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RSVP at https ://cifywidereentry. eyentb rite" corn

Sponsored by Courd Seryices and Offender Supervision Agency

and its Faith-Based Initiative

IffoMEN's FLENTRY SY*{P**IU*'I

2016
Fnhlle .afe{y $'{tlll{flants tttrsru9H lTorhior*r Drvelopmml

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Join us for an exciting da,v- filled w-ith plenary sessions and creative
ar,tivities riesignated t* enlight**, empswer, and rnotivate vyomrn
invclved in the crirninal iustice system.

Tsg Tsnnprg 0F Pnarss

Bish*p Glen A. St*ples, T*I"S, D.iVIrl*", D.*
Seni*r Pa:tsr & Prelat*
?S* Ssuthern Avt*ue, Sf,
lYashington, flC 2{}{}32

Please RSVP at https://w'cmensreentry.evsfi tbrite.Esm

Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency's

Fifth District Community Justice Advisory Network (CJAN)
Upcoming Fifth District CJAN Meetings
Fifth District Police Station
NE
Washington,D.C.20002

1805 Bladensburg Roaci,

Wednes duy, March 2, 2016, 6:30pm-8:30pm

S7omen's History Month: Her History Is Not Her Story*
Wednes d^y, April 6, 2016,6:30pm-8:30pm
Sexual Assault Month: CSOSA Comprehensive Approach to
Supervising Sex Offendersx
\Wednes

d^y, M"y 4, 2016, 6:30pm-8:30pm

Mental Health Awareness Month: CSOSA Comprehensive Approach to
Supewising Clients with Behavioral Health Needs*
Wednes duy rJune l, 2016, 6:30pm-8:30pm
CSOSA Fifth District Community Talk Back Sessionx

Yfhe theme ma1

be changed arcording

to current issues that are ocruring within the Fifth District

CSOSA will advertise each event via Eventbrite and MPD listservs

Faitlr-Based llentoring lnitiative

FrequentlY Aslred Questions
C505A/f0ilh Communily Porlnonhip

What is the CSOSA/Faith'Based Partnership?

More than 2,500 offenders will return home to the District of Columbia from prison this year; nationally,
more than half a million prisoners will be released. These individuals come back to our neighborhoods
with little support and few skills to build a productive, crime- and drug-free life. They need help
to adjust
meeting basic^needs, such as housing, .*ployr.rent and health care. They often find it diffrcult
to everything that has changed since they left.

in
As the cornerstone of our community, faith institutions have a long history of reaching out to those
who
need, particularly to prisoners. By tintcing returning offenders with institutions and individuals
embody strong ual.rei, positive relationships, and hope, the Faith-Based Mentoring Initiative
complement, ih" -"rruge of personal accountability and change that is the focus of community
,.rporuirion. The Partneiship;s initial focus has been mentoring. In the coming year, we hope to grow
o'r network of support ,.*i"., available to returning offenders through the city's faith institutions.
Men and women of all faiths are invited to join us in this endeavor.

How is thc csosA/Faith Gommunity Partnership structurcd?

that
CSOSA has designated three clusters/areas within the city to provide mentoring and other resources
faith-based institutions may be able to provide.

.
.
.

Cluster/Areas
Cluster/Areas
Cluster/Areas

A: Wards 7 and 8
B: Wards 5 and 6
C: Wards 1,2,3, and 4

to
The Faith-Based Initiative Team works collaborative with member faith institutions in each cluster

.
.

Link offenders with programs that address their needs; and

Recruit, train, and suppolt volunteers who will establish individual mentoring relationships
with eligible offenders.

When Does Re-EntrY Begin?

enters prison. During incarceration, the Federal
areas
Bureau of prisons Cgopl providei a number of reentry programs for eligible offenders. Service
employment,
nutrition,
and
include vocational training, substance abuse education and treatment, health
personal finance/conru-.i skills, information/community resources, release requirements and

pRISON: Re-entry planning begins when the offender

procedures, and personal growth and development. For more information, see www.bop.gov'

To increase the opportunities for DC offenders, CSOSA has facilitated videoconference Community
the BOP
Resource Days foroffenders at the Rivers Correctional Institute in Winton, North Carolina,

facility with the largest number of DC offenders (approximately 700 of more than 6,000 DC inmates).

