DynamiCare is a substance use treatment platform that rewards people up to $1,000 over one year for taking positive steps toward their recovery. The program works by providing financial payments for abstaining from stimulants like cocaine and opioids like fentanyl. The program also provides incentives for attending treatment sessions and completing cognitive behavioral therapy modules. Additionally, all participants are connected to a personal Recovery Coach who can support individuals in recovery. Money is transferred immediately to participants upon successful completion of every positive milestone, as much as 2 times per week. As participants successfully meet goals, the value of payments increase over time.

This program is being offered as a pilot, a short-term opportunity to learn from participants with the goal of informing the design of a permanent program. This will allow us to evaluate how the platform affects people in recovery and their outcomes. These results will inform a longer-term commitment to improving substance use treatment options for Allegheny County residents.

Eligible participants:

• 1. Currently reside in Allegheny County
• 2. Are ages 13 or older
• 3. Have Stimulant Use Disorder and/or Opioid Use Disorder

Eligible individuals must complete a 15-minute assessment and onboarding process, which can be completed by booking an information session online here or calling 855-539-6264.

Parental consent is required for participating minors. Documentation will be completed during the orientation process to begin the program.

Participation in the pilot program is voluntary. If you choose to participate, you may receive periodic requests to participate in paid data collection and research activities such as surveys. You will not lose access to your payments if you choose not to take part in these optional data collection activities.

• Apply online by booking a 15-minute assessment and onboarding process here or calling 855-539-6264.
• You will be asked to provide personal information and to consent to the terms of the treatment program.
• We’ll verify your eligibility instantly after you apply. Click here to watch a video with more information about the program, website, and application process.

We will immediately begin preparing your testing kit once you are deemed eligible. If you chose to receive your testing kit by mail, your materials will be mailed to the address that you provided in your application. The materials should arrive within 2 weeks after your eligibility was determined. If you chose to pick up your materials in person, we will send you a text message with an update on when your card will be ready for pickup at the Human Services Building (located at One Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222). It should be ready for pickup within 2 weeks after your eligibility was determined.

Your payment amount is determined by the number of consecutive successful milestones you reach, such as substance-free saliva tests and completed therapy sessions. Payments will rise to as much as $26. Over the course of the year, these payments can total up to $1,000.

Payment will be made to a debit card that will be included in your initial mailing. This debit card will not allow for cash withdrawals, use at liquor stores, or bars. The money on the card cannot be taken away and will remain on the card indefinitely.

If your card is lost or stolen, you can order a new card using the support link in the DynamiCare app.

Additionally, the payments have no impact on income taxes. Other public benefits programs such as SSI or SNAP may count funds received through this program as financial assets or income. Please contact the County Assistance Office with any questions.

Allegheny County offers a range of substance use services.

• For immediate substance use help, start with PA Get HELP NOW and call their 24/7-Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
• There is also a walk-in option: Pathway to Care and Recovery, 326 Third Avenue, Pittsburgh Pa 15222. A mobile response team can also come to you. You’ll talk to someone who has been where you are. Then you’ll decide the next best step.

• More resources can be found here.

DynamiCare’s Enrollment team will walk you through the process of administering a substance test and completing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) modules as part of an initial onboarding.

• 1. A Treatment Program with Results – This treatment, called contingency management, has a track record of delivering positive improvements in recovery. Contingency management is the only treatment that has demonstrated robust outcomes for individuals living with stimulant use disorder and has been shown effective for other substances such as opioids. In previous research using its treatment platform, DynamiCare participants were twice as likely to be substance-free versus standard treatment options in a pilot study.
• 2. Positive Reinforcement – By taking part in this pilot, you can receive tangible rewards for abstaining from substance use, which can be a powerful motivator for change. These rewards can include gift cards, vouchers, or other incentives, providing you with immediate, positive reinforcement for your efforts.
• 3. Support and Resources – This program is designed to provide you with additional support and resources on your journey toward recovery. It's not just about rewards; it's about connecting you with therapy and supports from certified recovery specialists who can offer guidance, counseling, and assistance with finding treatment and other essential services.

Your participation is voluntary, and your choice of whether to participate will not be held against you in any way.

The assessment (ASAM Co-Triage) includes questions about your background and past substance use and treatment experiences to gauge the appropriate level of care for every participant. This is a standardized assessment used by substance use and alcohol service providers and is confidential.

Your responses will be combined with answers from others enrolled in the pilot. Allegheny County Department of Human Services will use the collected responses as well as administrative records to assess whether the treatment program improved certain aspects of recipients’ lives. The results of the pilot program will only be reported for groups of participants and not for any specific individual. Responses will remain confidential, and you will never be named or personally identified in any publications or reports about the pilot.

Any personal identifying information shared by the participant and any records that result from participation in this program are confidential and shall be protected. No records will be disclosed or used in any civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings conducted by any federal, state, or local authority. No records may be accessed by or shared with a parole officer or member of law enforcement.

The treatment program will prompt you to complete substance use saliva tests, complete therapy modules, and connect with treatment. DynamiCare will also match you with a Contingency Management (CM) Guide on their team. Your CM Guide will work with you throughout the program to help with your recovery and provide support. They can meet with you via telehealth video, over the phone, or also via text.

You will also have the option to involve family members or other loved ones supportive of your recovery. DynamiCare can provide coaching support for family members, and you can choose to share progress in the program with supporters through the DynamiCare Supporter Portal.

As soon as you receive your package, you will be assigned two tests during the orientation process. These tests are rewarded regardless of test outcomes. Following these tests, you will be assigned random tests that will lead to rewards if the test is negative.

We are committed to protecting your privacy. This treatment pilot program will follow strict rules to keep your participation in the pilot program. Your personal identifying information will be kept in secure files and will be separated from the survey responses you provide. All of the data will be stored on highly secure password-protected computers and servers. Data will be used for research purposes only.

Your participation is voluntary, and you can choose to drop out of the pilot at any time. Doing so will not affect your eligibility for any social services that you may be receiving. We will continue to offer you opportunities to participate in surveys, but you do not need to answer them.

The pilot was designed by Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) and Community Care Behavioral Health, with implementation and operational support by DynamiCare.

The pilot program is funded by opioid litigation settlement funds received by Allegheny County and administered and distributed by Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD), the Department of Children’s Initiatives (DCI), and DHS. Learn more about the County’s initial plans for disbursing these funds here and provide input on our priorities here.