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On behalf of Programs and Chaplain Services, we want to thank you for the service you have given this past year. We were ready to move ahead with new ideas; then COVID-19 hit. Who could have imagined the impact COVID-19 would have on us and the world? We know you are ready to serve again, but the seriousness of the COVID-19 prevents TCSO from restarting the programs and services, to resuming in person Programs and Chaplain Services for the foreseeable future.If you would like to help us develop content to be provided remotely, we’d love to hear from you. Many of you have inquired about how we are meeting the needs of our population without being able to provide our regular programming. Our staff worked quickly to shift gears and soon after transitioning to working from home, we produced distance learning booklets that were distributed to every unit. We are also in the process of recording classes that will be accessible through remote means.. This is new for us, but we are learning and get-ting better each day. As things progress, we will keep you informed as to when we will resume volunteer services at the Del Valle Complex. The transition will move slowly and will be implemented carefully, in order to keep inmates, staff and volunteers safe. Keep your interest in serving fresh, and we hope to open the Jail doors for volunteers in the near future. We value our volunteers and will reach out to you as we identify what is needed. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.

DEAR VOLUNTEERSVOLUME 3 ISSUE 2

REENTRY HOUSING Amid the Covid19 pandemic, reentry has continued to ensure that people have the information and resources they need in order to return to the com-munity safely. In keeping with that goal, I have been working closely with Echo so that our homeless inmates are not being released without housing options. During this time, I have also continued Medical Access Program (MAP) services so that immediate medical needs can be met once they are released. Although this is a trying time, those close to their release date have been very patient, cooperative and excited to return to the community with the resources we have provided to them. In a recent Reentry Round Table meeting, I was excited to learn that the Counsel Group are working on a Fair Chance Housing Resolution to address criminal history barriers affecting housing choices for those who have been justice involved. I am looking forward to working with the counsel to ensure

the service is available for inmates once it is approved. The exciting new future of Reentry and Programs is virtual education which will provide the opportunity to share resources and other important information to our jail population via video. By utilizing video education, we are able to keep everyone safe and reach more people during this time of social distancing. This pandemic has forced us to change our thinking and approaches but we are aware that “change happens” and we have worked diligently to adapt.

Carolyn BrownSocial Services Reentry Program Coordinator

Tommy McIntosh, Senior Chaplain tommy.mcintosh@traviscountytx.gov

Angie Blackwell, Social Services Administrator angela.blackwell@traviscountytx.gov

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512-854-4190

Senior Chaplain Tommy McIntoshtommy.mcintosh@traviscountytx.gov

Chaplain Lamar Claypoollamar.claypool@traviscountytx.gov

Chaplain Services Associate James Villegasjames.villegas@traviscountytx.gov

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512-854-1254Social Services Administrator Angie Blackwell

angela.blackwell@traviscountytx.gov

CHAPLAIN SERVICES

DANCE VOLUNTEER My name is Mia Moi and I am a graduating UT Austin undergraduate in Communications Leader-ship and Psychology. I have been dancing competi-tively my whole life and most recently, professionally here in Austin. I have been training in all of the styles including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop, for example. While dance can be a serious and strict discipline, I also believe that the root of it should be enjoyable and accessible to everyone. Outside of dance and school, I am training in box-ing and hiking out on the greenbelts. Soon I will be producing instructional hip hop dance videos for virtual education. I want to volunteer with TCCC because I believe that everyone deserves a fun, safe environment where they can express themselves and let out some energy.

DIVINE CANINES

Divine Canine’s wants everyone to know that they miss TCCC pet therapy visits and can’t wait to return!

PACT UPDATES Beginning just after this new year, Megan Okonsky taught her first guided meditation class to women of the PEACE program. The women expressed their enjoyment in learning to quiet their minds and bodies and believed it would lessen the effects of stress. This class is a compliment to an anger management class they were also enrolled in which the students learned the art of pausing before reacting. Megan began teaching yoga in 2017 and has taught in Thai-land, Australia and filmed a video in Canada. She was initially inspired by the Prison Yoga Project that helps people heal through mindfulness. During the pandemic, Megan offered to record guided med-itation sessions for all incarcerated women at TCCC. TCSO is grateful for Megan’s dedication and look forward to new and creative endeavors together.

GED EDUCATION I hope you all are well during this turbulent time. It’s been an eventful start to my new position as Social Services Education Coordinator. This crisis has given me the opportunity to focus on important projects that will help to make our educational services more effective and accessible to the inmates. I have created a new GED curriculum that will help the students complete their course work and be able to test in just a few weeks. I have also spent time developing material for our Spanish speaking population that will foster communication in English. Our focus has now shifted to creating educational lessons that are accessible to our all segments of our population through remote learning. This alternative will enable us to provide educational instruction via video technology in the units. Options for remote learning will include courses such as Writing Improvement and Creative Writing, among others. I am really pleased that the inmates will have the opportunity to continue their educa-tion while we are on hiatus from the traditional classroom setting. I look forward to developing new opportunities that provide an educational enrichment option for each segment of our population and welcome any ideas or contributions that you have.

Jean GireauSocial Services Education Coordinator

STRESS MANAGEMENT In February before the pandemic arrived in central Texas, the Pro-gram Coordinators created distance learning booklets for the inmates. In my booklets, I discussed Stress Management to include self-un-derstanding and rest. At that time, no one knew we would experience such drastic changes of uncertainty and stress. Studies show that peo-ple who find small things to be thankful for each day, increase their happiness and decrease depression. This is something to keep in mind during the pandemic. Practicing gratitude each morning is a joyful way to start the day. Developing an attitude of gratitude can be achieved in a few simple steps. First, create a list of things you are grateful for big and small using ABC’s, for example A-air, B-bed, C-chocolate, etc. Second, keep a journal of the things you are grateful for and during tough times, go

back and reflect. Third, be grateful for yourself by acknowledging your uniqueness. Each day is a new day to accomplish new goals, make changes, and help others. When we experience self-appreciation and look at life through the lens of gratitude instead of disappointment, we’ll be happier and at peace.

