Recovery Buddy

SESSION INFO

Tuesday, August 29, 2023
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
Session Type: Workshop

Certified Peer Recovery Specialists can provide support to others with substance abuse issues. Provide peer support services. Decrease the incidence and frequency of substance use relapses and overdoses experienced by individuals recently released from incarceration recovering from substance use disorders and mental health issues. Assist individuals by providing linkages, warm hand-offs and direct referrals to treatment and/or other recovery services including community-based peer support Prevent opioid overdose through establishing recovery plans, determining need for Harm Reduction, and improving linkage to community-based services.

SESSION PRESENTERS

Dena Davis
Correctional Administrator, TN Department of Correction


Dena Davis is a Correctional Administrator for Community Supervision with oversight of 48 counties in East Tennessee. She has over 25 years of experience in the criminal justice field. Ms. Davis holds a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Colorado. Ms. Davis is a graduate of leadership programs provided by the state of Tennessee such as the Warden’s Academy and LEAD TN. Ms. Davis assists with creating and reviewing policy for the Department of Correction. Ms. Davis has facilitated statewide training on various topics as it relates to processes and procedures within the Department of Correction. Ms. Davis has assisted with the implementation of new initiatives including the intake process used within Community Supervision. She also led multiple workgroups to reinvent “the way we work” in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Ms. Davis serves as a Regional 3 Representative on the APPA Board of Directors.


Ian C McCarty
Middle Region Correctional Administrator, TN Department of Correction


Ian McCarty is the Specialized Caseloads Correctional Administrator for Community Supervision with oversight of sex offender supervision for Tennessee. Mr. McCarty is a graduate of leadership programs provided by the state of Tennessee such as Command College and LEAD TN. Mr. McCarty assists with creating and reviewing policy for the Department of Correction. Mr. McCarty has facilitated statewide training on various topics as it relates to processes and procedures within the Department of Correction. Mr. McCarty has assisted with the implementation of new initiatives including the intake process used within Community Supervision, Treatment Oriented Caseloads, and Group Violence Intervention. Mr. McCarty assists with the facilitation of a reentry simulation that includes participation from the Department of Correction staff and external stakeholders judges, attorneys, the Board of Parole, and community stakeholders regarding the supervision of sex offenders. Their combined experience in working with this population assists others in understanding the real risk of sexual re-offense and how to work with offenders.


Joe Williams
Correctional Administrator, TN Department of Correction


Joe S. Williams is a Correctional Administrator for Community Supervision with oversight of 27 Counties in West Tennessee. Mr. Williams has been employed by the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) for 20 years. Mr. Williams is a graduate of leadership programs offered by TDOC including Commanding Success Institute, Warden’s Academy, and LEAD TN. Mr. Williams is currently working on the implementation of revised hiring practices across the state to establish a fair, consistent and equitable talent management process. In addition, Mr. Williams is responsible for other statewide initiatives including partnering with Pesevere to refer offenders to receive computer coding certificates and Focused Deterrence Programs designed to supply needed resources to the most at risk offenders to reoffend.