
Program Overview
The Offender Reentry Program (ORP) is a voluntary program designed to assist adult offenders diagnosed with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders (COD), returning to the five NYC boroughs from NYS Department of Correction and Community Supervision (DOCCS) prisons [primarily Sing Sing and Bedford Hills, as identified and referred to us by OMH/DOCCS] after serving a minimum sentence of 6 months for a felony. ORP aims to improve community reintegration and reduce recidivism for this highly vulnerable population through evidence-based practices, intensive case management, clinical care coordination, Peer Recovery Support Services (PRSS), and linkage to NYC’s extensive programs/resources. ORP Clinical Care Coordinators/Case Managers engage returnees in a working relationship while incarcerated and sustain engagement beyond release (for at least 9 months) to identify healthy/appropriate coping skills, expand problem-solving techniques, and develop an Individual Service Plan (ISP), featuring person-centered goals targeting individualized challenges related to the immediate reentry process to not only achieve long-term stability, but increase identity capital as well as restore personal success. On the day of scheduled release, returnees are met by assigned ORP staff and Forensic ICM at their designated parole office to make their initial community report, to review their initial supervision plan, including general and/or special orders and parole conditions. ORP participants are later escorted to their approved residence or supportive housing program to ensure safe arrival and secure placement. Furthermore, once approved by parole supervision, returnees are connected to a full range of vocational and training opportunities (e.g., educational and/or skills training, career interests, goals for family responsibilities, job preferences, transportation, networking), by EAC’s Vocational Specialist.
Number of Clients Served:
As of December 2022, ORP has enrolled a total of 142 participants, successfully referring all to various agencies for mental health and substance use treatment, medical care, supportive housing, rehabilitation, career development/vocational training, and/or other services located in the five NYC boroughs and Long Island.
Funding Generously Provided by:
ORP is funded by private donations & SAMHSA-CSAT.
Program Contact:
Gabrielle Herman, LMHC/CSOTP
Program Director
gabrielle.herman@eac-network.org
718-975-0180 x340
Sam Fitzgerald
Program Coordinator
samantha.fitzgerald@eac-network.org
646-841-7171
Francisco “Frankie” Hernandez
Peer Recovery Support Specialist (PRSS)
francisco.hernandez@eac-network.org
929-333-6354
Dominique Chapman
Care Coordinator/Case Manager
dominique.chapman@eac-network.org
646-841-7394
Contact Information:
175 Remsen Street
5th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-975-0180 x340

Program Description
Re-entering individuals navigate significant challenges and barriers transitioning from incarceration to the community, which often include limitations on employment prospects, public housing, and access to clinical and social services. ORP is a voluntary program designed to assist adult offenders diagnosed with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders (COD), returning to the five NYC boroughs from NYS Department of Correction and Community Supervision (DOCCS) prisons [primarily Sing Sing and Bedford Hills, as identified and referred to us by OMH/DOCCS] after serving a minimum sentence of 6 months for a felony. ORP targets a total of 55 unduplicated and additional individuals fitting this demographic per year for a total of 275 for the grant period. We aim to improve community reintegration and reduce recidivism for this highly vulnerable population through evidence-based practices, intensive case management, clinical care coordination, Peer Recovery Support Services (PRSS), and linkage to NYC’s extensive programs/resources.
ORP utilizes mutually reinforcing, evidence-based practices (EBPs) demonstrated effective in reducing recidivism: Risk-Needs-Responsivity (RNR), Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions (COMPAS), Critical Time Intervention (CTI), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Interactive Journaling (IJ). ORP Clinical Care Coordinators/Case Managers engage returnees in a working relationship while incarcerated and sustain engagement beyond release (for at least 9 months) to identify healthy/appropriate coping skills, expand problem-solving techniques, and develop an Individual Service Plan (ISP), featuring person-centered goals targeting individualized challenges related to the immediate reentry process to not only achieve long-term stability, but increase identity capital as well as restore personal success.
On the day of scheduled release, returnees are met by assigned ORP staff and Forensic ICM at their designated parole office to make their initial community report, to review their initial supervision plan, including general and/or special orders and parole conditions. ORP participants are later escorted to their approved residence or supportive housing program to ensure safe arrival and secure placement. Furthermore, once approved by parole supervision, returnees are connected to a full range of vocational and training opportunities (e.g., educational and/or skills training, career interests, goals for family responsibilities, job preferences, transportation, networking), by EAC’s Vocational Specialist.
Outcomes:
ORP is a five-year award (January 15, 2020, to January 14, 2025), targeting a total of 55 unduplicated and additional individuals fitting this demographic per year, for a total of 275 for the grant period.
Statistics Year 1 (2020):
- Intake Rate Achieved: 61.7%; Average for all other SAMHSA Treatment Drug Court grantees: 66.3%
- 6-Month Follow-Up Rate Achieved: 100%; Average for all other SAMHSA Treatment Drug Court grantees: 74%
Statistics Year 2 (2021):
- Intake Rate Achieved: 84%; Average for all other SAMHSA Treatment Drug Court grantees: 78%
- 6-Month Follow-Up Rate Achieved: 79.6%; Average for all other SAMHSA Treatment Drug Court grantees: 48%
Statistics Year 3 (2022): For the most recent cycle ending on July 31, 2022 –
- Intake Rate Achieved: 93%; Current average for all other SAMHSA Treatment Drug Court grantees: 84%
- 6-Month Follow-Up Rate Achieved: 81.2%; Current average for all other SAMHSA Treatment Drug Court grantees: 47.4%
How You Can Help:
DONATE NOWWhat People Say About ORP:
I am excited to be back home and to have a support system [ORP], especially since my family lives out of state.
“Thank you for always checking-in and being there when I have questions.”