On March 28, SCI Fayette's and SCI Greene's Reentry Services Office (RSO) programs held joint Reentry Symposiums at their respective institutions, which were attended by more than 250 inmates between the two institutions.
At SCI Fayette, the event started with Social Worker Tony Rivera giving an overview of the RSO program. The featured morning speakers started with Elaina Ingalls from MHA, who spoke about Medicaid and the Health Insurance Marketplace. Next, Theodore Washington from Pittsburgh Community Service, Inc. shared his reentry story and spoke about his role as an employment coordinator assisting returning citizens with finding employment. Dr. Tamare Piersaint from California University of PA ended the morning session with a talk about continuing education.
At SCI Greene, the event began with Social Worker Sara Dillard providing an RSO program overview. Their morning session included Alisa Hatchett from CareerLink speaking about employment, Sheila Silman from Erie County Reentry Service and Support Alliance speaking about the need for a strong support system, and Jeffrey Bond and Radee Hammett from Philadelphia Fight. Bond and Hammett, both ex-offenders and employment coordinators themselves, shared their reentry experiences and talked about how their organization works as a one-stop-shop for returning citizens in Philadelphia.
After a break for lunch and count, the presenters went to the other prison to present to those inmates.
The successful day was coordinated by SCI Greene Social Worker Sara Dillard and SCI Fayette's Social Worker Tony Rivera.
SCI Fayette staff would like to thank Corrections Counselor 2 Cheryl Erickson, Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist 2 Matt Brown, Psychological Services Specialist Kristin Jeffries and School Principal Edward Bohna for coordinating the program with SCI Greene.
SCI Greene would like to thank Social Workers Sara Dillard, Tony Rivera and Keli Reams, Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist Supervisor Sue Fazzini, Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist 2 Elizabeth Fazzini and Psychological Services Specialist Tracy Shreve for their coordination efforts.