WOPAA Referrals & Linkages assist with the following Services:

Housing-referrals for shelters, transitional housing, and temporary assistance (Subsidized Housing information is also made available).

Recovery Homes-referrals to sober living environments

Substance Abuse Treatment

Parenting-parenting classes, as well as partnering with DCFS

Health-Health information resources available, Pharmacy assistance referrals

Mental Health-referrals for counseling

Life Skills

Transitional Living

GED

Job Readiness/Training

Employment-referrals to training programs and information resources

Domestic Violence-referrals for shelters and assistance for counseling

Legal Assistance

Childcare

Transportation

12- STEP RECOVERY MEETINGS

Self help groups help women maintain sobriety and foster an open format where recovery is focused on in a non-threatening manner. Honesty surrounding addiction is central in building a personal recovery plan through the use of the 12steps and 12 traditions

WOPAA & Department of Women's Justice Services Programs:

PEER GROUPS
The original concept in twelve step programs is peer or member support. It is of the utmost importance to individuals struggling with the disease of addiction, and or the effects of being involved with the criminal justice system, to receive support, guidance, and encouragement those who have literally walked in their shoes.

“The culmination of the mission and vision of DWJS is the successful reentry into the community by its participants. Thereby the WOPAA dynamics are irreplaceable to the process of reentry. Peer support is possibly one of the most crucial aspects of reentry”

Phase V – Community Integration (de-banded women)
Reporting: Once per week to Women of Power Alumni Association
* Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

-Criteria to remain on this phase include the following:

1. Must submit to weekly(WOPAA) and random(SFFP) urinalysis testing
2. Must maintain sobriety
3. Must maintain contact via telephone or in-person with counselor and WOPAA officer
4. must submit weekly activity reports & notification form to WOPAA each Thursday
5. Must attend Women of Power Alumni Association weekly and volunteer on a committee
6. Must demonstrate reasonable improvement in lifestyle stability(i.e. opening bank account, securing independent housing, developing & maintaining family relationships, increase in overall level of independence)

Sheriff’s Female Furlough Program Peer Group
* Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Once a week officers of WOPAA conduct a peer support group with the Phase I, II, III and IV participants of the DWJS Sheriff’s Female Furlough Program. This is the women’s day reporting program where the participants receive services such as drug treatment and many other rehabilitative services.

Women’s Residential Program Peer Group
* Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Once a week officers of the WOPAA conduct a peer support group with the participants of the DWJS Women’s Residential Program. These women are incarcerated in a dormitory style setting and receive services such as drug treatment, mental health and many other rehabilitative services.

Court Advocacy

WOPAA officers advocate on behalf of members who are still fighting active cases. They promote the Department of Women’s Justice Services programs and assist with the education of the court system in understanding the merits of the WOPAA support to the successful rehabilitation and reentry to the community, as well as decreased recidivism. The efforts of DWJS are promoted by the WOPAA in the courtrooms of treatment judges as well as those not as familiar with DWJS/WOPAA initiatives and the alternative sentencing to treatment rather than prison.

Mentoring (Big Sister/Little Sister)

The Peer support and coaching is practiced in this new program that WOPAA has implemented. Selected participants in all of the phases of SFFP, and Women’s Residential, are assigned a Big Sister that is either an officer of the WOPAA or stabilized member of the WOPAA. They develop a relationship/bond before the women are released from custody. They begin the mentoring process which continues as the women reenter the community. Participants who are on SFFP program are allowed movement to attend 12 step meetings and business meetings each Thursday at the WOPAA office. This guidance and trust and sense of belonging are an integral part Peer support and aftercare. It is imminent that all participants will have a Big Sister assigned. The suggestion is made to these women to call or come in on the day of their release to receive some direction on the steps they need to rebuild their lives he Women are doing both on a regular basis. Statistics will be available for the last quarter of fiscal 2005.

© 2008 Women of Power Alumni Association
Website Designed and Maintained by Joseph V. Danzl