The Twelve-Step Recovery Program offers ways to deal with the program's guarantee of confidentiality and anonymity. The session examines the 12-steps in terms of psychological "housekeeping" chores. Each step is fully explained, using examples that are relevant to probation and parole. The goals of the session include familiarizing officers with the 12-Step Program philosophy and its history, explaining the steps, and discussing ways of motivating clients to "buy into" the program.

The session on Understanding Subculture Language is intended to increase knowledge of the language/jargon of the drug-using subculture. Understanding this language allows Probation and Parole Officers to better understand the norms, values, and beliefs of a specific culture.

The Sex and Drugs - Dual Companions training workshop is designed to provide essential information on human sexuality as it relates to substance abuse treatment and parole supervision, especially the issues regarding relapse. The training presents and reviews the phases of psychosexual development and how these affect adult sexuality. A significant portion of this workshop focuses on the effects of substance abuse on sexual functioning and the development of sexual dysfunction as it relates to a parolee's lifestyle. Included is information on how substances enhance, diminish, and as a result, affect treatment setting a parolee up to relapse. Other areas covered include how sex and drugs become paired, and how they contribute to "reciprocal relapse," sex addiction, and relationship addiction. Information on sexually transmitted diseases are also presented and reviewed.

The session on Pharmacology increases the knowledge probation and parole staff have pertaining to the affects of commonly abused drugs on behavior and general physical health. The changes that occur in the brain of addicted individuals are discussed, as well as how different categories of drugs affect the brain and its chemistry. Drug interactions and information on the amount of time drugs remain detectable in the body are also covered.

The session on Refusal Skills helps Probation and Parole Officers assist the people they supervise achieve a longer period of chemical abstinence. The session educates the people they supervise on how to better consider the consequences of their actions and build assertive communication skills, and thereby refuse the people, places, and things that place them at risk for relapse.

The session on Basic Probation and Parole Skills is designed to give new Parole Agents and Probation Officers the skills fundamental to supervising ex-offenders in the community. The session covers basic knowledge regarding addictions and recovery.

For further information about this training program, please contact:

Iberia Scott-Johnson
425 Sixth Avenue, Suite 1710
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone (412) 391-4449
Fax: (412) 391-2528

Announcing:

PA County Probation/Parole Office Training

August 27th,2003
9am-3pm , Holiday Inn - North Hills
4859 Mcknight Road

Food/Refreshments will be provided.


PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY PROBATION/PAROLE OFFICER TRAINING CURRICULUM OUTLINE

1. Basic Addiction Issues
   1. Addiction as a chronic illness
   2. Signs of addiction
      
   3. Screening and assessment of addiction (brief overview)
      
   4. Role of treatment
      
   5. Stages of recovery
      
      
2. Addiction Treatment is Effective
   (Review of evidence supporting treatment effectiveness, especially for the offender population. Review would contain a description of current parole and court diversion programs in PA.)
   
   
3. Role of the Parole Officer in Supporting Offender’s Recovery
   
   1. Assisting the offender in seeking treatment (i.e., Brief Motivational enhancement strategies)
      
   2. Facilitating an offender’s community re-entry
      
   3. Strategies for supporting offender’s continued use of treatment and supportive services. (This discussion would address some of the common barriers and facilitators to accessing treatment and supporting services. The discussion would especially address assessments of housing stability and family functioning.)
      
      
4. State Laws Regarding Patient Confidentiality
   
   
5. Special Population/Considerations
   1. MISA
      
   2. Gender
      
   3. Violent Offenders
      
   4. Sex Offenders
      
   5. Family Functioning Housing Stability