Department of Women's Justice Services: Women's Residential Program {WRP}

Women's Residential Program

The Women's Residential Program is a 118-bed comprehensive therapeutic substance abuse/mental health treatment program for female pre-trial detainees within the Cook County Jail. Participants of the program are treated on a cognitive level (cognitive restructuring), an affective level (safe, nurturing environment and women's issues groups) and on a behaviorial level (recovery tools, therapeutic community, twelve step program and life / interpersonal skills education).

Gender Responsive Substance Abuse/Mental Health Treatment

Substance Abuse/Mental Health treatment services are provided through agencies who are awarded the contract based on meeting the requirements in the proposal DWJS issues for gender and culturally responsive treatment services. All contractors applying must demonstrate knowledge of women’s multi-complex issues, have an understanding of co-occurring disorders and more. Curriculums used for this program are Helping Women Recover, A Woman’s Way Through the Twelve Steps, Seeking Safety, and Women’s Recovery Journal. A host of other supportive materials are used to help assist woman in making life changes.

Phase I

I. Pre-Treatment Phase
   Literacy Enrollment
II. Focus: Client education and integration into the program
III.Objectives:
    A. Intake screening
    B. Assessment and diagnosis
    C. Development of Treatment Plans
    D. 1 hour per day of orientation
         1. Complete step 1 in journal
         2. Recite provide philosophy
         3. Pass orientation test
         4. Receive a big sister
         5. Must receive 15 hours of direct services per week
         6. Administer assessments
     E. Self Help Meetings

Phase II

I. Treatment Education

II. Focus: Treatment issues and personal growth
III.Objectives:
    A. 15 hours of direct services weekly
    B. Understand nature and extent of substance abuse
    C. Connection between substance abuse and criminal behavior
    D. Positive social skills
    E. Become a big sister
    F. Become familiar with programmatic tools for appropriate behavior
         1. Pull ups
         2. Booked
         3. Push ups
         4. TPR
            a. Mirror
            b. Reach out
            c. Carom shot
            d. Patch up
            e. Participate in Treatment sanctions and learning experiences
            f. Participation in groups
            g.Make meaningful progress toward Treatment Plan goals

Phase III

I. Relapse Prevention
II. Focus: Relapse prevention and transition back into the community
III. Objective:
    A. 15 hours of direct services weekly
    B. Sufficient progress toward treatment goals
    C. Established self help and support groups
    D. Active group participation
    E. Relapse prevention plan
    F. Ability to role model appropriate social behaviors
    G. Established discharge plan
    H. Become a big sister
     I. Speciality Groups (i.e. grief, anger management, sexual identity, relapse)

Alcohol Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous are self help groups that are conducted to help women maintain sobriety and foster an open format focusing on recovery in a non-threatening manner. Honesty surrounding addiction is central in building a personal recovery plan through the use of time line steps and traditions.

The Catholic Charities ACES Program provides addiction counseling and educational services to adults struggling with problems associated to substance abuse. The Catholic Charities ACES Program is an OASA/DHS licensed program.

Mental Health

The “Seeking Safety” curriculum is a new psychotherapy for patients with PTSD and substance use disorder. It aims to help clients work on both disorders at the same time, from the start of treatment, using coping skills approach. It does not focus on the past trauma, however provides the woman with tools to prevent future trauma. The curriculum consists of 25 modules that include therapist guide and patient handouts.

“Seeking Safety” has shown positive outcomes, through several research projects, one including a correctional setting.

The Department of Women’s Justice Services began a pilot project in the Women’s Residential Unit in April 2003, which the women have been very receptive. DWJS is incorporating the “Helping Women Recover,” curriculum by Dr. Stephanie Covington with “Seeking Safety,” in order to achieve the goal of an integrated model.

As a woman enters DWJS she precedes through the intake process, which consist of her demographics, case management needs, depression and anxiety screenings and trauma symptom checklist. Once she has completed the intake process, a treatment plan is developed by the treatment staff based on her individual needs. She will then be placed in one of the following groups; treatment as usual (substance abuse only), or depression/anxiety group or Safety and Empowerment Group. The case management component continues in all groups, with linkage to the community for continuity of care.

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Cook County Sheriff's Office
Department of Women's Justice Services

Sheriff Thomas J. Dart
Executive Director Terrie L. McDermott

3026 South California Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60608
773-869-7731
Fax: 773-869-5441
JVDanzl@CookCountyGov.com