LAUSR

OBJECTIVES Quick access to substance use treatment is associated with better outcomes, but little is known about COVID-19's impact on access and retention. This study examined the relationship between COVID-19-related practice changes and quick access fidelity outcomes of the Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Teams (START) program, which serves families with co-occurring substance use and child abuse/neglect. METHOD This study was a retrospective cohort comparison. On March 23, 2020 most START child welfare and treatment services were shifted to a virtual format. Families referred to the program between that date and March 23, 2021, were compared to families served the year before (i.e., March 23, 2019, to March 22, 2020). Cohorts were compared across nine fidelity outcomes (e.g., number of days to complete four treatment sessions) with differences assessed using chi-square tests and independent samples t-tests. RESULTS Referrals to START were 14% lower during COVID-19 than in the year prior, with a greater percentage of referred cases being accepted during COVID-19. Transition to virtual service provision was not related to quick access fidelity outcomes, however adults referred in the year prior to COVID-19 were more likely to complete four treatment sessions than adults referred during COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS In this study, quick access to services and initial engagement did not appear to be negatively impacted by virtual service provision resulting from COVID-19. However, during COVID-19, fewer adults completed four treatment sessions. In a largely virtual treatment environment, additional engagement and pre-treatment services may be necessary.