In July 2002, Operation Outward Reach received a grant from the Staunton Farm Foundation in Pittsburgh, supporting a three-year pilot study at OOR’s SCI-Greensburg division. The study expands the current vocational training program with a counseling program addressing the mental health of program participants via a focus on emotional intelligence and recidivism. Emotional intelligence is a combination of non-cognitive capabilities such as empathy, interpersonal skills, problem solving, impulse control, and stress management, which research supports as contributing to life success. The direct service phase of the project spans two years and will serve approximately 40 inmates. The last year of the project provides follow-up of program participants at 30, 60, 90, 180 and 360 days, to record recidivism information.

OOR contracted with Holly Moore, a doctoral candidate at Duquesne University, as Re-entry Coordinator to research, develop, and supervise implementation of the new program. The program consists of a pre-test of emotional intelligence using the BarON-EQ-i self-report instrument, which measures emotionally intelligent behaviors. A month long assessment process follows, in which demographic information is collected via a structured bio-psychosocial form and three individual counseling goals are set. Weekly individual counseling and psycho educational group counseling continue for the remainder of the six-month program. Group counseling allows for guided practice of EQ skills. Post-testing with the BarON-EQ-i is conducted at the end of the six-month program.

Jeni Clegg, a master’s student from Duquesne University, was hired as Re-entry Counselor. All involved OOR and DOC staff meet monthly to discuss program implementation and to exchange information about participants. An external team of community professionals meets quarterly to review, evaluate and advise about program progress. Additionally, OOR has contracted with Dr. Waln K. Brown as a process evaluator to report to Staunton Farm Foundation on the process of grant administration.

Emotional Intelligence is defined as an array of non-cognitive skills, capabilities, and competencies that influence one’s ability in coping with environmental demands and pressures. The EQ program developed with the support of Staunton Farm Foundation will provide the paroled inmate support in dealing with every day life upon release. This has been a wish of mine for over 30 years.