Strengthening IncarceratedIndividuals and Their

Families Through HealthyRelationship Education

September 23rd, 2015

Welcome!

The Resource Center Webinar: Strengthening Incarcerated Individuals

and Their Families Through Healthy Relationship Education

will begin at approximately 1:00pm EDTAudio will be broadcast through the computer. Please make sure your volume is on and Adobe Speakers are on:

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Webinar Agenda• Introductions

• How Healthy Relationships and Family Stability Connect for Strong Families

• Program example: Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction

• Program example: New Jersey Department of Corrections

• Program example: Urban Light Ministries

• Q&A

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Presenters• Robyn Cenizal, Director, National Resource

Center for Healthy Marriage and Families

• Norman Robinson, Deputy Director, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction

• Wendi White, Engaging the Family Program Coordinator, New Jersey Department of Corrections

• Darryl Grayson, Fatherhood Director, Urban Light Ministries

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Healthy Relationship Skills: Strategies and Examples from the

Resource Center

Robyn Cenizal, CFLE Director, National Resource

Center for Healthy Marriage and Families

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National Resource Center for Healthy Marriage and Families

Mission: Connecting healthy marriage education skills and safety-net services as an integrated approach to strengthening families. We Offer:• Outreach through conferences, Twitter and Monthly

Newsletter• Stakeholder Specific Products• Training and Technical Assistance• Robust Website including over 1,000 research-based

resources in our library and a Virtual Training Centerwith six courses

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Important Skills

• Healthy marriage education skills arethe core components of healthyrelationship education and include:o Interpersonal skills such as

communication and conflictresolution;

o Along with critical skills like parentingand financial education.

These skills can be successfully integrated individually or collectively to reduce stress and improve communication.

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Healthy Relationships and Reentry

• More than 80% of men reentering from incarcerationreceive some kind of family assistance, and mostname family support as the most important factor inhelping them stay out of prison (La Vigne, Schollenberger, &

Debus, 2009).• Family support, acceptance, and encouragement

for formerly incarcerated individuals are associatedwith more success in finding employment, reducedcriminal behavior, and less substance abuse (Griswold &Pearson, 2005; Visher & Travis, 2003).

• Moreover, prisoners who maintain family relationshipswhile incarcerated are less likely to commit a newcrime or violate parole after they are released(Maldonado, 2006).

Family EngagementNorman Robinson

Deputy DirectorOffice of Offender Reentry

Poll Question#1

• At the core of DRC’s approach is the notion that reentry is a philosophy, not a program. Reentry calls for a broad systems approach to managing offenders returning to the community.

• The ODRC is in the process of reviewing services related to Family Engagement while a loved one is incarcerated. A leadership team, representing North and South prisons, APA, Community Agencies, family members, ex-offenders and others will lead two conversations in the community. The intent is to review current practices, determine assets and barriers in the community and DRC, and gather input from agencies working with family members in the community, family members themselves, the incarcerated and DRC employees.

• Telephone calls are one of the primary means of inmates maintaining connections with family and loved ones during incarceration; maintaining these connections positively influences behavior in prison and the likelihood an offender will succeed upon release from prison.

• Directly aligned with the agency mission of reducing recidivism, the current contract with Global Tel Link (GTL) was renegotiated to drastically reduce telephone rates to five cents per minute, plus all applicable government mandated taxes and Federal Universal Service Fund fees for all calls within the United States, with no surcharge or connection fee. The new rate took effective April 1, 2015.

• It is the policy of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction that offenders in the physical custody of the Department be allowed visitation privileges. The visiting program is designed to enhance contact with family and other support persons that will enable the offenders to successfully re-enter society at the conclusion of their incarceration.

Questions Family Members and Inmates Face

• What do communities and the agencies have that can assist in improving family engagement?

• What are the challenges facing the family members and their ability to stay engaged?

• If someone is being released, what things do they need to be successful in coming back to the community?

Why is Family Engagement So Important…

Every individual sent to prison leaves behind a network of family relationships. Prisoners are the children, parents, siblings and kin to untold numbers of relatives who are each affected differently by a family member’s arrest, incarceration, and ultimate homecoming.

Many dimensions of family functioning undergo significant changes when a member is incarcerated, including changes in family structure, financial relationships, income levels, emotional support systems and living arrangements.

Family Engagement Forums

North Forum:April 28, 20159:00am-3:00pmGood Will Ministries570 E Waterloo Rd. Akron OH, 44319

South Forum:April 29, 20159:00am-3:00pmBroad Street Presbyterian Church 760 East Broad St. Columbus, Oh 43205

Leadership team, representing North and South prisons, APA, Community Agencies, was formed to lead conversations in the community

Partnerships and Focus Groups in Ohio Prisons

• The Office of Offender Reentry is partnering with the National Resource Center for Healthy Marriage and Families to facilitate the discussions and map out the process.

