West Caldwell, NJ, Mar 15 -

On March 8th, Community Education Centers, Inc. (CEC) successfully implemented a transition of its national food services contract to self-operation at 32 facilities nationwide. Since the transition, several of CEC’s contracting agencies have expressed their support and understanding of the decision to self-operate food services.  Many have expressed their overall satisfaction with the quality of product and services delivered by CEC as well as congratulations on a successful transition. On February 12th, CEC officially announced its decision to cancel its national food services contract and began the process of assuming its food service operations. 
 
“I am very pleased with the successful transition of CEC’s food service operations and would like to thank all our staff for their hard work. Such a large scale transition takes the efforts of a dedicated staff and the improved quality of services is testament to their character,” said Mike Pelletier, Senior Vice President for Administration and Operational Support.
 
Rich Adams, President of CAG Services, who served as a consultant on the transition said it was “one of the single largest, nationwide one day transitions ever.”  His team assisted with the coordination of food deliveries and introduced new products and improved recipes which resulted in compliments from staff and offenders on the very first day of service.
 
“The transition could not have been any smoother thanks to everyone working so well together and being so fully prepared.  CAG is happy to have been part of such a successful and seamless transition and looks forward to our partnership with CEC going forward,” said Rich Adams.
 
The transition occurred at 28 kitchens that serve 32 CEC facilities. Steve Tomlin, Eastern Regional Manager at CEC, said that there was no service interruption at any facility. In addition, commissary services were transitioned at many of CEC’s Secure Facilities Division Facilities assisted by the Keefe Group due to their extensive experience in the industry.
 
“The transition has been a great success and I have only heard compliments from the agencies we serve.  Reports keep coming in that plates are returning empty—a great sign of exceptional services and great food quality,” added Kevin Duckworth, Western Regional Manager at CEC.
 
Community Education Centers, Inc. (CEC) is the largest provider of offender reentry and in-prison treatment services in America, operating in 19 states and the Commonwealth of Bermuda, with nearly 30,000 individuals in our daily care. CEC provides a full range of therapeutic residential and non-residential reentry services with a documented record of reducing recidivism. CEC contracts with local, county, state, and federal government agencies. CEC’s Secure Facilities Division provides jail/detention management services at 17 facilities in Pennsylvania, Texas, and Ohio.