Mental Illness: A Life Sentence?

2013-2014Mental Illness: ALife Sentence?Helping People with a Past Build a Future

A message from the Board President & Executive Director2014 Annual MeetingMental Health and ReentryFeaturing a panel of speakers discussingmental health services in reentry programs including day-to-day service delivery, national trends, and the role of trauma and stigma surrounding the exoffender and mentally ill population.Dr. Beth AngellAssociate Professor, Rutgers UniversityDr. Wendi WilliamsAssociate Professor, Long IslandUniversityPatricia McKernan, MSW, LSWChief Operating Officer, Volunteers ofAmerica Delaware ValleyNJAC Board of TrusteesCharley B. Flint, Ph.D.PresidentEric JacksonTreasurerMatthew J. Sheridan, Ph.D.Vice PresidentDianne Scott-BeyLisa L. Miller, Ph.D.Kathy O’Brien, MPACalvin John Smiley, Ph.D.Lisa King, Esq.SecretaryMelanie S. GriffinPat McKernan, LSWWilliam CarrAnn M. ElliotNJAC Administrative Directors & StaffAngel M. PerezExecutive DirectorSheila TrappDirector of Programs and ServicesHelena ToméDirector of Quality Assurance and TrainingDiane HobbsDirector of Fiscal OperationsJulia GalesGrants ManagerThe discussion of mental health in the United States has historicallybeen a silenced conversation. Until the increased tragic incidents ofviolence that have appeared throughout our country – in our schools,public spaces and even our homes – mental health and its untreatedconsequences were thought of as “isolated incidents”. Episodic eventsof harming one’s self or others were dismissed until the conversationslowly began to change. Many blamed the increase of these occurrences on the closing of mental health institutions. Some believed it is anindividual’s inability to maintain continuous treatment and access tomedication. The list continued: post-traumatic stress disorder, postpartum depression, chemical imbalance, substance abuse. Despite thereasoning, the discussion of mental health has taken on a new shapeand form. Its prevalence among Americans has become more profound– affecting both adult and adolescent men and women.In the realm of community corrections, the conversation becomes particularly pervasive when considering the reentry process of mentally ill exoffenders. Ex-offenders are already faced with an abundance of challenges, including lack of positive social support and difficulty acquiringgainful employment and safe housing. These challenges become increasingly daunting when an individual is suffering from a mental illness. Individuals who are labeled as both “ex-offender” and “mentallyill” are often stigmatized. These individuals may find it difficult to overcome this stigma as well as struggle to obtain services that will properlydiagnose and treat them. Without the necessary support systems to assist this population, their environmental and medical issues jeopardizetheir reentry success, and unfortunately may contribute to recidivism.The New Jersey Association on Correction recognizes the contributingfactors that puts the reentry process of offenders at increased risk. Wewelcome the conversations to be held at the 2014 Annual Meeting andencourage the dialogue to continue – openly and honestly. It is our intent to carry this conversation into 2015 and beyond to increase theamount and types of tangible assistance ex-offenders can receive tobetter the course of their reentry. Our commitment to this endeavor isrevealed in the choice of our esteemed panel of speakers at this year’sAnnual Meeting. Reflected by our mission – to promote social justiceand human dignity – we remain steadfast in the establishment of policies and institutions that govern both victims and offenders through educational, legislative and rehabilitative programming.Dr. Charley B. FlintBoard PresidentAngel M. PerezExecutive DirectorNJAC’s mission is to promote social justice and humandignity in the policies and institutions which governoffenders and victims of crime through educational,legislative, and rehabilitative programs.

2013 Annual MeetingDecember 5, 2013“Gun Control in NJ: Past, Present, & Future”Presentation by Nicola BocourNicola Bocour’s presentation on gun control explored currenttrends in New Jersey, touching on both legislative activity and thechanging public opinion. She discussed how New Jersey has addressed gun control in the past, as well as what is expected in thefuture.Ms. Bocour has been an active member of the gun violence prevention community for over 10 years. She co-founded Students fora Safer Tomorrow at Montclair High School, a student associationdedicated to advocating for common sense gun legislation andspreading awareness of the effects of gun violence. She returnedto the program as a Director and Advisor upon graduating college,Board President Charley Flints presents anand currently serves as the Director of Ceasefire NJ, New Jerseysappreciation award to Nicola Bocour after herlongest standing gun violence prevention organization.presentation on gun control.Certificate of Appreciation-Camden Community Advisory Board-Lola Paterson, Qasim Nathari, AniaJarmulowicz, Gloria Gonzelez,Jacqueline BoydenSandra Vauters AwardVolunteer of the Year-Debra Jabbie-Cathie Havlin-Vickie JengoMembers of PCWC DVRT teamExceptional ServiceAwardsDaisy Beckett, SRPWDonald Carson, MCRCTyrone Laws, WCHDiane Hobbs presents Jo Anne Colsher with her 15 year award. CharleyFlint presents Angel Perez with his 35 year award.Stacy Hampton, WCHGloria Gonzalez, CHAnabel Pacheco, CCWCJulie Janis-Moran, MFHBrianna Marte, PCWCPALSExceptional Service Award recipients Daisy Beckett and Alberta Pinnick.Jennie Vega, PCWCAlberta Pinnick, PCWCJean Nolan, GMDr. Flint and recipientsof the 5 years of serviceaward. Debra Jabbiespeaks after receivingthe Sandra Vautersaward.Years of Service Awards2 YearsLinda Dandridge, GMSheila Trapp, GMJulie Janis-Moran, MFHLisa White, MFHMaria Pintar, PCWCMichele Pollock, CCWCApril Cain, CHPhil Cason, CHSharon McKay, PCWCGerardo Espinoza, PCWCChico Williams, CCWC5 YearsDaisy Becket, SRPWSheila Lindsay, CCWCNoreen Sherwood, GMPhiladelphia Shipman, SRPWMarie Snow, CCWCBeautelle Thomas, CCWCAngela Byers, WCHGlen Lawhorn, SBH10 YearsRuth Haines, CCWCDawn Abate, CCWC15 YearsJo Anne Colsher, GM35 YearsAngel Perez, GMHonored, but not present: Edward Martone, Executive Directors Award; Julia Aleman, Certificate of Appreciation; Ben Richardson, Certificate of Appreciation

