brooke certified making a difference every day as ls/cmi trainer · 2013. 2. 1. · tracking system...
TRANSCRIPT
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Jordan’s Success Story 2
Access to Recovery Program Update 3
Budget Update 3
DV GPS & Scram Pilot 4
Considering the budget cuts of recent
years, the ongoing debate about PERS,
and the negative rhetoric regarding
public institutions from the recent
election, it is easy to feel undervalued
as a public employee. But in spite of it
all, I continue to feel an undiminished
pride in working as a professional in the
public sector and in the contributions
we make to our community.
Each day we ask difficult but humane
questions: How can I help someone
beat a drug addiction? Where can I
find safe housing or food and clothes
for a homeless person? How can I
help someone get back to work? How
can I keep a crime victim safe from
her perpetrator? These are important
questions and the professional and
informed way we respond impacts our
community in countless ways. There
are always challenges, but when we
keep the hope of changed lives as our
focus, it makes it all worthwhile.
As public employees we have the
responsibility and the reward of using
our skills and resources to enhance the
quality of life in our county. While most
citizens are only vaguely aware of what
we do and its impact, the benefits are
obvious to the individuals and families
that we help. Our county’s declining
recidivism rate also speaks to the good
work we do.
Can we do better? Of course, and
that should always be part of our
mindset. As ethical public managers
and employees we need to listen to
our critics closely and respectfully and
concentrate on fiscal accountability
and outstanding performance. We
must, however, never dismiss the fact
that what we do as public employees
is essential to the functioning of our
community and the welfare of our
citizenry.
It was 30 years ago this month I
began working for Washington
County; over 17 of those years have
been in Community Corrections. I
am frequently reminded of why it is a
privilege to work for this county, this
department, and with all of you. Thank
you for all you do, and never lose sight
of the difference we make.
Making a Difference Every Day
Winter 2013
Brooke Certified as LS/CMI Trainer
Earlier this
month Brooke Vice became one of 20 PPO’s
statewide
certified as
an LS/CMI
Trainer. She was selected for the
program following a review of her
recorded assessment tapes and
our department’s commitment to
the statewide training and quality
assurance program. Brooke was
recently invited to participate in
a review of our department’s LS/
CMI and Case Planning progress.
In the coming months, supervisors
will be working with Brooke and
the department’s EBP committee
to develop training focused on
LS/CMI inter-rater reliability and
the development of case plans
targeting offenders’ highest
criminogenic risk factors. Brooke
welcomes the opportunity to share
her LS/CMI experience within the
department and regionally. In
February she will co-facilitate her
first training with staff in Multnomah
County. Congratulations Brooke!
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Jordan’s StorySince my supervision began in 2007, I’ve had 3 probation officers, graduated
from the 90 day treatment dorm, and graduated from Drug Court. Previous
to supervision, I had developed an unmanageable drug addiction. I didn’t
fully understand the impact the bad choices I was making had on my life or
would have on my future if I continued down this path.
I listened to my P.O. and wanted to complete probation successfully.
However, my desire to use drugs was stronger. I violated a few times then
was revoked. I was sentenced to 6 months in jail. I didn’t think it was a big
deal. My drug use zapped my motivation and zest for life. However, my
experience with jail staff was encouraging and I found unlikely mentors in the
deputies. I was released and wanted something different. Willpower and the
white knuckle method wasn’t enough.
After more bad choices I found myself back in jail and being screened for
the 90 day treatment dorm at the Community Corrections Center. I found
great support in the Center and I’m still close to people there. I completed
this program with confidence and knowledge about my drug addiction. I
remained drug free and held down a job for 5 months until old habits set in,
and I wound up back at square one.
I messed up big this time and was looking at going to prison! Although
this scared me to death, I accepted this consequence. I was then screened
and accepted into Drug Court. This intensive outpatient program was
challenging and really tested my resolve. I grew up in this program and
learned the value of support in recovery. I graduated Drug Court in February
of 2012.
In February I will have been off probation for a year. I have also been
drug free and working a program of recovery for over two years. I am the
Vice President of the Drug Court Alumni Committee, and I volunteer with
the Juvenile department as an outreach speaker. I’m so proud of what
I’ve accomplished with the help and guidance from all the people that
Washington County put in my life. But better yet, my family is proud of me. I
am forever grateful for Washington County Probation and Parole. I wouldn’t
be half the man I am today without their involvement in my life.
Seek first to understand, then to be understood.“ ” Stephen R. Covey
New EmployeesHeather Brown joined our
team in the
Probation Office
in December as
an Administrative
Specialist II. She
will be working with the MIS team
doing various data entry duties.
Heather graduated in March
with her AAS in Accounting and
recently finished an internship
with Micropower. Heather enjoys
spending time with her husband
and three children camping,
fishing and playing games.
Please welcome
a familiar face
within the
department as
the newest PO
II joining the
Sex Offender
Team. Tim DeMumbrum started with the department in 2000
at the Community Corrections
Center and worked in most
classifications at the CCC
including Supervisor I, his most
recent position. Although Tim
started his new assignment
January 7, 2013, he quickly left
for a “vacation” from the office.
His destination you ask—Salem
and the DPSST Academy to
attend the four week Basic
Probation and Parole class.
Graduation is scheduled for
February 8th at 11 a.m.
Congratulations Tim
and WELCOME!
