C-STEP Program
General Program Description
The C-STEP Program offers intensive rehabilitative services to offenders and ex-offenders in the community. These services are offered through individual counselling and group interventions. A range of programs are offered covering two major areas: cognitive restructuring and employability skill development.
Cognitive Restructuring-Based Group Interventions:
Alternatives, Associates & Attitudes (AAA)
Community Maintenance Program (CMP)
Generic Relapse Prevention Program (GRP)
Adaptive and Creative Thinking (ACT) Program
Employability Skills Development:
Employment Preparation Program
Individual Employment Counselling
Youth Services Program (YSP)
Workplace Safety Workshops
Computer Tutoring Program
Linkages Program
Skills Link Program
Drop-in Services
A detailed description of each is provided below.
Eligibility
Any offender or ex-offender may apply to the program. Referrals are accepted from the clients themselves, parole officers, probation officers, classification officers, social workers, counsellors or family members. All applicants are assessed through an interview process.
Cognitive Restructuring-Based Group Interventions
Alternatives, Associates & Attitudes (AAA) is designed to target the highest risk subgroup of our clients who have been identified as possessing strong pro-criminal beliefs and entrenched rationalizations that support their anti-social behaviour. This approach is delivered over 26 three-hour sessions and three individual sessions. AAA was developed by Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) and replaced Counter Point and Reasoning & Rehabilitation, it is grounded in Albert Ellis’s REB Therapy.
Community Maintenance Program (CMP) is a CSC program that is intended to provide maintenance in the community for graduates of all national reintegration programs with a relapse prevention component. Participants are of moderate to high risk to re-offend. The program consists of twelve sessions per cycle. These sessions alternate between review of six core skill areas consistent across programs and self-management sessions designed to monitor client risk factors. CSC Programs with a relapse prevention component include: Violence Prevention Program, Anger and Emotions Management, Family Violence Prevention (high and moderate intensity), National Substance Abuse Program (high, moderate and low intensity), Alternatives, Associates & Attitudes, Counter Point and four Aboriginal Programs. CMP is designed as an open intake program to be offered weekly.
Generic Relapse Prevention is a ‘brief’ intervention (six group sessions) designed to assist participants in understanding their offense cycles and relapse prevention, as well as provide them with coping strategies to decrease likelihood of a relapse. It attempts to provide basic self-management skills which can be reinforced through subsequent, more extensive programs.
Adaptive and Creative Thinking (ACT) Program. This project, funded by HRLE, was first piloted in September of 2003 and is designed to expose HRLE at-risk youth (ages 18-29 years) to cognitive strategies and skills that helps them approach their current dilemmas in a more adaptive, creative and solution-focussed manner. By teaching them the skills and attitudes required to be successful in the labour market, the program is significantly improving their employability. C-STEP partners with agencies delivering the Skills Link and Linkages programs, delivering the ACT workshop as part of the participant’s orientation before they commence employment placements. This strategy appears to be very helpful to clients entering the workforce in terms of increasing job maintenance outcomes.
Employability Skills Development
The Employment Preparation Program focuses on career self-exploration/personal evaluation, skills enhancement, and job maintenance skills. Follow-up placement subsequent to group work provides opportunities for work experiences in the private sector or support in retraining. Close links are maintained with JHS Employment Services on Water St. in order to effectively coordinate client interventions.
Individual Employment Counselling is offered to assist clients in securing job placements. This last step of career development is often the most daunting and challenging for clients. This service bridges a critical gap in a client’s transition to independent, pro-social living by liaising with potential employers and clients through initial hiring and job maintenance.
C-STEP also offers a Linkages project which continues to be supported by Human Resources, Labour and Employment. Funding is provided for employment placements and supportive bi-weekly sessions. This program provides an immense opportunity to our clients who are trying to enter the job market.
Skills Link is a wage subsidy program offering support for clients ages 15 - 30 entering the work force. Services are offered to ten clients annually.
The Youth Services Program (YSP) offers support to youth between the ages of 18 and 25. It provides supportive counselling services including employment, educational and/or training opportunities. (see a more detailed description under ‘services’).
C-STEP offers Workplace Safety Workshops four times per year. These workshops are half or full day workshops. Upon completion clients receive a certificate and can add the workshops to their resume. (Basic First Aid, WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems) and Flagsperson Safety).
The volunteer assisted computer tutoring program is designed to help clients become computer literate or proficient in basic software. This one-on-one, self-paced program utilizes community volunteers to provide clients with training in various computer software application and operating programs that they otherwise would not have access to. Key-In Technical College continues to provide opportunity for challenge exams (fees paid by HRLE) and certificates.
Long term follow-up services to all participants completing any of the above training programs are available for an indefinite time period. This ranges from free résumé and faxing services to personal counselling.
Staff Resources
- Director
- Administrative Assistant
- Senior Program Facilitator
- 3-4 Program Facilitators
- Computer Tutor Volunteers
Contact Information
Director: Carolyn Hapgood30 Harvey Road
St. John's NL
A1C 2G1
Tel: (709) 739-7953
Fax: (709) 739-4999
Email: cstep@jhsnl.ca