GCASA Reentry Program

Recent changes to the parameters of the federally funded offender reentry program are widening the path for formerly incarcerated individuals to receive services as they return to society.

Trisha Allen, (photo at right), coordinator of the reentry program at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, said those changes include reducing the length of a person’s jail or prison sentence (actual time served) from three to two months.

“Previously, we were only allowed to support people who had been incarcerated at least three months – or were on a one-month or greater parole violation,” Allen said.

GCASA has a reentry residence for up to five men in the City of Batavia and a separate reentry home for up to three women in the Town of Batavia. Potential participants must be at least 18 years old.

Allen also reported that the geographic area for those to access GCASA’s program has been expanded from Genesee and Orleans counties to Livingston, Wyoming and other neighboring counties.

Started about three years ago, GCASA’s Reentry Program has provided numerous services to around 60 people, taking a “person-centered peer approach,” Allen said.

“We focus on the participant’s self-identified needs, goals, preferences and strengths, which means that each person’s process and experience may look different,” she explained. “Typically, we offer housing from three to six months.”

Allen emphasized that the goal of the program is to expand substance use disorder treatment, recovery and reentry services for sentenced adult ex-offenders with SUD, who are returning to their families and community following their incarceration.

She added that sex offenders and convicted arsonists are not eligible for reentry housing, but GCASA does support those individuals through other programs while living in the community.

With the program primarily funded by a grant through the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, services are free to participants. Health insurance is billed when allowable for healthcare.

After establishing eligibility and concluding the intake process, men and women immediately are moved into housing, whether it be at GCASA’s facilities or at emergency housing provided by the Department of Social Services or more permanent housing.

The list of services provided include applying for benefits at DSS if needed, securing food, applying for health insurance, setting and attending a substance use disorder assessment appointment, obtaining identification if needed, setting physical and/or mental health appointments, and discussion a plan for education, employment, income, family and other priorities.

“It’s important to point out that we also provide case management on a 1-to-1 basis and 24-hour peer recovery support,” Allen said. “Beyond that, participants have access to all of GCASA’s counseling, treatment and recovery services – including rapid access to Medication Assisted Treatment, Medication for Opioid Use Disorder, detoxification, residential, inpatient referrals and The Recovery Station (social programs).”

Reentry programs, for many years a part of the state’s Department of Corrections operations, have become popular throughout New York as a service of nonprofit, religious, for-profit and governmental agencies.

At GCASA. Allen’s staff consists of case managers Jason Rolle and Erin Cornell and assistants Chester Shivers and Taylor Peck.

“We’re constantly looking to make connections with the local jails and prisons and have been working with the parole and probation offices and DSS since the program’s inception,” Allen noted. “WE just started a peer-run support group at the Orleans County Jail on Fridays.”

Allen said that GCASA has openings at both the men’s and women’s residences. Referrals to the program can be made by contacting her at tallen@gcasa.org or 585-813-6570.

Disclosure: Mike Pettinella is the publicist for GCASA.

After serving about 15 years in jail or prison in three states and being subject to subpar living conditions afterwards, a Genesee County resident trying to put his life back together said his participation in Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse’s Reentry Program is giving him his best chance yet.

“I’ve been to a halfway house and it was terrible; drugs, hookers and dealers. My parole officer recommended this program and, here, you have your privacy and it’s a safer and healthier environment,” said Jim (not his real name), speaking about his placement in the program’s house for men.

Jim said his goal is to reunite with his wife and “to stay sober.”

He said program staff has connected him to mental health, substance use and family counseling services in a way that he doesn’t feel pressured or judged.

“And I am going to (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetings because I know I need to, not because I’m being forced to,” he offered, acknowledging that he has clashed with authority figures in the past.

The client, now in his 50s, said the GCASA staff of three men who work at the house have been very supportive.

“I’m definitely out of a bad situation, and I couldn’t ask for anything more,” he said. “The guys here are great.”

The voluntary, grant funded program has well-developed policies and procedures and has defined criteria for eligibility, Coordinator Trisha Allen said.

Allen, who started as a Peer Recovery Advocate at GCASA three years ago, said for men to be eligible they must have substance use disorder issues, whether they have been diagnosed or not; must be reentering (or recently reentered) the community after serving at least three months in incarceration or one month for a violation, and must be returning to Genesee or Orleans county.

Sex offenders or arsonists will not be admitted into the house although they can be helped in the program through care management and peer support.

Currently, two of the program’s 16 participants are staying at the house, which has five bedrooms. Residents have access to two bathrooms, a living area with television and computer workstation, and a kitchen.

“Men are referred by parole board, probation department or self-referred, and stay free of charge,” she said. “The home is staffed from the hours of 8 a.m. to at least 9 p.m., and residents are required to be at the home before staff leaves at night.”

Allen said the home, which is located in Batavia, serves as a place for those who have nowhere to go.

“It is safe and supportive,” she advised. “Too many times, these men are placed in environments where it is detrimental to their recovery.”

Her staff consists of Case Manager Casey Moulton and Chester Shivers, Jason Rolle and John Benjamin, Reentry staff who have received Peer training.

Moulton said he worked in caregiving and respite surroundings prior to taking a position with GCASA.

“I like the idea that we could curb recidivism by creating a new way to approach people with trauma and great need,” he said, adding that his appreciation for the arts and culture give him a unique perspective to interact with those who have been imprisoned.

Shivers, a Scranton, Pa., native, said he moved to Batavia in 2016.

Formerly incarcerated, he went through a reentry program at another location. He said it helped him to learn patience and to make healthy decisions.

“I take one day at a time, and wish to share the same hope that was given to me to others,” he said.

Allen said she is thankful that Shivers, Rolle and Benjamin are part of the GCASA team as they can relate to those who were incarcerated.

“That’s what we needed – the lived experience,” she said. “My goal was to get as many staff as we could with lived experience. We’re fortunate, especially with them being men. It’s beneficial to have men supporting other men.”

Later this fall, a home for females that were incarcerated is expected to open at a location in Batavia. Allen said she plans to hire a couple of female staff members. For more information, send an email to tallen@gcasa.org.

Photo: GCASA Reentry Program staff members, from left, Casey Moulton, Trisha Allen and Chester Shivers.

Disclosure: Mike Pettinella is the publicist for GCASA