Join us for the Ruby Tuesday's GiveBack to Reconnecting Families Event!!

Ruby Tuesday's GiveBack to Reconnecting Families!

When:

Thursday, October 4th

(It's next week, so mark your calendars!!!)

Where:

Ruby Tuesday

2435 Delk Road

 Marietta, Georgia 30067

What you need:

A copy of the flyer (Below)

A generous heart

And an appetite!

PRINT THIS FLYER!!

 

Bring friends and family and join us in supporting Reconnecting Families! By dining at this Ruby Tuesday on October 4th, 20% of your purchase goes back to Reconnecting Families! What a great way to give back to the community and enjoy delicious food at the same time! We look forward to seeing you there!!!

For more information on the GiveBack program at Ruby Tuesday, please click here.

More information to come SOON! Keep checking for updates!

Thank you Atlanta Braves Foundation!!!

Last night, Reconnecting Families was recognized as a grant recipient for the Atlanta Braves Foundation. Executive Director, Brin Black, attended the Braves vs. Marlins game as the representative of Reconnecting Families. We would like to thank the Atlanta Braves Foundation for the wonderful experience! There was a delightful reception before the game, after which we were escorted onto the field and presented an award.

This year has been the most competitive with regards to receiving a grant from the Atlanta Braves Foundation. They received and reviewed over 150 applications, and Reconnecting Families is very grateful to have been chosen as a recipient!! We would like to thank Erica Newsome, the Executive Director for the Atlanta Braves Foundation, and Courtney Gay, the Community Affairs Manager for hosting such a great event and for the generosity of the Atlanta Braves Foundation. Reconnecting Families and its beneficiaries appreciate everything! Look out for other recipients in the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Also, thank you to our board members, Liz Cole, Sarah Gaither, and Debbie Ponder for attending the game and cheering us on! We are lucky to have such wonderful supporters!

To see more information, visit our previous blog posting here announcing the award.

More pictures to come!

Leila Washington: Spotlight

GED Program Director, Leila Washington, has been an asset to the Cobb County Court system for 6 years now. Her job consists of working with the individuals in the Treatment Courts to help in attaining and encourage education. Leila helps the participants sign up for GED classes and testing, which takes place at the court building. The wonderful aspect of the program is that the participants can go at their own pace. With everything going on in their lives, Leila works extremely hard to help accomodate each one of them. She is a strong support system for this group, and helps to encourage and motivate them to better their lives, especially through furthering their education.

When asked what she finds inspirational about her work and the participants of the program, she states, "It is amazing to me that these kids still smile and laugh despite everything they have been through in their lifetime. It is truly a joy for me to be able to get to know them and help them succeed in their lives."

Many of the participants of the GED Program have difficulty getting to the point where they can take the test because of their lack of resources. Leila works hand-in-hand with Reconnecting Families to get materials and funding for her students to be able to get their GEDs. You can tell by speaking with her that she is truly motivated and inspired to help every person that crosses her path. She is very appreciated by all her co-workers and the participants of Drug Court.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!!!!!

The holiday season is coming quickly!

SAVE THE DATE!

Reconnecting Families is excited to announce the upcomimng 5th annual Shop for a Cause Event!!

What it is:

Shop for a Cause is an event in which local vendors set up and sell their wonderful products for the holiday season. We have many amazing supporters and vendors again this year, so join us for a night of fun and holiday shopping! Beat the crowds and donate to a great cause at the same time!!!  It is never too early to shop for the holidays!

A portion of the proceeds will go to Reconnecting Families and benefit the participants of the Cobb County Juvenile Drug Treatment Court.

When:

November 13, 2012

5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Where:

(The event will be held at the same location as last year)

Infomart

1582 Terrell Mill Road

Marietta, GA 30067

Mark your calendars and come enjoy an evening with great people, food, and shopping!

More updates to come!

(Vendors and shoppers from the 2011 Shop for a Cause event! Don't they look like they are having a blast?!)

Reconnecting Families receives Atlanta Braves Foundation Grant

Reconnecting Families is to be awarded the Atlanta Braves Foundation Grant!

The Atlanta Braves Foundation awards grants every year to "youth-serving organizations that focus on health, education, and recreation; and whose plans for the requested funds will have a significant impact upon the individuals served by the requesting organization." 

Through Braves Give, a community outreach platform, the Atlanta Braves Foundation awarded over $150,000 to local non-profits.  

