News
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
Connect-Immunity Project
Jefferson County Fatherhood Initiative
Jefferson County Healthy Marriage Initiative
Issue 6: September, 2009 (Download PDF Version)
Study Indicates Significant Reduction
in Recidivism Rates for Reentry Groups Using CLFC
A recent records study of individuals reentering our community from state incarceration
programs indicates that those who receive Creating Lasting Family Connections
(CLFC) as the intervention program in two of COPES’ federally funded projects
have a significantly lower recidivism rate than similar individuals in non-program
comparison groups. In fact, the recidivism rate of those receiving the program
is almost two-thirds lower than those in comparison groups who did not receive
the program.
The two initiatives studied were the Connect-Immunity Project (funded by the
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration –SAMSHA) and
the Jefferson County Fatherhood Initiative (Funded by the Office of Family Assistance
– OFA). We define “recidivism” as those individuals who are
revoked, who absconded, or who are arrested. Included in the study were 9 program-receiving
cohorts from the Connect-Immunity Project and 11 program-receiving cohorts from
the Fatherhood Initiative. Each program-receiving cohort is made up of 15 to
18 reentry and recovery individuals. These cohorts were compared to 6 comparison
cohorts made up of individuals who were reentry and in recovery but who did
not take the program.
The individuals in the comparison groups had a recidivism rate of 28.3%, nearly
three times higher than those program-receiving cohorts who had a recidivism
rate of 10.5%. This is a positive difference of approximately 63% for those
receiving the CLFC program. The Kentucky Department of Corrections reports that
multiple studies of the statewide recidivism rate compares favorably with our
comparison group findings with recidivism holding steadily in the 30-33% range.
The key factor in lower recidivism rates in this study appears to be the CLFC
program.
We plan to continue to study to see if the CLFC program has similar positive
outcomes over longer periods of time. At a time when costs for sustaining prisoners
in incarceration amount to approximately $40,000 per inmate, and looking at
the human costs to men and women who are in prison and their families, we are
happy to report what we believe is the beginning of a positive trend for programs
who choose to use CLFC with the recovery and reentry populations. For more information
on this study and specific data contact COPES, 502-583-6820 or www.copes.org.
Fiscal Year Ending for All Three Projects
September is the final month of the fiscal year for all three or COPES’ federally funded projects. The coming year will be the final year of the Connect-Immunity Project. The Healthy Marriage and Jefferson County Fatherhood Initiatives are projected to continue for two more years. Here is a brief list of accomplishments made by these projects over the past year, 2008-2009:
* All three initiatives have been funded for the 2009-2010 project year.
* All three projects are on track for serving their projected numbers of cohorts
and participants by the end of their program funding periods.
* In addition to offering services to Dismas Charities’ aftercare program
for graduates of the Department of Corrections’ Substance Abuse Program
and clients of the Volunteers of America’s Half-Way Back Program, we have
been able to serve clients of Dismas Charities’ programs at Saint Ann,
Diersen and Portland; Sober Solutions; Saint Vincent DePaul’s Saint Jude’s
Women’s Recovery Center; and Change Transitional Recovery House for Women.
* We have served individual participants, usually referred by the Kentucky Department
of Corrections Probation and Parole, who were residents of Hope Sisters, New
Dimensions and Our Fathers House.
* Over 60% of clients volunteered for HIV testing provided by the Volunteers
of America of Kentucky for the Connect-Immunity Project and the Jefferson County
Fatherhood Initiative.
* The Fatherhood Initiative and Healthy Marriage Initiative were asked by the
Office of Family Assistance to join an effort to collect national performance
data. The new data collection uses the Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART)
used by the Office of Management and Budget to measure performance of Federal
programs.
* COPES staff members including Ted Strader, Mara Rohrer, Chris West, and Brooke
Arnold have presented workshops and participated in roundtables at conferences
including the National Prevention Network Conference, Healthy Marriage and Responsible
Fatherhood Grantees Conference, and other state and local conferences.
