Tulsa, Oklahoma - Women in Recovery (WIR)
Program
Dear Friends:
Oklahoma has the highest national rate of female
incarceration at 131 women per 100,000 as compared
to the national average of 69 per 100,000.
Two-thirds of female offenders in Tulsa County need
substance abuse treatment and have a history of
trauma and violence. Over 41% of female offenders
were incarcerated for drug related offenses and 32%
for other non violent offenses. Unfortunately the
trend in Oklahoma is for continued increases in
female incarceration rates. The majority of women
have at least one child, putting hundreds of
children at risk of being separated from their
mother. The impact and collateral damage on
children’s lives is quite evident including abuse,
truancy and school failure, trauma, delinquency,
substance abuse and behavior disorders.
Beginning June 1, 2009, Family & Children’s Services
in Tulsa, Oklahoma, now provides the only
comprehensive treatment and support service program
in Oklahoma with a dedicated service delivery system
for female offenders at risk of incarceration. For
the first time in Tulsa’s history, non-violent women
facing incarceration will have the opportunity to
recover from substance abuse, be self-sufficient,
reunite with their children and become better
parents and ultimately be diverted from
incarceration. This will not only benefit program
participants and the local community, but will also
reduce the cost to the state of incarcerating
non-violent female offenders.
Women In Recovery (WIR) teaches women about health,
wellness, relapse prevention, parenting and building
healthy relationships. The program also helps women
conquer their drug addiction and acquire the
essential economic, emotional and social tools to
build successful and productive lives. It is a
program for women who want to become positive,
contributing members of our community and who
believe in the power of change to lead law-abiding
lives.
In
addition to counseling, medical services, life skills
training, parent education, family reunification and
intensive case management, WIR has also built in a mind
and body connection program three days a week to address
the psychological as well as physical aspects of
recovery. Staff anticipates seeing a reduction in
stress, increased relaxation response and improved
overall health and wellness. This “easily” learned
practice provided by a certified yoga instructor has
already seen a decrease in anxiety and an increase in
self-regulatory practices.
The goal for year one is to serve 25 women and 50 women
in year two that would otherwise be prison bound. Our
funding is limited and focused around treatment
intervention, but it is our belief that the yoga classes
that we have integrated into the program curriculum will
greatly enhance in the recovery and wellness of all
participants.
In
addition to our credentialed and experienced yoga
instructor, Lisa Bracken, co-owner of Canebrake in
Wagoner, Oklahoma is providing consultation and
direction in order to assure high standards and best
practices in the field. It was Ms. Bracken, who
suggested we contact you to inquire about the
possibility of donated yoga supplies. We have managed
to collect donated blankets that we can make work, but
we are in dire need of mats, straps, blocks, and
bolsters and kindly ask for your consideration in
supporting our efforts. Used materials would be very
appreciated. We know and believe that every one of our
women can benefit from meditation and relaxation and
everyone can do it not only during their year in the
program but as a lifelong endeavor.
Many thanks for your consideration and please contact me
if I can provide any additional information.
Sincerely,
Mimi Tarrasch
Director of Special Projects
Family & Children's Services
650 South Peoria Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74120
918-230-3112
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