The videoconferences enable DC-based housing, healthcare, employment, and education providers to
present information to soon-to-be released offenders. The video conferencing concept has been
extended to other faith-institutions.

TRANSITION: Roughly half of DC inmates returning from BOP custody to CSOSA supervision

transition from prison to the community through a Residential Reentry Center commonly referred to as a
halfway house.
CSOSA places Community Supervision Officers (CSO's) from its Transitional Interventions for Parole
Services (TIpS) units in five Residential Reentry Centers located in Washington, DC and operated under
Bureau of Prisons contracts.

Community Supervision Officers assigned to TIPS begin assessment and case planning with offenders
prior to telease. Transition through a Residential Reentry Center increases an inmate's opportunity to
develop a sound reentry plan and connect with necessary services in the community.
takes
emphasizes
CSOSA
place after release from prison while an offender is on parole or supervised release.
offender accountability and opportunity through risk and needs assessment, close supervision, treatment
and support services, and partnerships designed to increase CSOSA's resources to supervise offenders
and meet the diverse needs that the population presents.

COMMUNITY INTEGRATION: The most intensive portion of CSOSA's direct role in reentry

How does the GSOSA/Faith-Based Partnership provide mcntoring and

other serviccs?

The Faith Based Initiative provides mentoring and other services to meet the needs of the offender.
Through mentoring, CSOSA links returning men and women with members of the faith community who
offer zupport, guidance and assistance during the offender various phases of reentry. During the transition
from prison to neighborhood, offenders can be overwhelmed by problems, both large and small. Mentors
work with the CSO to assist the offender to recognize and solve these problems. Most importantly'
mentors provide individual support and guidance. They facilitate the offender's connection to, and
acceptance by, the caring community of a faith institution. In short, they assist in bridging the gap between
prison and community by welcoming these men and women back home and by helping them to get started

with

a new

life.

Mentors and Cluster Outreach Coordinators also provide information on community resources and assist
with referrals and placements. Many participating faith institutions open other serices they may offer to
returning offenders, particularly in Family Reunification, Pro-Social Skill Development, Job Coaching and
Relapse Prevention.

Who is Eligible?
CSOSA targets individuals who have job retention difficulties, unstable living alrangements, or lack
family/social connections and support for mentorship through the Faith-Based Initiative. To be eligible,
an offender must have

.
.

Six months or more remaining under supervision;

Scored in the medium to high risk level on the CSOSA Screener; and

Maintained compliance with CSOSA's drug testing schedule for the previous three
months.

are
Individuals with an untreated mental health condition or charges for sex offenses or violent felonies
not eligible. CSOSA provides specialized and intense services to such individuals'

Gan an offendcr
get a mcntor't

vho ls on Probation and who has not been to prison

In certain individualized cases, CSOSA will match an offender who has not been to prison with a mentor.
A CSOSA Community Supervision Officer (CSO) may request placement of an individual who meets the
and
above eligibility crite;ia. 'ihe Mentoring Service Liaison Coordinator (MSLC) receives all referrals
an
performs-an etigiUiuty review. If eligibG, the assigned CSOSA staff person recommends to the MSLC
an
appropriate ,n"nto, match based on mentot profiles maintained by the CSOSA staff person. After
orientation, the offender and the mentor meet each other and the mentoring relationship begins.

How does a returning pcrson in a Resldentiat Reentrt/ Center mect

his/her mentor(sX

Mentors and mentees meet for the first time at a Family Support Meeting. The mentee's family members
of
or significant other(s) is/are invited to this meeting. The meeting is arranged within the first few weeks
Reentry
Residential
Prisons
of
the offender's transition from a Bureau of Prisons institution to a Bureau
Center in Washington, DC.

Following this initial meeting, the mentee and mentor(s) will communicate at least once per week. Two
initial
weeks prtr to release, CSOSA staff, the mentor group and the mentee will review and discuss the
supervision plan. At that point, the offender will set up an initial post-release meeting with his/her
mentor(s).

