SWICC'S CAAP PROGRAM A TURNING POINT FOR FORMER OFFENDER

West Caldwell, NJ July 24 -

June was a busy month for Mickey Grayer, a former inmate at the Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center (SWICC) in East St. Louis. Mr. Grayer was selected as the keynote speaker for the Certified Association Addictions Professionals program (CAAP) graduation held at SWICC June 16. He was a graduate of the pilot program at SWICC when it began in 2008. He had the honor of celebrating another graduation on June 20, as he received his B.S. in Behavioral Sciences from East-West University in Chicago.

Mr. Grayer claims that the day he was selected to enter the pilot CAAP program at SWICC was a turning point for him. He made a decision that day to have a conviction to change and do something productive with his past to help others.

“We are very gratified to be partners in the CAAP program and see it changing lives,” said Andrew Young, CEC Program Director at SWICC. “CAAP provides inmates with a new approach to life as well as employable skills. Many of our CAAP graduates are working in the field of social services as a result of participating in the program.”

CAAP is a training program whose mission is to provide offenders with the opportunity to become Certified Associate Addictions Professionals by offering a quality training and educational program geared toward enhancing their personal recovery as well as their professional and clinical experience. The CAAP program meets all accreditation requirements as set forth by the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA). The six-month program enhances personal recovery while providing professional skill development. It includes both classroom and skill-building opportunities such as group facilitation skills, peer mentoring, and public speaking.

“The CAAP program gave me direction, and helped me develop a purpose,” said Mr. Grayer. “Because I discovered a purpose, my conviction is strong. It may be easy to have a plan when you are released, but you need a conviction to something meaningful in order to succeed, and that is what the CAAP program gave me.”

The success of the CAAP program is being attributed to an effective partnership between CEC, the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA); the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) and Ron Vitale, IDOC Assistant Warden of Programs at SWICC, who have worked together to provide ongoing support for the program.

SWICC’s CAAP graduation ceremony was a powerful experience of hope for all in attendance, including officials from the IDOC and IAODAPCA, SWICC and CEC staff, and inmates present. CAAP instructor KaShena McDonald was the MC and the event went perfectly. Mr. Grayer was a dynamic, high energy speaker; motivating and charismatic. He encouraged all with his references to time spent at SWICC and the importance of the CAAP program, and how it has helped with his accomplishments post release.

Regarding how she felt about the CAAP program at SWICC, KaShena McDonald shared, “the CAAP program is a very unique program here at CEC/SWICC. As a team, CEC staff encourage both students and alumni to consider their futures and their goals and how they can incorporate the CAAP program into maintaining progress towards these goals and ultimately their permanent return in society.”

After his release in 2008 Mr. Grayer has put his time to good use. He attained his CADC certification and is employed for the past five years with Rincon Family Services who help individuals find housing, jobs, clothing and additional help through community resources. He maintains a caseload of sixty clients, and loves his work, being extremely gratified by helping others through sharing his experience and knowledge.

CEC is the leading national provider of rehabilitative services for offenders in reentry and in-prison treatment facilities, as well as providing comprehensive management of county, state, and federal jail and detention facilities. The company provides evidence-based programming for residential and non-residential clients and maintains a documented record of reducing recidivism. CEC services also include SECON, a division that conducts comprehensive drug testing and screening services worldwide.