West Central Community Correctional Facility

Thinking for a Change (T4C) - Is an integrated approach to changing offender behavior, developed by Barry Glick, Jack Bush, and Juliana Taymans in cooperation with the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) that uses a combination of approaches to increase an offender’s awareness of themselves and others. It integrates cognitive restructuring, social skills, and problem solving. The program begins by teaching offenders an introspective process for examining their ways of thinking and their feelings, beliefs, and attitudes. The process is reinforced throughout the program. Social-skills training is provided as an alternative to antisocial behaviors. The program culminates by integrating the skills offenders have learned into steps for problem solving. Problem solving becomes the central approach offenders learn that enables them to work through difficult situations without engaging in criminal behavior.

Substance Abuse - The agency utilizes a cognitive behavioral substance abuse curriculum created by University of Cincinnati. This group focuses on developing cognitive restructuring, emotional regulation, social skills, problem solving skills, and developing a relapse prevention plan. Volunteers are regularly scheduled at the facility to facilitate AA meetings, and NA meetings each week. There are also resident driven meetings. Social Skills- High risk residents also attend 16 additional Social Skill lessons. These lessons introduce new skills, the new skills are modeled, residents practice and receive feedback, and then are given opportunities to practice using the skill.

Booster Group - This group allows for additional practice in problem solving and will introduce new social skills for use. These groups will be offered twice per week and frequency and duration of attendance depend upon risk level. As residents progress through the program these become advanced practice sessions.

Anger Control Group - Is a ten session Anger Control Training Program utilized by the agency. This is a module from the Aggression Replacement Training Curriculum. Skill building and practice are incorporated within this curriculum. Residents may be placed in the group based upon an anger assessment, violent or anger related criminal history, or behavior patterns demonstrated within the program.

Abuse Survivors Group - Many of our residents have been impacted by traumatic abusive events within their lifetime. West Central contracts with a psychologist who facilitates this group to help residents recognize the impact of these events and to provide tools in the process of moving forward.

Job Readiness Group - The Job Readiness Group meets three times per week for a period of four weeks. Each session is 1.5 hours in length. This group helps residents identify transferable skills, understand workplace expectations, help them learn to explain their felony convictions, and practice interviewing. Residents also practice completing applications and develop their own resume. The group introduces social skills to be used in the process of seeking and maintaining employment.

Education - Residents participate in education lesson plans to increase their academic skills. Residents can prepare for the GED exam and take it while a resident of the facility. If a resident is eligible to earn high school credit the education department will work with the schools in order to make that happen.

Vocational Training - Residents have an opportunity to participate as a member of various crews where they can practice skills learned within the program and also demonstrate vocational skills. Vocational training is available as an Assistant Cook and as a Maintenance Tech. These positions offer residents the ability to learn new job skills. Residents are also given an opportunity to apply skills while performing community service with local agencies or by participating in work release program while still residing at the facility.

Family Programming - Family staff members may meet individually with residents to identify family needs, communication skills, and mediation skills. Staff members also conduct sessions with residents and family members for mediation. Utilization of healthy communication skills and healthy emotional skills are presented to residents and their families. All family members also participate in a visitor orientation prior to their first visitation with the residents. Weekly visitation is available.