WATCh East

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Located in Glendive, Montana, WATCh EAST provides a 48-bed felony DUI treatment center that mainly houses women. Applicants are admitted to the six-month program after being screened by a panel composed of law enforcement officials, elected representatives, Department of Corrections staff and townspeople.

WATCh EAST is a partnership between Community, Counseling, and Correctional Services, Inc. (CCCS) and the Montana Department of Corrections (MDOC). The program is based on a Modified Therapeutic Community model of treating addiction and the subsequent social issues.

The WATCh EAST Program opened on February 1, 2005 and is the culmination of efforts by CCCS and the MDOC to provide an alternative, pro-active response to traditional sentencing of adult felony DUI offenders.

The WATCh Program, located in Warm Springs, currently serves male DUI offenders and has a capacity of 146 individuals. However, 40 vacant beds became available in Warm Springs when the WATCh EAST facility became operational. The 40 vacant beds in Warm Springs were used to double the number of beds the state offers through CCCS for a 60-day drug treatment facility, which is the Connections Corrections Program (CCP). It is based in Butte, Montana and differs from the WATCh programs by offering services to people addicted to all types of drugs instead of only alcohol. Expanding CCP is the central aim of relocating female felony DUI offenders to Glendive. The need for that expansion is obvious by the list of more than 100 people waiting to get into CCP.

WATCh East
700 Little St
Glendive MT 59330
Tel: 406 377-6001
ax: 406 377-6004
E-mail: ddion@cccscorp.com

Mission

Like its predecessor program, Warm Springs Addictions Treatment and Change Program (WATCh), WATCh EAST is a six-month, intensive, cognitive behavioral based Modified Therapeutic Community, which assists Family Members (clients) in developing those skills necessary to create pro-social change, reduce anti-social thinking, criminal behaviors patterns and the negative effects of chemical addictions while integrating more fully into society.

Goals

The WATCh EAST Program has as one of its primary goals the operation of a safe, humane program that provides a place of custody and provides programs and services that offer family members opportunities for positive change. Specific goals have additionally been set as bench marks for the measurement of the services provided and are as follows:
* All Family Members will be assessed upon intake using the following cross referenced diagnostic tools:
(1) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th Edition (DSM-IV);
(2) Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI);
(3) Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test -- the "short" being a shorter version of the original version (Short MAST);
(4) CAGE, which is a verbal screening method used to establish an index of suspicion. The acronym, CAGE, is based on these questions:
Have you ever decided to cut down on your drinking?
Have you ever been annoyed by questions about your drinking?
Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking?
Have you ever needed a morning eye-opener?
* All Family Members will participate in developing a Phase I individualized treatment plan.
* Ninety-eight percent of the Family Members admitted to the WATCh Program will progress from Phase I to Phase II and will have developed an individualized recovery plan by the end of Phase II.
* Each Family Member advancing to Phase II will participate in developing a Phase II individualized treatment plan.
* Ninety-eight percent of all Family Members advancing to Phase II will progress to Phase III.
* All Family Members advancing to Phase III will participate in developing a Phase III individualized treatment plan.
* All Family Members will participate in an individual counseling session upon admission into the program.
* All Family Members will participate in an individual counseling session with his/her lead counselor upon advancement to Phase II.
* All Family Members will participate in an individual counseling session with his/her lead counselor upon advancement to Phase III.
* All Family Members will participate in a staffing and continued stay session at least once every 30 days.
* All Family Members will meet with the Aftercare Coordinator at least 60 days before program completion.
* Ninety-eight percent of the Family Members will have developed a community-based aftercare place by the end of the program.
* All Family Members will participate in a discharge conference with the treatment and aftercare staff prior to discharge.