* Graduates of the Healthy Marriage Initiative were invited to participate in
a panel discussion during a general session at the Healthy Marriage and Responsible
Fatherhood Grantees Conference.
* COPES was recognized with the “Friend of Dad Organization” Award
at the Inaugural 2NOT1 Conference.
* Claudia Richards, Branch Chief, Community Grants and Program Development,
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), Capt. Florentino Merced-Galindez,
the Federal Project Officer for the Connect-Immunity Project (CSAP) and Kevin
Pangburn, Kentucky Department of Corrections nominated the Connect-Immunity
Project for a 2009 National Exemplary Award for Innovative Substance Abuse Prevention
Programs, Practices and Policies.
* The Jefferson County Fatherhood Initiative was designated as one of 8 programs
nationally to be named a Promising Practice by the Office of Family Assistance.
None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the continued support of our partners who meet with us quarterly at Project Advisory Group (PAG) meetings, at monthly Joint Intervention Meetings (JIM) and who give us valuable advice and expertise throughout the project year.
Office of Family Assistance (OFA) Report on Promising Marriage and Fatherhood Programs Published
The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) report on promising practices from its
Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Initiative is now published. It
is titled: Emerging Findings from the Office of Family Assistance Healthy Marriage
and Responsible Fatherhood Grants: A Review of Select Grantee Profiles and Promising
Result. This report designates Creating Lasting Family Connections (CLFC), used
in COPES’ Jefferson County Fatherhood Initiative, as a Promising Practice.
CLFC is one of only 15 programs across the United States designated for this
prestigious honor. Communities and agencies seeking outstanding programs for
responsible fatherhood, or for reentry fathers, will be able to choose CLFC
as a Promising Practice. Often agencies seeking federal funding are required
to choose a promising program in order to receive funding. The report is published
by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children
and Families, Office of Family Assistance, www.acf.hhs.gov. The report was compiled
by James Bell Associates.
Project News Flashes
Fatherhood Initiative News:
During program year 2008-2009 the Jefferson County Fatherhood Initiative continued to serve individuals reentering our community from incarceration settings and/or in recovery from substance abuse and their families. After three years of offering both the 20-session Creating Lasting Family Connections program and case management services, the Fatherhood Initiative is pleased to report a 77% retention rate. We have served 259 individuals. “Served” means receiving at least 8 hours of program services. 174 participants completed the program.
During the past fiscal year (2008-2009) the project completed 7 program cohorts partnering with 4 different local providers of services to the initiative’s target population. This year we served 115 participants. The Fatherhood Initiative proposed to offer the program to each of these agencies and was able to complete program services to all groups as promised:
* Volunteers of America of Kentucky Half-Way Back Program: 4 Cohorts (each
cohort contains 18 to 20 participants)
* Dismas Diersen Program: 2 cohorts
* Sober Solutions: 1 cohort
* Dismas Charities’ aftercare program for graduates of the Kentucky Department
of Corrections Substance Abuse Program: 1 cohort.
Additionally, participants from Dismas programs and Sober Solutions were offered HIV testing and counseling provided by the Volunteers of America of Kentucky.
Recent graduates wrote the following reactions concerning their reactions to the Fatherhood Initiative:
This program has been a real eye opener for me. I’ve never experienced anything as powerful as the Creating Lasting Family Connections program. At first I didn’t believe this program was worth my time. Ted promised me it was. I stuck around and I am grateful that I did. I didn’t believe until I saw which brings me to this. Ralph Emerson said, “What you do is so thunderous. I can’t hear you speak,” which means, actions speak louder than words. Ted and his team deliver so well. It helped me better understand where I was more willing to learn. This has been a great opportunity and I thank, Ted, Chris, Mara and all the COPES staff. It has been a pleasure. Thanks a lot! I will be back!
Toby H.
I am very grateful for the program and the staff at COPES. It showed me a new way to approach life and deal with life on life’s terms. Being able to complete this program has taught me a new attitude towards myself and my family. I feel very confident in being a positive role model for my son and family. Thanks.
Brandon H.
