The New Mexico Works Intensive Case Management, Recovery and Employment (ICARE) program is a pilot program in Albuquerque which is designed to address substance use barriers to employment in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients. It is a new approach that combines 12 weeks of Intensive Case Management with job readiness classes and job development. TANF recipients identified as having substance use issues that prevent them from obtaining and retaining employment will be referred to the ICARE program. The program includes Intensive Case Management, Motivational Interviewing to motivate change and decrease substance use, Relapse Prevention to build skills, Family Management to improve family functioning, job readiness classes to enhance employment skills and increase retention, and job development to secure employment. A program evaluation component to determine the effectiveness of this program in addressing substance use disorders among TANF recipients is in place.
