Return-Path: <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id i252clI23598; Thu, 4 Mar 2004 21:38:47 -0500 (EST) Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2004 21:38:47 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <s047a199.096@mailsrv21.gsu.edu> Errors-To: listowner@nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Daphne Greenberg" <alcdgg@langate.gsu.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-womenlit@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-WOMENLIT:2882] More info about Londer Learning Center X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII X-Mailer: Novell GroupWise Internet Agent 6.0.5 Beta Status: O Content-Length: 4657 Lines: 71 Hello all, Some information about the Londer Learning Center. We're part of the Multnomah County Department of Community Justice which serves over 10,000 offenders in and near Portland, Oregon. The center was founded 10 years ago with the help of a judge, Judge Londer, who believed that it would be a good idea to provide offenders with educational opportunities, instead of (or in addition to) jail terms. Our students, whose ages range from 18 to 65 years old, are referred by parole/probation officers, drug and alcohol treatment centers and community courts. Our unique partnerships within the community and with corrections counselors and parole/probation officers have attracted national attention. (We will soon be featured as one of twelve sites researched in the Office of Vocational and Adult Education's "Community Partnerships for Adult Learning" project.) Our own research has shown that participation in our literacy program is a factor in reducing recidivism. We serve primarily medium- to high-risk (ie, risk to re-offend) offenders. Many are involved in residential treatment programs for substance abuse or mental illness. Others are recovering from addictions. They have multiple barriers to employment. We see high rates of low-literacy, as well as suspected learning disabilities (ADD, ADHD). We also serve many clients with brain injuries and MRDD. (And, yes, it would be great to get a grant to study the correlation between learning disabilities, crime and success on probation/parole or in drug/alchol treatment!) We have grown from a drop-in tutoring center, to a learning center that offers basic skill instruction, as well as GED and ESL classes. We are currently serving about 100 students, though some slip in and out of "active student" status due to treatment and probation conflicts. Most students are assessed with 4th to 8th grade reading levels. We teach 3 levels of reading, including 1 low-level reading class for cognitively imparied clients. Cognitive behavioral change classes are also offered. These classes are taught by corrections counselors. For more information, please visit our website! www.co.multnomah.or.us/dcj/acjlonderlearningcurve.shtml Carole Scholl Acting Program Supervisor Londer Learning Center (503) 988-3136, x27299 -----Original Message----- From: Daphne Greenberg [mailto:alcdgg@langate.gsu.edu] Sent: Monday, March 01, 2004 8:11 PM To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: [NIFL-WOMENLIT:2874] Re: Teaching convicted rapists, Carol, Thanks for sharing! Many of us would love to hear more about what you do-specifically what is the nature of the literacy segment of the program? Are learners required to attend? How often? What is done during the literacy time? Thanks, Daphne >>> ALCDGG@langate.gsu.edu 02/27/04 16:26 PM >>> Hello all, Teaching convicted rapists, batterers, sex offenders, etc, is an everyday reality our ABE/GED staff must deal with here at the Londer Learning Center in Portland, Oregon. Our literacy program, which is funded by our county Department of Community Justice, is specifically for adults on parole, probation or involved in drug/alcohol treatment programs. In other words, these offenders are out of jail and in the community. Most of our students have mental health issues, along with a criminal history. Admittedly, it's not easy for us to talk to colleagues about our clientele. Many of our students have committed terrible crimes. What we tend to do is to work closely with mental health and corrections counselors and parole/probation officers. In our county, offenders must receive a lot of counseling and treatment, including cognitive change classes, as part of reintegration into the community. Our Learning Center is a pivotal part of that treatment. So, education fits in with our clients' rehab. We all tend to have some faith in our "system," I think, that we'll catch and can inform POs of suspicious behavior, but also that our clients are receiving "treatment." This makes it easier. I don't think one can do this work without believing that people can change, and that systems must exist to help them to do so. I would suggest that anyone teaching in a correctional facility contact their clients counselors or POs for help in dealing with fears: find out what resources are available and who to call if there are worries, ie, set up a safety plan. I'd be happy to talk further about our experiences. Carole Scholl Acting Program Supervisor Londer Learning Center Multnomah County Dept. of Community Justice 421 SW 5th Ave., Portland, Oregon 97204 (503) 988-3136, x27299
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