Thoughts from the Director – May 2019

Last month I discussed our Phase-1 structure. And while many people released from prison returning to the Columbia/Boone County area choose not to come to in2Action because of our structure, our experience has shown this structure is required to achieve positive outcomes.
So, after a resident has completed at least 60 hours of Skill Drills (life skills classes), obtained their birth certificate, ID, and Social Security Card, signed up for food stamps, and established care at Family Health Center they are ready to begin working. The men at in2Action graduate Phase-1 their first day of work. Phase-2 is a minimum of 60 days. In Phase-2 residents continue to attend 30-minute group devotions each morning at 7am unless they must leave the house early for work. Phase-2 residents are not allowed to work overnight shifts. Instead of attending predetermined programming, men are required to identify for themselves and complete three “self-help” activities each week. These activities are chosen by our residents, with in2Action assistance when requested, to help them get into the pattern of incorporating their own structure into their own lives that will help them achieve their own goals. In2Action does require that at least one of the three Phase-2 weekly self-help activities include a Phase-1 resident. This not only helps our new Phase-1 residents but also helps our Phase-2 men stay connected.
The Phase-2 curfew goes from 6pm to 11pm and midnight on weekends and overnight passes are rarely granted. After men receive their first paycheck, they are required to begin contributing to the House Fund at a rate of $70 per week. These collections help to offset the upfront admission costs of our residents including but not limited to hygiene items, food, clothing, medication, a cell phone and phone card, and fees for Family Health Center and their ID’s. The House Fund also goes toward “Move-Out” incentives. When men at in2Action move out between 6-12 months and meet certain other criteria, they are eligible for an incentive of $500-$750 which can be applied to any move out expenses.
Phase-2 residents are also put on a list to move to the Phase-2 house which has less oversight, more freedom, and several single rooms. Upon completion of Phase-2 residents will receive a Program Completion Certificate and either move out of in2Action altogether or move into our “Honor House” which I will discuss in the next newsletter.
WHAT’S NEW: in2Action will be opening another Phase-1 house in June adding ten more beds. The addition will raise our bed count from 27 to 37 total beds. We have additionally begun re-opening the Reentry Opportunity Center (ROC). The ROC will soon serve as a one-stop-shop for anyone returning to the Columbia/Boone County area from jail or prison. We will provide recovery support services ranging from peer-led support groups, education groups, coaching by Certified Peer Specialist as well as DMH Certified Outpatient Treatment Services by Qualified Addiction Professionals. We will additionally be providing care coordination connecting recently released citizens to services and resources to address everything from healthcare to housing, to employment. We plan to partner with many other service providers in the community and will invite them to share our space at 2103 Burlington behind the Food Bank. Please be looking forward to more information and our upcoming grand opening announcement.