Key challenges
Prior to adopting Atlas, Midland County faced multiple barriers in delivering consistent, accessible, and engaging interventions:
- Logistical barriers: Paper materials were often forgotten, damaged, or lost—especially among participants working long hours in fields like oil and gas.
- Engagement challenges: Participants were sometimes mistrustful or disengaged, showing up unprepared or reluctant to open up.
- Limited visibility into progress: Staff struggled to catch early warning signs of relapse or disengagement, resulting in missed opportunities for early intervention.
- Time-intensive documentation: Counseling staff spent many hours each week preparing notes and reviewing participant work manually.
As Ashlea White, director of programming and treatment services, described: "Participants are often reserved. They think we're here to get them in trouble. Atlas helps break that barrier—it gives them time to reflect before meeting with us, and it builds trust."
The approach
Midland County integrated Atlas to provide flexible, remote access to Interactive Journaling® and personalized support. Their approach included:
- Digital-first delivery: Participants could complete Journal work from anywhere—including at work or at home—at times that fit their schedules.
- Integrated virtual facilitation: Weekly groups were facilitated remotely, and staff reviewed participant progress summaries ahead of time and tailored discussions accordingly.
- Targeted one-on-one support: Participant progress summaries were monitored to offer timely, individualized support and help staff identify participant readiness for change, potential red flags, and opportunities for client goals and needs to be integrated into recovery planning conversations.
"I can see red flags in their journaling before a relapse happens. I wouldn't catch that with just a UA," explained Max Maurer, Executive Director of Personal Development Seminars (PDS) and a contracted facilitator of Atlas for Midland.
"We get to meet them where they're at," added responsivity specialist Astrid Murray. "Transportation and time barriers disappear. They can log in at 1am if that's when they're off shift. It keeps them accountable without adding punishment."
Outcomes
Midland County reports several early successes with Atlas, including:
- 84% participant engagement rate over a 90-day period.
- Significant reductions in technical violations: In a recent class, over 50% of participants had no further violations—particularly fewer positive UAs—after beginning journaling in Atlas.
- Time savings for staff: Counseling staff save an estimated 10 hours per week due to streamlined documentation and insight generation.
- Improved case plan alignment: Staff use journaling content to guide recovery management plans based on clients' real-time self-reflections.
- Increased voluntary use: Participants often explored additional Journals beyond those assigned to continue their growth and development.
"We've seen clients move from vague responses to meaningful self-reflection. One participant completely transformed in three months," Astrid shared.
"It's laid out like a conversation with yourself," said Max. "Add in text-to-speech and you're meeting people across literacy levels too."
"One participant with severe social anxiety used Atlas and virtual counseling to build enough trust to finally join a group," Ashlea added. "That wouldn't have happened otherwise."
The future of programming in Midland
What surprised the Midland team wasn't just the flexibility or fidelity—but the human outcomes: real shifts in attitude, behavior, and connection.
"I've seen clients voluntarily dive into more Journals—without being told to—because the questions made them think in new ways," Astrid said. "They start to believe they can change."
The success has inspired further growth. Participants now have access to the full Courage to Change library in Atlas, and Midland is exploring new uses for Atlas across different need areas.
As Ashlea shared, "Atlas isn't just saving us time. It's giving us the ability to do the work that matters—to listen, engage, and support real transformation."
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