Deputy Director of Women and Family Services

[WAID]

Deputy Director of Women and Family Services: Debbie Denning
 
Illinois Department of Corrections
1301 Concordia Court, Exec. OFC
P.O. Box 19277
Springfield, IL 62794-9277

217-558-2200
 
Institutions under the Women and Family Services Division are Dwight Correctional Center, Kankakee Minimum Security Unit, Decatur Correctional Center, Lincoln Correctional Center and Fox Valley Adult Transition Center.

Under the direction of Director Roger E. Walker Jr., the Women and Family Services Division operates under the mission of the Illinois Department of Corrections with a concentration on the development and implementation of policies, programs and services needed to respond specifically to women's pathways in and out of crime and to the contexts of their lives that support criminal behavior.

Treatment and services for women are based on women's competencies and strengths and promote self-reliance. Women focus groups are evident in the division, such as healing from trauma, domestic violence, sexual assault survivor and grief understanding groups and relationship building. Substance abuse treatment is designed to be specific to gender and deals with pathways into substance abusing behavior. To fully address the needs of women, the programs use a variety of interventions with behavioral, cognitive, effective/dynamic and systems perspectives. Gender responsive assessment tools and individualized treatment plans are used with appropriate treatment matched to the identified needs and assets of each offender. Spiritual programs are also encouraged and considered an important element of the holistic treatment concept.

Children and families play an important role in the management of offenders in custodial settings. The Women and Family Services Division has created programs to maintain and strengthen family ties, particularly between parents and children. All facilities within the division offer parenting programs for all levels of offenders. At the Decatur, Dwight, Lincoln, and Fox Valley facilities, family activities range from day camps for mothers and children, video visiting programs, storybook programs, summer read programs, 4-H clubs and holiday activities for mothers and children.

Numerous opportunities in the areas of vocational education are available to the women offenders. An initiative of the division, which is currently being pursued, is the linkage between the vocational program and employers in the community who are willing to hire ex-offenders. The division has plans to use job fairs and community sponsors to further enhance this initiative. The goal is to expand home-based business opportunities for the female offender as well as create a foundation for financial independence for the mother and her children. Currently women are being trained as service dog trainers, pet groomers, nail technicians, cosmetologists, computer specialists, building maintenance and in the culinary arts programs.

The division promotes cultural awareness and sensitivity through the resources and strengths available through staff, volunteers and community organizations. Mentoring programs are being developed to assist the incarcerated adult in bridging the gap between prison and community. Transitional programs are included as part of gender responsive practices, with a particular focus on building long-term community support networks for women. All facilities within the Women and Family Services Division have referral sources and funding for transitional assistance in housing, employment and educational needs. This support is through various grant-funded programs as well as through the department's Placement Resource Unit. Additionally, all women who are released from the Women and Family Services Division are given the opportunity to take home clothing donated by the community. The clothing ranges from casual to business attire. Donations are accepted by all of the facilities.

A final initiative is to become good neighbors to the community. Currently, the division participates in the following community service projects: Wigs for Kids donations, Harvest Walks for the Hungry, Project Linus, in which crocheted and quilted items are donated to critically ill children, and Special Olympics activities. Through joint participation by staff and offenders in these worthwhile projects, the division hopes to raise the level of awareness of volunteerism and good faith to the community.

The Illinois Department of Corrections Women and Family Services Division on May 10, 2007, hosted a special ribbon cutting ceremony for the Moms and Babies Program at Decatur Correctional Center. The program allows qualified mothers to keep their newborn babies with them and supports the incarcerated mother in developing and nurturing a bond with her infant through effective programming and a safe and supportive living environment. The program also affords the opportunity to build a sound foundation for a strong family structure to continue upon release.

“The Mom and Babies program is designed to help strengthen the special bond that is critical to a healthy mother child relationship. This new program recognizes the parental role and responsibilities of the female offender and helps prepare her to take proper care of her child when she reenters society,” said IDOC Director Roger E. Walker Jr. “We want to give moms and babies a good start together for a more productive life outside the confines of the correctional facility.”

The Moms and Babies Program is a pilot program that can currently accommodate five mothers and their babies, with a long-range goal of housing up to 20 mothers and babies. The Moms and Babies Program continues to be in the forefront of gender-responsive programming by providing opportunity for the incarcerated mother and her newborn to bond in a setting that nurtures physical and emotional health. Such programming helps to reduce recidivism and the chances of children someday continuing the cycle of incarceration.

Donations: The Women and Family Services Division is frequently contacted regarding donations. The division freely accepts women's clothing items, scrap material for quilts, crochet yarn, color paper for crafts, children's toys (without metal), religious materials and greeting card donations. To donate items, please contact the deputy director's office at the Decatur Correctional Center at 217-877-0353, ext. 422.