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News - 2010(BACK)
Future Foundations Program Holds Graduation for Northampton County Offenders
West Caldwell, NJ May 6 -
Community Education Centers, Inc.'s (CEC) 64-bed therapeutic community (TC) program "Future Foundations" inside the Northampton County Prison held a graduation ceremony on May 5. Including the day's eighteen graduates, ninety two offenders have graduated since the program's inception in September 2008.
"I want to congratulate all of today's graduates for their hard work and dedication to the recovery process. Also, all the Future Foundations staff who have provided such a high level of therapeutic services should be commended as well," said Steve Tomlin, Eastern Region Director at CEC.
The TC program includes comprehensive life skills and reentry training focused on the needs of male offenders and consists of individual assessments, individual and group counseling, substance abuse treatment, educational groups, skills-based trainings, and aftercare/alumni services. The program includes three phases of treatment. As the offenders make progress they "phase up" to a higher level of care. The TC utilizes a social structure that enables the offender to learn and practice pro-social skills while incarcerated. Each program member participates on a committee and has a job within the community. Graduates who are released to the community or to community corrections attend an aftercare group once a week to continue their treatment and to obtain support while re-entering the community.
"The program addresses the reentry needs of each individual offender and utilizes the therapeutic community model that has been proven through university-based research tor reduce recidivism. Offenders that complete the 6 month program are less likely to re-offend, which increases public safety and strengthens families, communities, and Northampton County," said Rebecca Duke-Walker CEC Program Director at Future Foundations.
The CEC Alumni Association has also begun to hold meetings at the Future Foundations program. The Alumni Association assists offenders in their transition from treatment back into the community through the provision of supportive services as they face the obstacles and difficulties associated with remaining pro-social members of their families and community. The association is comprised of former offenders who have successfully completed a CEC program.
Community Education Centers, Inc. (CEC) is a leading 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, as well as non-profit agencies. CEC's Secure Facilities Division provides jail/detention management services at 17 facilities in Pennsylvania, Texas, and Ohio. | 
