Programming at Horizons, Inc.

In order to meet the needs of the population we serve, Horizons has developed a wide range of services in six primary programs. All programming incorporates a gender specific, culturally diverse service delivery system that utilizes the principles of cognitive intervention and restorative justice.

Funding from the Department of Corrections, United Way, Wisconsin Community Service Network, Inc. (WCSN), private foundations, and other resources has allowed the agency to provide a broad continuum of services focused on providing women offenders with the tools necessary to avoid recidivism.

Primary Programming:

Horizon House – three month residential program

Community Connections – 18 month aftercare program

Additional Programming:

HIV Education and Prevention Program

Substance Abuse Prevention Program

Family Revitalization Program

Transitional Care Coordination Program

Horizon House

Residential Treatment Services

Horizons House is a 90-day residential treatment program. The objective of Horizons House is to empower each woman to develop the life skills and resources they need to achieve economic and emotional independence while maintaining a crime-free and drug-free lifestyle. The residential program provides compassionate, gender-specific and culturally appropriate programming. A combination of individual, group, and vocational counseling is provided in order to support and confront challenges faced by the women in the program. The primary focus, cognitive intervention, helps women learn how to change the pattern of their criminal thinking – criminal behavior. Women also receive substance abuse prevention/recovery services, guidance with securing a job and working with W-2 agencies, support with re-connecting with family members and children, and support with the child welfare system in re-gaining custody of their children (or connection with foster families). Additional services address parenting, relationship counseling, and childhood abuse and trauma resolution. Family members and partners are included in all programming and residents may remain in group counseling, for a six week period, in order to increase the support received upon reentry into the community.

Community Connections

Outpatient Treatment Services

Community Connections is an AODA outpatient aftercare program that was developed to assist women completing Horizons' residential services in maintaining positive life changes as they move back into the community. Women are eligible for participation for up to 18 months following completion of the residential program. Referrals are from Horizons' residential program and also from the Department of Corrections. This program strives to bridge the service gaps identified in the community through a comprehensive implementation of the Wraparound Service Delivery philosophy. Wraparound promotes teamwork among service providers by designing a "Single Coordinated Plan". The consumer actively participates in the creation of the plan through the identification of her individual needs. Community Connections staff work to facilitate the coordination of the team. Team members include the offender, children and families, parole agents, staff, substance abuse counselors, child welfare staff, fostercare agencies and W-2 agencies. Community Connections participants are expected to participate in substance abuse and life-skill learning sessions Monday through Friday. Community Connections also works to assist participants in obtaining housing and developing meaningful relationships with children and family members. Other activities include:

§ Advocating with child welfare and relatives for re-unification with their children;

§ Ongoing parenting and living skills classes and support;

§ Support in maintaining employment and/or W-2 connections.

Through care coordination, support and training, the individual woman is able to balance the demands placed upon her and remain drug and alcohol-free.