Jefferson County Fatherhood Initiative

Researchers who study the incarcerated population in Kentucky report that over 83% of inmates in Kentucky’s prison system have a severe problem with substance abuse. Often the families of offenders are disorganized and chaotic. Children are at high risk for substance abuse and other social problems. Spouses and significant others often bear the huge burden of parenting children, keeping the family together and financially supporting themselves and their children while their partners are in prison, and, for a period of time after they reenter the community. Ex-offenders and their partners have also registered a higher than average rate of HIV infection in recent years.

In the fall of 2006, COPES took on the challenge of supporting the healthy substance abuse recovery and positive reentry of men returning to the Louisville Metro Area after a period of incarceration in Kentucky Department of Corrections’ facilities. This challenge includes helping these reentering fathers address their issues with drugs and alcohol, reconnect with their families, learn positive parenting skills, understand strategies to protect their children from substance abuse, develop employment skills, and learn to communicate with sincerity and clarity at home and in the workplace. Awarded a 2.45 million dollar grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families, COPES built the Jefferson County Fatherhood Initiative on the foundation of its nationally recognized model program Creating Lasting Family Connections and the COPES approach to HIV prevention (in development since 2004). To support this initiative, COPES received formal agreements from area agencies interested in the positive reentry and recovery of men returning from prison. Our partners include: the Kentucky Department of Corrections, the Volunteers of America of Kentucky, Dismas Charities, University of Louisville’s WINGS Clinic, The Center for Women and Families, and The Louisville Metro Department of Health and Wellness.

Prior to their release from prison, potential clients in the Fatherhood Initiative entered the therapeutic community of the Department of Corrections’ Substance Abuse Program where they received a minimum of six months of treatment. As they are released, they are referred to Dismas Charities and to COPES for aftercare. Additionally, they are required to attend 3 AA or NA meetings a week. As soon as we interview 15 to 18 potential clients upon release, we form a cohort and begin direct services. Spouses and significant others are also encouraged to attend.
We also serve men who are receiving substance abuse treatment in the Volunteers of America of Kentucky’s Half-Way Back Program for men who been released from prison but have committed an offense during their probation. With this population we go to the Volunteers of America center and offer the program as an enrichment to their substance abuse treatment program.
A complete Fatherhood program run lasts 20 sessions. Each session is 2 hours. Prior to each session a light meal is served. Clients enjoy the opportunity of getting off work, having a meal and sharing some fellowship before starting each skill-building session.

Sessions are lively. Participants engage in discussions, listen to short lectures, participate in learning games and role plays that help them practice skills they will need to use in real life. Modules are tailored to address the specific needs of reentering parents, their partners and their children. “Raising Resilient Youth” fosters the use of positive parenting skills including developing reasonable expectations and consequences with the participation of the children who are expected to abide by them. This module promotes the use of Family Feelings Meetings to increase bonding between parents and children and to encourage all family members to develop a rich vocabulary to express their feelings. Training in “I-messages” encourages the reduction of shaming and blaming among family members. “Getting Real” develops the essential skills needed for parents and children to communicate sincerely and with compassion and clarity. It also teaches important refusal skills, encouraging both parent and child to say “No” when it is in their best interest to do so. “Developing Positive Parental Influences” shows parents how they can approach the issues of substance abuse with knowledge that to drink is one experience, to get drunk is another experience and chemical dependency is another category of use altogether. Participants are shown patterns of use and abuse and a process for designing their own personal family prevention plan based on their own specific genetic, environmental and personal lifestyle factors. The program also examines effective intervention and referral techniques. Finally, the HIV module gives parents clear information concerning HIV transmission and how to prevent it. Parents decide and plan what is appropriate information to give to their children.

Participants are also offered case management services to help them overcome any difficulties they or their family members might encounter during this period of transition from prison life to family life. During the past year, COPES’ case managers have helped participants search for and find jobs, suggested possible approaches to difficulties in the family and in the workplace, referred clients for additional treatment, and referred clients to local providers of a variety of services in a number of areas including sleep disorders, other medical issues, and financial planning.

In the year since we began direct services we have learned that this program can make an impressive difference in the lives of men returning from incarceration. Graduates report being able to use the skills taught with their families and in the work place. 89% have reported a reduction in their use of alcohol and drugs. 93% of the respondents reported that they listen to their children's thoughts and feelings when discussing family concerns and issues. 93% of the respondents reported that they are “very likely” or “likely” to involve their child in helping to make the family rules on curfews. 89% of the respondents indicate that they feel better about creating consequences in their family since they have attended the program.100% of respondents reported definitely knowing a lot more about alcoholism and chemical dependency following the training. Overall, 100% of the respondents reported that they are more capable, confident, and prepared to say “no” and help their children say “no” when it is in their best interest following their involvement in the CLFC program.

We are extremely encouraged by the short term results reported in the first year of offering direct services. We are looking forward reviewing long term results as they are reported. We believe we have developed a significant approach to the difficulties ex-offenders discover when they reenter the community and we are proud to be a healthy support to the recovery and to fostering healthy fatherhood and loving and lasting family relationships.

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