Featured Program

Catalytic Connections

Thanks to a Catalytic Connections grant from Prosper OK, 1st Step is involved in a capacity-building program related to a sustainable economic model to expand 1st Step’s ability to serve additional participants. The capacity building program includes a budget review, development of a logic framework, organization of a half-day board retreat with a fundraising focus, and training to assist staff in updating their administrative and marketing processes. 

As the capacity-building program unfolded, 1st Step staff were inspired to conduct an internal review of the 1st Step budgeting process and develop preliminary fundraising strategies to increase income from multiple income streams. Recommendations resulting from the review of the 1st Step budgeting process include using a more inclusive budgeting process, involving stakeholders in long-term sustainability planning, conducting regular financial reviews to assess progress toward income stream goals, and developing regular stakeholder reports outlining the progress and impact of our initiatives.

The preliminary fundraising strategies propose possible ways to increase funding from foundations and corporations and recommend a concerted effort to pursue funding from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. 



The Board Retreat, including 1st Step staff, is scheduled for January 18. The Logic Model and proposed fundraising strategies will be discussed then.

Program Updates

OSU Strong Dads

Since 2022, 1st Step has increasingly emphasized the importance of fatherhood with program participants. 50% of participants in the 1st Step Male Diversion Program have children. Given the age range of participants (18-30 years of age), the remaining 50% are likely to become fathers shortly after Program completion. 1st Step participants typically come from chaotic childhoods characterized by absentee parents, parental incarceration, parental substance use, violence, and abuse. As a result, their model and knowledge of parenting is woefully inadequate.

During 2022, 1st Step extensively researched the impact the incarceration of a father has on his children and the impact a father’s positive parenting has on his children. For example, we learned that children who grow up with involved fathers are more comfortable exploring the world around them and more likely to exhibit self-control and pro-social behavior. School-aged children with good relationships with their fathers are less likely to experience depression, exhibit disruptive behavior, or lie. In June 2022, 1st Step introduced its Parenting Inside Out program for justice-involved fathers. The research and parenting class were used to strengthen the 1st Step program. In September 2022, 1st Step conducted a well-received break-out session at the Zarrow Mental Health Conference – “Strengthening Tulsa Families: Bringing Father’s Home.”

Throughout 2023, 1st Step continued with the Parenting Inside Out classes while encouraging participants with children to engage with their children and work toward family reunification. The results are encouraging. Among the 11 1st Step 2023 graduates, one participant uses parenting skills for improved co-parenting with his four daughters; one has stabilized a co-parenting relationship with the mother of his two sons; a third has learned to take seriously his role as uncle to his sister’s three children; a fourth man is expecting his first child and will benefit from his new parenting and interactional relationship skills; a fifth man assumed responsibility for two children and united with and supports his family. 12 children live healthier, happier lives due to stabilized relationships with fathers/uncles. Six other graduates are equipped with a positive model and knowledge of parenting.

For 2024, 1st Step has further strengthened its emphasis on fatherhood by finalizing an MOU with Oklahoma State University Extension for participant engagement in the OSA Strong Dad’s program. Each support group will meet for 2 hours weekly for 12 weeks. The coach will work with program participants to identify resources and skills they need to achieve parenting goals.

The Strong Dads program will begin in January 2024.

Goal

OKARR Residence Certification

For several months, 1st Step has been working to complete the requirements to certify its residences with the Oklahoma Alliance for Recovery Residences (OKARR) and with the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR). Certification involves meeting best practices for recovery housing. The application includes submitting a Policies and Procedures Manual; Resident Agreement (resident rights, codes of conduct, services provided, recovery goals, and relapse policies); Employee/Volunteer Manual; Staffing/Leadership Plan; and Weekly Activities Schedule.

Staff are also completing 5 foundational knowledge courses in the housing field offered by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) Training Institute. They include courses on Eviction Prevention, Continuum of Care, Working with Housing Authorities, and Housing Scholarships and Vouchers. Completing the 5 courses will earn each participating staff member a Housing Plus Endorsement.

When 1st Step is certified with OKARR and NARR, staff will apply for Housing Scholarships and Vouchers through ODMHSAS. These will help cover the expenses 1st Step incurs accommodating participants in safe recovery housing during the initial program phases.

Accomplishment

Partnership with the Cherokee Tribal Nation

1st Step and the Cherokee Nation Career Services Group are in the process of finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding under which young non-violent justice-involved male members of the Cherokee Nation will be referred to 1st Step by the Cherokee Nation Judicial Branch for participation in the 1st Step program. Cherokee men accepted into 1st Step will receive a full scholarship covering the costs of the 1st Step services.

The meetings between 1st Step and the Cherokee Tribal Nation are an outcome of the September 2023 Oklahoma Tribal Intergovernmental Reentry Workshop. During the workshop, Mr. Tim Faerber of the United States Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of Oklahoma presented to Tribal Nation participants an overview of the 1st Step program which in 2022 began serving qualified young men charged with federal crimes. After the workshop, 1st Step reached out to Cherokee Nation contacts. In two subsequent meetings, Cherokee Nation contacts responded positively to the opportunity the 1st Step program provides young Cherokee men to transform their lives.

Implementation of the MOU is targeted to begin in March 2024.