County Selects Hope Haven-Rebos for Jail AODA Treatment Pilot

February 27, 2003
Bruce Nicholas, Hope Haven-Rebos, Program Director, 255-0359 or 289-4439 (cell) Topf Wells, Dane County Executive’s office, 266-9069 David Carlson, Human Services Dept., 242-6424
County Executive

Dane County officials today announced that Hope Haven-Rebos United, Inc. of Madison has been selected to operate a proposed alcohol and other drug treatment pilot program involving inmates at the county jail. Final contract details with Hope Haven-Rebos have yet to be negotiated, but the proposal they submitted was within the $211,430 budgeted by the county for the program in 2003. “This selection is an important step forward in this process,” said Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk. “We appreciate everyone’s work to get us to this point and we are looking forward to working with Hope Haven-Rebos in a successful collaboration.” Hope-Haven Rebos was one of three finalists considered by the county. Officials noted that all of the bidders were very strong in terms of organization, but Hope Haven-Rebos stood out in their proposal for delivery of services. Sentenced inmates at the Dane County Jail who have Huber work release privileges and a history of alcohol and other drug abuse issues will be eligible for the voluntary program. Participants who are accepted to the program will receive 30 days of intensive alcohol and drug abuse treatment at a facility in the community. Those who successfully complete the first 30-day phase of the program will be released from jail into the community on electronic monitoring, supervised by the sheriff’s office. They will continue to receive an additional six to nine months of treatment services. Participants who successfully complete the program will have the remainder of their jail sentences stayed. If a participant fails to meet the requirements of the program they would be required to serve the remainder of the sentence. “The goals of this program are to improve public safety, reduce overcrowding in our jail, save taxpayer money and reclaim lives,” said Falk. “By getting these individuals the help they need with their substance abuse problems, we are confident we can reduce their chances of returning to the criminal justice system and break their addictive behaviors.” The program is expected to begin in April. # # #