COLORADO’S C.A.E. PARTICIPATES IN BSMART PILOT PROGRAM

West Caldwell, NJ February 9 -

In April of 2015, Community Alternatives of El Paso, (CAE), was asked by the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice to pilot a BSMART program at the facility that is located in Colorado Springs. The facility is honored to be taking part in the pilot program which has been in effect since September 1st.

“We are proud to be a partner with the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice in helping determine effective evidence-based research that is useful for reentry programming to combat recidivism,” said Emily Bottoms, Vice President of Reentry Operations for the Western Region.

The Behavior Shaping Model and Reinforcement Tool (BSMART) is a sanction and incentive model utilized by CAE. BSMART defines the rules (Prohibited Acts) and will ensure residents receive appropriate, consistent and transparent sanctions if a rule is violated. BSMART allows residents to earn points for meaningful, positive behavior and then exchange those points for appropriate and beneficial rewards.

As part of the pilot, CAE will be collecting pre and post implementation data regarding sanctions and incentives. The data will be used in conjunction with the other pilot sites in the state as part of a research project.

“CAE is excited to be included in helping shape the future of Community Corrections in Colorado,” said Charity Dorsch, Director of CAE. “We are honored to have a chance to incorporate the BSMART program at CAE and contribute to finding effective treatment solutions for our residents.”

CAE focuses on preparing residents for community reentry by securing employment and providing job readiness training. The facility also provides extensive reentry programming to assist those transitioning back to the community with services that include comprehensive assessments, counseling, substance abuse treatment, family services, gender-specific treatment and educational/GED pursuits, amongst others. CAE accommodates a capacity of 220 males and females referred from the Colorado Department of Corrections and the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice.

CEC is a 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 drug and alcohol testing by SECON, our comprehensive drug testing and screening company that provides services worldwide.