Pima County Adult Detention Complex Awarded 2023 NCCHC Facility of the Year in Partnership with NaphCare

The National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) selected the Pima County Adult Detention Complex as the 2023 R. Scott Chavez Facility of the Year. Pima County (Ariz.) was selected for its commitment to solving opioid crisis-related challenges by seeking Opioid Treatment Program accreditation and its dedication to multidisciplinary teamwork among custody staff, health staff and the county health department. The award was presented October 2 during the opening ceremony of the National Conference on Correctional Health Care in Las Vegas.

“We commend the Pima County Adult Detention Complex for its commitment to collaboration and quality improvement,” said Deborah Ross, CCHP, NCCHC’s Chief Executive Officer. “The team is dedicated to finding solutions to difficult challenges, including expanding their MAT program into a SAMHSA-certified, NCCHC-accredited Opioid Treatment Program.”

Located in Tucson, Ariz., the Pima County Adult Detention Complex healthcare program is managed by the Pima County Behavioral Health Department who partners with NaphCare, Inc. to provide medical and mental health services. NaphCare and Pima County collaborated this year to expand the Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program into a SAMHSA-certified, NCCHC-accredited Opioid Treatment Program (OTP).

“NaphCare is proud to partner with Pima County to bring innovative healthcare to the Tucson community,” said Dr. Jeffrey Alvarez, NaphCare’s Chief Medical Officer. “Over the past two years, we’ve made significant strides with our MAT program and in securing certification as an OTP program. All of our efforts in Pima County are aimed at maximizing the safety and well-being of each patient we treat in Pima County.”

The facility is accredited by NCCHC for health services, juvenile health services and most recently, opioid treatment programming. Surveys are conducted every three years to maintain accreditation. Surveyors recommended Pima County for this award due to focus on new programs that have been proven to reduce recidivism and improve continuity of care for substance use disorders and mental health care.

Pima County marks the second NaphCare partner facility to be recognized for outstanding healthcare by NCCHC. In 2021, Hillsborough County, Fla., won Best Program of the Year and the first ever NCCHC Pinnacle Award.