I would recommend COPES’ Creating Lasting Family Connections to anyone who wants to have a successful and better life. I learned so many things by taking these classes. I learned about how to be a better parent to my kids and I learned how to get real with people and how to set clear expectations with people also.
Anthony P.
Connect-Immunity Project News:
Since the last newsletter, 100% of the participants in Cohort 8 who completed the program also completed the follow-up evaluation. 90% of the CI-8 Comparison Group who completed the Wave 1 Evaluation also completed the follow-up evaluation. Fifteen (15) participants completed Cohort 11 CLFC programming this month. Sixty percent (60%) of these participants in Cohorts 11 voluntarily agreed to be tested for HIV. We have also started two new cohorts: Cohort 12 at St. Jude Women’s Recovery Center with 16 participants and Cohort 13 expected to start with 20 participants on September 22nd.
Since we were awarded this grant we have served a total of 202 participants. Within this number:
* 169 are minority participants,
* 23 are minority female participants
* 130 are minority reentry participants. (Note: some participants are counted
in several categories and we also served non-minority participants).
* We have provided 115 Case Management sessions to 74 participants
* 31 participants have attended Joint Intervention Meetings with their service
providers (Department of Corrections, Dismas Charities and COPES, Inc.)
Here’s what some of the participants had to say about their experience with the COPES CLFC program:
COPES has taught me to deal with life struggles. It has taught me to be humble and to better cope with my family’s character defects, as well as my own. COPES is very encouraging regarding managing and learning from life lessons. I’m glad I was a part of this program because it has taught me to live a better way of life.
Derrick S.
This program is what you make of it. In order to grow you’ve got to take in the information by listening and opening up, facing your problems in order to find positive resolutions.
Joshua S.
This was the sh__. I loved it. I learned a lot. Without COPES, outcomes in and of my life would have been a catastrophe. Anyone who comes to COPES with an open mind has a good chance of gaining from this program. I would take it again if I could.
James P.
Healthy Marriage Initiative News:
In August, Ted Strader and Brooke Arnold attended the annual Office of Family Assistance Grantee Conference held in Washington, D.C. Ted and Brooke were selected to present a workshop, “Serving High-Risk, Reentry, and Trauma-based Clients” with a focus on recruitment, retention, and curriculum exercises highlighted. In addition to presenting, OFA selected one of two couples nominated by COPES to participate in a panel discussion during the opening sessions of the conference. Eric and Jessica B. traveled to D.C. to share their inspirational story with hundreds of grantees of how they became a part of the COPES’ “family” while participating in the Marriage Enhancement program. Since their participation at the national conference, Eric and Jessica have been approached by many attendees and were recently asked to share their story yet again at an ACF Forum for the southeast region in Lexington, KY. Brooke Arnold traveled with Eric and Jessica for the presentation and yet again they received further praise for their courage to share how the COPES’ Marriage Enhancement program has made an impact in their lives.
We are pleased to report that the Jefferson County Healthy Marriage Initiative has been refunded for Year 4. With the help of Dismas Charities (Diersen, Portland, St. Ann, Day Treatment), VOA, Change Program for Women, and past FI/CI participants we served forty-four (44) couples out of the targeted forty-five (45) couples for Year 3. To date, of the 44 couples served, thirty (30) couples and two (2) individuals have now completed Marriage Enhancement Programming with another anticipated seven (7) couples to complete programming on October 22, 2009.
Recent participants in both the 10 week Marriage Enhancement program and Weekend Retreat had the following to say regarding their participation:
This experience and training has given my husband and me so much hope. We were
on our way to divorce court, now we know to try other ways instead of giving
up so easily on the person you love and spend time with the most. Thanks COPES.
Celica B.
Before attending the COPES program on enhancing our marriage, we were unsure
of how to work through difficult situations. Now we feel confident in communicating
our innermost feelings to one another while being sensitive to one another’s
views. We know now how to work through it respectfully.
Missy & Allen T.
