DENVER, CO (June 4, 2003)—Community Education Centers (CEC) has established women’s programs at several of its facilities to meet the needs of women with substance abuse problems. Women with substance abuse problems and criminal backgrounds have different treatment needs than men. Women are more likely to have suffered from physical and sexual abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. They are also more likely to use drugs to help manage emotional pain, and they are more likely than men to have dependent children. To help women recover and prevent relapse, treatment needs to address all these issues.
“Research has shown female specific programming is more effective due to the different needs and issues woman have compared to males,” said Shannon Carst, Director of Tooley Hall, a 60-bed residential outpatient work-release community corrections program for adult female offenders in Denver.
Community Education Centers (CEC), which owns and operates Tooley Hall, also has gender specific, cognitively based treatment programs at its Colorado and New Jersey facilities, Community Alternatives of El Paso and Delaney Hall. “Our women’s residential programs at Tooley Hall in Denver, Colorado and Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey, as well as other sites, provide female residents with the knowledge and skills necessary for a productive life style, prior to their reintegration into society,” said John J. Clancy, President and CEO of Community Education Centers.
Tooley Hall and at Community Alternatives of El Paso County use a program called Pathways to Change. “Pathways to Change, a woman-specific substance abuse treatment program, was created after research findings demonstrated that women in recovery are much more successful when they are in gender-specific treatment,” explained Karen Dannewitz, Treatment Coordinator at Community Alternatives of El Paso County. “The program was created for women by women,” said Dani Rudkin, PsyD, Clinical Director of CEC in Colorado. Dr. Rudkin, who is also a clinical psychologist, helped develop the program
“Because most women addicted to some substance have been physically, sexually, emotionally, intellectually or economically abused, these are focal points for treatment,” said Ms. Dannewitz. “Issues covered include increasing educational and employment functioning, addressing abuse, emotional management strategies, relapse prevention and achieving healthy relationships with partners and children. In addition, Pathways to Change includes a community reintegration component to maintain the changes made during the active phase of treatment.”
During the first 10 days of a resident’s arrival at Tooley Hall, or Community Alternatives of El Paso County, a comprehensive assessment is conducted to determine a resident’s individual risk and treatment needs. The intake assessment consists of a clinical interview and testing to determine gender-specific treatment needs: substance abuse, mental health, trauma history, family needs, and educational and vocational issues. This is followed by monthly assessments, which are used to evaluate a resident’s engagement and progress in the treatment program, as well as to identify ongoing needs of the resident.
Outside therapists provide mental health services to clients, usually at the facility. Mental health programming includes Anger Management, Cognitive Restructuring, and Women’s Issues
CEC considers aftercare to be essential to the successful reintegration of female offenders to their communities. The Women’s Programs provide aftercare services that consist of ongoing drug and alcohol treatment, post-release; applied cognitive restructuring for residents without families; reintegration groups; and peer mentoring. The reintegration groups use an 8-week spouse/family educational curriculum to prepare them for return of resident and a 6-week resident/family group therapy focusing on reintegration issues.
“After successful completion of Pathways to Change Residential Program clients are encouraged to attend after care. The Pathways to Change Program includes aftercare and community reintegration components to build on changes made during the active treatment phase, and to support and ongoing crime-free, drug-free lifestyle,” said Dr. Rudkin. The main focus of after care is relapse prevention, family and community reintegration. “The aftercare program provides the clients with a continuum of care and access to therapy, support and structure while they reside in the community,” added
