RESTART

Re-Entry Stabilization, Transition, and Reintegration Tract (RESTART) Program
In partnership with the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center, Family Services provides re-entry services to incarcerated people who are at a high risk for re-offending. This can include psycho-educational classes, which improve understanding about mental health conditions and build coping skills, as well as in-jail case management, individual counseling, and structured transition plans as individuals return to the community.

Closing Gaps in Re-Entry

The RESTART program began operations in 2015, providing a variety of classes and trauma informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) programs including, but not limited to Helping Men and Women Recover, Seeking Safety Anger Management, and Moral Reconation Therapy. Our goal is to improve incarcerated individuals’ understanding of the ways their thoughts, behaviors, and experiences have influenced their actions, in turn encouraging them to seek healthier options.

Location

Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center
150 N Hamilton Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Testimonials

“The RESTART program helped me out a lot. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the program. The grief and loss, anger management, and counseling all helped me. I got back to reading. Reading in group gave me the confidence to keep reading now that I’m home. I stay focused. I never learned any of this stuff in my 59 years of life. I can enjoy my life now because of the work that I did when I was in jail. It gave me a sense of finding myself.”

“I would like to thank you for all that you’ve done for me, allowing me to feel safe and comfortable to talk about past trauma I’ve never talked about out loud before with a therapist. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished over the course of our sessions.”

“I’m a strong believer that everything happens for a reason. If I never came to jail, I do not believe I would have ever found myself again. I do believe if it weren’t for RESTART I would still be stuck in the cycle I’ve been stuck in for 26 years.”

What We Offer

RESTART offers a broad range of evidence-based classes and therapeutic groups tailored to incarcerated individuals’ needs.

Works on changing moral reasoning to support better decision-making and more appropriate behavior

Focuses on the impact of socialization on recovery, with emphasis on issues of abuse and trauma.

Teaches coping strategies to manage anger symptoms and prevent behavioral displays of anger.

Identifies psychological stages relating to motivation and change in criminal behavior and attitude.

Increases accountability for offenders and provides insight into violent tendencies in current situations.

Provides a safe space for those dealing with loss and supports the processing of unresolved emotions and pain.

Addresses individual problem areas through journal prompts across four structured booklets.

Helps people attain safety from trauma and addiction.

Designed for incarcerated individuals to turn their situation into a success story and build a productive life through positive, long-term change.

Provides tools and skills to support parental, child, and family resilience and foster family connections.

Staff & Partnerships

RESTART is committed to building bridges between the justice system and the broader community. Our partnerships expand access to services, support professional training, and strengthen reentry efforts across Dutchess County.

Staff

Jillian DiFalco
Dr. Sheriese Sanchez
Anthony Flores
Salina Thompson-Boston

Marist University

RESTART collaborates with Marist University to host bachelor’s- and master’s level internships, bringing the next generation of advocates and practitioners into direct contact with the justice system. This partnership creates meaningful learning experiences for students while deepening RESTART’s capacity to serve, connecting academic knowledge with real-world impact right here in Dutchess County.

Funding Acknowledgment
Funded by Dutchess County