I thank COPES for the Marriage Enhancement program – the instructors have shown me the skills to make my relationship better, keeping hope for me and my spouse. They have very good clarity to all questions, great suggestions, and they take the time to listen to me – giving me guidance to a better, healthier relationship. Thanks to COPES and staff, Brooke and Boone. I hope to stay in touch with COPES.
Larry S.
THE CLFC FAMILY REUNION NEWS
THE CREATING LASTING FAMILY CONNECTIONS QUARTERLY
NEWSLETTER
Volume II, Number 4 FALL EDITION NOVEMBER, 2007
SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) gives Creating Lasting Family Connections Nearly Perfect Dissemination Score
We are excited to announce that the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) has given the COPES, Inc model program Creating Lasting Family Connections a nearly perfect score – 3.9 out of 4.0 – for implementation materials. The program received an over-all score of 3.7 for Readiness for Dissemination. The National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) is a searchable online registry of mental health and substance abuse interventions that have been reviewed and rated as effective for dissemination by independent scientific reviewers. The registry is a service of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The purpose of this registry is to assist the public in identifying approaches to preventing and treating mental and/or substance use disorders that have been scientifically tested as effective and that can be readily disseminated to the field. NREPP is one way that SAMHSA is working to improve access to information on tested interventions and thereby reduce the lag time between the creation of scientific knowledge and its practical application in the field. Communities throughout the country consult the registry when they are seeking an evidence-based program. Independent reviewers examine the program in several categories and give the program an overall rating.
In addition to the score for materials, CLFC received a 3.6 for “Training and Support” and a 3.7 for “Quality Assurance”. Quality of Research scores included 3.0 for “Use of Community Services,” 3.0 for “Parent Knowledge and Beliefs about Alcohol and Other Drugs,” 2.9 for “Onset of Youth AOD Use,” and 2.9 for “Frequency of Youth AOD Use.”
One of the original evidence-based programs to be selected by SAMSHA for its Model Programs Website and included on its first National Registry, COPES is proud to have Creating Lasting Family Connections re-evaluated at such a high level and to be included again among the best evidence-based programs rated by NREPP. We believe that our high scores are a result of the sound construction of the program based on scientifically proven approaches and practices, the quality of research done to establish Creating Lasting Family Connections as an evidence-based program, and finally our willingness to maintain the validity and relevance of the program as new information and research becomes available in the field. Program abstracts and ratings are available at www.nrepp.samhsa.gov.
COPES Releases its New Edition of Creating Lasting Family Connections
Every several years COPES reviews the CLFC program in order to make sure it includes the most recent science-based information and approaches. Further, based on the feedback and experiences of COPES’ certified implementation trainers and master trainers, we update the materials to help keep CLFC relevant and easier to implement. COPES now has available our 2007 edition of Creating Lasting Family Connections.
Information on prices and how to order the new edition materials is available at the COPES website, www.copes.org or by calling COPES at 502-583-6820.
Close out prices are also available on previous editions (printed materials only). Call COPES at 502-583-6820 for these discounted prices.
Request for Testimonials and Volunteers
COPES would be very grateful to any of you who have successfully used CLFC in your community, have found it effective, and would be willing to send us a testimonial describing your positive experience with this program. Also, we are wondering if you might be willing to volunteer to take calls or emails from people who are considering using CLFC in their communities. Please send testimonials to us via email at tstrader@sprynet.com or via “snail mail” to COPES, 845 Barret Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky 40204. If you are willing to take calls, please send us your phone number or e-mail address and provide us with written permission to release your contact information to those interested in implementing CLFC.
New Phone Number for Youth Crisis Hotline
Please note that the telephone number for the Youth Crisis Hotline, as printed on the back page of the Developing a Positive Response notebook, (800-448-4663) is no longer in service. Unfortunately, this number is printed in all editions including our recently updated 2007 edition. Since publication of our updated edition, the Youth Crisis Hotline number has changed. The correct number for the Youth Crisis Hotline is 1-800-442-4673. Please make a note for your records and, if you are facilitating a training, please ask participants to note the correct number in their notebooks. I want to thank Mark Bushong of Fort Worth, Texas for giving us the “head’s up” on this change.
