Week in Review: August 2, 2024

August 2, 2024

In this issue of Week in Review for August 2, CDCR observes National Parents Day, DAPO’s Bakersfield Parole Complex holds second Women’s Empowerment event, and CCWF celebrates first ever Peer Support Specialist Program graduates.

Observations

Parents Day

National Parents’ Day is a holiday recognized each year on the fourth Sunday of July. President Bill Clinton and Congress established Parents’ Day in 1994 to recognize all parents in the upbringing of their children. A parent, whether related by blood or not, is an individual that has vowed to uphold the responsibility of raising a child as their own. A parent is the person a child depends on, seeks for answers, and should feel safest with – physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Parents play an integral role in raising the next generation of adults how to be productive members of society, but to also encourage curiosity, creativity, and learning. Afterall, the children of today are the scientists, artists, and leaders of tomorrow. None of this would be possible without the commitment and sacrifice of parents.

We recognize all parents this National Parents’ Day and thanks them for their endless efforts in nurturing the adults of tomorrow.

To encourage employees to expand their knowledge and gain new experiences, CDCR/CCHCS GARE Ambassadors are sharing celebrations and awareness days throughout the year. To learn more about the diversity, equity and inclusion efforts visit the GARE website.

Submission by GARE Ambassador Rebecca Mansir

Division of Adult Parole Operations

San Bernardino Parole helps donate back-to-school supplies

Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO), San Bernardino Parole District participated in Inland Empire’s Rebound backpack giveaway. Inland Empire Rebound organized the event and aimed to support local students and their families as they prepare for the upcoming school year.

Inland Empire Rebound is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting at-risk youth and their families.

The organization created the backpack giveaway as part of its mission to foster educational opportunities and community development. Hundreds of families gathered to receive the donated items. Each backpack was filled with school supplies including notebooks, pencils, crayons, and other essentials to help students start the school year prepared and confident.

Visit the Inland Empire Rebound website to learn more about the organization.

DAPO’s Bakersfield Parole Complex holds second Women’s Empowerment event

bakersfield dapo hosts women empowerment event

Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO), Bakersfield Parole Complex held its second Women’s Empowerment event. Fourteen female parolees attended the event, with six coming from CDCR’s Female Community Reentry Program (FCRP).

The event was sponsored by:

McDonald’s
Sephora
Starbucks
and Community Action Partnership of Kern County (CAPK).

Guest speaker Glenda Woolfolk, from No Sister Left Behind, and Trauma Peer Support Case Worker Ky engaged the attendees with interactive exercises. They also discussed alternatives on dealing with trauma.

Dr. Laurie Garcia, from Kern Health Systems, educated participants about their services and employment opportunities for justice-involved individuals. Nicole Roberson, from CAPK, talked about the organization’s adult reentry program.

In the Community

PVSP Employee Action Committee presents staff children with scholarships

Pleasant Valley State Prison’s (PVSP) Employee Action Committee (EAC) awarded scholarship checks to high school seniors of institution staff members. Out of 18 submissions, EAC chose two candidates whose overall high school grade-point average and biography submission exceeded the rest. Both received $500 scholarships presented by the institution.

PVSP EAC President Ashley McVay, acting Chief Deputy Warden Ryan Anderson, and board members presented the check to Ava Flores, daughter of Officer Sergio Flores.

McVay, acting Warden Steven Smith, and Anderson also presented a check to Trevor Sen, son of Gloria Martinez, the institution’s return-to-work coordinator.

Established in 1995, PVSP’s EAC is a non-profit organization serving institution staff and their families.

Rehabilitation

CCWF celebrates first Peer Support Specialist Program graduates

Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla celebrated 36 Peer Support Specialist Program (PSSP) graduates on July 24.

These women were the first PSSP graduating cohort in any prison, worldwide. The program allows CDCR/CCHCS to train incarcerated people to use their lived experiences to provide valuable and trusted recovery and rehabilitative support to their peers. When Peer Support Specialists return to the community, they can use this experience to earn a livable wage.

Graduates at CCWF have completed training, internship hours, and only need to pass required testing to receive their PSSP certification. CCWF incarcerated people, staff, and administrators from across the state attended the ceremony to congratulate these pioneers.

“Today you are making history, and what you are doing today is going to transcend beyond these walls. It doesn’t get any better than this,” said CCHCS Chief Nurse Executive Affie Tamuno-Koko.

CMF incarcerated graduates in cap and gown

California Medical Facility’s (CMF) Rising Scholars Program graduation

Solano Community College (SCC) recently hosted a graduation ceremony for California Medical Facility’s (CMF) Rising Scholars Program. The ceremony included speeches by college Deans Sandy Lamba and Tony Zitko. CMF Warden Daniel Cueva also spoke during the event.

“I’m so proud of our education department employees and SCC for pouring into our population. These incarcerated students have worked hard to earn the degrees they are receiving today,” said Cueva.

Thirty-one associate degrees were received by 22 incarcerated student graduates. Also, 38 incarcerated students were announced as Phi Theta Kappa inductees. This is the only honor society named by the American Association of Community Colleges as an official honor society for two-year colleges.

Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services

Staff attends California State Fair First Responders Day

Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services (OVSRS) participated in First Responders Day at the California State Fair.

Crowds stopped by to learn about the office’s mission and what types of services are offered to victims of crime.

Staff answered questions, educating the public about victims’ rights after sentencing. The office has attended First Responders Day at the California State Fair for more than 10 years.

In the Media

Folsom State Prison helps the next generation of students

The Incarcerated Advisory Council (IAC) at Folsom State Prison (FSP) recently donated over $17,000 to the Foundation for California Community Colleges. This was also highlighted in the Week in Review for July 19.

Visit Folsom Times website to read the full story.

They pair former inmates with homeowners, with unusual success. And they’re expanding to Long Beach

A lot can change in 16 years. Cannabis became legal in California. Cars began driving themselves. And smartphones made the slow march into adulthood, changing how we pay bills, apply for a job, arrange a ride or schedule a doctor visit.

Daaron Hammond, unfortunately, wasn’t around for the transition. Since 2008, the 32-year-old had been in prison.

Visit Long Beach Post News website to read the full story.