Worcester, MA – November 14, 2016 – On November 1st, Spectrum’s State Director of MA Correctional Services Earl Warren presented at the New England Reentry Conference, a first-of-its-kind gathering of federal reentry professionals from across the region, held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. The conference was organized by the six New England United States Attorneys to highlight regional initiatives that are improving outcomes for returning citizens. Spectrum was asked to participate in a plenary discussion of federal reentry grant programs by U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Carmen Ortiz.
Mr. Warren’s presentation focused on Spectrum Health Systems’ 3-year, one million dollar Second Chance Act grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice to implement a peer mentoring program for individuals with substance use disorders returning to communities statewide. The program was implemented in January 2016 and has already engaged over 100 returning citizens and 50 volunteer peer mentors.
“It was an honor to be recognized by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts for receiving one of the largest recent Second Chance Act grant awards in New England,” stated Mr. Warren. “Our Project Peer Connection is already helping dozens of returning citizens thrive thanks to a successful pilot program, also funded by the landmark Second Chance Act legislation, long-standing partnerships with criminal justice authorities, and healthy connections to service providers statewide. We appreciate the opportunity to showcase this cost-efficient model reentry program.”
The New England Reentry Conference was attended by more than 300 service providers, law enforcement professionals, employers, corrections and government officials, educators and the general public.
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About Spectrum Health Systems
Based in Worcester, Mass. and founded in 1969, Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. is a private, nonprofit substance abuse and mental health treatment provider. Spectrum currently treats 80,000 individuals each year through more than 140 programs in community-based settings and correctional institutions throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington State.