How do I pcrform my mentoring duties?

During the mentor matching process, the offender will be matched with a mentor but will not be assigned
to a Sfecial Emphasis Cto"p. The mentor and mentee will maintain contact via phone, text, e-mail and
may meet at aplace of their choosing (preferably a CSoSA site). The mentor/mentee relationship is
expected to continuefor at least six months. Based on the mentee's needs/preferences, the mentor/mentee
relationship may extend beyond six months.

What arc Spccial Emphasis Groups?

of the
The FBI has designed a number of programs, classes and groups to assist mentors in meeting the needs
provide
which
re-entrants,
CSoSA
programs
for
intervention
weekly
are
offenders. The Special Emphasis eiograms
are
women
that
include
Programs
re-entry.
to
barriers
spiritual and community reiource techniques to address
distinguished by the W in front of the graphic'

n of the

that
Lle Are Family -UniJiciation Program- A relationship building program for re-entrants
responses,
humble
attitudes,
adjusting
networking,
family,
on
group
focuses
houses. The

are housed in localed halfway

strong relational
ways to show love and care, how to avoid nigative relationships and change pattem while building
foundations,

ffi
SE Psrenting Program- A basic parenting skills program that model early htervention,
progress techniques in parenting.

Healing from lYithin Grief Counseling Progrum - An intervention support gloup that
to come to terms with grief and loss.
flrovides awareness, support and referrals for persons seeking

f-

g the Bonct - Couples Counseling

tfr" sake of the strengthening and maintaining the relationship'

-A

counseling program that includes all parties

lyojectEvolution_isaLifeSkillsProgramthatincludesjobreadiness'reSume

u"d job retention skills, the importance of vocational training, building selfqt 3641 Georgia Avenue
esteem and character building. The program is located at Fisherman of Men Apostolic Church

*"t"rg, b"t" .o11put.tlliiG?ffiG,

NW.

.:fl(-'.-. .4r /:!4

+.!:/ -{> "a ^- -. r
**ril-,:)4rMen of Destiny - Men's Relapse Prevention

Group - A weekly support group in NE for men

this group seeks to empower men to accept
responsibility,
and
charaiter
on
eultAing
who are stmggling with addiction.
responsibility and control over their recovery.

el:rJtglvax]j..r-a
Iai!!:RgSgC-I{q$ !94{er

Ch ristine D. Keels,

Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency

Christine. keels@csosa. gov
202-345-4494 (c')

NE Section of the Citv

ffiq s*p

*1&'E'
w

oo^r,n ReuniJicution program-weekly

classes specializing in working with re-enhants

parenting skills.
trrut huu" stay-away orders, childsupport issues, and are in need of basic

C r.r,s,

l.rilUA,gli,! -B

Il1.]rL8'U:l!:rI

Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency

Er,uIRa. cwYlrN@csos.l.
202-220-5305

cov

Life Time Muke-Over - Self-Awureness and Esteem Buittting Group for lf/omen -

Focuses on

experiences' The
developing self-esteem, u*ui"n.rr, effective decision making and changing life
Cluster provides two sessions per week.

Ql.*sll$gl,rC
$PNlrttllli,I:l

Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency

SoNuna.nrnqr@csosa.
202-220-5305

How oft3rr and wherer

cov

uill the mentce mect his/her mcntor(sX

Meetings are held in

Mentors are required to meet with the mentee for at least two (2) hours per week.
Special
public places such as participating faithinstitutions or CSoSA facilities, by phone or attending
the
strengthen
to
and
Emphasis Groups. Mentors also meet quarterly with CSOSA staff to share resources
work of the cluster.

How long does mcntoring last?

will last a lifetime'
Ideally, the relationship that emerges between an offender and his or her mentor(s)
graduates from
Initially, mentors urc urk"d to make at least a six-month commitment or until the offenders
a Special Emphasis GrouP.

What trind of activities wilt tlre mentor and mentee do togethcr?

