Service League Of San Mateo County

Corrections: The Service League responds to family questions and concerns regarding their incarcerated family members. Information regarding available services is given to newly jailed persons through orientations regarding the correctional process and various jail procedures including availability of facility programs, such as AA, Narcotics Anonymous, and church services. Various other assistance programs available through the Service League are also discussed. An important agency service is screening for clearance and orientation of persons working in the correctional facilities who are not Sheriff's Office personnel. Part of the Service League's mission, is to develop, schedule, and monitor volunteers and community providers engaged in a broad range of programs and activities inside of the correctional facilities. Outreach to families of inmates is provided in the Maguire Correctional Facility lobby during visiting hours. Families are provided with friendly support, information, referral, and advocacy regarding their concerns. Emergency assistance can be provided through the Service League and other community resources.In-Custody Services: This program coordinates and delivers programs and groups within the various adult correctional facilities in San Mateo County. These programs and groups provide problem-solving, educational and personal growth oriented services. All services exist to provide rehabilitation, education, stress reduction, personal growth, and emergency assistance. Our client population consists of jail inmates, former inmates, and their families. The agency provides the following services: Message requests which provide contact with their families and friends, attorneys, probation officers, employers and others; arranging the release of personal property to family members; arrange notary services; provide writing materials; provide jury clothing; assist with document signatures and photocopying; provide law library services; provide an array of religious services such as scheduling of pastoral visits and marriage information, religious activities, and filling requests for Bibles and Qurans and other religious materials; provide groups and programming in the jail such as Hope Inside which are programs for individuals that are addressing addiction, re-entry and criminal thinking and domestic violence groups.Post-Release Services: The Service League provides the following services; bus tickets for transportation home; drop in services such as food bags and clothing; and bus tickets, motel vouchers, hygiene kits, and information on various community resources which may also include Service Leagues residential or transitional SUD services or transitional housing.

Community:The Organization offers a food pantry, bus passes, and other basic needs including motel vouchers to those in need of such services. Services provided to ex-offenders include guidance, counseling, referral, employment networking to preclude the ex-offender from engaging in illegal activity or antisocial behavior.Transitional Housing: Service League provides safe and affordable housing for individuals at 5 sites. The individuals that successfully graduate from the Hope House SUD residential treatment program have first priority in 2 of our transitional homes. This transitional housing is also available for individuals that have not graduated from our Hope House SUD program but have been referred by partnering agencies or programs and/or are homeless and low income. The other 3 transitional homes usually have individuals that have graduated from outside SUD treatment programs, referred by the homeless shelter or other community organizations, or are self-referred. Requirements to remain in housing consist of the following: complete abstinence from all substances; gainful employment or enrolled in vocational or educational education programs; pay rent based on income (there are special programs for rent reduction and savings program); follow all rules; attend 12-step meetings; and get along in a community environment. The Case Manager through house meetings and/or individual meetings focuses on issues of chemical dependency, personal responsibility, and permanent housing. Some residents participate in outside groups stressing anger management, domestic violence prevention, out-patient or aftercare SUD programs. Communication skills and relapse prevention are stressed through weekly house meetings and close linkages with 12-step groups.

Religious & Children:Train volunteers who provide activities such as religious services to inmates. We additionally help with face to face supervision for the visits between incarcerated parents and their children.