MEETING TIME AND LOCATION
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Wesley United Methodist Church
800 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50316-4304
MEETING AGENDA
At the June meeting, we collected $355 for the
Roberta Peters scholarship fund.
Roberta, who faithfully attended Friends and
other prison related events, passed away in May.
In her memory, FIWP has set up a scholarship named for her.
It would be really nice to raise $550 for one full scholarship.
Donations will be gratefully accepted at our meetings.
You may also contact Vi Darsee at vddarsee@q.com
SIGN IN
MISSION STATEMENT
INTRODUCTIONS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
REPORTS:
ICIW Report – Warden Patti Wachtendorf or ICIW Representative
PROGRAM/FOCUS:
This month we welcome Tristin Potratz, correctional counselor in the STAR 9 month inpatient substance abuse program at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women. Tristin prepared for this position by attending Iowa Central Community College and Buena Vista University where she obtained a degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in psychology. She is currently enrolled at Drake working toward a masters degree in Mental Health Counseling.
She started working for the State of Iowa in March of 1998 as a youth service worker at the Iowa Juvenile Home in Toledo, Iowa. She then took a correctional counselor position at Ft. Dodge Correctional Facility in December 1999, where she worked until her transfer to ICIW in June 2008.
Tristin is responsible to assess, plan and provide treatment and case management services for offenders, meet individually with offenders and participate in classifications/treatment meetings involving assigned offenders, assist offenders in planning for transition from institution to community, create treatment plans for each offender on her caseload, complete assessments on offenders like LSI, TAP, teach 2 classes, put information into the computer systems called ICON and ISMART, follow all licensure requirements and QA files, assign Learning Experiences for pull- ups based on the therapeutic community, complete intake and discharge of offenders, coordinate fundraisers, teach substance abuse class for the new DOC employees, oversee TC Advisory Board, read weekly journals and thinking reports turned in by offenders, help maintain security in institution, and other duties as necessary.
RECAP OF JUNE 18, 2013 MEETING:
Kirk Nesset, Gambling Education Coordinator at MECCA Services in Des Moines, provides gambling prevention education in schools to K thru 12th grades, at the Polk County Jail, and ICIW where he has been conducting weekly classes for the General Population and Unit 9 women since September 2011. He provides simple educational opportunities for the women to better themselves. He uses a variety of tools (media, newspaper, books, and statistical research) to provide a diverse and well-rounded weekly topics and tries never to repeat a program, always offering something positive for them to walk away with. Kirk has a passion for what he does.
Some points he made:
- 99% of meth addicts have a gambling problem.
- Those with addictions become compulsive liars.
- Gambling is not necessarily about money, but a missing emotional component in their lives.
- Kirk has compiled a six page list of those who employ felons.
- In 2012 in Iowa, 363 persons sought gambling treatment
- Key demographic: people age 55+ usually don’t seek treatment unless forced to.
- The general public doesn’t recognize problem gambling.
- BETS OFF hot line provides 4 free sessions with a counselor and additional sessions charged on a sliding scale.
- Group sessions are $6 or more a session.
- Gambling counseling funding is provided to counties based on their population.
- An addicted person goes to bed and wakes up thinking about what they are addicted to.
UPCOMING MEETINGS & PRESENTERS:
In August our presenter will be Elvia Miller. Elvia has over 12 years experience working in treatment facilities and halfway house programs. Her work, life experience and education have given her the knowledge and awareness of the services needed for women to be successful in recovery.
FIWP LEADERSHIP TEAM: There will be a Leadership Team meeting following this meeting