September/October President's Report
Posted by Rhonda Messamore (rmessamore) on Sep 17 2009
President's Corner >>

Collaborative Program Makes an Impact on Prison Reform

According to the New International Webster’s Standard Dictionary, the term “collaborate” is defined as working together and to cooperate in an undertaking.  This could not have been more evident than on Friday, August 28, 2009 at California State Prison Solano for the Offender Mentor Certification Program graduation ceremony where  forty-seven inmates who were selectively chosen to participate in an alcohol and drug counselor certification program (IC & RC standards) with successful completion would be honored.

Those representing CAADAC leadership in attendance included Executive Director Rhonda Messamore, CCB Chair Jim Sellars, Immediate-Past President Bob Tyler, CCB Administrator Susan Banks and I.  This precedence-setting program is a result of agency collaboration from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), the Division of Addiction and Recovery Services (DARS), Orange County Department of Education, Options Recovery Services, the Navy Drug and Alcohol School, CAADAC, Warden John W. Haviland, and Correctional Counselor III, Sol Irving.

As I listened to the line-up of speakers, I reflected back to my young adulthood when I committed a crime and was given leniency  because I assisted in a separate case three years prior.  I realized very quickly that but for the grace of God, I too could have been where these gentlemen stand. 

Being able to watch family members shed tears of joy, smile with pride, and finally be able to join these sons, fathers, grandfathers, husbands, brothers, and grandsons (one had his 95 year old grandmother in attendance) in celebrating an achievement such as this was priceless.  The message from many conveyed hope and a sense of purpose for these graduates as well as mentioning that by empowering these inmates who were not “lifers,” we are systematically setting the stage to reduce recidivism.

On another note, collaborative projects such as the one that Breining Institute and CAADAC have joined together in bringing in this Summer/Fall 2009 CE workshop series that includes “Los Presidentes.”  Immediate-Past President Bob Tyler began the series in May which was well received, I presented on August 29^th on “Addiction and the Family” and clean-up batter, and CFAAP Chair, Warren Daniels will close the series out in November presenting on “Ethics.”

In conclusion, I am very excited about the upcoming annual conference in Rancho Cordova as well as seeing each and every one of you.  Please make sure you thank our illustrious ED and the conference committee for all their hard work in putting together one of our most successful conferences ever!  Lastly, as you may or may not know, Mr. Tom Gorham is no longer President Elect. I wish him prosperity and success in his future endeavors as well as the continued success with Options Recovery Services.”

Respectfully,

Joe

Last changed: Sep 18 2009 at 12:41 AM