Hi all,

I will try to keep this short. I needed a safe place to discuss options and thought no better please than here, hoping someone has some experience in this.

Back story - I work for the Sherriff's Office and have for over seven years. I started as a 911 dispatcher and for the last 4 1/2 years I started a re-entry program i our jail. When I applied it was listed as a 2 year contract position and at the end of the 2 years they would either eliminate it or bring it on as a county position. However, 2 years came and went with great success and they decided to get more grant funding for an additional 2 years. I objected but they wouldnt consider another option, said they wanted more data .. blah blah blah... two more years go by and same thing. They wont even consider bringing it to the board of commisioners since they could apply for another grant. So now I am in another 2 year contracts, expiring October 2020.

Background info about our facility - 2nd largest in the state. We have large contracts with ICE (immigration), DOC (Dept of Corrections) and local counties for their inmates needing a more structured facility. Due to these contracts, they started boarding OUR county inmates (my population) at a neighboring jail. This has caused a lot of issues for my program. I go over there twice a week and work with clients but our stats have plummetted. They now are looking to expand their ICE contract again... so I dont see my program ever being on the radar. They tend to parade me around like a show pony because the community likes that we are trying to help these folks maintain better lives. I assist them with chemical dependency treatment, mental health resources, employment, housing, child support needs, self-sufficiency resources, etc. Each person is different but we identify their needs/barriers and help them based on their individual circumstances.

Now the business question, I am beat down. They constantly remind me that this program isnt really on their radar. I understand the business perspective.... i get it... but I really took this job to try and help the population most people dislike and that are causing tax payers money by being incarcerated. I would like to take this on its own in 2020, statewide. I dont know if it woud make more sense to be a consulant type or what structure would look like, where to start, etc??? Trying to prepare and be ahead of this.

I love my job and thus far, those involved in the program have reduced their days in jail prior to my program vs post by over 70% and saving our county over a half million dollars. I believe in this program and I want to keep it going but I have no idea how....

Thanks in advance!!!!

I'd bet the grants wouldn't be available to you directly as a private business, and I bet the the county couldn't get the grants to pay a private business.  I'd stick with the program the way it is, and keep working at making it a success.  We have one here doing something very similar and they just made it a more permanant program a couple years back.  I applaud you for helping these guys out.  most are really good people that made a few wrong turns.   

I guess I'm not completely sure what you do?  Counseling for those who've made a wrong turn to re-enter society?

Is this strictly gov't paid through the grants? Or do they have sponsors (family) that volunteer them for the counseling? 

I would think if you did a private sector offering, you'd have to figure out what to charge, since I'm sure the grants are designed to ease the burden of the jail.  You could probably ask the state if they'd do private grants.   

If it's strictly required by the courts, that means that you may not have a private sector that would be interested.  

Maybe you should just get into regular counseling. There is such a need for mental health services in the country anywhere! 

Thats exactly what I told a friend, about the grants. Thats my hesitation is the funding.

And as much as I wish I knew my future was set here but as long as the ICE contracts continue to increase.... my program falls deeper and deeper on their priority list. I have struggled with participation because they have to be transferred back to our jail from their boarding one (the boarding one is WAY nicer) and they have some very unfortunate circumstances involved with their transport. Part of me says, if they want it bad enough, they'll do whatever it takes. The other part of me.... says i dont blame them...

The easiest way to explain it is... life coaching kind of. I help them re-enter the community when they are to be released from jail. So I assist with resources and connection to services. I also work with them on cognitive skills and different thought patterns. Working through their use, trauma to help identify the source of their mistakes. A lot of them have some pretty severe trauma, undiagnosed mental health and various other emotional issues. I try to approach the underlying issues vs. the bandaid approach. I can stick anyone in treatment but unless their mindset is right, their awareness of the cause is identified, it generally isnt very successful.

My program is a federal grant, awarded to our county (we had to apply). It is a volunatry program, so it is not court ordered.

However, the clients are coming from a facility so I would have to be in connection with some sort of facility. I have debated counseling before but it doesnt totally fit my educational background A.S. Paralegal and B.A. Criminal Justice.

i would start by finding a good source in the state government and reseach what money the state is putting forth in your field.  if they are not subsidizing anything but grant money (no permanant programs) then i think you will have your answer...... unless you are willing to relocate to a state who does fund programs like yours.