CLFC Master Trainer Training Opportunity
COPES will be hosting a 5-Day Master Trainer Training in Kentucky during the week of December 17-21. The training will be held in Kentucky Monday thru Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There are still several slots open for those who qualify.
To qualify for this Master Trainer Certification Course, it is important that each participant has prior experience in co-facilitating the Developing Positive Parental Influences adult module and either the youth or adult Getting Real module. The cost for this training is $2500. Your organization will also be responsible for travel and lodging expenses. A few partial scholarships may be available. RFN is accepting applications.
As you may remember from your CLFC Implementation Training, CLFC Master Trainers are eligible to train other professionals or volunteers from their current place of employment to implement the program. Further, Certified CLFC Master Trainers are eligible to receive paid contracts from Resilient Futures Network, LLC (RFN) to train others outside of their place of employment. All Certified CLFC Master Trainers are expected to coordinate all of their CLFC trainings through COPES’ office.
To register and/or to apply for scholarships, please contact Teresa or Ted Strader at (502) 583-6820 or tstrader@sprynet.com
COPES Completes First Year of Services to Reentry Clients
COPES recently completed its first year of direct services to reentry and recovery clients through three federally funded programs, the Connect-Immunity Project, the Jefferson County Fatherhood Initiative and the Jefferson County Healthy Marriage Initiative. Both the Connect-Immunity Project and the Fatherhood Initiative implemented the Creating Lasting Family Connections (CLFC) program with cohorts of reentering inmates and their families. Below we have included some of the preliminary results from the retrospective surveys participants took following each CLFC module. The Healthy Marriage Initiative began its first cohort of married couples in October and we are looking forward to collecting data from this cohort as it progresses. First year results from initial retrospective surveys show highly positive scores, increased learning of both skills and content, and a high level of bonding with the CLFC trainers. All three programs include 18 sessions of CLFC skill-building and content, a pre-, post- and follow-up survey design to collect evaluation data, and module-specific retrospective surveys following each module of the CLFC curriculum to measure targeted changes in participants’ beliefs, skills and behaviors.
The participants in both the Connect-Immunity Project and the Fatherhood Initiative are primarily males who are returning to our community having served time in prisons. Several were joined by their spouse or significant other as the program progressed. During their incarceration, participants voluntarily elected to participate in a six month treatment program for substance abuse while they lived in a therapeutic community facilitated by the prison. For these participants, CLFC is used as an aftercare program that supports their sobriety and successful reentry. The program promotes their efforts to reconnect with spouses, significant others and children through sincere and honest communication and to become better parents using positive parenting skills. We believe the skills taught in CLFC also provide excellent work-related skills as participants seek and find employment. The CLFC approach gives participants a useful way to view substance use, abuse and dependency and to examine their personal relationship with alcohol and drugs. Further, the program assists clients to be an active part of preventing substance use and abuse with their children. Spouses, significant others, and children ages 12 to 17 are invited and encouraged to attend. When they do, the program’s support of reconstructing separated families and relationships can be powerful. Rebuilding “lasting family connections” can prove to be an effective safeguard against returning to prison and against continuing harmful abuse of drugs and alcohol.
At the end of the first year of providing services we are seeing some exciting preliminary results. We are very excited about the results of the retrospective surveys from the first cohorts who have completed the 18-session program of the Connect-Immunity Project and the Jefferson County Fatherhood Initiative. Participants have greatly surpassed our expectations. Provided below is a summary of initial findings and illustrative highlights from the initial cohorts who completed the training program and took the retrospective surveys following each module of the Connect-Immunity Project and the Jefferson County Fatherhood Initiative.
Summary of Initial Findings
In general, over 90 % of respondents reported that their involvement in the training has been a positive experience, they feel better about themselves after participating in CLFC, they feel more supported by people outside of their family, and they would recommend the program to their friends. Respondents indicated they definitely know a lot more about alcoholism and chemical dependency following the training. These findings indicate that the respondents are being motivated to make positive, on-going changes in their lives. (Please note that only adults participated and, therefore, we have results for the CLFC adult modules: “Raising Resilient Youth,” “Developing Positive Parental Influences,” and “Getting Real”).
