Inmate Assistance Programs

APPA partnered with the National Criminal Justice Training Institute, the Tribal Justice Institute, and the Tribal Law and Policy Institute to present the 2023 American Indian Justice Conference that took place May 3-4, 2023, in Reno, Nevada, at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino. As part of this partnership APPA Tribal Grant Manager attended the conference in its entirety. During the AIJC Mr. Dyea provided the workshop presentation identified in this report. Mr.

This workshop was presented at the APPA 2023 Winter Regional Training Institute in Omaha, NE on February 7, 2023. This presentation is part 3 of 4 on the Reentry Toolkit developed as part of this funding opportunity. Parts 1 & 2 were provided as pre-recorded webinars. This workshop focused on engaging the client in the reentry program by providing information to enhance the attends’ knowledge and skill set to successfully engage clients in their reentry programs and built on the information provided in the pre-recorded webinars.

Andy and Roberta met with Fatima Matal Sol from Contra Costa, CA by teleconference on 4.6.23. Her concern was that their program participants were unable to participate in their three-month program due to their pre-trial status and/or short sentences. We discussed some options including the newer J-SAT funding as well as collaborating with courts and judges to inform them about their RSAT funded program. She stated she needed a recommendation that had some weight behind it.

In January 2023, the Connecticut Department of Corrections (CTDOC) completed Fidelity Assessments with RSAT-TTA faculty at all four of their RSAT programs. In reviewing the findings of the reports, additional training on the topic of modified therapeutic communities (MTC) was identified as a training area that the entire state's RSAT staff would benefit from. CTDOC submitted a request for training and technical assistance for RSAT-TTA faculty to create and present a MTC training that could be used in the future for internal trainings.

This webinar on maintaining fidelity in RSAT programs will delve into strategies for program staff and management to ensure their programs uphold evidence-based standards effectively, utilizing the Promising Practices Guidelines and other tools. During this webinar, we will explore various fidelity measures that play a pivotal role in program success. Topics will include fidelity to technique for motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy, documentation and outcome tracking, the significance of supervision, and the importance of regular and continuous training.

This webinar will summarize current research on the three FDA approved medications for opioid use disorder specifically for justice-involved individuals. It will summarize the research on the effectiveness of the medications as well as the differences among them. Effectiveness will be broken down in regard to recidivism, recovery, retention in treatment, and well-being. The webinar will also present the findings on the impact of when MAT is begun, during or after incarcerations, and with or without concurrent psychosocial treatment.

The impacts of jail extend far beyond the people who are incarcerated, having direct consequences for families. From general stress and anxiety, to lost income and support, to concerns about reunification and recidivism, countless families confront the associated burdens of incarceration each year in the United States.

Continued to provide support on the development of the implementation guide.
We finalized their implementation guide and were simply awaiting their approval in order for them to go ahead and submit.

Ethical issues related to professional boundaries are among the most problematic and challenging. Although some issues may seem more clear-cut in correctional settings, others may fall into the “gray area” depending on one’s position within the justice system. This training will provide an awareness and understanding of professional boundaries – what they are and why they are important. It will introduce participants to the concept of the Power Differential and how it impacts the relationships between all RSAT Program staff and participants.

The Fidelity Assessment Instrument was developed in order to operationalize the standards set forth in the Promising Practices Guidelines (PPGs). The instrument is divided into the same section sections and components as contained in the PPGs. The instrument scores how programs meet each component as set forth in the PPGs. The outcome of the FAI process is a report that scores how programs align with the PPGs and provides individualized recommendations for further training and technical assistance where gaps or shortcomings are identified.