T.O.U.C.H. Mentoring Program

T.O.U.C.H. is a group and individual mentoring-centered reentry program. Using a personalized approach, we aim to help individuals take charge of the change they want to see in their life. In addition to mentoring, we provide life skills workshops, as well as essential transitional services and referrals.

Quick Facts:

Focus of initiative/program:
  • Education
  • Mentoring
  • wraparound services
Inititative/program name:
T.O.U.C.H.
Year Established:
2008
Lead agency/organization name:
MCS-T.O.U.C.H.
Population served by initiative/program:
  • Returning from local detention facilities
  • Returning from local jails
  • Returning from prison
  • Not under community corrections supervision
  • Under community corrections supervision (parole or probation)
  • Adults
  • Men
  • Women
  • People convicted of a violent offense
  • People convicted of a non-violent offense

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    T.O.U.C.H. Mentoring Program

    Contact:

    Brian Woods
    Executive Director
    T.O.U.C.H.
    Phone: 614-338-8733
    3968 E Main St
    Columbus, Ohio 43213
    touchprgm@yahoo.com

    www.touchimp.org

    T.O.U.C.H. Mentoring Program

    Initiatives and Programs

    Focus of initiative/program:
    • Education
    • Mentoring
    • wraparound services
    Inititative/program name:
    T.O.U.C.H.
    Lead agency/organization name:
    MCS-T.O.U.C.H.

    Funding

    Funding sources for initiative/program:
    donations, state and local funding

    Partners in the reentry initiative/program

    Informal Agreement Formal Agreement
    (e.g., a written contract or an MOU) with this partner.
    Community- and faith-based services providers:
    X
    Education and training providers (e.g., local public school officials, vocational instructors):
    X
    Health, mental health, and substance abuse treatment providers:
    X
    Housing officials:
    X
    Institutional corrections (e.g., DOC, jail, prison):
    X
    Members of the community (e.g., people who have been incarcerated, their families or neighbors):
    X
    Other criminal justice agencies (e.g., prosecutors, judges):
    X
    Transportation providers:
    X
    Work force development and employment agencies (e.g. business associations, unions):
    X

    Participants

    Population served by initiative/program:
  • Returning from local detention facilities
  • Returning from local jails
  • Returning from prison
  • Not under community corrections supervision
  • Under community corrections supervision (parole or probation)
  • Adults
  • Men
  • Women
  • People convicted of a violent offense
  • People convicted of a non-violent offense
    • Total number of people who have participated in initiative/program to date:
    200+
    Total number of people currently participating in initiative/program:
    20+
    Total number of people who can be served at one time:
    40+
    If your initiative/program serves people under community corrections supervision, how does your organization work in partnership or work in collaboration with participants’ probation or parole officers?
    We are in regular contact with our participant's probation/parole officer and send out monthly updates to them. Probation and parole officers often recommend supervisees to our program. We are certified as Reentry Approved by the Adult Parole Authority and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

    Data Collection

    Does your organization collect demographic data on participants?
    Yes
    If "yes", what kind of data? And what results has this data yielded?
    - Approximately 70% of participants are African American Males - The average age of our participants is approximately 35 years Men (March 2009-March 2010): - 50% have been incarcerated 1 time; 21% have been incarcerated 2 times; 29% have been incarcerated 3 or more times. - 28% have a high school diploma; 20% have a GED; 36% have completed 1 year of college; 12% have a degree Women (March 2009-March 2010): - 57% have been incarcerated 1 time; 30% have been incarcerated 2 times; 13% have been incarcerated 3 or more times - 23% have a high school diploma; 42% have a GED; 27% have completed 1 year of college; 4% have a degree
    Does your organization collect data about the process of your initiative/program?
    Yes
    If "yes", what kind of data? And what results has this data yielded?
    We track the number of referrals we make, to what organizations, and what areas of services (housing, mental health, furniture, etc.). In addition, we have an in-house clothing bank at our facility which is free to all participants and their immediate families.
    Does your organization measure and/or track the outcome of participation?
    Yes
    If "yes", what kind of data? And what results has this data yielded?
    We track our participants for up to one year post-graduation. We do this in collaboration with probation and parole officers, public records, participants' families, our partner agencies, and various other sources. The personal connection we make with each participant also makes tracking easier, as most of them come back to share their success stories and keep us updated on their lives. In addition, each participant is assisted with setting up an email account, and we communicate with them regularly via email. Of the 50+ graduated participants, 3 have re-offended. More than 20 have enrolled in higher education and more than 20 have obtained employment.

    Activities

    What, if any, activities does your initiative/program include for people while they are incarcerated and how do these activities differ from those offered to the general population?
    We send 90, 60, and 30 day letters to potential participants. These letters encourage them to enroll in our program, provide positive support, and begin the process of building a trusting relationship.
    What activities does your organization engage in post-release and how do these activities differ from those offered to the general population?
    Our program is centered around curriculum-based mentoring. The curriculum is unique as it was developed in-house using a combination of research, best practices, and personal experience. We have a very personalized approach and each participant is served based on his or her individual needs. Each participant is engaged in one-on-one mentoring, and at this time an Individualized Service Plan (ISP) is created. In the subsequent sessions the ISP is updated and as dictated by the change in the participant's goals, needs, circumstances, and available resources. We aim to provide a consistently positive environment and support system, and participants are always welcome at our facility whether it is to use a computer, talk to someone, or just as a place of respite from the negativity in their lives.
    How are people placed into your program?
    Referral probation/parole officers, other agencies, family members, and past participants often refer to our program.
    Explore the Justice Center’s Websites
    CSG Justice Center Criminal Justice / Mental Health Consensus Project Justice Reinvestment National Reentry Resource Center Reentry Policy Council