• Prison focus groups targeted 40 currently incarcerated men representing a cross section of the current prison population.

• The National Fatherhood Initiative-InsideOut Dad Program is designed to help dads learn how to be better dads to their children while inside. InsideOut Dad is the nation's only evidence-based fatherhood program designed specifically for incarcerated fathers. InsideOut Dad helps reduce recidivism rates by reconnecting incarcerated fathers to their families, providing the motivation to get out and stay out. Popular among both inmates and ex-offenders, InsideOut Dad has been proven to increase family contact and improve inmate knowledge and attitudes.

• The Ridge Project-Tyros Dads- individuals are taught and encouraged to begin taking responsibility for their actions and to act with honor and integrity. Additionally, the TYRO Dads coursework provides people with a healthy model for becoming a responsible citizen and family member.

Family Engagement Completed Projects

• Collected all data regarding Family Engagement Programs/Events being conducted at the prison.

• Surveyed over a 1,000 incarcerated parents. Printed and released a research paper on the findings.

• Compiled feedback from the approximately 190 participants in the first two community conversations in conjunction with the National Resource Center for Healthy Marriage and Families.

New Jersey Department of CorrectionsOffice of Substance Abuse Programming & Addiction Services

Wendi White, MA, R-DMT, DRCCETF Program Coordinator

Poll Question#2

NJDOC DEMOGRAPHICSOffenders in NJ

Correctional Institutions by Base Offense

Total

Base Offense # %

Total Offenders 21,486 100%

Violent Offenses 12,275 57%

Property Offenses 2,118 10%

Public Policy 828 4%

Weapons 2,444 11%

Drugs 3,670 17%

Not Coded 151 1%

Offenders in NJ Correctional

Institutions by Race/Ethnic

Identity

Total

Ethnic Identification # %

Total Offenders 21,486 100%

Black 13,017 61%

White 4,792 22%

Hispanic 3,468 16%

Asian 130 1%

American Indian 6 0%

Other or Not Coded 73 0%

NJDOC DEMOGRAPHICSOffenders in NJ

Correctional Institutions by Age

Total

Age # %

Total Offenders 21,486 100%

< 17 Years 1 0%

17 Years 6 0%

18-20 Years 398 2%

21-22 Years 1,147 5%

23-24 Years 1,577 7%

25-27 Years 2,422 11%

28-30 Years 2,257 11%

31-33 Years 2,165 10%

34-36 Years 1,964 9%

37-39 Years 1,663 8%

40-44 Years 2,540 12%

45-49 Years 2,089 10%

50-54 Years 1,547 7%

55-59 Years 831 4%

60-64 Years 423 2%

65+ Years 383 2%

Not Coded 73 0%

Offenders in NJ Correctional

Institutions by Total Term at Admission

Total

Total Term # %

Total Offenders 21,486 100%1-2 Years 871 4%

3 Years 2,913 14%

4 Years 1,871 9%

5 Years 3,917 18%

6 Years 1,095 5%

7 Years 1,265 6%

8-9 1,343 6%

10 Years 1,269 6%

11-14 Years 1,252 6%

15 Years 640 3%

16-20 Years 1,233 6%

21+ Years 2,270 11%

Life With Parole 1,136 5%

Life Without Parole 78 0%

Not Coded 333 2%

FOUNDATION OF ETFThe underlying foundation of ETF is the engagement of

the FAMIly as PARTNERS in three essential reentry steps:

1. The pre-release reentry preparation of the offender in the areas of relationships, parenting, financial literacy, and substance abuse.

2. The case management navigation from incarceration to the initial post release period.

3. The link to and integration with community-based partners throughout the State of NJ.

TARGET POPUlATION

ETF was designed to establish an innovative program for an UNDERSERvED population:

SUbSTANCE AbUSE offenders who have CHIlDREN, are in a committed

RElATIONSHIP, and will soon be released at the completion of their

MAxIMUM term.

GOAlS AND ObJECTIvES(During Incarceration)

Develop a mutually agreed upon treatment plan of program involvement.

Assist the offender in contacting the family and establishing and/or maintaining visits with partner and children during incarceration.

Conduct weekly case management sessions to discuss progress and revise the treatment plan as required throughout the pre-release period.

GOAlS AND ObJECTIvES(During Incarceration)

Facilitate healthy relationship strengthening skills-based education workshop involving both the inmate and committed partner.

Facilitate a parenting skills-based education workshop involving both the inmate and committed partner.

Facilitate lessons from FDIC Money Smart financial literacyeducation program involving both the inmate and committed partner.

Facilitate the 12 session Living In Balance substance abuse/relapse prevention workshop (offender only).

