The Health Foundation of Central Mass

35 e report also found the recid- ivism rate among WISR partici- pants was 21%; which was 47% less than the control group. It was also estimated that WISR saved the community more than $375,000, a 59% return on investment based on the cost of incarceration. e overall annual cost to the commu- nity for an individual in prison is between $50,000 and $60,000, while supporting a person with reentry services runs between $6,000 and $7,000. Advocacy efforts on behalf of WISR convinced state officials to include reentry programming in the state's 2018 criminal justice reform legislation. e state allocated $7 million from fiscal years 2019-2021 to pilot reentry services in Worcester and Middlesex counties. Diane Gould, president and CEO of Advocates, explained that what began as a small pilot involving several dozen men "scaled up and became a MassHealth benefit." While the program achieved success in reducing recidivism and improving health for individual participants, it also brought about systems change that has impacted many people. e Health Foundation also provided training around policy and how to "tap into your own network," said Opal Stone, senior director of government and external relations for Advocates, who served as the WISR project manager at the time. "ere was a lot of capacity-building and true and deep collaboration. We would meet every month to focus on the long-term system changes at the policy level." e Health Foundation "takes a prob- lem that is intractable and pulls together partners to come to a resolution," said Ms. Stone. "You don't oen see or think about all the possibilities and solutions to a really big problem having an impact like you do with e Health Foundation. ey know how to approach the policy perspective by looking at lasting results." n "CASEY," AGE 32 When Casey first returned to the community after being released from prison, he rebelled against his conditions of probation and would not engage in WISR services. After multiple violations of probation and facing a return to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence, he finally agreed to work with the WISR case manager. WISR's clinician conducted an updated mental health evaluation and helped Casey obtain regular therapeutic treatment. Casey attended anger management groups and counseling to address his PTSD. WISR also helped him find a Narcotics Anonymous group, as one of Casey's fears was that he would begin to use drugs again. With WISR's assistance, shortly after beginning treatment, Casey started working. A probation officer noted that Casey was "a new man" – more polite, more willing to talk about his problems, even when it was difficult for him. Casey also showed real effort, despite numerous challenges and setbacks, to meet the conditions of his probation. His mental health and substance use treatment and WISR's collaboration with probation ensured that whenever Casey experienced trouble, the team was there to provide him with a safety net and keep him on the path of successful reentry. "That's the brilliance of The Health Foundation. They look at the impact on the individual, the family, and the larger system. The Health Foundation works closely with partners of the program to focus on health equity." Diane Gould, president and CEO, Advocates Worcester sheriff gets grant to help inmates January 24, 2015 Samantha Allen TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF Worcester County Sheriff Lewis Evangelidis talks about the Second Chance Act grant award. WEST BOYLSTON — The Worcester County Sheriff's Office accepted what officials say is the largest federal grant award they've ever received, with a plan to use nearly $750,000 to better inmates during their time behind bars. The Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded a Second Chance Act "Enhanced Re-entry Program" grant to the sheriff's office totaling $749,924 to improve the facility's programs for re-entry into the community. The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts will donate $375,000 toward a match required by the grant. The sheriff's office has pledged $421,580 as well, bringing the total to more than $1.5 million. The Worcester County office was one of seven to receive the federal Second Chance award nationwide. The success of WISR prompted The Health Foundation to fund a pilot, Wiser Women, focused on women in 2016. Women's experiences with the criminal justice system differ significantly from that of men. Women are at greater risk of experiencing trauma including sexual abuse, assault, and domestic violence; are more likely to have primary caregiver responsibilities than men; and experience high levels of economic and social marginality and, as a result, homelessness. They also frequently have mental health and substance use disorders.

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