The Importance of Core Services to Support ATI Programs

By Karen Osburn

Discussions often occur in the ATI Board meetings that center around the importance of funding and maintaining "core services" provided by various departments such as FLACRA, Probation, Mental Health and Victims Assistance (to list only a few).   While the participants on the ATI Board are aware of the necessity to have and offer core services to people entering the justice system, many in our county are unaware these services exist or how they assist people.

As a person in recovery from alcohol addiction, I have experienced the benefits of services made available to me by Ontario and Monroe counties.  Due to the observant and helpful staff in the Ontario County Probation Department I was directed into treatment services at FLACRA and Clifton Springs.  As a follow up to treatment at Clifton Springs I entered approximately 18 months of private counseling and lived for about 5 months in a half-way house in the Rochester Area.  I credit these programs and the people involved in them for guiding me toward a useful and sober life.

Today I am a successful, productive, taxpayer in Ontario County.  I participate in my community and have volunteered at the Ontario County Jail hoping to share some of my experiences and hope with women who are currently incarcerated.  A very large percentage of the people in our jails have addiction or mental health problems. Many these people are doomed to become persistent offenders without counseling, treatment, and guidance.  Without help learning to develop healthy lifestyles and setting attainable goals their return to society maybe very difficult.  They may not be able to provide for their families, care for their children or become useful productive citizens without the availability of core services.

I hope we will all become more aware of the benefits offered our community by treatment programs and other services available in our county.  Most of these programs are understaffed and under funded.  By letting our legislators on a local, state and national level know that you support funding for core services you may make a positive difference in the level of care they can provide people entering the justice system in Ontario County.   Without appropriate core services we cannot provide any meaningful alternative to incarceration.