Treatment plan and facilitation skills report

Review the Cassandra Case Study along with your completed Risk and Needs Assessment Report assignment.

Cassandra Case Study

Cassandra Jones is a 23-year-old female from Los Angeles, California, and was recently admitted to the county jail for stealing a purse at a coffee shop. She is unmarried and has a 4-year-old son who is being cared for by her mother. Cassandra completed 10th grade, but she did not graduate from high school. She has worked as a cashier at a grocery store in the past but was terminated for not showing up to work. 

Cassandra has reported using heroin in the past but reports that she has not used the substance for approximately 8 months. Cassandra also reported intermittent alcohol use but does not believe that she abuses the substance. 

Cassandra has 2 close friends who she considers to be like sisters. She reported that they spend quite a bit of time together, as they live in the same studio apartment. Both friends were arrested at the same time as Cassandra and have entered the same correctional facility with the same charges.

Cassandra has been arrested 2 times in the past: once for possession of heroin, and once for theft. She served her time for both charges and was released. 

She reported feelings of depression and anxiety but has not received any formal treatment. She reported no other history of mental illness and has shown no history of violence towards herself or others. 

Risk and Needs Assessment Report

Risk and needs assessment is a crucial process in the criminal justice system since it helps determine which programs may assist each. The method is used to approximate a person`s likelihood of re offending and identifying the most effective plan to reduce the possibility. A risk and needs assessment is used to place offenders in appropriate rehabilitation programs. This involves examining a person`s criminal history, attitude, personality, and living environment. The results help put offenders in different risk groups usually described as low, medium, and high risk. The paper examines the risks and needs of Cassandra Jones, who was arrested recently for stealing a purse at a coffee shop. 

Cassandra has a history of drug use in the past. Nonetheless, she claims that not to have used any drugs in the last eight months. Cassandra is at risk of a relapse if the report is accurate. An effective treatment should involve a drug test to determine if she is using or not. Irrespective of the test results, Cassandra would still benefit from addiction treatment as well as the skills and support required to refrain from a relapse after release from jail (James 10). Moreover, Cassandra has been arrested two other times for theft and possession of heroin. The fact she is in her early twenties has no work, and lives with friends who use drugs increases Cassandra chases of being arrested again. 

Cassandra Jones is a twenty-three-year-old woman, unmarried and with a four-year-old son who is looked after by her mother. Furthermore, she did not graduate from high school and did not have a job after being fired for failing to show up. This clearly shows that Cassandra is irresponsible and cannot control her life.  She cannot finish most of the things she starts and finds a way to screw up. Cassandra should be supervised in every aspect of her rehabilitation to ensure she completes. Moreover, after release from custody, she should be monitored through mandated rehabilitation programs such as substance-abuse group sessions (Miller 101).  

The main components of the case study (most important items to consider in Cassandra’s treatment plan), are substance abuse (a history of using heroin) and mental health (feelings of depression and anxiety). She has not received any treatment. Heroin (opiod addiction) has a crisis status in various locations in the country; intensive outpatient treatment and regular meetings can help to control urges, and teach other coping mechanisms. Feelings of depression and anxiety may lead to drug use, and therapy sessions can get to the bottom of those emotions, including any concerns with her four-year-old son. Also it is important to address why she is stealing since she is not working and has no GED or diploma to get a reasonable job. Cassandra’s friends may be an influence on her behavior that could be something to consider as well and the relationship with her mother. These are necessary risk and needs items to consider to determine proper treatment including what impacts Cassandra’s actions.

She has no only basic education and has limited vocational skills. Having her enrolled in a General Education Development as well as vocational training for semi-skilled positions. Having her engage in a skill of choice so upon release she will be able to secure a job to help take care of herself and her child. 

Cassandra has reported using heroin in the past and reported intermittent alcohol use, the first step should involve a drug test to determine if she is using or not then we can move forward in treating her for substance abuse. If she has been clean then therapeutic classes can help to keep her focused and continue to be clean.

She should also be placed in a thief abatement class, she needs to understand the seriousness of shoplifting and how if can mess up her future.

Cassandra is a product of her environment. Her roommates and her share a small studio apartment so there is lack of space for her to get away and reflect. Cassandra has no role model to follow and has only basic skills which are the qualities her friends portray. Cassandra does not always agree with the behaviors of her friends and it makes her anxious, but she still mimics her friends behavior which leads to slower progress in rehabilitation. She does not want to feel like an outcast and always wants to make sure she pleases other people. Her friends often use drugs which puts pressure on her to participate though she does not want to.  Cassandra should partake in group treatment with other people who are trying to recover as well. She often feels isolated from her friend group and only does certain things because her friends do. If she is able to pull away from the toxic friend group, then she will be able to focus on rehabilitation.

In conclusion, a risks and needs assessment is critical to determining the level of service Cassandra receives while she is receiving services in various settings. By evaluating her risks, both static and dynamic, a plan can be developed that will address multiple barriers Cassandra is facing to living her best life, bother for herself, and her child. 

One possibility while taking into account her weaknesses and the likelihood that she will relapse and re offend, is to implement an alternative risk and needs assessment called the Good Life Model, and Good Life Plan (Ward & Willis, 2016). The GLM will draw on her strengths, and be more individualized than a traditional risk and needs assessment, and could be a more positive experience for Cassandra as well, as she is helping to identify and lean more on her strengths.

Without these tools to assess, plan, and monitor offenders, creating the best service plan could be very problematic. Of course the goal is larger than the individual, but to reduce recidivism as a whole. 

Conduct research to determine treatment programs that will meet the individual’s identified needs based on both the information in the case study and in your assessment of needs.

Write a 1,050- to 1,400-word report on your plan for working with this individual. Include the following:

• Describe the treatment and program needs of the individual in the case study.
• Describe two to three correctional programs for this individual, based on identified needs.
• Explain the role of the helping process in correctional programs for this individual.
• Identify the types of skills needed to facilitate the helping process with assisting this individual through the program.

Cite a minimum of 2 sources.

Format your paper according to APA guidelines.