Capital Region Ex-Offender Support Coalition (CRESC)

Capital Region Ex-Offender Support Coalition (CRESC)

3:00 p.m. Meeting Notes of July 21, 2011

1.Welcome. Chairman Vladimir Beaufils called the meeting to order shortly after 3:00 pm, read the CRESC mission and vision, and welcomed all.

Present: Jeffrey Woodyard, OIC;Alfred Dean, Kera’s House; Jimmy Webster, Corizon; PJ Lundgren, Temple NEST; Barbara Varner, Cumberland County Probation; Beth Pattay, Clinical Outcomes; Stephanie Rice, Clinical Outcomes; Valerie Simmons The PROGRAM; Kristin Sayers, DOC Reentry; Ken Duffin, Gaudenzia; Ron Tilley, Firm Foundation, Patti Brader, Firetree, Inc.; Luther Brice, VA; Jim Law, Second Chance; Matt Miller, Dauphin County Work Release; Stephen Scanlon, Center for Independent Living of Central PA (CILCP); Harvey Bear, Penn DOT/BEO; Marsha Banks, Amiracle4Sure; Gerald Everett; Karl Singleton, Singleton Ed & Comm Resources; Richard Roderick, DCP Mentor Program; Irene Baird, Penn State Harrisburg; Natasha DiPrizito, the PROGRAM; Colman Wessel, DCP Chapel Services; Edith Cook, Mentor; William Peterson, Center for Community Building, Inc.; Reggie Bass, Bethesda Mission; Ron Hollm, Temple University; Roger Matson, PA Dept. L&I; Otis Nash, Dept of VA; Jeffrey Ditty, DOC; Uniqua Musa; Jonathon Queen, New Mindz; John Stub, Day After; Larry Washington, Cumberland County Prison; Edward Fisher, Salvation Army; Juanita Grant, CRAM; Robert Belle, L&I Office of Equal Opportunity ; William Kerney, PennDOT/BEO; Jim Angler; John Jackson, Becoming the Sum of One; Ebony Anderson, PA Prob & Parole; Barry Nazar, Temple University

Special Guest: John Wetzel, Secretary of Corrections

2. Approve minutes from the previous meeting.

Amendments: Correction to Treasurer’s report, balance should be $2,515.31.

Motion to accept Minutes as corrected Larry Coleman, Seconded ??, motion approved.

3. Committee Reports

Workforce Development Committee. Committee Chair Samara Scott, away in Aruba. Report delivered by Vladimir Beaufils. Melissa Vieringof Work Release Program passed away. Two Ready for Work Workshops operatingat CEEED, every other Wednesday (next one is the 10th August). Average 6-7 clients per workshop. Enhanced workshops started with CRAM and A Personnel Connection, Inc.

Ready 4 Work Workshops progress through 3 phases. Usually 10 people in phase 1, 6-7 in phase 2, and 5 in phase three the mock interview, which is followed by job placement.

At Work Release Center, (Matt Miller), transition teams continuing, but sorely miss Melissa, who was a key resource on the team. Will soon have a liaison named to assist the work.

Mentor Committee. Larry Coleman. Continue to have active committee meetings at Dodge City Restaurant, first Thursday 8am. Gets better every month. The Successful Ex-Offender Mentoring Program joins forces with the Mentor Committee. Today’s presentation features the efforts of the Successful Ex-Offender Mentors Program.

The Mentor’s College is continuing to grow. Trainings are now hosted at Temple University in Harrisburg. New Mentors training scheduled for August 4 & 5. It’s a two day training. Training announcements are regularly posted on the website.

Website is

Finance Committee. Barry Nazar. Currently working on a Fatherhood Grant initiative. Added by Vladimir: grant is through Health & Human Services, significant funding for Fatherhood initiatives. Three areas are, Healthy Marriage, Parenting, and Economic Stability. Will subsidize employment and offer incentives for training. United Way is the lead agency. Partners are CRAM, Mentoring, Brethren Communities, Firm Foundation, Fatherhood Academy is primary Knights of 21st Century, Proud Dads, YWCA, Marriage Counseling Providers, CEEED.

Another similar grant is being pursued by the WIB. CRESC is a supporting partner. Dr. Bob Garraty is working with both parties to coordinate planning.

Juanita Grant asked who is going to pick agencies to collaborate? Vlad – it is probably up to the WIB to determine that.

Barry. There is another grant pertaining to youth and drug & alcohol abuse (PCCD). We are exploring that with Amiracle4Sure and Uplift.

