RESILIENCE Passport

Participants (“Passport Holders”) select self-determined goals across SAMHSA’s Eight Dimensions of Wellness: physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, financial, social, occupational, and environmental. Goals are individualized to a person’s abilities and verified by a Police Support Services Worker (PSW) or partner agency, who can offer suggestions or supplemental materials as desired. Progress is tracked with physical and virtual “passport stamps.” Completion of goals in all dimensions will earn a certificate and recognition at a program meeting, if desired. The Passport Initiative can be completed repeatedly, with participant goals increasing in complexity each time.

Goals: Passport Initiative goals include:

• Establishing and meeting self-identified goals
• Encourage treatment retention
• Decrease post-referral overdoses
• Support individual resilience through engagement in meaningful activities 
• Reduction of law enforcement contacts

Measures of Success: 

• Goals established; progress made; achievement; barriers to achievement; Passport “stamps”
• Pre/post tests, demonstrated knowledge
• Outcomes and baseline changes compared to intake
• Engagement in meaningful activities (self-definited)
• Feelings of accomplishment/meaningfulness in life
• Additional outcomes: Employment, recovery & community resource engagement & retention
• Reduction in trespasses and citations arising from lack of structured opportunities or supports
   

1. Individuals participating (“Passport Holders”) receive a physical “passport” document, outlining the eight dimensions of wellness. A virtual record will also be kept. 
    
2. Passport Holders select or create one goal at a time in each Wellness Dimension, and may receive additional ideas, suggestions and supplementary materials as needed upon request. Examples of some goals may include:
    
   • PHYSICAL: I will do 100 push-ups and sit-ups in my jail cell daily for three weeks. 
   • FINANCIAL: I will create a budget for my social security check and measure my progress at the end of the month.
   • EMOTIONAL: I will set up a meeting and meet with a grief counselor during this month.
   • SOCIAL: I will drink only non-alcoholic beverages during all social gatherings this month.
   • ENVIRONMENTAL: I will spend time with people in the recovery community at least two days this week.

3. When the agreed-upon activity is completed, it can be verified with a PSWC or participating partner agency. Travellers will earn a “stamp” in their passport for each goal achieved.

4. Individuals who complete goals in all 8 dimensions (complete the Passport) may receive a small incentive based on availability, such as a monthly bus pass, along with a certificate of completion, and recognition at a RESILIENCE Program meeting and in the monthly Program metrics, if desired. A raised “foil” stamp/sticker will be given in the physical passport if it is maintained. 

The RESILIENCE Passport Initiative is grounded in research showing that building recovery capital, engaging in meaningful daily activities, and strengthening life skills can reduce crises and improve well-being. By pairing these efforts with Contingency Management, small, positive rewards for progress, participants are more likely to stay engaged, form healthy habits, and sustain recovery.

Contingency Management (CM)
CM uses incentives to reinforce positive behavior and is one of the most effective, evidence-based approaches for substance use disorders. Studies show CM reduces cravings, increases abstinence, and improves treatment retention for people with or without housing, including those with co-occurring mental health challenges. Effects often last 12–18 months post-treatment, with participants reporting better coping, reduced distress, and fewer hospitalizations.

Recovery Capital
Recovery capital is the internal and external resources a person has that can assist them in recovery from substance use, mental health crises, and other disruptions in life, like personal, social, spiritual, and community resources. High recovery capital is strongly linked to lower rates of substance use, overdose, and criminal activity. Individuals with higher recovery capital report fewer cravings, greater stability, and higher quality of life, particularly after incarceration or hospitalization.

Meaningful Daily Activities
Engagement in activities that are important to a person, like work, learning, connection, and purpose, is essential for recovery and mental well-being. Boredom and lack of daily structure are associated with higher relapse and distress, while meaningful activity promotes belonging, health, and sustained recovery.

Life Skills & Well-Being
“Human beings become more capable of dealing with their problems as they feel more adequate” (Apgar, 2017). Learning life skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, and stress management is key to reintegration and prevention of substance use. These skills build confidence, social connection, and resilience, helping people navigate challenges and sustain long-term recovery.

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