West Bridge House

Brief Description

West Bridge House is a 14-bed community residential center in Stephenville, Newfoundland, for adult men, women or individuals identifying as other on day parole, full parole, statutory release, a temporary absence, or a probation order. We accept referrals from the Correctional Service of Canada and the Provincial Department of Justice and Public Safety. All residents must go through a review process by an admissions committee to be accepted into West Bridge House.

Goals

The main goals of the West Bridge House program are to:

• Provide supervision and support to residents who have exited incarceration and are reintegrating back into the community;
• Provide residents with assistance in acquiring income, medical services, community connections, budgeting, housing, and employment searches; and
• Provide counselling, referrals and connections to identified services which will support them in developing skills, resources and networks, and hopefully decrease the likelihood they will become involved with the law again.

Clientele

Adults of all genders are able to attend West Bridge House. Referrals are accepted from Correctional Services of Canada and the provincial dept of Justice and Public Safety.  All prospective participants go through a structured review/application process to determine program suitability.

Core Components

The West Bridge House program includes:

• Individual counselling        – One on one counselling with the in house counsellor to work on goals and help with reintegration.
• Supervision – Multi-layer supervision includes 24 hour supervision by staff, hourly checks on residents. Parole or Classification supervision in conjunction with Residential Manager and Counsellor on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
• Program & Service Connections – Working with other programs and service providers in the area in connection with employment, housing, social and cultural needs.
• Life Skill Development – Guidance with life skills development through simple in home tasks such as doing laundry, room cleaning, cooking, budgeting and learning to navigate computer and banking systems among others.
• Support – Support with any needs that may arise while at West Bridge House this could include medical, social, housing or any other support needed.
• Integrated Correctional Program Model (ICPM) Programming – ICPM is a maintenance program that is started in the Community Based Residential Facility, it acts as a follow up to programming that is offered to offenders while incarcerated.

Implementation Information

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

• Organizational requirements: Trauma-informed and knowledgeable staff to support participants, as well as knowledge of the current labour market, community resources and opportunities.
• Partnerships: Limited information on this topic.
• Training and technical assistance: Limited information on this topic.
• Risk assessment tools: Limited information on this topic.
• Materials & resources: Limited information on this topic.

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

West Bridge House is run by the John House Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, and currently operates in Stephenville, NL .

Main Findings from Canadian Outcome Evaluation Studies

No information available.

Cost Information

No information available.

References

There is no Canadian reference available at this time.

For more information on this program, contact:

Shelley Garnier

Residential Manager, West Bridge House

Telephone: 709-643-2903

Website: www.jhsnl.ca