(Editor's note: Catholic Social Service staff members, Brooke Hamlin-Lopez and Rhonda Goodloe, have been working with the Seeds of Hope SCRIMP program to provide relationship skills classes and Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) for residents and former-residents of Finney County Jail. The following article from SCRIMP Program Manager, Becky Upshaw, appears in the Fall 2011 Seeds of Hope Newsletter. Please take a minute to read the newsletter which provides some wonderful success stories, and some additional information about the SCRIMP program).

I sincerely hope that being part of the planning and implementation of the SCRIMP Program has been as positive an experience for Mentor Coordinator Brooke Hamlin-Lopez and MRT Facilitator Rhonda Goodloe as it has been for me. However, I’m concerned about how recent changes at the U.S. Department of Justice may negatively impact the success of the program.

In late October I received notification that we would no longer be allowed to use grant funds to provide meals or refreshments at SCRIMP functions. My first thought was that some of our clients wouldn’t show up without the incentive of a free meal. This has proven to be true. In the two weeks since this change went into effect, attendance at MRT class has decreased from an average of nine participants weekly during the fourth quarter to an average of just three participants weekly in November. I know that some of our clients are truly hungry when they arrive for MRT class. I’m also concerned that the atmosphere in our groups has changed from that of a friendly opportunity to learn from SCRIMIP staff and mentors to a more formal classroom experience.

Likewise, only six members attended our November Advisory Board meeting compared to 25 attendees at the April meeting where lunch was provided. This may be as damaging to the success of our program as the decrease in client participation, since community communication and collaboration are crucial to provide for the needs of those reintegrating into our community from jail or prison.

My previous experience working as a prevention consultant to community coalitions throughout southwest Kansas taught me that food is a crucial factor in getting folks to show up for meetings. I’m concerned and saddened that this change may negatively impact our clients and the success we enjoyed during our first year.

Becky Upshaw, SCRIMP Program Manager