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Access to Recovery Program UpdateOregon Access to Recovery is
designed to increase an individual’s
access to services and create a
recovery oriented system of care
comprised of clinical, community-
based and faith-based services.
Funding follows the individual through
an electronic voucher management
system. Clients must have a history of
substance abuse or addiction.
Oregon prioritizes the following individuals:
•Veterans,particularlyreturningsoldiersfromAfghanistanandIraq.
•Parentsinvolvedinthechildwelfaresystemwhohaveaccessed
treatment through ITRS.
•Individualstransitioningtocommunitiesfromcorrectionalinstitutions
who have addiction disorders and have either accessed treatment during
incarceration or who need both clinical treatment and recovery support
services.
ATR is a voluntary program and participants can choose from a variety of
support services within specific guidelines and limits. Unfortunately, due to
limiting spending per client we no longer offer full treatment vouchers but
can help on a case-by-case basis with assessments and partial treatment
options to facilitate the treatment process. Typical services accessed are:
transitional clean and sober housing, transportation (Tri-met or gas cards),
and items related to work or education.
To refer a client that qualifies: staff or the client may call the Probation
reception desk (4300) to set up an appointment. You may also directly call
Tracey (3498) or Dorothy (3459), or e-mail both at tracey_nussbaumer@
co.washington.or.us and [email protected].
ATR is a one time use only program for each individual referred. Typically,
clients can look forward to a 90 - 120 day service period to utilize services.
Budget UpdateThe Governor proposed his 2013-14
budget at the end of November and
we now wait to see what changes
the legislature makes. The good
news is that he did not propose
any reductions to Community
Corrections like those we saw the
past two biennia. In fact, he offered
a modest increase that should allow
us to keep pace with increasing
costs. Our state grant is our largest
funding source, accounting for
about 37% of our revenue.
There is a potential new source of
revenue in the budget that we are
waiting to learn more about. The
Governor included $35 million in
“incentive” funding for counties to
keep offenders out of prison. The
Governor is looking for ways to
keep the prison population from
expanding to avoid the cost of
opening new prisons. To access
this funding counties could, for
example, expand Local Control
up to 15 months or agree not to
send certain low level property
or drug offenders to prison. Any
decisions to apply for this funding
will be made jointly with all our local
criminal justice partners.
It is important to remember that
the Governor’s budget is a starting
place and will be hotly debated
over the next few months. I will be
engaged in the legislative process
through the County’s administrative
office and the statewide directors
association and will provide updates
as things become more defined.
The final budget may look quite
different.
Hear the meaning within the word.“ ” William Shakespeare
mailto:tracey_nussbaumer%40co.washington.or.us?subject=mailto:tracey_nussbaumer%40co.washington.or.us?subject=mailto:dorothy_torelli%40co.washington.or.us?subject=
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DV GPS & Scram PilotIn the spirit of starting the New Year with new opportunities, the DV Team
started a GPS tracking & Scram (continuous alcohol monitoring - CAM) Pilot
Project this month. GPS Monitoring, and CAM technology have become
standard alternatives in community corrections and we are excited to add
these services as a sanction option.
During a review of our department’s sanctioning history, and available
custody alternatives, we recognized GPS Monitoring and CAM could fill a
void within our local sanctioning continuum. Although Washington County is
fortunate to have jail, work release, and community service options available,
there are times when an alternative sanction may be appropriate. Consistent
with the guiding principle “least restrictive sanction necessary to achieve
the desired behavior change”, GPS Monitoring and CAM provide increased
accountability and structure while the offender maintains the ability to work
and attend treatment services.
Community Corrections will partner with Vigilnet Community
Monitoring, a provider of the 3M™ One-Piece GPS
Tracking System and exclusive provider of SCRAMx for
this region. Vigilnet is experienced with the needs of
community corrections as a local provider under
contract with Multnomah County Community Justice.
Reports from Multnomah County note Vigilnet provides great customer
service with a proven performance record.
For more information about Vigilnet Community Monitoring you can access
their web site from the following link: http://vigilnet.scramprovider.com/index
January 10, 2013 the DV Team participated in training with Vigilnet and is
waiting for the first program participant.
Stepping up for this new opportunity, Bernadine Evenson will be the primary
Electronic Monitoring (EM) staff providing program monitoring and offender
enrollment. In general, the PO/Court will impose the sanction and refer the
offender to Bernadine. Bernadine will enter the sanction detail into Vigilnet’s
web based program and monitor compliance. Program compliance and
violation issues will be reported to the supervising PO for action.
More to come as the program develops!
New EmployeesNatalie Harper
started as a
Residential
Counselor on
January 14th.
She is assigned
to a general
population caseload but will also
be facilitating some groups in
the treatment dorms. She brings
with her a Master’s Degree in
Counseling Psychology and
a CADC. She has experience
at LifeWorks NW as a Service
Coordinator II working with the
severe and persistent mentally ill.
Many of you probably remember
Natalie when she worked with us
over a year ago as the women’s
aftercare counselor. She married
and moved out of the country for
a year with her husband who was
working in Italy. We are glad she
is back and welcome her to a full-
time position!
Meridith Valterria will start as
a Residential Counselor on
Monday, February 4th. She
comes to us with experience in
both residential and community
settings. She has worked with a
range of clients, including those
with substance abuse, mental
illness, and developmental
disabilities. She will be assigned
to the men’s treatment dorm.
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.“ ” Aristotle
http://vigilnet.scramprovider.com/index