A Note from the Executive Director

As we near the end of one of our most successful years yet, I want to share with you all the latest news at CPI. During the opening of our post-release support groups, we often ask our clients to share one success and one challenge. Their successes often include getting a job, staying sober, or staying free longer than they ever have in their adult lives. In that spirit, I am proud to say that in addition to our numerous client successes, our organizational successes include the following:

• Breaking new ground with research. After compiling three years of internal recidivism data and combing through the most up-to-date research surrounding “what works with offenders,” our staff has proposed a new model of programming for the Targeted Project Re-Enterprise program. The 2009 model will be a six-month pre-release program, using an evidence-based curriculum and more comprehensive assessments of substance abuse, mental health, and risk for re-offense. In order to transition to the new model and have the staff resources to deliver this higher level of service, we have proposed a change in our performance measures. This will result in providing more meaningful services to fewer clients per year. This is great news for our clients, our staff, and the Austin community at large!

• Board growth and new fundraising opportunities. The CPI board has more members, and they have really buckled down this year to develop a solid organizational strategy for growth. The board has shifted its focus from advisory to active support for the organization, creating a new sense of ownership among stakeholders and improving the visibility of CPI’s impressive programs. The board is taking a leadership role in hosting a prison and community art auction and benefit concert in November. In addition, the board has launched a major donor campaign with the help of our development consultant, Gil Jester.

• Celebrating a major milestone for a fantastic partnership. In partnership with Girl Scouts of Central Texas, the YWCA, and The University of Texas School of Social Work, we are celebrating the ten-year anniversary of the Enterprising Girl Scouts Beyond Bars Program! As a result, we will be honoring the Girl Scouts with a 2008 CPI Community Spotlight Award at our upcoming event.

When our clients share their successes, they also share their concerns. Client concerns range from not being able to support their families on a minimum-wage income to struggling to fight relapse while being surrounded by negative influences. Even as we celebrate our accomplishments, we cannot afford to lose sight of our remaining goals. CPI as an organization has come so far, but there is much work left to be done. One of our challenges includes a need for office space in the community.

Being a non-profit housed inside of a state jail facility has been a life saver and a blessing for CPI. Because of our in-kind donation of office space from TDCJ, we were able to bounce back from financial crisis, cut administrative expenses, and build a pre-release program. We plan to always have an office inside the facility, where we provide major services. However, when our clients return to the community and are struggling with life on the outside, there isn’t a great place we can offer them refuge. Other than our post-release group at the Trinity Center, we provide case management and support out of the trunks of our cars and in fast food restaurants. We are in desperate need of a place to call home in the ‘free world.’ This will allow for agency and staff growth as well as a place for our clients to come and search for jobs, talk to a case manager, or just get away from the pressures of trying to stay clean in their neighborhood. Please contact me if you have any ideas about free or very low-cost space in the community where we could offer these services.

Another challenge facing the CPI staff is working with outdated equipment. I would venture to guess it takes our staff twice as long to create newsletters and reports, enter client files, send emails, and research client referrals and program effectiveness with the antiquated computers we have in our office. Every day we play a game of musical chairs to figure out which staff person needs to use which computer for which task to optimize efficiency. We are in great need of some donated computers . . . fast ones.

At the end of each of our post-release support groups, we end with a ‘check out.’ We ask the clients to share one thing they learned or were reminded of in group that evening. One thing I have been reminded of recently is the great creativity and generosity of the Austin/Travis county community around the issue of offender re-entry. CPI has a lot to be grateful for. Thanks so much for your ongoing support! Hope to see you at our fantastic fundraiser!

Laura Elmore Smith, LMSW
Executive Director