SEXUAL TRAUMA RECOVERY IS NEEDED TO HELP WOMEN SUCCESSFULLY REINTEGRATE AFTER INCARCERATION Proposal for mental health intervention by Portal Houston in conjunction with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Re-entry Program.

Portal Houston is a centralized re-entry initiative that provides a comprehensive community-based continuum of care for formerly incarcerated women, supporting their goals for successful reintegration. INTRODUCING PORTAL HOUSTON

DEFINING THE PROBLEM

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS  Untreated traumatic events trigger a predictable pattern of self-destructive behavior  Resort to drug-related, poverty- driven crimes  Mental health – 73%  Sexual Abuse – 57.2%

COSTS 17 to 37.5 percent of every healthcare dollar is spent combating the effects of violence and abuse

BREAKING THE CYCLE OF VICTIMIZATION

Improve reintegration success and reduce recidivism for female offenders PROJECT GOAL

 Completion rate of 80%  Recidivism reduced from 47.2% to 8%  Improved mental health outcomes OBJECTIVES

METHODS: THREE-TIERED APPROACH Opportunity for intensive intervention with high risk population Full assessment can be done at in-take Trauma education delivered by specially trained professionals Become acclimated to support group environment, reduced stigma Mental health intervention becomes a part of continuing care plan Accessibility is increased through re-entry initiative Referrals are prescreened and motivated to finish Trauma recovery can become preventative

Pre-Release Trauma Recovery Groups Intake assessments Group trauma therapy Legal and social service advocacy PHASE I

PHASE II Re-entry Coaching with Service Linkages Holistic treatment of core services Pre-release coaching in problem solving and goal setting Expanded support networks

Full Recovery with Community Support Collaborating partners Mental health, housing, employment Follow-up assessments PHASE III

Gender specific Holistic Evidence based Collaborative

Scientifically validated and reliable in correctional settings Qualitative and quantitative Qualified internal and external evaluators EVALUATION

 Pre-test Assessments Trauma Symptom Checklist for Adults (TSC-40) Addiction Admission Scale Rosenberg Self-Esteem Test  Post-intervention Assessment  Six-month Assessment  Twelve-month Assessment DATA COLLECTION TOOLS

ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH, RESTORING IDENTITY, IMPARTING HOPE

SUSTAINABILTY Funding Sources  Private Donors  Ecumenical Support  Foundation Grants  SAMHSA/Collaborators Structural Factors  Raised standard for care  Effective use of resources  Additional referrals  Synergy of changed lives

BUDGET Requested: $308,000 over three years Major categories: Personnel Contractors Community Engagement Initiative Materials Travel Shared costs: $131,000

THE NEXT FOUR SLIDES ARE LEFT FROM THE EARLIER PRESENTATION. WE PROBABLY DO NOT NEED THEM BUT I DID NOT WANT TO DELETE THEM PREMATURELY

GAPS / BARRIERS  Core issue of victimization left unaddressed  Women are returning home without treatment  Few services in their communities  Lack of knowledge or access to existing services  Need for full-service intervention.

RATE OF INCARCERATION FOR WOMEN IS GROWING Source: Carson, E.A., Golineli, D. (2013) Prisoners in 2012, Washington, D.C.: Bureau of Justice Statistics :

LOGIC MODEL Conduct Pre-Release Sexual Trauma Recovery Groups in 2 Correctional Facilities under the Prostitution Reform Program joint project of TDCJ and HCJ. Conduct Re-Entry Coaching Sessions producing a client contract with service linkages to the community, including, but not limited to, continuing trauma- informed care with mental health professionals. One-year follow-up to evaluate outcomes.

COMPARISON DATA Women’s Crimes Recidivism Trajectories to prison Why Female-specific Programing?