HOPE Program

Helping Offenders Psychologically and Emotionally

Introduction

The H.O.P.E Program was originally established in 2001 as the Mental Health Track. It was developed with the goal of establishing a cooperative and coordinated solution between community providers as a possible alternative to prison. Since 2007 the program is now known as the H.O.P.E. Program (Helping Offenders Psychologically and Emotionally). It is designed to assist individuals who are involved with the Common Pleas Court and have a history of mental health issues by providing the necessary services that will enhance the probability of stabilization and reduce the likelihood of re-offending. These specially trained professionals understand the complexities that mental health issues add to the Court process and work together to promote recovery efforts thus enabling participants to successfully complete Intensive Supervision Probation (ISP).

Referrals are made to the H.O.P.E. Program during the pre-sentence investigation process or by the probation officer once the individual is placed on supervision. The offender is interviewed by a local mental health agency and the determination is made as to whether the offender meets the criteria for placement in the H.O.P.E. Program.

Eligibility

The Participant/Probationer must:

• Be a Stark County resident.
• Be able to benefit from receiving outpatient mental health services.
• Agree to participate in the program and receive services through Summit Psychological Associates, Inc.
• Meet admission criteria for ISP and have a probation offense.
• Present with a history of mental health issues and has used services prior to commission of the instant offense reflective of the following diagnoses:
  • • Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
    • Mood disorders.
    • Co-occurring mental illness and either a substance use or developmental disorder.

Description

Once accepted, the H.O.P.E. Probation Officer is assigned supervision of the offender. The Program length is 12 - 18 months, based on program performance. This includes:

• Phase I: House arrest or residential placement
• Phase II: 9:00 p.m. curfew
• Phase III: 12:00 a.m. curfew

The H.O.P.E. Program (ISP Probation) cooperates with: Stark County Court of Common Pleas, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) Adult Parole Authority, Stark County Mental Health and Recovery, Stark Regional Community Correction Center, Stark County Day Reporting Program, Families First of Stark County, Stark County Department of Jobs and Family Services, The Employment Source, Melymbrosia Associates, The Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC) Program and CommQuest.

If You Have Been Ordered by the Judge to Participate in the H.O.P.E. Program

Schedule an assessment with the specialist within 24 hours of being ordered into the Program by calling Summit Psychological Associates, Inc. at (234) 410-3070.

Come to Summit Psychological Associates, Inc. at the McKinley Center, 800 Market Ave, Suite 400 to sign release forms. This enables partners to work together for your best possible outcome.

Inform all necessary parties of your address and phone number so you can be contacted as necessary.

Complete the diagnostic assessment at Summit Psychological Associates, Inc.

If you are in the Stark county Jail, contact the mental health counselor there to arrange for the H.O.P.E. Program assessment specialist to come to the jail to complete your assessment.

H.O.P.E. Program Frequently Asked Questions