NJAC Programs and Services2013-2014 ReviewSpecialized Reentry Program for WomenSanford Bates House40 New Admissions24 Successful Completions35 Clients Placed in Employment56 New Admissions21 Successful Completions17 Clients Placed in EmploymentCRC ProgramMiddlesex County Resource CenterNewark, NJNew Brunswick, NJ351 Clients Served178 Clients Obtained Employment244 Clients Obtained Identification98 Clients Received Assistance with Housing57 Clients Referred to Entitlements Programs8 New Admissions2 Successful Completions2 Clients Placed in EmploymentMillicent Fenwick HousePaterson, NJ92 New Admissions58 Successful Completions25 Clients Placed in Employment1 Client Achieved her GED 145,457.80 in Gross Wages 10,821.77 in Federal Taxes Paid 2,326.40 in State Taxes Paid 14,465.48 in Fines, Fees & Restitution Paid 34,339.85 in Maintenance Fees PaidWhat’snew!Clinton HouseClinton HouseTrenton, NJ73 New Admissions32 Successful Completions32 Clients Placed in Employment2 Clients Achieved their GED 208,362.90 in Gross Wages 12,273.69 in Federal Taxes Paid 2,977.20 in State Taxes Paid 19,213.07 in Fines, Fees & Restitution Paid 47,551.52 in Maintenance Fees PaidNJAC began providing residential services for male paroleesin Newark, NJ. This building,located next to the SRPWbuilding, has a capacity tohouse up to 18 men for up to6 months.Jennie’s Place in Newark, NJ provides permanent housing and casemanagement services. Recipientsare women with a disability, andthose who have exited the criminaljustice system and would otherwisebe homeless.NJAC was awarded a Landlord IncentiveGrant from the Department of CommunityAffairs to provide subsidized housing (6apartment units) to low-income individuals in Trenton, NJ.NJAC recently embarked on a complete overhaul of the agency’s computer and information technologysystems. All programs are receivingupdated equipment that will allowstaff to provide and documentservices to clients more efficiently.

NJAC Programs and Services2013-2014 ReviewWinifred Canright HouseAsbury Park, NJ40 Clients Provided with Housing33 Clients Received Treatment Adherence Counseling36 Clients Received Group Support CounselingC.A.P.45 Clients Received Outreach Services65 Clients Received Case Management ServicesWinifred Canright HouseCamden County Womens Center, Shelter148 Residents; 67 Women, 81 ChildrenCamden County Womens Center, Outreach948 Clients ServedCCWC PALSIntakes: 43 Parents, 69 ChildrenProgram Participants: 26 Parents, 58 ChildrenProgram Graduates: 9 Parents, 21 ChildrenTransportation provided for 25 Parents and 58 ChildrenPassaic County Womens Center, Safe House185 Residents; 82 Women, 103 ChildrenPCWC Outreach1,386 Clients Served; 1,206 Women, 173 Men, 7 ChildrenPCWC PALS80 Clients Served; 31 Caregivers, 49 ChildrenPictured above is a project completed by PCWC PALS clients. A group of 6-7 year old boysand girls developed an ocean scene that involved multi-layered problem solving. The childrentagged the underside of the fish with a feeling. When each child went “fishing”, they told of a timethey experienced that feeling.

On Wednesday, April 23rd, PassaicCounty Women’s Center recognizedDenim Day to promote discussions ofthe misconceptions that surroundsexual violence. Pictured below areCCWC and PCWC staff participating inDenim Day.On September 26th and 27th, PCWC and CCWC eachhosted a conference that featured Lundy Bancroft. Hespoke about the link between domestic violence andchild abuse and neglect, and also discussed victim blaming. Mr. Bancroft also spoke about the resiliency of children to recover from traumatic events. A panel was heldafter his presentation in which each individual spokeabout what their agency does for children in Passaic andCamden Counties. The discussion included the similarityof issues surrounding their daily work.Several NJAC employees attendedthe Middle Atlantic States Correctional Association’s (MASCA) 76thannual conference, June 11-14, inWashington DC.2013-2014Highlights & EventsCCWC Dessert NightThe Camden County Women’s Center hosted its annual Dessert NightFundraiser on Wednesday, October23, 2013 at the Tavistock CountryClub. The event featured a dessertbuffet and a tricky tray with manybaskets donated by CCWC’s community partners and friends. NJACthanks the CCWC staff and everyone involved in making this year’sDessert Night another success.Pictured above is LaRay Tisdale, SRPW Facility Monitor, facilitating a public speaking groupwith clients.NJAC hosted an employee picnic at theSomerset Patriots stadium on July23rd, 2013NJAC is proud to announce that Eric Jackson, Treasurer of the Board of Trustees,was recently elected Mayor of the City ofTrenton. Mr. Jackson has served on theNJAC Board of Trustees since 1996. He wasinaugurated on Tuesday, July 1, 2014.

Notes