Contributing Networking Agencies:             

                        Neighboring                      
Extended Housing
     Women=s Center Lakeland Community College                 
                  Job and Family Services                
Victims Assistance Program
Forbes House
Atma Center
Ohio State University Extension
Help Me Grow  

     The following will be addressed:

Planning Goals
Domestic Violence
GED
Relationships
Self -Esteem
Female Inmate Support Group
Dealing with Stress
Trust
Problem solving
Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Anger Management
Yoga
Parenting
 

Overview of the Women In Transition Through Support Program
Annual Report for 2006
Lt. Cynthia Brooks (pictured left) / Sgt. Barbara Morris (pictured right)

The Women In Transition Through Support (W.I.T.T.S.) Program was developed by the female corrections staff on April 24, 2003.  The program was created to offer on site services and support for women during incarceration, as well as providing them with continued resources and linkage to agencies within the area that can assist them in making a good transition back to the community and to their family. 
            Since the year 2003 the W.I.T.T.S. program offers the female population services such as a Victim’s Assistance group that focuses on being a Victim, Female support Group, Parenting Classes, Yoga Classes, Making a Change and internships through the General Health Department, the Help Me Grow Program. 
            The “Female Support” group focuses on stress associated with being in jail.  It helps the women deal with problem solving, trust, goal planning, anger management and many other topics dealing with stress.  The sessions are conducted by Julie Hammond, and Wendy Kelley of Neighboring on Tuesday mornings and averages 11 women per session with a total attendance of 287 women for the year.
            The “Victim’s” Of Domestic Violence class is held on Tuesday afternoon  with Joan Boswell from Forbes House . The session basically focuses on being a “Victim” and learning how to cope. Presently through the Drug and Alcohol program Joan also comes in once a month to speak on Domestic Violence. The group averages 12 women per session with a total attendance of 383 women for the year which is a huge jump from 217 in 2005. The Victim’s group is one of the most popular groups and there is always a waiting list to attend.   According to The National Institute of Corrections 70% of incarcerated women have been sexually, mentally or physically abused.
            The “Parenting Class” aides in assisting women with dealing with their children from a new born to adulthood.  The group focuses on setting children up for success as well as trying to become a better parent. The group addresses topics on having a healthy relationships with children and coping with stress that can be associated with raising children.  The group meets every other Wednesday and averages 12 women per session with a total attendance of 319 for the year, almost double last year's attendance.  The sessions are conducted by Terri Worthington from the Ohio State University Extension and Amy Korsch Project Director of Help Me Grow from the General Health District.  On the off weeks the “Speakers Series” covers topics such as nutrition, money management, job preparation and resume writing, child custody, housing, education and more.
            The “Yoga” class focuses on a healthy mind and body.  The group meets on Thursday and averages 21 women per session with a total attendance of 372 women for the year.  The class is conducted by Judy Churchill from the Cleveland Atma Center.
            The “Making Change” group is facilitated by Mary Ring of the Women’s Center at Lakeland Community College.  The group started in October 2006 and meets on Friday’s with an average of 8 women per session.  Mary’s group focuses’ on how do we change, barriers to change, deciding what to change and developing a change plan.  The women that attend have to be committed to four weeks of attendance in order for the sessions to be effective.  Mary has also incorporated art therapy into the group.
            A total of 214 women participated in the W.I.T.T.S. program for the year 2006 compared to 179 women that participated in the program in 2005 with an average attendance of 12 women per session.  All groups are conducted by volunteers from agencies within the area.  We are finding that more women are participating in our various programs and they are joining multiple groups.
        The W.I.T.T.S. program received a Grant  through the Ohio Office Of Criminal Justice  Services in the amount of $50,320.00 written under Neighboring in 2006.   The Grant money was used used to hire  Marueen O’Hara as a Liasion to facilitate the W.I.T.T.S. program.  The money was also used for travel expenses, equipment, supplies, bus tokens, temporary housing, and care packages.  
        Marueen  meets with women while incarcerated and continues to meet with them once they are released.   She provides the women with needed linkages and resources to assist them in becoming self-sufficient, and provides positive support to reduce the risk of recidivism.  In 2006 Marueen referred a total of 46 women to community resources with 29 lake county residents, 17 out of county residents and 3 out of state residents.
        Although the Day Shelter will assist the women with getting connected to the different agencies there is still a great need for housing for women in Lake County.  
        The W.I.T.T.S. program’s future is to have a Sober Living House for the women of Lake County.  The program will assist women in re-entering the community better and more prepared then when they first came to jail. 
        The W.I.T.T.S. Programs Goal is to assist women in reuniting with a positive and healthy environment that minimizes the circumstances that lead to their repeated incarceration.  Our focus is to increase their employment skills, develop positive relationship values and support, elevate their educational level, build self esteem, control choices through anger management, build strength through drug and alcohol treatment, as well as developing strong family structures.

Members of the W.I.T.T.S. Program:

 Lt. Cynthia Brooks / Sgt. Morris /Sgt. Prather/CO Smith/ CO Alvarez/ CO Sciancalepore/ CO Wilcox/ CO Kuhn

         There were a total of 214 different women who participated in the W.I.T.T.S. program for the year of 2006 compared to 179 in 2005.  The graph below reflects the attendance for five programs throughout the year;

 The totals are: 

The Victims of Domestic Violence group is focused on education and support for those who have ever been a victim of domestic violence.  Topics discussed include; cycle of violence, effects on children, relationships and making a “safety plan”. 
            The Parenting group is a group that is focused on developing healthy relationships between incarcerated mothers and their children on the outside.  This time slot also hosts the Speaker Series which meets once per month.  This group covers such topics as nutrition, money management, job preparation and resume writing.
            The Yoga group meets with the purpose of learning techniques of exercise and stress reduction while incarcerated.  The focus is on relaxation and healthy lifestyles.
            The Peer Support group offers the female population the opportunity to discuss issues that affect every day life such as anger management, relationships and mental health.
            The Making Change group focuses on how to change, barriers we meet during change, how we decide what we need to change and learning how to develop a change plan.

             In 2006 96% of the women who participated in the program did not return to jail in 2006.  This continues the success rate of the WITTS program from 2005 when 95% of the women completing the program did not return to jail within that year.