A Culturally Specific Re-entry Program

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Bruce Douglas is a native of Grambling, Louisiana and is a 1983 graduate of Grambling State University. There he majored in Criminal Justice, followed by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Human Development at Troy State University, Montgomery (Alabama) in 1987. Subsequently, upon working in various governmental capacities, Bruce began his career with Multnomah County (Oregon) in 1995 for the Sheriff’s Office as an Alcohol & Drug Evaluation Specialist, and Corrections Counselor. He then transferred to the Department of Community Justice (DCJ), Adult Division, in 2002 working in various departments up until beginning his current assignment in 2015 as the Corrections Counselor for the African American Program. Bruce and his wife of 39 years have lived abroad, enjoy traveling, attending spiritually uplifting events and going on walks. They have two adult children.

Carl Green is a Sworn Community Justice Manager for the Multnomah County Department of Community Justice in Portland Oregon, where he manages the African American Program, Gang Unit, Latino Program and Electronic Monitoring Program. Preceding his current assignment, Carl managed the East County Generic unit, Change Center, and Sex Crimes Unit. Carl is a graduate of the Multnomah County Leadership Academy and the American Probation and Parole Association Leadership Institute. He received his Bachelors of Art from Washington State University prior to entering the field as a Probation/Parole Officer. Carl spent 18 years in the Gang Unit where he served as a Lead Officer and was well known for leading successful field missions to enhance public safety and community relations. Prior to becoming a manager, Carl was appointed as the Lead Training Officer in a special unit focused on implementing trauma informed care, brain development and cultural responsiveness in evidence based practices called the SMART GRANT. This unit has been recognized by Harvard University and the Federal Judiciary for their work. Carl is currently a member of the County Diversity, Equity, Steering Committee (DESC), Managers of Color, and the Workforce Equity Strategic Plan Advisory Group. In his spare time, Carl enjoys traveling with his wife and two daughters.

Nate is from Oakland CA, the seventh born child of seven brothers and sisters. He is happily married 41 years and counting with four beautiful adult children three young ladies and one young man. He claims his greatest accomplishment in life has been living to see his children become productive adults and they still like being around him. Nate has been employed with Multnomah County since 1994, first as an Alcohol and Drug Evaluation Specialist with the In-Jail Intervention Program (IJIP). In 1996, he transitioned to the Sheriff Department as a Corrections Deputy. In 2000 he transferred to the Department of Community Justice as a Parole/Probation Officer for the African American program, a Culturally Specific Parole Transition Program. Within the scope of his work has become a Survival Skills and Firearm Instructor with focus of community and officer safety. Working as an officer with AAP allows him to conduct honest conversations with African American men and women returning home from prison, entering back to the community and their families that have done time with them. For several years the program survived on basic instinct, presenting general principles to live by starting in prison 6 to 8months prior to release. Then we continue the discussion in the community in our community support group once a week. The group is still working to this day. In 2016, AAP incorporated the Men’s H.E.A.T. Curriculum at Columbia River Correctional Facility. Habilitation Empowerment Accountability Therapy (H.E.A.T.) In 2018, AAP incorporated the Women’s H.E.R. Curriculum at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. Habilitation Empowerment Recovery (H.E.R.) Nate see working exclusively with African American men and women has been a very rewarding opportunistic career that comes once in a life time.

Tomasina Porotesano is a Parole Probation Officer for the Department of Community Justice of Multnomah County. She has worked for Parole and Probation for over 20 years. She currently supervises justice involved African American women as well as women with children in the Family Services unit. She has dedicated her P&P career in helping clients make positive changes in their lives. One of the greatest reward of this work is witnessing clients rise above their struggles and recognizing their potential to be a productive in the community.

Larry Turner has worked in social services since 1997 with a focus on Behavioral Health (SUD/MH) in African American populations in Portland, Oregon. A clinician with lived experience and graduate of Department of Community Justices African American program earned a degree from Portland Community College in alcohol and drug counseling in 2004. Worked in substance abuse disorder treatment with chronically homeless individuals from detox to county government. Currently works at Multnomah County as a Clinical Services Specialist with a focus on African American/African populations. Has a certification as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADC II), Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM), Certified Gambling Recovery Mentor (CGRM), PSS (Peer Support Specialist), Qualified Mental Health Associate, (QMHA I)