LaTronda HumphriesSocial Services Veterans Coordinator

It is with heavy heart that I share the news that one of our original Pet Therapy dogs has crossed the rainbow bridge. Skylar and Eileen have been a part of TCCC Pet Therapy since 2016. He was fancied by many, partic-ularly because of his cool breed (greyhound). Skylar had endured so many ailments over the years since he was a rescue race dog. He had many surgeries and a toe amputated. But that didn’t stop Skylar and his human Eileen from visiting the jail. It is heartbreaking that we did not see this coming and never had a chance to say goodbye. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor just three weeks ago, and declined quickly. It never gets easy to say goodbye to a fellow Divine Canine partner, and with this virus, it can’t be easy trying to find the new norm without your beloved pet. Please keep Eileen in your thoughts.

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ADAPTING TO CHANGE Programs is moving forward and everyone who is working from home is dealing with transition. Still, we are working hard and moving forward doing the best we can with what we have. One of the things we have had to learn to do is be innovative and creative and learn to think outside the box which includes going virtual. If our students cannot come to us, we need to get to them. Since we are not yet at a point where we can meet face to face, we are taking advantage of using technology to get the job done. In the era of Youtube, Instagram and vlogs, we can jump in and reach our students via video. We are now taking steps to create Pilot Program videos and have already seen great potential. The goal for instructors is to create dynamic and engaging videos of our Program classes. This will allow our students to access their classes from their units and be able to watch them during our off hours such as evenings or on the weekend. One of the Programs that is preparing for this new project is the youth program called PURPOSE. This particular program serves students ages 18 to 24 and we are very excited about taking our teaching creativity to the next level. Soon homework like worksheets, activities, videos on current events for discussions in class will be distributed. We will also be able to bring in staff from other departments to take part in discussions in their field of expertise. Eventually we will cross the language barrier and using this same technology to serve our Spanish speaking population in our Libertad Program. Translating our classes into Spanish will be a chal-lenge, but I know our team is ready for the task. Everyone is excited about this new adventure and our teaching potential is unlimited.

Matthew VelozSocial Services Spanish and Youth Program Coordinator

MASK DONATIONS We sent out a call for help to our volunteers at the beginning of April requesting fabric masks for our staff and inmates. There was an immediate response from folks who were able to assist. In a short amount of time, we received hundreds of hand sewn masks that volunteers spent many hours sewing. A request was also made to Make-a-Mask, a group that was formed in response to the COVID-19 emergency by Jennifer Reyes, the Director of Clinical Operations for the Victory Medical Urgent Care and Family Practice clinics. Groups of sewers came together and have worked diligently to sew masks for medical professionals. One very special group of sewers dedicated themselves to sewing masks just for Travis County Sheriff ’s office jail staff and inmates. Bianca Chen, Yen-Yu Lien and Linda Trinh were the team leaders who sewed themselves as well as coordinated with over eight community sewers. It often turned into a family effort with siblings and parents all spending their free time sewing. Their effort resulted in the donation of over 1,500 masks. Everyone’s donations have made all of the difference in our suc-cessful efforts to keep everyone in the Travis County jails safe.

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SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, our community has experienced struggles on many fronts, however, for those struggling with addiction, the isolation and collateral impacts of the virus are causing disturbances in peo-ple’s ability to access their recovery communities and for some, the results are relapse. In April, Travis County and Williamson County saw an increase in opioid overdose calls. Opioids are a class of drugs that include drugs like heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, morphine, hydrocodone and oxycodone. The prevalence of this epidemic has caught national attention for the past two years with many community-based efforts to provide treatment, resources, and evidence-based harm reduction efforts with the focus of saving peo-ple’s lives. This month, Travis County Sheriff ’s Office has been focusing on efforts to provide Naloxone Nasal Spray Kits to individuals releasing from Travis County Correctional Complex. The risk of overdose for individuals being housed in a correctional setting increases once they’re released since

their tolerance for opioids decreases. The Substance Use Disorder Program has partnered with Texas Harm Reduction Alliance and Texas Opioid Naloxone Initiative (T.O.N.I.) to provide the kits which are used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. For any person being screened through the booking process, individuals who report a history of opioid use, will be offered a Naloxone Nasal Spray kit with two doses, instructions for use, and a Substance Use Disor-der Resource Guide upon release. An Opioid Overdose Prevention Training offered through T.O.N.I. will be offered through the Program’s virtual learning and once Programs returns to regularly scheduled classes, the training will also be offered on a weekly basis to individuals who are identified through the screening. We are very excited about this initiative and the opportunity it has to save people’s lives!

Call to SUD Volunteers:

Given the changes to how community services are now being delivered, TCSO Programs department has been working to put in place virtual learning options for individuals housed at Travis County Correctional Complex. If you have an interest to provide a pre-recorded lecture or speaker series, please send an email to the SUD Program Coordinator at jennifer.hernandez@traviscountytx.gov. TCSO Programs is also working toward providing live remote meetings and classes on the units to participants who are interested. This is up and coming, and has not yet been deployed, however, if you are interested in the possibility of providing virtual 12 step meetings or a specific class supporting issues related to drugs and alcohol, please feel free to contact the SUD Program Coordinator.

Jennifer Hernandez Social Services SUD Coordinator