A mentor,s fundamental role is to support the mentee in responsible, crime-free behavior. He or she is
to be
there to help the mentee make the right choices, and to let himlher know if the mentee appears
making wrong ones.
on a
Choices of activities are largely up to the mentee and the mentor(s). The relationship may center
with
or may be more general, providing the mentee with someone
specific issue such as job
"ou"iring,
how
whom he or she can talk. Duringihe early meetings, the mentee and the mentor(s) will discuss
with
events
mentoring can be most helpfut. ffre -".ri.. may be invited to attend social or entertainment
may offer
the mentor(s). The mentor(s) shall not lend or giu. *otr.y or significant gifts. While the mentor
an
to
the
mentee
to help with a transportation need (through their faith-institution) or accompany
appointment, he/she is also free to decline to do so.

What happens if the mentec and mentor do not gct along?

CS9SA recognizes that occasionally a match will not work smoothly. In that case, the CSO and CSoSA
or whether
staff person will work with the mentee and mentor(s) to determine if the matter can be resolved
another match would be more beneficial.

Will a mentor meet an offendcrts family?

At the initial family support meeting the mentor will meet the important people in the mentee's life.
find it helpful
Subsequent interactionis largely upto the mentee and the mentor. Mentees may or may not
should
to use the mentor as a sounding-board or intermediary in some family issues. Mentees and mentors
discuss what works best for them and keep the CSO informed'

Does having a

mcntor mean that the offendcr must attend church?

Mentors are active members of faith institutions and believe strongly in the value of spiritual connection
and ministry. By agreeing to participate in the Initiative, the mentors agree to respect the mentees'
religious beiiefs and values. The mentor(s) may invite the mentee to attend religious services and related
activities. Mentees are free to decline such invitations.

What is the relationship o# thc mentor with community supervision

officer?
of
The mentor(s) and the CSO will have regular contact. In addition, the mentor is aware of the conditions
CSO' The
the mentees, release. The mentor is obligated to report any violation of those conditions to the
to
information
mentor is also aware of confidentiality requirements and shall not divulge any confidential
inappropriate persons.
For llore lnformation
Contact: Chris Kcels

,Or'r+S-+49+(cell)
202-545-5316 (fax)
christinc.lreels@csosa.gov

This form is also available in Spanish, see www.csosa'gov

GOVERNMENT OF TTItr DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Office of the AttorneY General

***

Re: 'CSSD's Outreach Collaborative Network

rn" Ofn"e of the Attomey

Geierai for the Dish'ict of Columbia, Child Support S.ervices

Network, an initiative that

Division (CSSD) wouid like to introduce otx outreach Collaborative
in sustaining healthy families'
connects our custorners to amynadof local senrices to aid"
assistance in obtaining fin:ncial
Our mission i's to enhance the well-being of children by assuring
years to accornplish this goal'
*d;e;*,rpport cssD has made slgnincant changes orr", th"under
ernploymenl edycatig:t'
Given socio.economic chalienges refat"ea to unemploynent,
healthcare inequity' domestic
incarceration, mental illness, ,,rbrtuo"" abuse, homelessness,
we recognize the importance of practicing a holistic

violence, and other issues of pov"rty,

approach and creating diverse parhrerships'

including intergovernmental
As a resulf atJ,Networkis comiirised of various organizations
as local businesses'' By connecting
agencies, community, and faith-b ased.organtzations as well
relationships between
to programs aimed at empowering families and rebuilding
"Lro*".,
that will most effectively help
children and parents, together we hope to provide the resources
Child Support Services
District residents- For this reasoq the Office of Attomey General
who strive to provide the
Division has a team of experienced community.outreach specialists
presentations of all current
targeted audience with both knowiedgeable literature and tailored
forward to an opportunity
programs, services, ancl processes that are offered by CSSD. We look
information about our seryices or
to present yovt otganization. If you are interested in more
or
would like to schedule a speaker, please contact Aida Garoute at 2A2-724-4963
srdaagsie@ds.geY

Best regards,
.4cda.

/azcu*
Communiry Outreach SPecialist