Programs and Services

Lydia’s Place, Inc.

710 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2100

Pittsburgh, PA 15219

412-391-1013

412-391-1082 (fax)

info@lydiasplace.org

Helping Women Rebuild Their Lives

Pre-Release Programs

· Women FIRST - An intensive pre-release program for women with a history of drug and alcohol abuse, with an emphasis on preparing participants to enter treatment upon release.

 

Post-Release Programs

· Intensive Case Management & Referral Services - Individualized case management for recently released women including counseling and referrals for housing, job placement, drug and alcohol rehab and mental health treatment. 

 

Resources for Children & Caregivers

· Family Fun Events and Kinship Caretaker Support Group – Lydia’s Place offers monthly, supervised activities for the children of incarcerated parents, their caregivers, and recently released mothers.  We offer a yearly, weekend retreat at the Family Resources Retreat Center as part of our programming.  Our activities offer families the opportunity to enjoy themselves and connect with other people in similar circumstances.   We also offer a kinship, caregiver support group in conjunction with our family events.

Strengthening Mother-Child Relationships

· A Mother’s Voice - A special project that allows incarcerated mothers to choose and record stories for their children.  Lydia’s Place then sends a copy of the book and the audiotape to each of her children.

 

· Parenting Classes and Family Strengthening Services – Parenting classes for incarcerated or recently released women are based a curriculum developed specifically for incarcerated parents, with emphasis on attachment disorders and the children’s trauma history.  Our staff also helps mothers determine whether they are able to parent effectively, reunite with their children if possible, or if another plan such as permanent, kinship care or adoption best serves the children.  We provide counseling for clients and help them interface with Allegheny County Children’s Court and CYF.

 

· Prenatal Classes – Weekly classes for pregnant inmates include information on nutrition, exercise, body changes, labor and delivery, and basic infant care.  Our staff also helps mothers arrange for someone to care for their infant if they must return to jail after giving birth.

2008 Outcomes

 

In 2008, Lydia’s Place served over 20,000 adults and children.  About 18,000 of these individuals were clients of the Gwendolyn June Campbell Elliot Family Activity Center prior to its transfer to the Warden of the Allegheny County Jail on July 1, 2008.  Lydia’s Place served an additional 1,449 female offenders in the Allegheny County Jail, at Renewal, Inc. and in our offices.  We also served 111 children and 43 caretakers of children.

 

Lydia’s Place case managed 159 women in 2008.  Of these:

· 96% of those with a history of substance abuse sought treatment

· 88% of those with a history of mental illness sought mental health treatment

· 95% found stable housing

· 96% found employment

· 60% had minor children.  Of these:

· 33% regained custody

· 52% actively worked toward strengthening their relationship or reunifying with their children

· 78% remained out of jail.

 

Family activities:

•   17 mothers, 33 caregivers, and 66 children participated in our Family Fun Events in 2008.

•   124 children received holiday gifts.

•   55 mothers recorded stories for 112 children through our Mother’s Voice program.