Momentum Centre - Community Reintegration

Brief Description

The Momentum Community Reintegration Program will bridge the gap between the substance abuse healing and recovery program of the Winding River Therapeutic Community at the Headingly Correction Centre and the challenges of reentry into the community life.

The Headingley Correctional Centre is a minimum, medium and maximum-security facility. It houses about 549 sentenced and remanded adult male offenders. There is a main building with four living units, an addition with the Intensive Supervision Unit and the Differential Needs Unit. There are also three physically separated living units — Assiniboine Treatment Centre for sex offenders and two units dedicated to addictions programming – The Winding River Therapeutic Community.

Participants will be referred by Manitoba Justice. Prior to intake with the Momentum program, participants will complete a 30 day mandatory residential treatment program. Momentum will develop a comprehensive and holistic program for participants re-integrating into the community post incarceration. Referrals may be made to other community organizations for essential skills, literacy and skills training. This program will provide wrap-around supports that include: attention to basic personal needs, counseling, housing, skills assessment, resources and connectivity to job training and employment.

Goals

The main goals of The Momentum Centre – Community Re-Integration Program are to help participants with:

• Developing personal self-management skills;
• Addiction management, stress reduction;
• Planning and goal setting;
• Communication and conflict resolution;
• Leadership, taking initiative; and
• Job searching skills and cross cultural diversity.

Clientele

The clientele are individuals between the ages of 18-29 being released from custody after a period of incarceration, who have completed the voluntarily Winding River Therapeutic Community programming.

Participants will be referred by Manitoba Justice.

Core Components

The program consists of 1 up to 5 months of core programming which will include assessment, addictions treatment, and life stabilization. Participants will work both individually and in groups to create individual action plans. Those who are assessed as work-ready will receive 10 weeks of work experience. Work experiences will be staggered because of release dates and readiness for work experience. The participants will enter a combined work experience (3.5 days a week) and professional development (1.5) days a week so that the youth will be regularly checking in and engaging in professional development in a manageable way where skills are more likely to be integrated. 

Implementation Information

Some of the critical elements for the implementation of this program or initiative include the following:

• Organizational requirements: A strong and stable management/leadership team. The lead organization should be able to manage logistical elements which enable the program to happen, must have solid skills to outreach, intake and assessment, case planning, program delivery and post program follow-up.
• Partnerships: Program is delivered in partnership with Manitoba Justice Winding River Treatment Program and strong organization support, including community-based agencies and social services agencies. 
• Training and technical assistance: Limited information on this topic.
• Risk assessment tools: Risk assessments are done through a specific pre-intake assessment and interview. It is an inter-agency process through judicial and organizational screening.
• Materials & resources: Materials and resources for this program are based on in house curriculums. Referrals to community resources, advocates and in-house wrap-around supports.

International Endorsements

The most recognized classification systems of evidence-based crime prevention programs have classified this program or initiative as follows:

• Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development: Not applicable.
• Crime Solutions/OJJDP Model Program Guide: Not applicable.
• SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices: Not applicable.
• Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy: Not applicable.

Gathering Canadian Knowledge

Canadian Implementation Sites

The program has been implemented in Manitoba, Canada in 2016 to 2017. The pilot project was implemented between Manitoba Industry, Training and Employment Services; Manitoba Justice; Manitoba Housing and Canada Employment Income Assistance.

Main Findings from Canadian Outcome Evaluation Studies

No information available.

Cost Information

In 2016-2017, the cost per participant was $8,439.30.

References

There is no Canadian reference available at this time.

For more information on this program, contact:

Manitoba Education and Training
310-800 Portage Ave,
Winnipeg, MB R3G 0N4
Telephone: (204) 945-3966