Formerly Inc. was created to help individuals and families whose lives have been disrupted by the ill effects of mass incarceration and or addiction. Studies show that an individual is most at risk of recidivism and or relapse within the first 90 days of release. Formerly Inc. currently serves anyone returning to the community after incarceration and or inpatient addiction treatment. However, our target population is mainly those adult males (ages 18 and up) who are reentering the community from a forensic setting. Formerly Inc acts as the community resource center, providing information, community referrals, and support groups to the families of individuals involved in the criminal justice system.
Due to Connecticut's recent budget crisis, many community services for the Returning Citizens have been cut or eliminated. Formerly Inc recognized there were numerous gaps in the system that needed to be addressed. Connecticut residents could no longer wait for these services to be reactivated as people are being released back into the community daily. We formed an agency to connect with individuals and service providers to offer our lived experience and community reintegration expertise. Our mentoring services are second to none. Our belief is, there is no better teacher than a person with lived experience helping navigate the reentry process. We know firsthand how overwhelming returning to the community can be for an individual and their family.
Our goal is to teach people how to get out and stay out of prison. All of our staff members are trained to use their lived experience as a tool to facilitate workshops and community forums that help individuals reenter their communities and family lives. We know the reentry process can be a very overwhelming situation for recently released individuals. No matter how brief the time of incarceration, the trauma for everyone involved is real. We offer life skills education, mentoring, relapse prevention, parenting classes, and Re-Citizenship Support Groups in our work. Our support groups are designed for those recently released from incarceration and individuals who have had some past involvement with the criminal justice system and need community support. Most all returning citizens could benefit from the life lessons from people who have themselves experienced successful reentry.
At Formerly Inc, we understand the criminal justice system from the inside out. Our team of consultants deeply understands the system's challenges and opportunities, and we are committed to using that expertise to effect real change. By leveraging our unique perspectives and experiences, we can provide innovative and practical solutions to our justice system's complex problems.
Approximately 2,000 individuals return to Connecticut communities each month from jails and prisons throughout the state. Many of these individuals face the same problems leaving jail or prison as they did upon entering, including poverty, unemployment, unstable housing or homelessness, mental illness, and substance abuse and addiction. It is known that such difficulties may contribute to involvement in the criminal justice system and disconnect from families and communities. However, addressing many of these issues can reduce the likelihood that a released person will re-offend.
Contact Us: To learn more about our services or to request a consultation, don't hesitate to contact us at Fomerlyinc.org or (860) 969-4500. We look forward to working with you to effect meaningful change in the criminal justice system.
1. Identify the needs of the target population: Conduct a needs assessment to determine the needs of individuals with SUD returning to the community. The needs assessment should include demographics, substance use history, mental health history, and social support.
2. Develop a relapse prevention program: Based on the findings from the needs assessment, develop a relapse prevention program that includes evidence-based practices and is tailored to meet the unique needs of the target population. The program should include individual and group counseling, substance abuse education, coping skills training, and peer support.
3. Recruit and train mentors: Recruit and train mentors with experience working with individuals with SUD. Mentors should be individuals who are in recovery and have experience with relapse prevention. They should be able to provide support, encouragement, and guidance to program participants.
4. Provide case management services: Provide case management services to program participants to help them navigate the challenges of reentry. Case managers should assist participants in accessing healthcare, housing, employment, and education.
5. Evaluate the program: Develop an evaluation plan to measure the program's effectiveness. The evaluation should include process and outcome measures to determine the program's impact on participants. Use the evaluation results to make improvements to the program.
6. Budget: Based on the needs assessment and program development, allocate the budget for the program. Ensure the funding is sufficient to cover the cost to implement and succeed with a successful program.