This year, Reconnecting Families has been fortunate enough to become one of the recipients for one of the Atlanta Braves Foundation grants. Brin Black, the Executive Director, will be present at the Braves vs. Marlins game on September 25th for recognition as a recipient. During an on-field ceremony, prior to the game, we will be presented with a check for $2,500!!!!

We would like to thank the Atlanta Braves Foundation for their support and generosity. We look forward to the game!

For more information on the Atlanta Braves Foundation, please click here.

Drug Courts are spreading into the Caribbean!!!

Drug Court begins next month in Trinidad and Tobago!

Drug courts are spreading into the Caribbean! It is exciting that Drug Courts are being recognized globally as a success!

 Trinidad and Tobago Opens Pilot Drug Treatment Court

with OAS Support

Click here for link to article

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - High ranking government and judicial officials in Trinidad and Tobago have joined forces with the Organization of American States through the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission, to launch the country’s very first Drug Treatment Court.

OAS Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Albert Ramdin joined Trinidad and Tobago’s Chief Justice Ivor Archie and Minister of National Security Austin Jack Warner to launch the unprecedented initiative, which will provide non violent drug dependent offenders with an alternative to traditional incarceration. The launch of the pilot project, which commits participants to a supervised treatment program, was witnessed by the country’s Attorney General, Minister of Legal Affairs, Justice Kofi Barnes, Chair of the Canadian Association of Drug Treatment Court Professionals CADTCP, as well as representative of CARICOM Beverly Reynolds, and Mr. Cyril Joseph, on behalf of the government of Canada.

"Drug Treatment Courts have the potential to change the way people see the Court system. The concept addresses cause, not just the consequence. It has the potential to bring about meaningful change for the person involved and for the community he or she belongs to", said Assistant Secretary General Ramdin.
According to Ramdin, "evidence shows that by following the principles of the Drug Treatment Court, it can prevent violence; promote citizen security; reduce crime; improve safety in neighbourhoods and communities; and reduce the risk to relapse into drug use".

The initiative was proposed by Trinidad and Tobago’s Chief Justice one year earlier at the opening of the 2011-2012 Law Term. A multi-sector approach involving various government agencies was adopted, and a Steering Committee convened by the Chief Justice comprising the Judiciary, Magistracy, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Ministry of National Security, Police, National Drug Council (NDC), Ministry of Justice, Probation Services, Prisons Service, Ministry of Health and several others.

In introducing the concept, Chief Justice Archie noted that the experience in the Hemisphere confirmed a significant reduction in the number of repeat offenders, and a decrease in the number of prisoners and persons appearing before the Courts. Statistics from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service indicate that arrests for drug related offences exceed 5,000 annually, with implications for backlogs in the court system, cost of incarceration, recidivism, and public health. Drug Treatment Courts have proven successful in Jamaica, the United States, Canada, Chile, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Australia, Belgium, Ireland, and the UK.

Prior to the launch of the Pilot Court, the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD), sourced support from the Government of Canada to provide training for judges, prosecutors, defence attorneys, police and probation officers, treatment providers and policy makers.

Reconnecting Families at Club of Hearts!

The Heart of Club of Hearts!
The following information is taken from the Georgia Power website. Click here to view.

What is it and how does it work?

The employees of Georgia Power and Southern Company have been generously donating to Health and Human Service organizations for over 50 years through an employee giving program titled Club of Hearts, Inc. The Club of Hearts is a Georgia nonprofit corporation, which has been encorporated since 1953, and includes employees and retirees of Georgia Power and Southern Company Services who work and live, respectfully, in the metro Atlanta area.

The Club of Hearts is "operated exclusively for charitable purposes, and seeks no monetary gain or profit. Every dollar pledged goes directly to the agency(ies) of their choice." The Board of Trustees solicits contributions from employees and retirees and manages the distribution of contributions to the giver's choice organization(s). Georgia Power and Southern Company Services employees and retirees have contributed more than $954,000 to agencies and initiatives through the Club of Hearts since their creation!!!

They generously serve 13 counties in metro Atlanta, which include: Butts, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale.

Reconnecting Families and Club of Hearts:

Reconnecting Families has been a participant with the Club of Hearts for two years now. We were invited to attend the Club of Hearts' Annual Agency Awareness Day yesterday, which was very exciting!!

We were not only given the opportunity to network with many other amazing nonprofit organizations of metro Atlanta, but also able to advocate the Reconnecting Families' mission and successes to the wonderful employees of Georgia Power and Southern Company Services.

