Judicial Activities

Judges Orientation

In June 2013, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judges began conducting orientation on the first and third Friday of each month for all new intakes in the facility. Judges discuss expectations of clients while in the program, consequences for termination, etc. Approximately 300 clients have participated in the orientations.

Release Hearings

Starting in August 2014, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judges began conducting formal release hearings for CBCF clients prior to their completion of their residential placement in the facility. Judges, along with Probation Officers and CBCF staff, congratulate clients on their successful completion and remind clients of the remaining conditions of their probation.

Client Achievements

Client Play, “Game Ova”

Clients performed a play written by a former CBCF client at the Cuyahoga Community College Metro Campus Theatre. The play is about the generational cycles of incarceration and is intended to help stop this cycle, remove the stigma of incarceration, and help re-entering citizens engage in meaningful activities. The performance was videotaped by supervised inmates from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and is currently being shown on the Hope Channel which airs in ODRC institutions.

Court Community Service

In 2014, CBCF clients performed 9,898 hours of community service work, providing labor valued at $79,184, based on minimum wage.

Alumni Committee

In September 2014, several individuals who had successfully completed the CBCF program took the initiative to form an alumni mentoring group. In order to participate on the committee, a CBCF client must wait six months after release from CBCF and they must maintain sobriety. Currently four members meet bi-weekly at the CBCF to mentor current clients. The current committee includes: David Miller (Judge Joan Synenberg); Ray Lipford (Judge Hollie Gallagher); Willis White (Judge Peter Corrigan); and Londen Bankhead (Judge Michael Jackson). This committee coordinated a New Year’s Eve Sober Celebration; 24 selected clients invited one positive support person to the facility for an evening of music, food, and fun.

Programming Enhancements

Transitional Services

The Transitional Services (TS) Program started in July 2014 for High and Very High risk clients who successfully complete CBCF and need further programming and case management to transition into the community. Current clients can be referred to TS in order to continue the programming they have received at CBCF in a non-residential setting for up to an additional six months. Programming includes: Chemical Dependency Aftercare, Cognitive Skills Booster sessions, Employment Booster sessions, and Employment Aftercare. As of February 2, 2015, TS had 25 active clients.

Education

CBCF held GED graduations in May 2012 and December 2013 with Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judges Nancy Fuerst and John Russo speaking, respectively, at the commencement ceremonies. From 2011 to 2014, 106 clients took the GED, with 74% (78 clients) passing.

Fatherhood Programming

In 2014, 620 clients participated in the three phase Fatherhood Program featuring Child Support/Courthouse Navigation and Money Management sessions facilitated by Steve Killpack and Community Endeavors.

Frontline Family Based Programming for CBCF Clients

FrontLine Service has partnered with Oriana House, Inc. and the Fatherhood Program to begin counseling sessions with clients, their families, and their children as a part of the Children of Incarcerated Parents Initiative. The orientation phase begins at the CBCF, then the programming continues in the home and at the agency. Follow-up services are provided for up to 12 months.

Family Matters

This weekly program, facilitated by professional chemical dependency counselors, provides encouragement and support to family members and friends of CBCF clients who are affected by their loved one’s addiction. Every third session, clients are invited to join their loved ones by participating in group exercises and sharing a meal. Family Matters began at the CBCF in July 2013 and in 2014 there were 697 participating family supports and 532 clients.

Awards

2014 Clifford Skeen Award for CBCFs

The Judge Nancy R. McDonnell CBCF received state-wide recognition as the recipient of the 2014 Clifford Skeen Award for CBCFs. This award was presented by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction in October. JNRM CBCF was selected from 18 CBCFs in the state of Ohio.