Loudoun County, VA (January 31, 2024) – Yesterday, five incarcerated participants graduated from the third class of the Changing Habits and Nurturing Community Engagements (C.H.A.N.C.E.) Program at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.
C.H.A.N.C.E. is a therapeutic re-entry program introduced by Sheriff Mike Chapman in 2022 that works in conjunction with Loudoun County Mental Health and Opportunities, Alternatives, and Resources (OAR).
The purpose of the C.H.A.N.C.E. program is to reduce the recidivism rate by inspiring inmates of the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center to become better citizens upon their release. This is accomplished by offering intense group sessions encompassing all aspects of decarcerated life in a therapeutic community. These graduates have completed ten re-entry classes including Anger Management, Family Ties, Money Smarts, Responsible Thinking, Social Values, Fatherhood, Self-control, Peer Relationships, Impact of Crime, and Seeking Employment. They have also completed five mental health classes that included Sober Fun, Phases, Moral Reconation Therapy, Seeking Safety, and Mindfulness. The graduates attended classes five days a week for 16 weeks to complete all the required classes. In addition, they have earned multiple certifications (ServSafe Food Handler, ServSafe Food Protection Manager, VDOT Flagger, CPR/AED/First Aid, and Adult Mental Health First Aid).
“Successfully reintegrating incarcerated participants from our Adult Detention Center into our community is a priority, and the C.H.A.N.C.E. program helps develop skill sets to assist with that success,” said Sheriff Mike Chapman. “I commend today’s five graduates for their initiative, along with the members of our professional team who manage this excellent program.”
These C.H.A.N.C.E. graduates also performed duties working throughout the facility by preparing meals in the kitchen, cleaning the hallways, and cleaning cells in intake. In addition to attending classes and working, these five graduates have also been the handlers caring for and training future service dogs through the Service Puppy Program.