News - 2008
Illinois Offenders Graduate Addiction Professional Certification Program
West Caldwell, NJ, Jun 7, 2008 - Thirteen offenders from the in-prison treatment program at the Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center (SWICC) now have a better chance to lead successful and productive lives upon their release from prison. On June 5, they graduated from Illinois' first Certified Associated Addiction Professional (CAAP) program, a collaborative training effort between CEC, the Illinois Department of Corrections (ILDOC), and the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association, Inc. (IAODAPCA), which prepares offenders to receive state certifications as addiction professionals.
"These graduates now have a very marketable skill to use upon their return into the community. As certified addictions professionals, not only can these graduates turn around their own lives, but can use the knowledge and skills they have gained to positively change the lives of others. I congratulate each graduates and all staff for being part of a truly unique and positive program here in the State of Illinois," said Steve Bryant, State Director in Illinois.
The six-month long CAAP program consists of 360 academic hours and over 300 hours within the supervised and practicum experience for a total of 660 hours. Upon graduation, IDOC, CEC, Safer Foundation and TASC then work closely together to ensure the placement of these graduates in meaningful employment positions.
"The CAAP program fulfills the mission to provide offenders with comprehensive reentry treatment and training services that help them develop life skills they will need when they return to the community," said Mary Rose Worthington, Southeast Regional Director at CEC.
CEC is a leading provider of offender reentry and in-prison treatment services in America, operating in 22 states, with 22,000 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 operates the in-prison treatment program at the Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center under the name CiviGenics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Community Education Centers, Inc.
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