The WATCh EAST Program is dedicated to helping those entrusted to our care. As such, the staff has developed the following core beliefs:

* In treating each Family Member with dignity and respect and the same is required of them when interacting with staff or others.
* That people can change, that their past behavior is not always the best indicator of their future behavior, and that treatment provides the pathways to change.
* That repeatedly driving under the influence is criminal behavior that follows from criminal thinking and that criminal thinking can be challenged and changed.
* In holding Family Members accountable for their actions (both positive and negative).
* That each Family Member has the ability to acquire the necessary tools to achieve a clean and sober lifestyle upon treatment completion, and that continuing care is essential to long term sobriety.
* That every individual is entitled to, and can achieve, a life free of chemicals.
* Through the sharing of pain, each person will reconnect with their own spirituality.
* That chemical dependency effects the body, mind and spirit. That the spirit can be revived, and that any and all authentic spiritual journeys will result in improvement in all areas of the chemically dependent person's life.
* Staff is responsible to role model tolerance, acceptance, patience, honesty, and integrity and that these are reinforced through our words and actions.
* That the community benefits from what we do.
* In managing situations, not people, we guide people (both staff and Family Members).
* In using the talents, knowledge, and skills of everyone on our team.
* That the following characteristics are essential for a healthy staff: Understanding, adaptability, tolerance, honesty, cooperation, ethical use of company resources, active listening and loyalty.

Description

What are the key components of the WATCh East Program?

Security is our top priority:
Although the WATCh East Program is ostensibly a treatment program, it is still a correctional program and those individuals receiving treatment at the facility are still offenders. Therefore, public safety is of paramount concern for the WATCh Program. CCCS has implemented the following security control features:
* 24-hour, 7-day a week security staff on-site;
* Regular and random security searches of offenders and their living areas as well as common and treatment spaces. View the security inspection form;
* Regular and random breathalyzer and urinalysis screening and testing;
* Perimeter fencing; and
* 21 security cameras of the interior and exterior areas. Cameras supplement not supplant security personnel.

Programming Intensity and Daily Schedule:
Family Members in the WATCh East Program receive extensive and varied programming seven days a week. Family Members are also responsible to complete individual assignments, participate in recreational and religious opportunities, complete therapeutic tasks and participate in other projects as determined by their respective treatment team and family. The daily schedule provides for structured activities that are organized, consistent and routine, while still allowing individuals to have free time.

Program Phases:
The WATCh East Program includes three distinct phases. Each phase has specific requirements, as well as individual responsibilities and privileges. Family Members may not progress through the phases without the endorsement of their respective treatment team.

What are the specific treatment and ancillary service programs offered at the WATCh Program?

Chemical Dependency Programming:
WATCh East uses Criminal Conduct and Substance Abuse Treatment: Strategies for Self Improvement and Change as the core curriculum for addressing both the chemical dependency and criminal conduct issues of our Family Members. The program, developed by Wanberg and Milkman, is a cognitive-behavioral based curriculum that is ideally suited for a long-term program and is “open-ended” so that Family Members are able to enter the programming at any point. Chemical Dependency group is conducted six days a week for approximately 1.5 hours per day. The treatment curriculum is segmented into three phases. The first, Challenge to Change, is a reflective-contemplative phase and involves building a working relationship with the Family Member and helping him/her to develop the motivation to change. The major focus is developing self-awareness through self-disclosure and receiving feedback. Phase 2 is an Action Phase involving the Family Member in an active demonstration of implementing and practicing change. Each Family Member undergoes an in-depth assessment of his/her life situations and problems. Each Family Member will look carefully at the critical areas that need change and improvement. Targets of change are identified and a series of lessons developed to strengthen the basic skills for change. The final phase, Phase 3, is known as the Ownership of Change. This stabilization and maintenance phase involves the Family Members ownership of change over time. Programming involves treatment experiences designed to reinforce and strengthen the commitment to established changes. The concepts of relapse and recidivism prevention will be thoroughly reviewed.

Cognitive Behavioral Programming:
Cognitive Principles and Restructuring (CP&R) is a program that was developed by the Montana State Prison, and has achieved impressive outcome results. CP&R is conducted five days per week for approximately 1.5 hours per session. This component is delivered in both individual and group settings by trained staff. Family Members learn and practice the following steps to change:
* see the behavior to change;
* identify the thinking behind the behavior;
* identify the patterns and cycles of that thinking;
* detail the underlying attitudes and beliefs that drive the thinking;
* develop interventions, controls and alternative ways of thinking;
* prepare a plan to make and sustain change; and
* apply and monitor the plan.

