County highlights jail-based RISE program and school restorative measures; veteran service officer introduced

County officials and community partners used the meeting to highlight programs aimed at reducing recidivism and addressing youth substance use, and to introduce a new veteran service officer.

Molly, who leads the RISE initiative, described a program launched in 2023 to provide peer counseling and Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) inside the jail and to link people to wraparound services after release. "We teach MRT," she said, noting the curriculum was designed for the criminal justice system and that the program works with judges, prosecutors and public defenders to reduce recidivism and support reentry.

Shannon Giles of Chances and Services for Youth and Tobacco Free Vigo previewed the Circles of Change Conference (9 a.m.–4 p.m., Tuesday at the Convention Center) and reported results from a biannual point-of-sale survey of tobacco retailers: 116 retailers surveyed this year versus 103 two years ago. Giles also described a restorative-measures program the county runs with the Vigo County School Corporation; she said nearly 100 students have participated in the program, most of whom avoided referral to juvenile court.

Commissioners introduced Shelby McDaniel, who began work in February as a veteran service officer and is currently in training. Officials thanked county council and staff for supporting programs and noted an award the RISE program recently received.

Next steps: RISE and restorative-program staff will continue coordination with courts and schools; promotional and registration details for the Circles of Change conference are available on the organizations’ websites and social media channels.