Partnering with incarcerated mothers returning to the Peoria area

Partnership Team Initial Contact: Prospective volunteers identified through a variety of sources   Application / Interview / Determination: Prospective volunteers fill out application, have personal interview with staff, submit fingerprints for background check. Decision is made about being on a Partnership Team.   Partnership Team Training: Once 3-5 volunteers are identified, the Partnership Team begins a 30 hour training course.   Commissioning: When the Partnership Team has completed the training course, they are Commissioned and ready to be matched with a Participant.   Matching with Participant: When a possible Participant as been identified, the Partnership Team is presented with her profile. The Team may choose to accept or decline her. If they accept, the Team and Participant will continue in the process. If they decline, they continue waiting for the next candidate.   After Approval: After approval the Team: meets with staff to begin to identify possible needs and resources. Meets with the Participant before she is released to create the Covenant that will form the basis of their relationship. Begins to prepare the resources the Participant will need upon release.

Participant Application: Mothers of minor children returning to the Peoria area from Decatur, Dwight and Lincoln Correctional Centers, and who, ideally, have at least 3 months left until their release, fill out an application available through the IDOC.   Review: Staff reviews each application. Ladies who are not appropriate for Project Return at this time receive written notification. Ladies who are candidates are contacted to set up a personal interview.   Interview / Reference/History Check: Staff conducts personal interview and contacts prison staff and references.   Determination: If staff feels the lady is a candidate, her profile is presented to the Partnership Team. The Team may choose to accept or decline her. If she is accepted she is notified and continues in the process. If she is declined, she is notified.   After Approval: Clinical Coordinator meets with Participant to assess any mental health or other needs. Director meets with Participant to prepare her for the Project Return Process, fill out any necessary forms and help her prepare for release. Partnership Team meets with her before she is released to create the Covenant that will form the basis of their relationship.

Upon Release the Partnership Team and Participant Will:

1. Meet Monthly:
   Meet face-to-face monthly to:
   1. share experiences and progress,
   2. up-date the Covenant,
   3. plan future events,
   4. encourage and support each other.
       
2. Phone Weekly:
   A Partnership Team member will phone the participant weekly to:
   1. relay resources,
   2. set up appointments,
   3. arrange transportation,
   4. handle other miscellaneous issues,
   5. provide support and encouragement.
       
3. Between Meetings:
   Partnership Team members and the Participant will:
   1. follow through on any tasks agreed upon at the meeting,
   2. contact each other when necessary,
   3. contact Project Return staff when necessary.
       
   In addition the Partnership Team will:
   1. meet once a month with a Project Return staff member for supervision,
   2. keep a Contact Record Sheet to be given to staff at supervision.
   3. attend a quarterly Continuing Education event.
       
4. At the End of the Partnership Team Year:
   The Partnership Team, Participant, and Project Return staff together will decide if it is time to end the Partnership. All parties can agree:
   1. that it is time for the Participant to "graduate."
          They will then create an appropriate celebration.
   2. to an additional six months of Partnership.
          At the end of this six months the Participant will either "graduate" or
          be referred to other resources for assistance.
       

Copyright © 2009 Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Peoria. All rights reserved.
Created -- 25 September 2009
Last Revised -- 21 November 2009