We would like to recognize the Georgia Power and Southern Company emplyees and retirees and the Club of Hearts for all the generous help they give to nonprofits and community members of metro Atlanta. It is heart-warming to see such generous people so willing to give back to their community.

Thank you again Georia Power for hosting such a wonderful event! We are deeply honored to be assiciated with Club of Hearts!!

Also, a special thanks to Stephanie for attending as a spokesperson for the success of Reconnecting Families! We loved having you there with us!!

 



The American Medical Association recognizes Drug Courts!

Excerpt supporting Drug Courts from the AMA:
View full article here.

Drug Courts as Incarceration Alternative for Nonviolent Criminals

New AMA policy encourages the establishment of drug courts at the state and local level as an alternative to incarceration and a means of overcoming addiction for individuals with addictive disease convicted of nonviolent crimes. According to the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, drug courts are an alternative to individuals with addictive disease, providing them with intensive treatment and regular drug testing. A 2009 study of the National Institute of Justice found that drug court participants had significantly fewer positive drug tests and reported better improvements in their family relationships.

"Individuals with addictive disease require treatment," said Dr. Hoven. "When an individual is convicted of a nonviolent crime, drug courts can provide the medical attention, support and accountability needed to help them conquer their addiction and turn their lives around."

Dispensing Medically Appropriate Quantities of Formulary Medications: Pharmacy benefit managers and insurers institute prescription drug quantity limits that dictate the number of dosage units of a particular drug that will be covered by the plan for a specific period of time. The AMA voted today to work with third party payers to create an exceptions process to ensure that patients can access higher or lower quantities of medically necessary drugs or testing and treatment supplies.

"It is imperative that medication quantity limits do not prevent a patient from getting the medication they need when they need it," said AMA Board Member Carl A. Sirio, M.D. "In patients with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, for example, physicians need the flexibility to prescribe different medications in different doses and combinations to meet the unique needs of each individual patient. To avoid the dire consequences that can result if patients are not able to immediately and easily access medically required drugs, an exceptions process must be created to ensure that patients can get the medications their physician prescribes."

                                              

Do Drug Courts Really Work?

Do Drug Courts Really Work?
This question is answered in an editorial in the Baltimore Sun!

May 4, 2011
Jamey Hueston is presiding judge of the Baltimore City District Court's Adult Drug Treatment Court.

As the judge in charge of the Baltimore City District Court Drug Court for the past 17 years, and the current chairperson of the state's Judicial Conference Commission on Problem Solving Courts, I am disturbed by recent articles in this paper and elsewhere attacking drug courts as ineffective, essentially calling for drug use to be treated outside of the criminal justice system, and incorrectly asserting that drug courts are most effective for individuals who do not have a drug problem. This is patently incorrect, as proven by evaluations that document the significant effect of drug courts on reducing crime and saving lives.

According to the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, drug courts on average return to the community $7 for every $1 invested (and up to $27 for every $1 invested, when factoring in savings from reduced foster care placements, health care services and other cost offsets). A cost-benefit study of the Baltimore City Drug Court showed almost $3 million in total cost savings for all participants during the three-year study period.

These benefits were evident when I recently presided over the 38th Baltimore City Drug Court graduation. Thirty-three individuals whose families and communities had been devastated by their lengthy drug addiction boasted almost one year of drug-free and responsible behavior. These graduates have transformed heartbreaking accounts of loss and struggle into narratives of hope and success.

During my tenure, I have heard countless testimonies to the success of drug court from participants who have broken the cycle of addiction. One graduate who sold his children's Christmas gifts to support a 20-year heroin habit was invited to share his family's Christmas dinner after achieving sobriety. I remember "Sarah," who became partially blind while "chasing the high" but regained her children and freedom from drugs after completing drug court.

Why so many Drug Court Criticisms?

Below is an explanation from Missouri Lawyers Weekly!

Drug Courts Save Lives and Money: So Why the Criticisms?
by Dr. Douglas Marlowe, Chief of Science, Law and Policy, NADCP 

More research has been published on the effects of Drug Courts than on virtually all other criminal justice programs combined.  By 2006, the scientific community had concluded beyond a reasonable doubt from what are called meta-analyses (highly advanced statistical procedures) that Drug Courts reduce crime and return financial benefits to society which are several times the initial investments.  A large-scale study funded by the National Institute of Justice and recently completed in 2009—called the Multi-Site Adult Drug Court Evaluation, or MADCE— has confirmed, once again, that Drug Courts reduce crime, reduce substance abuse, improve family relationships, and increase employment and school enrollment.

