Social Services Unit

Substance Abuse Services

Substance abuse services consist of assessments, group counseling, individual counseling, and aftercare.

Evaluations

Substance abuse evaluations, conducted by a licensed chemical dependency counselor or counseling intern, are designed to determine if an offender has a substance abuse problem or potential for a substance abuse problem. Assessments include recommendations addressing specific problem areas, with referrals to available resources. Offenders identified as needing intensive outpatient or in-patient substance abuse treatment are referred to outside resources. Evaluations are provided on-site at the Social Services Unit.

Individual/Group Counseling

Group counseling is designed for defendants classified as "potential problem users" and "problem users" who do not require referral to an intensive outpatient or in-patient treatment program. The intent is to provide information on the progressive nature of addictive disease and the increasingly dysfunctional consequences to the defendant through the use of the group process and individual counseling on an as-needed basis. The program consists of two hours of group meetings each week for 12 to 14 weeks and is provided on-site at the Social Services Unit.

Individual counseling is designed for defendants needing short-term substance abuse counseling and who do not require referral for more intensive outpatient or in-patient treatment. Defendants identified for this service may benefit from short-term supportive counseling in an individual setting or in preparation for group participation. The intent is to provide information to address immediate substance abuse needs and provide appropriate referral information, if applicable. Services are provided on-site at the Social Services Unit.

Aftercare

The Aftercare Program is designed to provide relapse prevention and continuity of care services. It is an open, ongoing supportive counseling group for males who have completed the in-house substance abuse group counseling program or other counseling program. The program consists of two hours of group meetings each week for 12 to 24 weeks or longer, depending on the defendant's needs, and is held on-site at the Social Services Unit. Aftercare services for females are provided through the in-house Women's Program.

Women's Program

The Women's Program is an ongoing educational/supportive counseling program for female defendants and includes information on, but is not limited to, such areas as substance abuse, relationship issues, history of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual,) coping skills, stress management, parenting skills, and other issues. The program is designed for women who do not require referral to an intensive outpatient or in-patient treatment program or intensive psychological/psychiatric services. The intent is to provide women with an environment where they can address their problem areas and learn more effective ways to address these problems through the use of the group process, and individual counseling on an as-needed basis. The program consists of two hours of group meetings each week and is provided on-site at the Social Services Unit. Women may participate in the program for up to six months, with re-evaluation for continued need after six months.

Psychological Services

Psychological services include psychological screenings to determine the need for further evaluation for psychological services and individual counseling on an as needed basis. Services are provided on site by counseling interns, by an independent contractor with the department, or other service provider.

Psychological screenings are available to all defendants and are designed to determine if a defendant needs further psychological services. Screenings include recommendations addressing specific problem areas and referral to available resources. Defendants identified as needing intensive outpatient or in-patient psychological services are referred to outside resources.

Individual counseling is designed for defendants needing short-term psychological counseling and who do not require referral for more intensive outpatient or in-patient services. Defendants identified for this service may benefit from short-term supportive counseling in an individual setting or in preparation for group participation. The intent is to provide information to address immediate psychological needs and provide appropriate referral information, if needed. The program consists of six one-hour individual sessions with re-evaluation to determine the need for six additional sessions. Services are provided on-site at the Social Services Unit.

Domestic Violence/Anger Management Program for Men

The Domestic Violence/Anger Management Program is designed for male defendants who have been identified, either through evaluation and/or behavior and/or self-report, as having ineffective coping skills that result in assaultive behaviors toward others. Individuals participating in the program are either on community supervision, bond supervision, or have charges pending for an assaultive offense, including domestic violence. In addition, defendants who have a history of assaultive behavior or request services as a result of legal problems stemming from inappropriate expression of anger may be referred to determine eligibility for services. The intent is to provide information on the consequences to the defendant through the use of the group process, and individual counseling on an as-needed basis. The program consists of an evaluation component and individual/group counseling. The evaluation and counseling components are similar to substance abuse evaluations and counseling, with anger management as the focus. Group counseling consists of two hours of group meetings each week for up to 24 weeks, and individual counseling consists of six one-hour sessions with re-evaluation to determine the need for additional sessions. Services are provided on-site at the Social Services Unit.

Crisis Intervention Services

Crisis Intervention is designed for defendants experiencing problems to the extent that an immediate psychological crisis exists. The intent is to provide information to address an immediate need and provide appropriate referral information, if applicable. Services are provided on-site at the department or the Social Services Unit.