Introduction

This paper explains the Total Care & Support (TC&S) program for inmates, ex-offenders, and volunteers.  The process is centered on an assessment of life areas to produce an understanding of current situations in these life areas.  After reading this information, if you have questions or comments, please contact us.

 

What the Program Name Total Care and Support Means.

 

Total - means to “get the Picture” of all the life areas that make up the whole person in an assessment session. For example, what’s happening in life areas such as: jobs, career direction, education or training, social service needs, substance abuse, money issues, spiritual life, your relationships, etc.? Total also means to “make a Plan” with goals of what you want to happen in your life in each of these areas. We jointly discuss and help you set goals for the 30 days, 90 days, and beyond as dictated by your situation.

 

Care - means to “obtain the People and resources” necessary to support you in reaching your goals. We assign a mentor to help you grow in your relationships with God, family, and others which will help you build good character and make good life decisions.  Volunteers will “walk with you” in these matters on a regularly scheduled basis.  If needed, we’ll attempt to find other people and/or resources to help strengthen your ability to reach your goals.

 

Support - means we will “support your Progress.” To be successful, you must plan the work and work the plan. Monthly, or more frequent if necessary, we’ll meet with you to review and discuss the progress you’ve made on reaching your goals.  Information provided during these discussions helps us determine how to best support you for the next month.

 

Summing Up our Four Point Plan

 

1. Get the Picture – an assessment of seven life areas
2. Make a Plan – set goals for the next 90 days
3. Get any needed People and resources
4. Track Progress – meet at least monthly to evaluate and re-set goals

 

Is TC&S for me? This program is designed for people who desire to really change their lives and who will do the necessary hard work.  One would demonstrate this by completing and signing a TC&S Understanding and Commitment form. A lot of information in seven life areas is reviewed and discussed. Honesty in expressing current circumstances in each of these areas is paramount to a successful outcome.  Otherwise, it could lead to difficulty in working together. We realize that sometimes “stuff” happens in life - making goals hard to reach. Regardless, we’ll accept you, offer encouragement and always tell you the truth. We’ll offer practical guidance and assistance if you stick it out with us.

 

Life Areas for Assessment, Goal Setting and Support:

 

Jobs & Career: immediate work; career direction; help for your own business.

 

Education & Training: preparation for job placement, career advancement and/or life skills.

 

Social Service Needs / Substance Abuse: basic needs; i.e., food, clothes, furniture; locate housing; personal property repairs; medical; legal; agency issues; transportation; child care; mental health/counselor; language translation; and substance abuse.

 

Useful Finance: financial training; budgeting; credit, debt or tax issues

 

Spiritual / Significant Relationships: relationships with God, family, and others (mentoring; Church, Synagogue, Mosque); difficult relationships; finding positive people in your life; avoiding negative people.