Criminal Thinking Errors:
In addition to the above mentioned program, WATCh East uses the Truthought program by David W. Koerner. This program consists of lectures and homework assignments focusing on the Family Members criminal thinking errors.

Anger Management:
All Family Members are screened and assessed for participation in Anger Management. This group is held weekly for approximately one hour and consists of 8-10 sessions. This is a “closed program” and therefore one group will begin and end together, which helps to enhance trust and sharing of sensitive issues.

Family Relationships/Parenting Programming:
All Family Members are screened and assessed for participation in our Family Relationships/Parenting group. This program consists of 12 weekly sessions, lasting approximately one hour and is open ended. Family Members begin at any point and progress at their own pace. The program consists of group work, reading assignments, reflections and written work.

Grief Group:
WATCh East uses a program written by one of its former counselors, Beverly Welo, titled: Life Beyond Loss: A Workbook for Incarcerated Men and Picking Up The Pieces: A Workbook for Incarcerated Women. These groups address the grief and loss issues that many of our Family Members face. Individuals are referred by their primary treatment team and the group typically lasts two months.

Women’s and Men’s Issues:
These separate groups are focused on addressing the unique needs and issues which face men and women. The Woman’s Group uses the Helping Women Recover series which is specifically targeted at helping women who are in a correctional setting. The Men’s Group uses the Men’s Work Workbooks, by Paul Kivel. This series incorporates three workbooks titled: “Anger, Power, Violence and Drugs”; “Becoming Whole”; and “Growing Up Male.” Both groups consist of group work, reading assignments, and journaling.

Life Skill Development:
All Family Members at the WATCh East Program participate in Life Skill Development classes. These classes, which are conducted by the Community and Employment Specialist and Intensive Community Case Manager/After Care Coordinator, cover the following topics: interpersonal skills, financial management, food management, personal appearance, health, employment seeking, employment maintenance, legal skills, emergency and safety skills, community resources, and housekeeping.

AA/NA Meetings and Big Book Study Group:
WATCh East encourages all Family Members to learn about one of the foundations of recovery – Alcoholics Anonymous, the Big Book of AA, and its “sister” group, Narcotics Anonymous. While the Program realizes that not everyone embraces the AA philosophy, its core principles are applicable to working any recovery program and are an excellent resource for individuals who are new (or “old”) to recovery.

Victim’s Issues:
All Family Members will also participate in a Victim’s Issues education and awareness program. A key component in addressing the criminal thought process is to have the individual feel remorse and empathy for others. This program is designed to begin to break through the concept that, for most individuals who enter WATCh, driving under the influence is a “victim-less” crime.

Family Education Classes:
WATCh East believes that educating our Family Members’ family and friends is crucial in the treatment and recovery process. Therefore, all visitors are required to attend an hour long educational class prior to visiting any Family Member. This “course” consists of 8 sessions. Once the individual completes all eight sessions they are considered to have completed the course and are no longer required to attend prior to visiting the Family Member.

Recreational Opportunities:
The facility boasts a gymnasium, weight room and outdoor recreational areas for Family Members to utilize for leisure and fitness purposes. Research has consistently proved that improving one’s physical body helps to improve one’s mental health. All Family Members are allowed the opportunity to exercise at least one hour, and sometimes, two hours per day.

Spiritual Services:
WATCh East employs a non-denominational Religious Coordinator who offers Sunday Services, Bible study, and spiritual counseling to any Family Member who wishes to participate.

WATCh East also hosts a morning smudge to better address the spiritual needs and beliefs of our Native American population, or anyone who may want to participate. The program also encourages the use of other traditional Native American traditions such as Medicine Bags and use of sacred herbs/roots.

Family Members who have other beliefs and traditions are welcomed, and the program strives to make as many accommodations for the practicing of these beliefs as possible within the confines of our facility and security needs.