COATS Prison Referral Form - StepOut

This referral form is to be used to obtain a COATS Assessment by the following workers or organisations involved with a client's transition from prison into the community:

• ​Assessment Transition Coordinators (ATCs) in Victorian prisons
• Case Workers
• Drug Treatment Agencies located at Prisons
• Housing and Residential Workers
• Prison staff
• ReConnect Program (Australian Community Support Organisation, Jesuit Social Services, Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, VACRO)
• Thomas Embling Hospital

Clients on straight release from prison are eligible to participate in the StepOut program, which provides the opportunity for clients to voluntarily engage in assessment and treatment to address drug and alcohol concerns.

This referral form is to be submitted at least 10 business days before a client’s release. This referral should not be submitted if the client’s release date is over 6 months away. COATS will endeavour to assess all clients referred within reasonable time.

Once you have submitted this referral form, a member from the COATS Client Services Unit will review the details and arrange an assessment if eligible.

For any queries relating to this referral form or referral eligibility, please contact the Client Services Unit at prisonreferral@acso.org.au or 03 9413 7196 for assistance.