4. Treasurer’s Report.

Jeff Woodyard. No activities, so balance remains the same at $2,515.31

5. Presenter (Larry Coleman recognized all successful ex-offenders present)

Marsha Banks: Ex-Offender partners joined forces with Dauphin County Probation & Parole to conduct mentoring by successful ex-offenders. Marsha described her transition from incarceration to success and the many people who played a role in her success.

Jonathan Queen: Two words authenticity and credibility. Praised the players in Dauphin County for allowing that to exist in the successful ex-offender mentoring program. Program gives offenders the opportunity to see that (1) you can’t do it by yourself, (2) see the consequences of your actions, and (3) you no longer have an excuse that you can’t make it. Jonathan described many accomplishments and thanked others that contributed to his success. Very fulfilling to serve the transition of others. Success Ex-offenders are the success story that offenders need to see. The program is a prototype that works.

Mike Pottieger: There is a disconnect between probation officers and offenders. The successful ex-offenders open a changed approach for reducing recidivism. Reducing recidivism creates less victims and less prisoners. As the president of the County Chiefs Association we try to do that through many things: mental health court, drug court, (and others). If we can stop the progression at the County level, we won’t graduate people to the State DOC.

Collaborating work together with the CRESC Coalition and faith-based agencies increases the possibility of connecting effectively with incarcerated persons. Especially maintaining family connections and dealing with dually diagnosed individuals. Had to retrain probation staff to look to these resources. The mentoring program and family group conferencing is vital.

Over the last year and a half about 800 persons participated in the program. Started with 8-10 people at a time and has grown to 50 at a time. Includes work release and persons under supervision. Peer to peer works a lot better than just probation supervision alone. 80% are unemployed. They need guidance to get ready for facing employment challenges. Comes a lot easier from peers. Now have 4% recidivism rate. Statewide the average is 40%.

Currently working with HACC to get education programs for vocational certifications.

Finding that rewarding progress is effective. Starting to issue certificates of completion in the Mentoring program.

Handouts were issued describing the program.

Questions

Freedom House – what is the 4%.? Mike. It is the full 800 that participated in the program with attendance of at least one time. Also seeing people continuing to come even though they continue to seek employment or work on other problems.

Mike re-emphasized importance of getting released persons connected with community resources. Vlad. It is widely demonstrated that mentoring works with youth, but it works with adults too. Blows the mental myth that they cannot succeed. Mike. Biggest thing is breaking down the silos between system and community. Marsha. Need ex-offenders on community agency’s Boards.

How can I participate? Contact mentors or join committee at Dodge City Restaurant first

Thursday 8am. Check out website for info. Be sure to sign in to get on the eList for announcements.

Mike. The program is now part of the Human Services Plan. Integrating across different branches of government.

6. Special Guest

John Wetzel, Secretary of Corrections. We are serious about doing corrections better. Understand that communities are the answer. One of the first things we did was cancel a new prison construction. 27 prisons today in PA. One tenth are lifers. Most focus is on nonviolent offenders. Adding a female transition unit to southeast corner. Including an inside out mentoring approach.

7. New Business

Nomination for Vice Chairman. Barry. Nominate William Peterson. Second. Vote, unanimous.

William Peterson elected to Vice Chairman.

Bill. Committed to CRESC effort from the outset. Looking forward to working with everyone.

Schuylkill County. Stephanie Rice. Organized a breakfast meeting of community agencies to initiate a coalition in Schuylkill County. 40 people attended. Two thirds made commitments to participate in the initiative next steps.

Robert Belle. Recognized the efforts of Vlad over the past few years. New features for workforce development web page. Resources will be available for download.

Amiracle4Sure moved to Dauphin County – Penbrook. Computer lab Monday, Tuesday & Friday 10am – 3pm. Women’s group Monday nights 6pm – 7:30pm. Messiah College grant mentoring young women. 2459 Walnut St.

8. Announcements

Guest (ex-offender). Muslims don’t have the same voice and get negative perspectives. I’ve been mentoring Muslims (especially drug & alcohol abusers). Chaplain Larry allowed for Muslims readings and that was important for many. But, seems to be a Christian bias or preference. Vlad extended a welcome and invited him to join Coalition.

Ebony. Created a program called Strive. Made it community-based rather than faith-based, because it has Christian orientation or perspectives that don’t resonate with some. Has referrals for youth programs.

Ron. Do we want to expand officers to include females?

Next presentation is about Federal Bonding Program.

Adjourned.

Respectfully submitted

D R A F T

Barry Nazar

Acting CRESC Secretary