex differences – about the prescription trends among justice-involved individuals with health conditions.
This paper, by faculty and doctoral students at St. Louis University, presents initial findings from a large outreach program designed to provide prescription support during the turbulent prison-to community transition period.