Bridgeport Reentry Initiative

1. Bridgeport Reentry Initiative Program Model for Creating Change Presented by Marcia Hughes, Ph.D. Center for Social Research, University of Hartford September 30, 2009

2. Stages of Program Implementation(Fixsen, Naoom, Blasé, Friedman, Wallace, 2005) • Exploration & Adoption: Identify the need for an intervention, acquire information, and mobilize support. • Program Installation: Active preparation, using and leveraging resources (funding, staff, policy development), hiring staff, secure space • Initial Implementation: Complexity & change skill levels, capacity, culture of organization; requires time to mature; “awkward stage” • Full Operation: New learning becomes integrated; fully operational, referrals are flowing; eventually “accepted practice” • Innovation: New staff under different conditions can lead to program drift vs. innovation; first implement with fidelity to model, then innovate • Sustainability: need to adjust, maintain program component in shifting ecology - funding, skilled practitioners, political alliances, social problems

3. Purpose of Today’s Talk • Articulate the model for creating change • Is everyone on the same page? • If not, need to clarify/modify as needed • Program Focus/Development • Evaluation of program • Process and Outcome evaluation • Measures and data collection • Program Development & Evaluation Questions

4. Need for Intervention & Purpose of the Project • The “Problem” or Need for intervention: • Many people returning to Bridgeport community are not succeeding in term of employment, supporting themselves& families • High recidivism rates • 3. Little to no transitional support for people being released from prison. • 4. Need systemic change; “shift in the culture” • 5. Economic downturn; community unprepared • Goal of the intervention: • Engage people as soon as possible and equip with tools, skills and resources for successful reentry. • Reduce recidivism rates • Releasing offender receives consistent and meaningful support and guidance from pre-release to post-release. • Develop replicable model • Help equip community to give people returning from prison the same consideration given to other citizens.

5. Male or Female Up to 6 mo pre-release 30% EOS; no sex offend Bridgeport area resident York Gates Bergin Target Population Pre-Release Services/Post-Release Services Services Department of Corrections Department of Labor Project Coordinator(s) Assessment Person Facility Staff &Community Org. Parole/Probation Organization Plan Program Process: Organizational & Service Plan

6. Target Population Dysfunctional families History of Trauma Substance abuse or dependence Criminal Histories Criminal thinking patterns - attitudes toward law Cognitive distortions- anger & hostility Social-emotional deviance High risk, Multiple needs, Violent offenders, EOS Uninformed on services Different perspective No role models Limited resources Not succeeding Need for support, guidance, supervision Gender difference*

7. Organization Plan US Department of Justice CT Dept of Correction Facility Services Family Reentry Pre-Release (including orientation) Post-Release Subcontracts US Department of Labor Career Resources Inc. Reentry Works Orientation Only Post-Release Subcontracts “Each agency represents all of us” N= 200 ~ 100 • Family Re-entry & Fresh Start Reentry • Career Services, Inc • Center for Women & Families • The Co-Op Center/Council of Churches • CT Legal Services

8. Organization Plan “Each agency represents all of us” US Department of Justice/ US Department of Labor CT Dept of Correction Facility Services Family Reentry Career Resources Inc. Reentry Works Pre-Release (including orientation) Post-Release Subcontracts • Making it seamless: • Facility Coordinator • Community Coordinator

9. Services • Pre-Release Services • Orientation • Assessment • Re-entry workbook • Job Center • Transitional Plan • Post-Release Services • Utilization of assessment, workbook, transition plan (by case manager, p/p) • Access & use of community services: case management, employment, social reunification, life skills

10. Target Population Stability Employment Education Life Quality Recruitment Participation Retention Service Arena Decrease in Recidivism Organization Plan PROGRAM PROCESS IMPACT Quality of Relationships Collaboration

11. Program Focus: Mediators & Moderators • Collaboration- In order to address the complexity of the issues, need to have collaboration: Process for creating change. • Quality of Interpersonal Relationships Engagement is critical first step to shaping change; Culture-shift • Motivational Interviewing-Change-focused; Evidence-based methods do not readily diffuse into practice* • Moderators/interaction effects- individual/family/friend characteristics, history, resources

12. Basic Evaluation: Measures & Data Collection Not enough to say you are making a difference: Need to know how, in what ways, and for whom.

13. Other Program Development & Evaluation Questions 2. Collaboration: What does it mean to “link” agencies? 1. Program model: What components are necessary? • Re-entry, assessment 3. What is the process through which the relationship with case manager effects a change? • 4. Evaluate utility of assessment tools: Screening, classifying risk, prioritizing treatment and intensity of service • 5. For whom is the project working, in what ways, and under what conditions? Who are we not reaching and why? 6. Infrastructure and sustainability: Document “lessons learned” How to replicate the model? Deliberative conversations. 7. How can the partners build community awareness & support?