Yet, just as the scientific evidence is coming in decidedly in favor of Drug Courts, criticisms of Drug Courts appear to be reaching a surprising crescendo in opinion editorials and non-scientific law journals.  How can we explain this seeming paradox?  If the criminal justice system endorses evidence-based practices, why should negative sentiments be rising alongside favorable research findings?

The answer is at least two-fold.  One group of critics appears to be turning an intentionally blind eye to the research evidence to serve a drug-decriminalization policy agenda.  Although they may use scientific language to defend their objections, no amount of data could ever dissuade them from their position.  A second group of critics, however, recognizes the proven efficacy of Drug Courts, but worries that some Drug Courts might produce other negative side-effects which should also be taken into account, such as impeding zealous representation by defense counsel.  Because these latter critics are swayed by data, their concerns are capable of being empirically tested; and if confirmed, can point the way toward corrective measures that will advance the field rather than move it further and further behind. 

One would be hard-pressed to point to a negative commentary on Drug Courts that does not, within the same pages, endorse a drug-decriminalization or legalization agenda.  For decades, drug legalizers could take steady aim at the so-called “War on Drugs” with its undue emphasis on mandatory sentencing and incarceration.  Such criticisms were easy to level, because the War on Drugs has been both prohibitively costly and largely ineffective at reducing drug abuse or crime.  

But Drug Courts throw a potential curve ball to these arguments.  Drug Courts prove that drug abuse can remain illicit without necessitating a costly and draconian punitive response.  We can hold people accountable for their dangerous behavior, while at the same time supervising them in the community and providing them with needed treatment and other services.  This finding could be seen by some as sweeping the legs out from under the strongest rationale for drug decriminalization.  And for this reason, it has elicited a steady stream of vehement antagonism framed in the guise of an objective scientific analysis. 

Other critics, however, recognize that even beneficial treatments have the potential to cause unwanted side-effects.  For example, aspirin is proven to reduce pain but in some cases can cause unintended ulcers or blood thinning.  This has required the medical field to take remedial measures to reduce the likelihood that such side-effects will occur and to treat any negative symptoms that do emerge.  By analogy, there is always the possibility that some Drug Courts might misapply their authority or mishandle their operations to the detriment of their participants.  Moreover, there is the possibility that some types of addicted offenders might not respond well to the Drug Court model and should be treated in other ways.  

There are two problems, however, with how these arguments have typically been framed by critics of Drug Courts.  First, they assume facts not in evidence, and second, they often seek the wrong remedy.  A review of the research literature through February of 2010 failed to uncover a single empirical study confirming any of the untoward effects that have been attributed by critics to Drug Courts.  For example there is no reliable evidence (apart from some critics’ personal anecdotes) that Drug Courts impede adequate evidentiary discovery by defense counsel or sentence terminated defendants more harshly than if they had never entered the Drug Court.

It would not be a difficult matter, however, to study these questions in a scientifically defensible manner.  If such negative effects do exist, then corrective measures can be developed and tested to address them.  And finally, practice guidelines can be developed to ensure that all Drug Courts adhere to best practices and take reasonable efforts to avoid foreseeable injuries.  There is no need to “throw out the baby with the bath water.”  The indicated remedy is not to abandon the most successful program we have in the criminal justice system.  The appropriate course of action is to conduct more sophisticated research to improve the intervention and to develop standards to guide the actions of Drug Court professionals.

Drug Courts are here to stay not because they are politically palatable, but because they have withstood, time and again, rigorous empirical scrutiny.  They work where few other programs have.  The time has come for the Drug Court field to reach full maturity.  And like other mature disciplines, such as medicine or psychology, this means developing guidelines for effective and ethical practices.
  
The time has come for serious-minded constituencies to cease taking blind swipes at Drug Courts and vying for attention and limited resources.  We need to come together to determine who should be treated in Drug Courts, how to optimize Drug Court operations, and how to avoid or redress any potential harms.  This is what is meant by rational drug policy.

Debbie Ponder: Spotlight

Debbie Ponder came to Reconnecting Families through Kiwanis and we are very thankful to have her! She works for Suddath, a moving company, and we are proud to say that the 27th Annual Cobb County United Way Heart In Hand individual winner was Debbie Ponder! Debbie was the winner of the United Way in Cobb County Volunteer of the Year award! United Way engages all segments of our community to drive sustainable change in education, income, health and homelessness while continuing to address urgent and basic human care.

We look forward to all the amazing things in your furture Debbie!