Erie County issued the following announcement on July 23.
Erie County President Judge John J. Trucilla, the Court of Common Pleas and Adult Probation/Parole announce the grand opening of the new Erie County Community Resource Center.
The Community Resource Center, located at 1631 Sassafras St., is home to the Day Report Center. It is designed to assist individuals that are under court supervision by providing a blend of services, which are evidence based and tailored to each individual’s needs, under one roof. The program is a minimum of 90 days. If eligibility requirements are met, the Community Resource Center can be a court-ordered special condition in lieu of incarceration.
The Community Resource Center started with former County Councilwoman Carol Loll’s vision in 2001 of reducing recidivism and jail overcrowding.
“This brings many benefits for the qualified offender and eventually for society,” Loll said. “The successful people will become part of society and will not return. They will be productive, contributing citizens. It’s all here in one location; there will be access to treatment and services, reintegration and reentry to society and rehabilitation. It will be a positive impact on the lives of the offenders with a proactive schedule and regimen.”
Those eligible for the program will have a special order by the judge, a minimum of six months’ sentence available in the community, need to obtain a GED and or obtain/maintain full-time employment, and be identified by the probation department to have further needs for the CRC program. The probation department has the final say if an individual will be accepted into the program.
“As President Judge, along with my colleagues on the bench, I am proud to support the Erie County Community Resource Center to again demonstrate that the courts are not to be viewed as merely punitive, but also rehabilitative and committed to reintegrating qualified offenders back into our community as successful contributors.”
Services available include employment assistance, GED preparation/adult education, anger management, cognitive behavioral groups, drug and alcohol testing and services, mental health services, offender supervision and case management. Other services provided in the facility include a DUI program and adult probation/parole services.
“I am thrilled with the work that has been done to bring us to this day,” County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper said. “Carol’s vision combined with this partnership of President Judge Trucilla, Court Administrator Bob Catalde, Adult Probation/Parole Director Paul Markiewicz, County Council and my administration demonstrate the type of results we can accomplish in our community when we work together toward positive change. I look forward to seeing the reduction in recidivism. This is another step toward re-energizing Erie County.”
Original source can be found here.
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