Raising Resilient Youth
Illustrative highlights regarding specific targeted outcomes:
During the Raising Resilient Youth module of Creating Lasting Family Connections, participants are taught how to include their family’s active participation in setting both expectations and consequences for a wide variety of important issues of interest or concern to a parent including alcohol and drugs. The majority of participants in the program responded that they are improving their ability to establish expectations and consequences for their family and are working to include their children in these processes. Increases on these survey items represent change in the desired direction. Here are the combined results for the Connect-Immunity Project and the Jefferson County Fatherhood Initiative for specific targeted outcomes:
* Over 95 % of the respondents reported that they now actively listen to
their children's thoughts and feelings when discussing family concerns and
issues.
* Over 95 % of the respondents reported that they are now “very likely”
or “likely” to involve their child in helping to make the family
rules on doing homework.
* Over 95 % of the respondents reported that they are now “very likely”
or “likely” to involve their child in helping to make the family
rules on curfews.
* Over 95 % of the respondents reported that they now listen to each other’s
feelings when they have a disagreement with their child.
* Over 90% of the respondents indicate that they feel better about creating
consequences in their family.
* Over 95% of the respondents report that they have improved in their skills
in giving positive feedback which includes validating and affirming their
children when they express their emotions or feelings.
Developing Positive Parental Influences
Illustrative highlights regarding specific targeted outcomes:
The “Developing Positive Parental Influences” training includes an examination of personal and group feelings and attitudes toward alcohol and drug issues, and an in-depth look at the dynamics of chemical dependency and its impact on families. The majority of survey respondents reported that their knowledge and understanding of alcohol and drug issues are improving. The following results show the percentage of increase in change respondents indicated they experienced from before taking the training to after participating in the program. Increases on these survey items represent change in the desired direction. These findings are combined from results from the Developing Positive Parental Influences Retrospective Survey taken during the Connect-Immunity Project and the Jefferson County Fatherhood Initiative.
· 54% more respondents “strongly agree” that someone who has repeated trouble with alcohol should have an assessment for alcoholism.
* 45% more respondents “strongly agree” that they have confidence
in their ability to influence their own children regarding alcohol and drug
related decisions.
* 45% more respondents “strongly agree” that they feel empowered
to make positive changes for their family.
* 45% more respondents “strongly agree” that they have positive
parental influence with their children.
* 89% of the respondents “strongly agree” or “agree”
that their personal use of alcohol and/or drugs has gone down since they started
CLFC.
Getting Real
Illustrative Highlights regarding specific targeted outcomes:
“Getting Real” training includes specific skill training and practice role playing sessions in verbal and non-verbal communication strategies, refusal skills, positive communication and relationship skills. The following findings pertain to using these skills in situations that respondents may find themselves. The majority of participants in the program responded that they would deal with the situations described in the survey items in an appropriate manner.
* Over 95% of the respondents reported that they are now more capable, confident,
and prepared to say “no” and help their children say “no”
following their involvement in the CLFC program.
* 100% of the respondents indicated that they would now say “no”
to accepting alcohol / drugs.
* 100% of the respondents indicated that they would now say “no”
to accepting a ride home from someone who is high.
* 97% of the respondents “agree” or “strongly agree”
that they are now prepared to help their children say “no” when
it is in their best interest.
* 84% of the respondents indicated that they would now say “no”
to allowing their teenage children to stay out past their curfew following
the program.
Respondents to the surveys indicated high satisfaction with the group leaders/facilitators, indicating that they were organized and prepared, managed the group well, and were dedicated and caring.
As you can see from the above results, the data indicates significant positive changes in both attitudes and thinking and, most importantly, skills and behavior. We believe that these positive changes will powerfully affect the lives of these participants and their families for years to come.