GOAlS AND ObJECTIvES(During Incarceration - Preparation for Release)

Prepare a discharge plan for the offender prior to release to aid the offender in establishing connections with community agencies, i.e. employment assistance, counseling, support groups, etc., upon release from the NJDOC.

Establish contacts and arrange appointments for the ex-offender with support agencies in needed areas as determined through the treatment plan and/or discharge plan.

GOAlS AND ObJECTIvES(After Incarceration)

Provide post release case management:

Establish bi-weekly telephone contact with the ex-offender and family member (spouse, committed partner, and/or mother of the children) for a minimum of six (6) months after release to provide support, to help the offender maintain continued family relationships, and to determine/provide any additional assistance as needed.

PARTNERSHIPS

Responsible Parenting Program (RPP) Helps inmate understand the child support system Informs inmate of child support payments and arrears Assists with completing a Pro Se motion Requests suspension of enforcement of a non-willful

support detainer Requests a decrease in child support payments while

incarcerated Addresses paternity concerns and/or visitation issues

PARTNERSHIPSThree non-profit, community-based agencies are sub-granted by the NJDOC to provide post release employment services to the ETF program participants and co-participants:

Northern Region- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark

Central Region- Shiloh Community Development Corporation

Southern Region- Career Opportunity Development Inc.

SUSTAINAbIlITy PlAN

On September 30, 2015, grant funding provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance for the Community Centered Responsible Fatherhood Ex-Prisoner Reentry Pilot Project will cease.

As of October 1, 2015, the New Jersey Department of Correctionswill begin funding Engaging the Family. The Sustainability plan includes the conversion of each of the eleven ETF staff to State funded positions, as well as the expansion of the program into all of the State correctional institutions.

New Jersey Department of CorrectionsDivision of Operations

Office of Substance Abuse Programming and Addiction Services

Engaging the Family in the Recovery Process for Max-Out Offenders: A Community Centered

Approach

Project Director: Adam CortesProject Coordinator: Wendi White

Wendi.White@doc.nj.gov

A Successful Fatherhood Program for Incarcerated Fathers: The Madison

Experience

Poll Question#3

The Components

A. Introduction: Our History at Experience at MACI

B. Effective and Efficient Processes

C. Strong Partnerships

D. Staffing37

ULM’s Fatherhood History

In General: First Fatherhood class was

held in 2006 Provided programing to

more than 1900 fathers Over 1000 graduates In 2008 we started our

partnership with the OCF and since then over 1200 fathers (660 Graduates) with 2500 children have been touched

At Madison Correctional: First Fatherhood class was

held in October 2013 257 fathers (690 children)

have enrolled 148 graduates (minimum of 30

hours) Averages:

Enrollment – 65, Hi - 96 Graduates – 37, Hi - 57

Effective and Efficient Processes

Starts with participant Intake: Self -identified needs Every intake document is

reviewed Communicate these needs to

the facility’s staff ULM handles the external

needs that we can

ULM’s actions and goals during Intake : Start to build relationships Communicate the goals, aims,

and purposes of our program from a “Self – Interest” perspective

Communicate the strength of our partnerships

Clarify our roles and expectations

Answer questions

ULM’S FATHERHOOD PROCESS

INTAKE ASSESSMENT- CASE MANAGEMENT

INCARCERATED FATHERSINTAKE ASSESSMENT

REFER TO THE PROPER SERVICE(S)

UTILIZE THE PROPER SERVICES FATHERHOOD WORKSHOPS

OUTTAKE ASSESSMENT TO GAUGE PROGRESS/GROWTH

Strong Partnerships

With the Facilities: Administrators Unit Managers and their

Teams Guards

These are the “gate keepers” and are key to access, internal information, and support.

With the participating Fathers –we need their: Participation Investment in and

commitment to the process “Buy in” Experiences and voices

They become your program’s greatest champions and recruiters.

The “Right” Staff

Must be: Able to reach the participants Able to hold the participants

attention Able to provide practical

knowledge and experiences Subject matter experts Experienced in working with

this type of population

Must be: Gifted Focused Compassionate Sensitive Good listeners Multi-talented

MACI’s First Graduation

Contact Information:Darryl L. Grayson –

ULM COO and Fatherhood Directordgrayson@urbanlight.org

937-328-0122 (O) 937-244 - 0884 (C)

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To Ask a Question

Browse To Relevant Sites And InformationBy Clicking On The Links Here

To Download Resource Center Products Featured in this Webinar Select Files

Here

Use This Box ToChat With Participants

Use this Box to Ask a Question

#MarriageResCtr

Thank You!

Please remember to provide your feedback using the survey that will that will pop-up on your screen in a separate window as the webinar concludes.

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Contact Us

National Resource Center for Healthy Marriage and Families

www.HealthyMarriageandFamilies.org

Email:info@HealthyMarriageandFamilies.org

Phone: 866-916-4672