Easter Seals Disability Services

Easter Seals-Goodwill Awarded $1.2 Million grant for Offender Reentry Center in Boise, Idaho 

Easter Seals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain, Inc. was recently awarded a 3-year $1.2 million grant from The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) to develop and operate a one-stop Reentry Center in Boise for men and women leaving Idaho’s prisons.

“Our goal is to help individuals leaving Idaho's prisons receive substance abuse treatment and mental health care immediately upon release, as well as a variety of wrap-around reentry services. All of these services will be offered in a single location,” said DeLanie Valentine, director of Idaho workforce reentry services at Easter Seals-Goodwill.

The Reentry Center is a unique partnership between Easter Seals-Goodwill, Idaho Department of Correction, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Labor, Ascent Behavioral Health and numerous nonprofit agencies.  “By providing services in one centrally-located facility, we hope that individuals can easily access needed services ranging from employment assistance to family reunification counseling,” said Valentine.

Between September 2008 and August 2009 Easter Seals-Goodwill workforce reentry services assisted more than 800 individuals in the Idaho corrections system in successfully reentering the community.  Recidivism among program participants was 10%, compared to Idaho’s three-year average of 38%.

According to SAMHSA acting administrator Eric Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H., "Treating substance abuse and providing recovery support services is the key to breaking the well known cycle between incarceration and drug abuse.  This program provides a solid foundation for people working to restart their lives and become productive members of the community."